Inspiration Thursday: Jane Schwartz, Quilter

When I first met my mother in law, Jane Schwartz, I knew she was a kindred spirit. She was baking sweet tasty treats and selling them out of her own kitchen, making a huge colorful needlepoint rug, and she loved to knit. Wow, someone like me who loves to do all kinds of things creative! We became close very quickly and I have always been inspired by her determination and perseverance to make things even if they prove to be challenging. She has a terrific eye for design. She also has succeeded in running a small bakery and has made 35 quilts, many totally by hand.
I have always been fascinated by quilting. My mother and both grandmothers quilted. It seems that traditionally quilting has been a woman’s craft, a craft of necessity. Families needed to be warm, so coverings needed to be made. No ordinary coverings, but intricately sewn pieces of multi colored and patterned cloth put together in designs that have survived years of quilting, evolving over time with new colors and fabrics. Now quilting has become an art form where the sky is literally the limit. But quilting was done mostly by women, and what I find so interesting is that it is a creative activity that is artful and yet comforting, a nurturing gift to whoever is lucky enough to receive a handmade one.

I asked Mom today why she likes quilting so much as a creative activity?

Basically Mom said she loves quilting because she of the anticipation of seeing the finished product. Because she loves fabric, colors and the wonderful patterns the quilts are designed from. She said she loves the planning, the shopping for the fabric, the touch of the fabric, and the eye candy of all the different colors and fabric designs. Quilting enhances her life by always giving her an activity that she loves doing. It makes her happy that she never has to worry that she will suffer from boredom and will forever be entertained by creating quilts. Designing and making such beautiful quilts has made her proud of her accomplishments and feels a thrill every time she sees one she has made being used.

Mom said she falls in love with each of her quilts and says” Each quilt becomes like a child of mine!” Every quilt is made with love and are only made for family. How lucky that I am family and own several of her gems!

Read more inspiration posts at: Hard Headed Grandmother.