Quilting is, after many years, being recognized as an art form – and as an asset to physical, mental, and social health. Quilting is coming into its own. Time to learn to quilt – and connect with fellow quilters!

It’s Sew Good For You

Several studies indicate that quilting and other crafts are associated with lower rates of cognitive decline among older people.  The benefits are yours whether you meet in person or virtually.

Quilt Groups

Quilting organizations, societies, and guilds exist world-wide. The Modern Quilt Guild makes it possible to swap tips, help and suggestions with nearby fellow needle art folks, beginner to advanced. To locate a nearby guild, visit: https://www.themodernquiltguild.com/about/

QuiltingHub.com is a one-stop source of information on quilting guilds, instruction, blogs, shows, events and more: https://www.quiltinghub.com/

Quilts that Care

There is a huge variety of groups that support quilting with a purpose; some work remotely, others in person.  There are many nonprofits that will take donated quilts (or other handmade items) to give to bereaved families or needy children.  Here’s a partial list of nonprofits who will take your donated items; some, like Denver’s Firehouse Quilts, offer what they call “Sew Days” to help complete or collect quilts to donate.

Others, like the Heartstrings Quilt Project, allow quilters to gather online (and in real life) to make heartstrings quilts to donate to others.  Quilts from Caring Hands  makes and distributes quilts to the needy in several Oregon counties.

Meeting Virtually

Virtual groups can draw international audiences. Quilter extraordinaire Lauren Kingsland, 68, describes the experience in a Senior Planet Q&A: “Everyone in the Zoom quilting group feels that we are so much richer because we have these international friends that we see all the time!… The perspective that you gain when you actually see the same people who are going through different things in different parts of the world is wonderful.” 

Quilting as an Art Form

There’s a growing understanding that quilts are an art form; the American Folk Art Museum recently hosted a quilt exhibit; the Texas Quilt Museum located in Central Texas in La Grange is dedicated entirely to quilts as well. Visit virtually or in-person (the museum is within driving distances of San Antonio, Austin and Houston).

Photo by Dinh Pham on Unsplash

Nona Aguilar is an award-winning writer of numerous magazine articles and two books. She has also edited four specialty business newsletter publications. Her work has appeared in Ladies Home Journal, Redbook, Family Circle and Cosmopolitan, and in The Business Owner.