As the temperature dips and autumn makes way for winter, I often think of quilts as I snuggle into bed at night to read. I notice more and more novels with the word quilt in their title and the theme of quilting weaving its way through the story. I wrote one of those myself: Pennsylvania Patchwork.
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| Small quilt my aunt made out of vintage kimonos |
In many ways writing a novel is like sewing a quilt, I’ve mused. An author must decide on the storyline. Sometimes the seeds of inspiration seem to spring to life out of nowhere, such as while I’m driving down the road. But occasionally plots and characters emerge from a newspaper article or an incident told by a family member. I’ve assumed a quilter must find inspiration either through a piece of fabric or from a quilt that catches their fancy. But even if the quilter tries to re-create that quilt, theirs will be different because each stitch is individual as is each word in a novel. I might have a favorite genre and author, but whatever I write will be unique.
I have often seen quilters wandering the aisles of fabric stores, breathing in the possibilities, much as I journal and walk with mini-recorder in hand pondering ideas. I respect quilters’ quest for perfectly spaced small stitches, yet know sometimes those precious stitches are taken out with a seam ripper and redone, much as we authors struggle with rewrites and edits. I rework whole chapters with vigor. In one manuscript, I deleted the first 60 pages!
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| A gift from Carol |
But I don’t quilt so what do I know? I called Carol Whaley, a quilter friend. The moment I stated my first question her voice came to life. She agreed that writing a novel and piecing together a quilt have much in common. She considers herself “an artist in fabric.” She has a design wall: a flannel board where she rearranges squares of fabric. She keeps a notebook and collects pictures from magazines and advertisements. I do much the same thing with my writing; I maintain a notebook for each project with visuals such as a photo of a barn or a person with an interesting face, and a list of traits for each character.
When I remarked to Carol that my brain is incessantly tossing around notions, she agreed. “It’s always percolating in the back of my mind,” she said. She gets some of her best ideas in the middle of the night and I can certainly relate. She told me she experiences satisfaction at every step. “Just touching the fabric” is a pleasure.
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| Quilt made by Judy Bodmer |
I mentioned we writers go to conferences, take workshops, and belong to critique groups. She said she also attends workshops. At the larger meetings there is a show-and-tell period before or after the speaker. In her smaller group everyone shows and tells. Members can admire, ask questions (How do these two colors look together?) and give suggestions. And she attends a retreat twice a year with over 90 people, with work spaces for about 40. Quilters exchange fabrics and ideas, and “UFOs”—unfinished objects—which made me chuckle. Most authors have a couple uncompleted projects or ideas they meant to or hope to start.
I recently heard author Daniel James Brown say in an interview, “It takes four or five years for me to write one of these books … When I’m working on a book, I’m thinking about it, if not writing it, seven days a week.” I can so relate! When I imagine the passion and dedication needed to design and stitch together a quilt, I am wowed. I admire quilters immensely!
Am I off base? I’d love to hear your thoughts! Should you wish to enter to win either a copy of Pennsylvania Patchwork or Leaving Lancaster also leave your email address so we can contact you.
Congratulations to Chris G, who won the Coffee/Tea Towel and a copy of either Pennsylvania Patchwork or Leaving Lancaster. I appreciate your many useful comments and suggestions, which I plan to use. I wish I had a prize for each of you!
Very interesting! I checked out the quilt book and more descriptive and visual as you mentioned, rather than having templates. I liked the #18 on page 17. Intricate, especially the corners of the block. Thanks. Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House
lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net I would like your Pennsylvania Patchwork story! I like the quilts displayed on the front porch of your cover.
oops, page 16 ~ Center Diamond with Sunshine and Shadow, 1920 ~ Kathleen
I have my e-mail there but could be camouflaged ~ it is lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House
Thank you for your comment and for entering the contest, Kathleen! I’m glad you like the quilts on the front cover of Pennsylvania Patchwork, chosen at my request.
I love quilt. angelachesnut246@gmail.com Angela from KY
I love them too, Angela! Thanks for entering the book giveaway!
My mom had many books on quilting and many books on amish stories. She always told me that the 2 go hand in hand as a book tells a story and so does a quilt. She hand made a Cathedral quilt that took her 3 years from start to finish. She said it was like looking in colorful windows of her life and that of her family. I cherish the times I shared with my mom in helping her make her quilt and the books that we shared and I now possess. jade2b1@gmail.com
Sounds like you had an amazing mother and upbringing! Ooh, I want to look at those books and see that quilt! Good luck in the contest.
they both take the fabrics of our lives and show them in a story format. One with words and the other with fabrics of time.
I couldn’t have said it better myself, Pat! Thank you for your lovely description!
Kate, my quilt looks beautiful in your photo. Thanks for sharing it. A great blog. Since I do both–quilt and write–I kept saying, yes, yes, all the way through.
I’m glad I gained your approval in both arenas, Judy! Thank you for letting me photograph your lovely hand-stitched quilt! And I know your knitting is also fantastic.
piece by piece they go together…and tie us together in a moment
mandn@wisper-wireless.com
You wrote a beautiful poem! Thank you for commenting on my blog and entering the free book contest!
Beautiful quilts, love them all. I wish I had this talent. Maybe I will have to take some lessons! sonja.nishimoto (at) gmail (dot) com
Thanks for your comment, Sonja! I’m not a quilter either, but it doesn’t stop me from admiring them as works of art. And wanting them!
Quilting and writing both take loads of creativity! Great job, Annette
abeldridge (at) charter (dot) net
Thank you for your encouraging comment, Annette, and for entering the contest!
The pieces all need to come together for the perfect finish.
Joannah Cotta
auntiejomama ( at ) sbcglobal ( dot) net
Thank you for your insightful comment, Joannah, and for entering the contest!
I would think writing and quilting would have a lot in common.And this is amazing,because I love quilts and I love to read.I have always wanted to learn to quilt.Thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much for writing, Jackie! I also love quilts and reading. In fact, reading whilst snuggled under a quilt sounds divine!
A book and a quilt are very similar~~they are pieced together (books by chapters) and quilts by colorful beautiful squares with much love, care and creativity. In the end, they are beautiful masterpieces created by someone who has used their time and talents to accomplish something beautiful!!!
Thanks for sharing your lovely description, Kristin! I hadn’t considered the chapters … a good insight!
I believe that a good quilter can make there quilt tell a story. Just like a good author can make a story seem like you I it. (slpeet@netzero.net)
Thank you for visiting my blog and leaving your comment! Good luck in the book giveaway!
Quilts and books have so much in common. They are both created by talented people who have the foresight to be able to picture something that has not yet been created. Karen at sweetnessnlight@comcast.net
Thanks for your intelligent comment and for entering the contest, Karen! You’re right, both quilters and writers are picturing something not yet created.
I love quilts and I love books. I’m not a quilter but I am a reader. I would think that much thought goes into quilts as much as it does to author a book. A great story must hold the interest of the reader. A quilt must appeal to a buyer. So I can see that they can be comparable to each other.
Blessings!
Judy B
judyjohn2004(at)yahoo(dot)com
Thanks for your encouraging comment, Judy, and for entering the contest!
I used a quilt as a symbol in my next book to be published. The mother of the heroine creates a quilt with her daughter to help her cope with the death of her young husband. Several years later, the daughter places it on the bed she will share with her new husband.
Thank you for writing! I love the theme and resolution of your book!
I have my Great Grandmother’s quilt which my mother passed on to me, it makes me remember all those wonderful times with my Grandmother and mother over the years.. I will hand it down to my son with the stories my Grandmother and mother told me which he will tell to his children one day. Made with love……..
Will look forward to reading your book!
Thank you for writing and sharing this lovely story, Becky!