By Kristen Banks
A friend of mine once told me that everyone has a “group”. Everyone has a group that they feel at home with, can relate to, and are passionate about. You just have to find yours.
In the fall of 2011, I walked into a quilt shop and signed up for a free class. I had always wanted to make a quilt, but was super-intimidated by quilting. I had been sewing since I was 4 years old and had sewn everything from curtains to dresses to custom car interiors and everything in between. Even though I had plenty of sewing experience and was generally up for learning new things I still couldn’t help but feel a little trepidation at this new venture.
The day of the class came. I walked, sewing machine in hand, into the quilt shop. I introduced myself to the teacher, a Quilter by the name of Royce Prentice. Little did I know my life would change that day because I had finally found my “group”.
Quilters are some of the most warm, creative, and amazing people you will ever meet. I’ve never met a Quilter that wasn’t willing to stop and visit or share something with you. Whether that be techniques, fabric, tools, jokes, or even sage wisdom, Quilters are always ready to share. Although Quilters may have different styles and come from many different walks of life, the passion and creativity are always the same.
I’ve never witnessed a Quilter talk about their latest project without some sort of a twinkle in their eye. They love to tell you how they changed the pattern a bit to make it their own or how they added just the right “special touch” to make their quilt more meaningful to the recipent. Quilters put a piece of themselves in every project and rarely keep any of those projects for themselves. When you are given a quilt, you aren’t just given a material item you are given someone’s time, creativity, and affection. A Quilt is a gift but the Quilter that made it is the real treasure.
I’ve come a long way since that first class. I’ve completed many quilts now using numerous techniques. I have taught my own classes and recently even opened my own quilt shop. Every day is a joy and a new adventure. One of the best parts of my day is meeting new people and having them share their work with me.
So many ladies are doing such amazing work and very few people are getting to enjoy it. I thought this was really a shame and I wanted to find a way to recognize these amazing women for the beautiful work they do, and hopefully this column will be just that.
Most of these ladies appear to be just your average mom, grandma, aunt, sister, or friend, but they are so much more. They are gifted artists with their own unique story to share. I hope you can learn from and enjoy this peak into the lives of some of my friends.
STORIES, TIPS, INSPIRATION, INFORMATION, PRODUCT REVEIWS, AND SEW MUCH MORE!
To see more from Lulu and Hazel, visit luluandhazel.com
6 Comments
Did you hear that one of Brenda Rusoo’s quilts is going to be in the Houston Quilt Show in the fall? I hope she will bring it by so you can oooo and awww.
No I didn’t! I would love to see that! I’ll ask her about it next time I see her.
Royce Hallmark Prentice is my very favorite aunty and I have eight of them.
Oh wow! What a privilege to be related to her. Royce is one of my absolute favorite people in the entire world. Much of what I am doing today is because of her. I tell her all the time “Royce, this is all your fault!” lol
Loved this article. I believe that sewing is a great skill to be handed down through generations. But, for me, especially quilting. There is a lot of history. I’m certainly just a beginner myself but I do look forward to learning as much as I can.
Jimsye, I feel the same way! We have a free beginning quilting class that meets one Monday night a month at Abundant Life Texoma. Our next class is July 17th at 6:00 PM, and you are welcome to join us!