The message of Reap As You Sew: Spirit at Work in Quiltmaking was meant to be shared with other spiritual quilters and creative people.
My first Book Signing and Quilt Show in September and my Book Signing last Saturday at the Women of Faith conference in Portland reinforced that belief. In Gualala, two quilters I’d never met came up to me and each told me she’d found quiltmaking to be a spiritual experience over the years, but she’d never admitted that to anyone! One would usually tell people she quilted “for her sanity,” the other that she was “addicted” to it, because each thought people would think her weird for saying quilting connected her to God or helped her in spiritual ways. The interconnectedness of quiltmaking and spirituality was, for each of them, a private matter and a secret.
But this secret is too good to keep to ourselves!
In Portland, even in a Christian venue, I met women who were both surprised and thrilled at finding there was a book on this topic. Many had seen the larger-than-life poster of the book’s cover in the outer areas of the sports arena where the conference was held, it was the first they’d heard of the book, and they returned to my publisher’s booth at the time of my lunch hour signing. A steady stream of women stood in line to get copies signed, and unfortunately, we had to turn some away without books when my 90 minutes in the booth ended and the conference program re-commenced.
About one-third of the women in Portland got the book for a relative or friend who’s a Christian quilter, some planning to read it themselves before gifting it for Christmas. The other two-thirds, the quilters in the crowd, were excited to find a book on what they’ve personally felt—the connection between quiltmaking and spirituality. They told me about experiencing quiltmaking’s stillness as a blessing and about embuing of their work with prayer, especially while making gift quilts. Some were looking to the book for inspiration, to resume a hobby they’d let fall by the wayside in the busyness of their lives. Some sought ideas on ways to design quilts with spiritual themes or symbolism. I trust that a few relatively new quilters who got the book will find their quilting becoming a spiritual path, and I’m sure that the quilters being given the book this Christmas will be surprised and delighted!
A pastor wanted a copy for a women’s group ministry team.
One young woman, Jennifer, is currently being taught by her grandmother to hand quilt on an heirloom quilt frame that once belonged to her great-grandmother, and she got a copy of Reap As You Sew for herself and another for her grandmother. I was really touched at her soulful reverence and the way quilting is connecting generations of women.
Most people admired the photos in the book and wanted the print version, but some preferred e-book versions. I was happy to have it available in both formats.
The women wanted to know why and how I wrote the book, and I wanted to hear about their quilting preferences and their creative passions. Many of them not only quilt but also make jewelry, cards, scrapbooks, and music! Our conversations were short, but I hope to hear more from readers about how they individually experience Spirit at work in either quiltmaking or other creative activities. I’d love to share some of your stories, too, perhaps as guest blog posts or through email.
The women who came blessed me, and I, them. I requested that they might be ambassadors for the notion of quilting as a spiritual activity, as well as for the book, telling other quilters about it and posting online reviews. Why? Not just to sell copies, though that’s certainly helpful. But more significantly, I believe it’s important to validate the spiritual benefits of creativity, whether in quilting or other creative endeavors, and regardless of one’s faith or spiritual outlook! It’s good to let this light shine out, unhidden!
In 2015, I plan to open up a Spiritual Quilters’ Community forum—a place where spiritual quilters can connect with other spiritual quilters, preferably in a members only online venue—where you could post photos of quilts you make that carry some spiritual story or message, or where you might seek advice, or share a touching experience. Please feel free to post suggestions or comments about whatever you’d like to see in such a forum.