DK Quilt Guild is a place for quilters to gather, share ideas, projects, and to make the world a better place, one quilt at a time. Join us and share your thoughts, projects, questions, and tips. Quilters here are at many different levels of skill. Beginners and non-quilters are welcome, too.
In today’s political chaos those of us who are creative are blessed. We can turn our focus, hearts, and minds away from that chaos. What we create, we can keep and enjoy, or it can be given to others as a gift from the heart. Creativity is a form of therapy. I have been creating for over 40 years. Hand embroidery, beadwork, and now quilts and quilting.
In Psychology Today it states…..“making art…may be as important to your health as balanced nutrition, regular exercise, or meditation.”
Creativity, in whatever venue we choose, allows us time to contemplate and express. That expression is vital in the midst of chaos. Can you imagine where you would be today, in the world of 45, without having a creative outlet?
Creativity as Protest
I saw some of the Threads of Resistance quilts at Pacific International Quilt Festival (PIQF) in Santa Clara last year. Impacting and intense. Offended many. One local quilt guild member told me she won’t go to PIQF again because of the Resistance Quilts. Her loss. Threads of Resistance allowed an expression for the creators upon 45’s election. Seeing them gave me a sense that I was not alone!
Pussy hats! Those that made the Pussy Hats were also creating resistance! A very bold statement came from that crocheting and knitting. The makers of the hats, and the hats themselves, drew many together to have a collective resistance spirit.
It was obvious to all, that the election of 45 caused much grief, anger and fear. What does one do with those feelings? Resist. How to do that? Create!
If you’re a little older you might remember the Aids Memorial Quilt. I saw some of them. I cried for the lives lost, the pain families had to suffer, and the denial of our government to take care of our brothers and sisters who were dying from the disease. Creativity made an impact!
We are experiencing a resurgence in creativity due to the election and presidency of 45. It’s our time to make a difference. Whether it’s creating to survive or creating to resist.
Creativity takes courage. Henri Matisse
Creativity is not just quilting, crocheting, or knitting. Freeway blogging is also creative in these times!
The taste for slick, mass-printed messaging has since waned. In lieu of ready-made, professionally-designed protest paraphernalia, today’s activists—armed with glue guns, sewing needles, and X-ACTO craft knives—are making one-of-a-kind protest gear. An eclectic sampler can be often be spotted in the various rallies and marches protesting president Donald Trump’s controversial policies.
Creativity as Support, Care, and Comfort
Quilts have always been used in protest, fundraising during the Civil War, and more. Quilts are given as support in trying times and honor. Post 9/11 Quilts for Soldiers, Quilts of Valor, and Quilts of Honor.
Here is the quilt I made for my niece’s husband. He’s still active in the Army and works in D.C.
7 million Project Linus quilts (cloth, knitted, crocheted) have been given to children. My local guild gives cancer patients a Chemo Quilt on the first day of their treatment. We give quilts to the local women’s shelters. Here’s a bright quilt I donated for the Chemo quilts.
I donate batting pieces and fabric to our local Binkie Patrol. The small ones go to the local NICU.
All my small scraps are bagged up and given to the guild to put together Kennel Quilts.
Creativity as therapy and Connection
The quilt above I pieced and appliquéd years ago. When the top was done, my first dog crossed the Rainbow Bridge. It was put away for five years before I could quilt it. I believe Kelsey’s spirit was with me while I quilted it.
Creativity gives us the ability to connect with our spirit, minds, and hearts. I make quilts and I quilt other’s quilts every single day, seven days a week. It is my therapy and sanity. Below is a quilt I did for a customer. Coming up with the designs and then using my ability to free-motion those designs on the quilt is creativity at it’s utmost.
Here’s another quilt for the same customer. She let’s me do “whatever,” so I go for it. I truly believe spirit works in us in our creativity. We connect into another area of our brain and emotions when creating. (I also attribute the creativity to quilt fairies who may fly by and drop off an idea or two!)
No matter what one does; quilting, fiber art, cardboard signs, knitting, woodworking, choreography, jewelry, scrap booking, trying a new recipe, planting a flower, that is creativity. Something new exists that wouldn’t have without us creating it. That existence in itself is healing for ourselves and our world.
Never be dismissive towards anything you create. Too many say that creativity is simply a “hobby” or a “craft,” as if what we’re doing is lowly or not of value. Creativity is invaluable.
By doing a simple 1/4” seam, I am creating. I am meditating. I am releasing some of the PTSD that is occurring for me during these chaotic times.
I read an article this week that tariffs are going to cause problems for the crafting industry. With some fabrics running $15 a yard, we’re all going to have to use our stash to keep creativity flowing.
You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have. Maya Angelou