For Others, For Me

This is a two part post...

Part 1 - For Others

I was on sabbatical from my job from Feb - Sept of 2015. I did a lot of things during my time off, including a lot of sewing and making. Here's a summary, in no particular order:

baby quilt - gifted

2 of  8 cushion covers - gifted

scarf - for me

slippers - for me

table runner - for me

for baby - gifted

knitting needle cases - for me

whole cloth Welsh style quilt - gifted

mini quilt - donated to guild for raffle

pencil case - for me

wedding quilt - gifted

pillow cases - gifted

baby stuff - gifted

bench cushion - for me

swoon quilt - gifted

queen size quilt - gifted

baby stuff - gifted

I think it's a pretty impressive year of finishes. There are some other things I made, but those I was hired to make, so I didn't include them.

There is a blog I read written by the Yarn Harlot. She is fantastic - a knitter - and just before Christmas she said:

 "Knitting is, I have often said, a container for love. We work hard to make something for someone, pouring our time and energy and love into a tangible thing. When we hand knitting to someone, we’re hoping they’ll hear what we’re really saying, which is “I love you. I think you’re wonderful. I value your happiness, so much so that I’ve spent this time on you. My love is in this.”" (read the whole post here). 

I feel the same about anything handmade. We make things for the people we love, because we love them.

Part 2 - For Me

There is a sewing group I went to while I was on sabbatical - a great group of women who all had quilting/sewing in common. They are a supportive and friendly group and I really enjoyed sewing with them. Each week we would admire the work of everyone else. One of the first questions almost always asked is "who is that for?". It's like we assume it's not for ourselves - the thing is, a lot of the things these ladies make are not for themselves. They are for people they love - a tangible thing to show their love.

I've been thinking lately that I make a lot of things for other people, and not all that much for myself. Would you believe I don't have a quilt in my house that I made? It's true, and it's time to rectify that.

I like to set a word as a focus for a year - this year it's selfish. Not the negative kind of selfish, but the positive kind, where you look after yourself and make sure your own needs are met. Like the airlines tell you to put your own oxygen mask on first, so that you are able to help others. I need more of that in my life - I need some tangible things that remind me that I matter to me.

I'll still make things for other people, but I'm going to focus on making some quilts especially for me this year. I have a few in mind and will keep you posted.

Happy New Year!