Remember the awkwardness of learning a new skill as a child, like struggling with clumsy fingers to tie a shoelace, or write in flowing cursive, or use both hands to play a simple tune on the piano? For years, I was convinced I had a klutz gene, when what I really lacked was the patience to practice. Why couldn't I just be perfect from the start?
As a novice quilter, I often felt “all thumbs.” In fact, the first time I tried a thimble, it refused to stay on my finger, let alone push the needle through all three layers of quilt. And what about those impossibly tiny, even stitches I’d read about—twelve to the inch! REALLY? Perhaps this wasn't the hobby for me, because I still wanted to be perfect from the start.
Now, I'm a seasoned quilt maker and my thimble feels like a second skin. I've made many quilts over the years, all with small, even stitches. The handcraft has brought me nothing but joy. Unfortunately, Multiple Sclerosis has sapped the energy, strength and dexterity I need to continue quilting.
My advice to anyone coping with an impairment like MS is to continue doing what you’re passionate about in any way you can. Stay creative! Since I can’t sew with needle and thread any more, I’m going to try stitching words and pictures together, to chronicle the quilts I've made and collected through the years.
While I’m at it, I might as well give blogging a try. It feels a bit awkward, writing for an audience that may not even exist. So, if you stumble across Persnickety Quilts, why not leave a comment and let me know you're out there? I'd love to hear from you. Together, we can make this perfect from the start!
Welcome to the Blogging world!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your first entry and I wish you all the best with this new venture!
bv in nj
Diane, thank you so much for your very kind e-mail. I love your first post! (At 40-something I still can't get the hang of a thimble :)
ReplyDeleteI look forward to visiting your new blog.
Debbie
Welcome. And is that quilt you show quilting yours? It is gorgeous! My favorite dark colors! I wanted to send you and email back but you have no reply email address. Can you send me another one! What quilt shop do you teach at. Wonder how far you are from me!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! Mine first one was about making jam. Why? I don't know, it was what we happened to be doing at the time, and it just seemed right. Welcome aboard!
ReplyDeleteWelcome to Blogland Diane! How exciting and what a wonderful first post!
ReplyDeleteConfetti and Champagne!
I like this post (I have read your blog backwards) but this was the same way I felt, when I started writing...then I decided that what if I wrote only for me, and that if people commented...icing...
ReplyDeleteLovely blog!
Hello Diane. I was directed to your blog by an online friend, who suggested I start reading at the beginning so I could read all your posts. So this morning I'm doing that. I can tell just by looking at a few of your pictures that we like a lot of the same things, so I know I'm going to have a pleasant hour or so getting to know you. I'll check back in with a comment when I'm finished reading, OK?
ReplyDeleteI'm starting from the beginning to catch up, and this post is EXACTLY what I needed to read. I've been spending soooo much time on one throw quilt because I'm hand-quilting it, but I wanted little stitches so instead of loading my needle quilter-style, I'm going in and out cross-stitcher style. Maybe I'll just make longer stitches, as long as they're even. Thank you sooo much for your insight. Great blog!
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