Journaling for quilters

Have you thought about keeping a journal dedicated to your quilting endeavours? It’s truly amazing because it allows you to record every intricate detail, like the sources of your inspiration, your collaboration partners, and even the emotions it evoked.

 

Believe me, it’s a wonderful method to preserve and relish your remarkable quilting experience!

Journaling also gives you a way to tell the story of that quilt:

• The awesome moments when someone taught you a new technique
• Explain why you chose that amazing colour palette.
• All the stuff happening in the world while you were busy sewing

 Before we dive into the world of journaling with quilting, let me just say that I can’t emphasize enough how amazing doodling is for your quilting results!

There are so many methods!

Choosing one can get overwhelming. No worries at all! Who says you have to stick with just one? Definitely not us! Deciding can be a bit tricky, but here’s the cool part – you don’t have to limit yourself to just a single option. Why settle when you can explore a bunch of them? It’s all about having fun with the possibilities. Let’s dive in and make choosing a breeze!

 

• Art journaling is a creative and expressive form of self-reflection that combines visual art and personal writing within the pages of a journal. It is a versatile and individualized process that allows individuals to explore their thoughts, emotions, and experiences through a combination of images, drawings, paintings, collages, and written words. Unlike traditional journals that rely solely on text, art journaling encourages a holistic approach to self-expression, engaging both the visual and verbal aspects of communication. This unique practice provides a safe and open space for individuals to experiment with various artistic techniques, materials, and themes, fostering a deeper understanding of oneself and promoting personal growth. Art journaling can serve as a therapeutic outlet, a means of processing complex emotions, or simply as a joyful and meditative way to document life’s journey.
• A bullet journal is a method of personal organization developed by digital product designer Ryder Carroll. The system organizes scheduling, reminders, to-do lists, brainstorming, and other organizational tasks into a single notebook. This approach is strictly paper and pen, but is otherwise highly customizable. Consider how you can plan your next quilt, and detail the process with drawings, notes, washi tape…..a trip to the stationery store will be necessary for this one! But of course, the dotted journals can be bought right here! And there’s a whole website dedicated to the process.
• Morning Pages proved to be a lifeline during a challenging period when I experienced a nervous breakdown. Julia Cameron explores this transformative practice in her book, The Artist’s Way. The concept involves dedicating the first moments of each day to handwrite three pages of unfiltered thoughts. The emphasis is on avoiding overthinking and simply allowing the stream of consciousness to flow onto the pages. Cameron insists on the act of writing rather than typing, asserting a unique and distinct quality to the process. I concur; there’s a certain essence to the act of writing that typing might not capture for everyone, especially considering not everyone can type rapidly. Julia Cameron even shares an anecdote in her book about a new character for her screenplay emerging through this very method.

When it comes to journaling, there’s absolutely no wrong way to do it. Seriously! You can let your creativity run wild and express yourself in whatever way feels right for you. Whether you prefer writing paragraphs of heartfelt reflections or jotting down quick bullet points, it’s all good!

 

The important thing is that you’re capturing your quilting journey in a way that brings you joy and helps preserve those special memories. So go ahead and embrace your unique style of journaling – there are no rules here!

 

Use journaling to plan your quilts

When you’re getting ready to start your quilt, having a journal can be super helpful! It’s a great place to jot down all your ideas and plans. You can make a list of different quilt patterns you’re thinking about trying out. And it’s also a good spot to write down what message or feeling you want your quilt to have when it’s finished. Plus, if you come across any color combinations that don’t quite work for this project but might be useful in the future, you can keep track of those too!By recording each stage of planning, you accomplish two things:
 

1. With a dedicated journal, you’ll have a centralized space to store all your quilt-related information and never lose track of valuable details or inspiration again. It will be like having a treasure trove of ideas and memories, ensuring that every aspect of each quilt is documented in one convenient place.
2. Having a journal allows you to look back and observe what you’ve learned from each quilt, enabling you to put that valuable knowledge to use in future quilting projects. With this record of your progress and experiences, you’ll be able to refine your techniques, experiment with new ideas, and create even more stunning quilts in the future.

 

Express and let go of challenging emotions that impact your creative workflow

 

Your creativity is like a built-in feature – it’s part of who you are from the get-go! However, emotional challenges can sometimes put a damper on it. When those tricky feelings start messing with your creative vibes, give journaling a shot.

Whether it’s stress from trying to juggle everything, the ache of a tough breakup, work worries, or anything else on your mind, jotting it down can really help.

Putting your thoughts on paper can create space for your creative juices to flow smoothly. Sometimes, just letting it all out in writing is the boost you need to get back in the groove, maybe even for some fun sewing!

Let’s spice up your journal with these fun steps

• Fabric Fiesta: Start by collecting cute little fabric swatches from each quilting project. Stick them in your journal for a touch of texture and an easy way to remember those vibrant colors and cozy textures.
• Pattern Party: Jot down the designs and patterns that light up your creative spark. Whether it’s a classic quilt block, a trendy design, or your very own masterpiece, share why each one makes your heart happy.
• Snap Happy: Capture snapshots at different stages of your quilting journey. These photos are like your project’s Instagram story, showcasing its evolution and giving you a visual timeline to look back on.
• Technique Talk: Share the nitty-gritty details of your quilting techniques. What challenges did you face, and how did you conquer them? This is your quilting diary, filled with wisdom to share with fellow crafting pals.
• Memory Lane: Wrap it up with a cozy chat about the stories and memories behind each quilt. Who was the lucky recipient? What sparked your creativity? Share the love and warmth woven into your creations—it makes your journal a real treasure chest of heartwarming tales!

By jotting down your thoughts like this, you’re preserving the unique story of your quilt – its earliest known history. Even if you don’t think you’re creating a masterpiece, there might be a day when your quilt gets showcased, and people will be curious about its backstory.