Good Morning, Quilters!
Do YOU ever use quilting as a form of meditation?
I find the process of free motion quilting very calming at times, almost like a prayer or meditation. Lately, I notice my mind racing and my head spinning. Increasingly, I have been turning to quilting as a way to redirect my brain waves…
That is not to say that I’ve been very productive or focused.
Quilt Without a Plan
I have not been in the mood to tackle my big projects–the quilts that I should be doing. Instead, I prefer to just quilt for the sake of quilting.
For this quilt, I picked up a practice fat quarter. The sandwich already had some quilting on it. I began quilting and filling in the spaces. No thinking, just quilting.
More importantly, no judging.
More is Better
I didn’t worry about creating a plan. Instead, I focused on filling every area.
I listened to the hum of the machine, concentrating on keeping the sound at one even whirrrrrr……
Happy Accidents
While some areas worked better than others, there were a few happy accidents–including a motif that never occurred to me before–(next week’s Tuesday Tutorial!)
Process Over Product
The process is what is important when creating meditative quilts. The goal is to become so absorbed in the process that you don’t think about anything else–including judging the results.
What about YOU?
Do YOU ever get lost in your quilting?
Have YOU ever lost track of time while you are stitching?
Do YOU ever allow yourself to quilt for the sake of quilting?
We’d LOVE to hear!
Your Zen Quilter,
Lori
PS…If you need a few motif ideas, please check out my books on Etsy! (Free treats in every package!)
PS…All tutorials, images and information are the property of Lori@LoriKennedyQuilts and are intended for personal use only. Feel free to re-blog, pin or share with attribution to LKQ. For all other purposes, please contact me at Lori@LoriKennedyQuilts.com. Thanks!
24 comments
PHYLLIS SCHUIT
I AM NEW TO FREE MOTION. I ENJOY IT AND CONTINUE TO GET BETTER BUT I AM NOT AT THE MEDITATIVE STAGE. HOWEVER, I AM QUITE PROFICIENT AT THREAD HAD EMBROIDERY AND THAT I DO FIND RELAXING, MEDITATIVE.
Laura
Yo acolcho a mano sin ningún plan y te admiro profundamente porque tu forma de acolchado libre con garabatos y más me resulta fascinante, no hablo inglés pero traduzco tus posteos siempre, y siempre me recuerdas mis zentangles, yo dibujo mucho así. Realmente es meditativo. Un abrazo Lori.💝💝💝💝
Nancy Mac
Ah yes, I lose track of time when long arm quilting. My dogs have to remind me that they need attention. I love doing it and just trying things. Small quilts, little quilts with or without any purpose are all over my sewing rooms. Each is a learning experience. It makes my room where I quilt a happy place to be.
knitnkwilt
I like the concept and your results. I think maybe the meditative aspect of quilting is one reason I don’t listen to audiobooks while quilting.
Jaya Kamdar
Lori, I find your quilting motifs very reaxing by itself as it is flowing not many rules to stick to the line, and reflects nature a lot, and more importantly they are very happy. I did a queen size quilt using 80% your motifs. Yes I find the process of quilting very meditative. But lately not been in a mood to take up big projects or even tackle UFOs. I think I will try what you suggested: Make a sandwich and just quilt or doodle with needle and thread.
Beverly benson
Thank you for addressing this subject. I’ve always loved to quilt as a way of relaxing. I’m a hand quilter, so I guess you could say I spend a lot of time praying and meditating and just relaxing for my quiet time. 😀 At this time my family is going through difficulties with a family member with terminal cancer. With the COVID-19 and our loved one dealing with cancer, I seem to gravitate more to my quilting and don’t have to make decisions or comments about anything. Thank you for your blog and your website. I’m encouraged and motivated to continue on with my needle and thread.
scrappychris
I don’t formally practice meditation but if I am really into the quilting I will feel truly like I am one with the quilt. The speed and feel of the sewing machine and I blend into a rhythm that is truly calming. You can’t force this feeling to happen but when it feels wonderful.
Katherine Klug
If I have trouble falling asleep, I think about a quilting design for a current project…it helps every time.
Mary Smart
Quilting is my flow experience . . . once I get going, time just goes by. When I’m quilting — or sewing something complicated, like a bag or doing some intricate piecing — I’m too busy to think about much else. And at times like this, that is a huge relief. I hadn’t thought of it as meditative . . . but you’re right. It is. No wonder it appeals to us all so much!
Jeanne
Quilting is saving me these days. I am making masks for anyone that needs them – doctors, nurses, and now family and friends. I’m happy to do it but I have figured out it is stressful because of the situation. About 10 days ago I decided to spend some time quilting. Ahh, I am sleeping again and feel so much better. So I will find time for quilting every day. Stay well.
Brenda Perry
Yes, FMQ is meditative and is my pathway to staying productive and less anxious during these trying times. I am fortunate that I have a supply of Community Service quilts to keep me busy. I have quilted & bound 14 and made 4 huge pet beds during our Stay Home time. (The cut-offs from squaring the Community Service quilts make great stuffing for the pet beds!)
Suzanne
Whether piecing, quilting, or simply sewing a table runner, I become oblivious to what’s going on around me.
We’re retired so this isn’t so bad, other than my poor patient husband gets hungry at times!
D Kirk
I don’t feel comfortable yet with free motion quilting. Still a bit jerky vs smoothly flowing but that’s okay. I will persevere & it will come. I totally enjoy your emails. am always surprised
Benita
Machine quilting is getting me through this; the focus, the rhythm, the repetition, the sound and the feel. I find it very meditative. My work hours are revolve around COVID issues – quilting is my escape.
June Neigum
Quilting is my meditation too. The suggestion of putting on some music and going for it just doesn’t work for me. The volume would have to be so loud to be able to hear it over the machine , my neighbors would complain and they don’t live close. I feel very serine to just sit and move the fabric under the needle and concentrate on on a consistent speed.
Kathie Banks
I made a 120″x120″ dahlia quilt for our king size bed. It had a lot of negative space around the flower. This blank space gave me tons of opportunity for free form quilting that turned out amazing. It was meditative to quilt whatever came to mind in each empty area. The end result is the most beautiful quilt I’ve ever made. I have your books and had them open on my table to offer inspiration as I quilted along as well as giving me the courage to doodle along in thread without fear of failure. Thanks to you, we can consider our quilting as play by forgetting to criticize ourselves and just let go and have fun like a child with a crayon.
Janette
Ever since l found your blog , (think it has been four years now) l have learned so much. Doodling really does help. Still struggle with deciding what to quilt though. Being creative really is healing !
Maggie
During this strange time I have put quilting on hold, and have been making masks for neighbors and church friends. There is a great demand, so I’ve been busy. I’m using pieces from my huge stash of quilting leftovers. It has been very helpful–for others and myself. I don’t sell them. Anyone who asks gets one. Have also made some for a hospital needed them (for visitors I believe).
Susie Black
Improv piecing or simple repetitive piecing do that for me. There is something very calming about picking up a box or scraps and just sewing.
Constance
I have a regular meditation practice and belong to a meditation group however like you I find that quilting is meditative also… I enjoy the process…the sound of the machine…the feel of the thread and fabric…the designs that emerge.
Terri
to teach myself FMQ with very little criticism, I made some dog quilts. learned a lot and my pups were pretty happy. On the parts I was not so happy, I added echo quilting or some small motifs and I thought it looked great.
amy
I absolutely feel that both quilting and piecing are meditative for me. More so piecing as I still have to think HARD when I am quilting! But I have put on a meditation app to listen to while sewing and that is nice. I know my eyes are not closed, but I have such a feeling of peace after piecing:) If I don’t have some meditation on, I almost always have a book going through Hoopla or Overdrive from my library. This also keeps my mind focused on the story and not on whatever worry my brain is trying to get me to focus on.
be well
Patricia Stein
Ever since I learned FMQ and gradually suspended self-criticism for not getting it “right”, I found the process to be extremely meditative and healing. I often work out the thorniest issues when I am quilting.
Sue
Lori, the hours fly by while I’m happily sewing. However, machine quilting isn’t coming easy for me. I hand quilted for so many years that I don’t know if I’m ever going to get good at machine work.
I really want to though.
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