Gab with Gaby

An engineer's creative corner studio.


Quilting with Beyoncé

Diy, Quilting, Paper crafting, Knitting, CraftsGabriela SimsComment

So I have known for a while I am not your average knitter, scrapbooker, or quilter.  Whenever I go to any local gatherings like this I am usually one of the youngest. This doesn't make me feel out of place, but it does make for interesting conversations.  I was making a few things recently (while listening to Beyoncé and then Rihanna) and I thought, does the typical quilter/knitter/scrapper know all the words to XO and Work? I find it hilarious because you can never judge a book by its cover. I remember one time about 2.5 years ago, I was looking at thread in a big box store and I was just checking all of the thread to see what was available. A lady came up to me (a customer, not an employee) and said "Oh, that's quilting thread, is that what you're looking for?" I slowly turned to her (because I had to be sure this was really happening) and said "I'm just looking, I'm getting new thread." She pressed on with "Well, that's for quilting, I mean you're not quilting are you?" This last part was delivered with a mix of derision and panic. I responded "No, I just wanted new you work here?" Realizing her error, she fumbled a little and said "Well the machine thread is over there...this is quilting thread..." and proceeded to roll her cart away. I laughed because a.) I could not believe you tried to deny me this thread, b.) You don't know me so you have no idea what I'm looking for, and c.) Why would it be so shocking that I might be quilting? It's not like if I buy this thread I'll use up all the quilting space in the world. My quilting doesn't hinder your ability to quilt, but the confusion in her face was so real. I giggle to myself everytime I buy thread now, since I can quilt and I've graduated to embroidery, I'm using all of the good thread. I also think sometimes when I'm knitting, quilting or scrapping that I am not the average crafter, because I do craft to music you might not expect and I may not look like everyone else in the guild, but I'm just as happy as anyone else to show my work! I hope everyone feels that free when you're creating and don't let anyone make you feel nervous about it. Happy crafting (cues Drake-Hotline Bling)!

New fabric and thread stash. 

New fabric and thread stash.