Below is the first article I wrote for American Quilter Magazine in 1992. I find it surprisingly insightful, considering the state of the world today. Over the years, my focus on gardening has increased and I have added several new approaches to my quilting, but I still try to find a balance, spending time on both of these things.
Enjoy, Anita
"I am a gardener and a quilter. A good combination, I think. Both give me the same pleasure and sense of accomplishment. They satisfy my creative needs and provide something tangible for my family. There is order, pattern and color in each one. Both are long term projects and I enjoy watching them grow.
I like to think that growing our own food gives us a little bit of self sufficiency. That if the world suddenly changed, I could still put food on the table. There is comfort in that.
Quilting may be even more important than food to me. Reflecting on this idea of self sufficiency, I thought if I were suddenly cut off from civilization, I could still quilt. I would miss my goose neck lamp, but natural light is really the best anyway. Since my work is almost all done by hand, I could live without my sewing machine. All I need is my needle and thread.
But what about the needle?...and the thread?...and the fabric? What would I do if I could no longer buy those wonderful fabrics and my favorite little betweens? I know that it is possible to spin and weave, but after all of that, would I really cut it into thousands of pieces to be sewn back together again? How could I make all of the quilts still waiting inside my head? It made me thankful for all of the people who make these things available to me.
I will continue to garden, to work and wait and watch it grow. But I feel lucky to be able to buy, at a moment’s notice, anything I need to make my quilts. If the grocery stores close, I can still feed my family, but without my quilting, my soul would surely starve."
Wishing you a new year of abundance and gratitude.
Enjoy, Anita
"I am a gardener and a quilter. A good combination, I think. Both give me the same pleasure and sense of accomplishment. They satisfy my creative needs and provide something tangible for my family. There is order, pattern and color in each one. Both are long term projects and I enjoy watching them grow.
I like to think that growing our own food gives us a little bit of self sufficiency. That if the world suddenly changed, I could still put food on the table. There is comfort in that.
Quilting may be even more important than food to me. Reflecting on this idea of self sufficiency, I thought if I were suddenly cut off from civilization, I could still quilt. I would miss my goose neck lamp, but natural light is really the best anyway. Since my work is almost all done by hand, I could live without my sewing machine. All I need is my needle and thread.
But what about the needle?...and the thread?...and the fabric? What would I do if I could no longer buy those wonderful fabrics and my favorite little betweens? I know that it is possible to spin and weave, but after all of that, would I really cut it into thousands of pieces to be sewn back together again? How could I make all of the quilts still waiting inside my head? It made me thankful for all of the people who make these things available to me.
I will continue to garden, to work and wait and watch it grow. But I feel lucky to be able to buy, at a moment’s notice, anything I need to make my quilts. If the grocery stores close, I can still feed my family, but without my quilting, my soul would surely starve."
Wishing you a new year of abundance and gratitude.
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