I
recently read this book, 4000 Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver
Burkeman, or more correctly listened to it while I was quilting, It got me
thinking about being more intentional with the short amount of time I
have on this earth, to stop and think about how much life is enhanced
by the activities I choose to be engaged in.
So,
I thought about why I choose to quilt, over all the other art forms I
could pursue, and why I choose to be involved with the Utah Valley Quilt Guild,
over all the other groups I could be a part of.
Quilting
has a long history of not only providing a creative outlet and a way to serve,
but it has also been intimately tied to building community. This art form has
evolved over the years. In the past, quilting bees were casual
get-togethers where people from the neighborhood would hang out, chat, and
quilt together. It was all about quilting, passing along skills, sharing
resources and building tight-knit communities.
Today’s quilt
guilds are like the upgraded version of a quilting bee, catering to
various interests while keeping that sense of community alive.
Being
part of a quilt community offers several valuable benefits including the
preservation of tradition and our mental well-being. I’ll use UVQG as an
example, but these benefits apply to any quilt group which makes them all worth
celebrating:
- Skill Enhancement: Quilt communities provide
opportunities to learn new quilting techniques and tips from experienced
members. UVQG, in particular, provides workshops,
and classes.
- Inspiration and Creativity:
Interacting with fellow quilters can spark new ideas and creativity.
Seeing different styles and approaches can inspire members to try new
patterns and designs. I often get inspired to try something new at our
UVQG trunk shows.
- Support and Encouragement:
Quilt communities have offer a supportive and encouraging atmosphere.
Members offer advice, feedback, and emotional support during quilting
challenges and projects. The UVQG show and tell, is a great
example of this.
- Friendship and Social
Connection: Quilt groups foster friendships and social connections. I
think our retreats, both in the spring and fall are great places to foster
new friendships and bolster our old friendships.
- Collaborative Projects: Many
quilt communities engage in group quilting projects, charity work, or
collaborative challenges. These endeavors allow members to work together
on meaningful and impactful projects. As a guild, we collaborate on our
annual president-elect quilt challenge as well as charity work.
- Access to Resources: Being part
of a quilt community can grant access to resources such as shared
equipment, patterns, and quilting libraries, which can be cost-effective
and helpful. Our UVQG quilt library, along with it’s annual book
sale, is one of my favorite resources.
- Showcasing and Celebrating
Work: Communities often host quilt shows or events where members can
display their creations, receive recognition, and celebrate their
achievements. The Springville Quilt Show is top notch and offers
a wonderful asset to the whole community.
- Giving Back: Many
quilt communities engage in charitable activities, creating quilts for
those in need. This provides a sense of purpose and fulfillment. Through
the years, UVQG has annually provided hundreds of quilts to comfort
those in need.
In
essence, being part of UVQG or any quilt community goes beyond the craft
itself; it offers a supportive network of individuals who share a passion,
fosters personal growth, and contributes to the well-being of both individuals
and the broader community.
So,
with that in mind, we’ve devoted this program to celebrating our guild and the
guilds around us. We’ll start with the history of our guild and then hear from
some of you about the other guilds you are part of.
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