That was the question posed to us...
Honestly, I think at least part of my reasoning was that I wanted to try something a bit different from other 17 year olds. (Nothing like learning the skills of a bygone era to up your cool factor with other teenagers.)
Of course a few years have gone since then, and now I would say I do it because I love the manipulation of the media and the subtleties that you can explore.
But I was really interested in
making something that would last. Being creative- actually creating something- is a recurring theme in my head. Something like all the service work I have done and do, and the non-physical work doesn't fill a gap I feel. Creating is a physical expression. I can sing and play piano and talk and sell and all that stuff. But I think I must have felt a real disconnect from the world that tactile creation remedies- much like gardening. (But quilting you can neglect for long stretched and it doesn't die or go wild LOL).
My very first project was started shortly after I moved from Montana to Seattle. I didn't quite understand what all the fuss was about the need for 100% cotton- seemed like some sort of elitist thing. So I went to the thrift store and bought a bunch of stuff that looked like good colors. And as I was hand stitching the Tumbling Blocks, Dog and Attic Windows blocks form the tshirt material, flannel and men's suiting I learned
why. T-shirt material and suit jackets are tough to get together with good corners!
That delightful little project also gave me a good education in why a sewing machine is such a wondrous device.
I am not sure what happened to that project, but I believe it went away... perhaps to the dump? That is where it belonged.
Very soon thereafter I was blessed to discover the In The Beginning Shop in North Seattle, and learned sooo many other valuable lessons.
-Sarah
