How Many Times Have You Heard This?

“Quilting?” “Seriously?” “Isn’t that something grandmothers do?”

I am sure there are grandmothers who quilt, but the craft is no longer dominated by elderly women sitting around a quilting frame in the neighborhood church basement.

Take a look at this quilt:

(I am sorry I cannot credit its maker as I was not able to find a link to the original photo.? If you happen to recognize it, let me know. I would love to post credit.)
Wow. I saw this photo on Pinterest yesterday and it made me stop to think about how far quilting has come in the last 20 years. This quilt is amazingly beautiful in its color and complexity of design. It was made by an artist. Quilting has jumped the traditional craft fence and exploded. More and more young women are being drawn to quilting through the Modern Quilt movement, attracted by its simple techniques and bold use of color.
According to research done by TNS Global recently published in Quilter’s Newsletter, there were 21 million quilters in the U.S. in 2010. During that year, each quilter spent an average of $219 on their craft (uh-oh, can’t let hubby see that – I am above average). That amount was up 27% from 2006, making quilting a $3.58 billion industry — and that was during the Great Recession. Obviously, there are a lot of people excited by this art form.
So the next time someone looks at me with pity and shakes their head when I tell them I quilt, I will simply reply, “What? YOU don’t?”  🙂
Until next time,
    Joan

1 thought on “How Many Times Have You Heard This?”

  1. That is a spectacular quilt!!!

    I don’t think I want my husband to see that average spending figure! I think that amount might total spray baste, thread and other non-fabric items! hehe Seriously, that figure covers about 15 – 20 yards of fabric, that hopefully is on sale!!!

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