Posted on Tuesday, December 16, 2008 | By Deb Hearn | 1 Comment

Finding Inspiration

One of my favorite Christmas gifts was one received from a good friend years ago.  We were both new quilters and young moms with long, busy days taking care of kids.  It  was fun  visiting Sally in her old, drafty farmhouse, looking through quilt magazines over a cup of tea while the children played. She was so creative and made all her gifts, so I was excited when she handed me a small gift wrapped in tissue.  Opening the package, I found a tiny rag doll with red hair holding a miniature quilt!  The doll looked just like my red headed friend!  

This is one of the reasons I love being an Editor of QUILT Magazine.  I know how much inspiration my friend and I received from quilt magazines.  I thought you might like to read what came in the following email from a new quilter.  I relived her excitement and I’m sure you will too, when you remember your first quilt project.  

“My name is Marcy Ziegler, and I live in Noblesville, Indiana.  I’ve sewn since I was a little girl (probably more than 20 years now) but only recently got into quilting.  I never expected to become “addicted” like I have. I started with mostly small handbags.  From the December/January 2008 issue of your magazine I saw the “Renaissance in Stripes” quilt–it was lovely–and I knew it would have to be the pattern for my first real quilt!  I made it for my mother for Christmas in the pastels that I know she likes.  I think, for a very first effort, that it is going to make a Christmas gift that she will remember forever.  Thanks for your simple, straightforward instructions and your wonderful quilt ideas!”  

Marcy Ziegler