While attending Spring Quilt Market in Minneapolis last May, I began to hear about The Slow Stitching Movement. Intrigued, I set out to learn more.
I have to say that once I began to learn what this is all about, it resonated very strongly in my heart.
This is something I truly believe in!!
So, you ask....
What exactly is The Slow Stitching Movement?
Mark Lipinski is at the very heart of this movement, and through this movement is making us aware to slow down....enjoy your stitching, and take pleasure in what you're doing. The Slow Stitching Movement doesn't only apply to quilting and piecing...it applies to all of the needle arts whether your passion is to knit, crochet, cross stitch, rug hook...whatever the stitch.
The reason I truly believe in this movement, and I wanted to share this on my blog with you is because I feel we're all in too much of a hurry to quickly get one quilt done only to start another. And while there are definitely projects that are and need to be made that way, in my humble opinion, there are way more that should be enjoyed slowly, taking in the sheer pleasure of skill with hand, needle, thread and fabric...all while you make something lovely and lasting.
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| Count Your Lucky Stars American Patchwork & Quilting June, 2014 issue |
The quilt at the left is an glorious antique that I own and is a perfect example of a quilt that was slow stitched. Its many pieces were no doubt cut by hand, and it was definitely pieced and quilted by hand.
Am I saying that I think we should go "old-school" and piece in the purist style from now on? Heck no! I'm not abandoning my rotary supplies or my BFF Bernina!!
I'm just saying that if quick and call it done were the only quilts we piece, even two hundred years ago, this glorious quilt would have never been made.
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| Every Little Bit American Patchwork & Quilting magazine June 2015 issue |
It took well over a year (on and off) to piece.
It has thousands of little bits of paper pieced fabric worked into the Churn Dash blocks.
I enjoyed the entire process of making that quilt, choosing just the right mix of fabrics in each strip.
Those of you making a Dear Jane quilt have already signed up to The Slow Stitching Movement because that glorious quilt takes some time and skill, to say the least!
And, that brings me to another reason The Slow Stitching Movement resonates with me. Skill.
The movement strongly encourages you to build your piecing skills. Learn and master new techniques and take pride in your work! As often as time allows, I try techniques I've never done, such as curved piecing and mitered borders. I'm a novice at needle-turn applique and am loving it. It wasn't so long ago that I thought applique was a four-letter word!
Honestly, The Slow Stitching Movement is so much more than what I've described here. Here are a few links to educate you more about the Movement:
The Slow Stitching Movement blog ~ describing what it's all about.
The Slow Stitching Facebook page
And when these quilts are complete, I know my heart will fill with satisfaction knowing I gave it my best, and all the stitches hold tiny parts of me....each slowly stitched with love.
