Ms. CalicoCat wanted to know what realization we've come to lately. Funny because I've been formulating this thought all week. I've decided that there are two types of quilters....those that are crafters who quilt and those whos craft is quilting. The difference? I am a crafter that quilts. From time to time I get bored with making "big blankets." I have tons of quilt books and patterns and enjoy dreaming about the bazzilions of king sized quilts I'm going to make, but the reality is, that "ain't" ever gonna happen. I don't do too bad in the making quilts department but honestly I will never create all that I'd like. It takes so long (I'll never understand how some of you pop out these tops so quickly!!! Like OZ, things happen so quickly around here!) and I am a slowpoke! Like I said, I get bored, bogged down and then shut down. That is when you'll see the crafter in me reappear. Like now. I'm having a blast making napkins, fabric coiled bowls, coasters...crafts, fabric crafts, but crafts nonetheless. Even table runners seem "too big" for me right now. I am also in the "geterdone" mood and mode. Soon, I'll feel the need to make another quilt but right now I am perfectly content to craft.
My friend CCCat is a one who's craft is quilting. She makes quilts and only quilts. She makes big, gorgeous, well planned and thought out, impeccably quilted and finished, quilts. As much as I don't get not making crafts, she doesn't really get making these "little projects." She is also one of you "popper outers" that think about a top and poof! it's finished. It amazes me. I'm still cutting fabric and she has a finished top. Another one of my friends told me that making three dimensional items gives her (I paraphrase here) the heebeejeebees. She also is one who's craft is quilting.
I notice in blogland that there are equal numbers of each. Many of us do embroidery. Many knit, crochet, paint, dye fabric...But many of us are out there just making quilts. Interesting, just plum interesting. It doesn't save the world or lower gas prices, it just is an interesting little observation I've been watching.
So what are you? Are you a crafter that quilts or one who's craft is quilting???
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8 comments:
I'm half way between. I try other things but I always come back to quilting. I am a bit over the huge ones though because I have so many things I want to try. I end up with large wall hangings or couch quilts.
I am the quilter. I agree, anything that isn't flat gives me anxiety and isn't fun anymore. But I love to see what everyone else has made!
I think I have a multiple personality. Sometimes I can't stand making little things, because I'm not quite sure what I will do with them. But then other times piecing the same block over and over and over again gets old, so I have to move on to something else. I just go back and forth, and hopefully I manage to make (AND FINISH) some things here and there.
I love to create stuff. Sometimes it's a quilt (or a tablerunner or patchwork tote), sometimes it's a painting. More often it is a pretty flower bed or a great tasting meal. I don't have enough time each day or left in my lifetime to do all the things I'd like to do so I flit from one to the other. I am also amazed and inspired by the productivity of others. But I am realistic about what I am able to accomplish and I choose what to spend my creative energy on. And then sometimes a day spent enjoying a good book can't be beat!
I, too, am a quilter who crafts. I do quilt everyday. That is a mainstay. But, I also love to craft. Last month I went to a shower, for which I made a quilted wall hanging. Then I decided I also wanted to make the Mom a corsage crafted from baby socks. I always say that crafts are quick satisfaction projects, where a quilt can take months to reach that same satisfaction.
I am definitely a quilter only. Virtually all of my output is some sort of bed size quilt (crib, full, queen - and occasionally, heaven help me - king size, although it takes forever to piece one of those enormous things). I seldom do wall hangings (except for gifts) or miniatures or doll quilts (ditto). I am the furthest thing from a fabric artist that lives and stitches. Yippee and congrats to those of you who can do the artistic thing, but me, I sleep under my output!
I've been stumbling over the definition of a quilter. Is a quilter someone who only makes a quilt that is anywhere from a baby quilt to a king-sized quilt? I have started to make smaller projects such as tote bags and wall hangings and I still call myself a quilter. Sometimes I even call myself a fabric artist since I incorporate stitcheries into my work.
Wow -- great question and one I'm not sure how to answer. I love quilting -- but, well, for the past year I've finished all of one quilt. I guess you're going to have to put me in the quilter who crafts category. I get sidetracked and I sometimes NEED a quick finish -- but I always come back to quilting in the end :0).
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