The Quilters – Documentary Review

During the H+H Americas in Chicago I had the opportunity to sit down with an audience and watch The Quilters. It’s a documentary about those who are incarcerated in the prison in Missouri who are allowed a special privilege of working together in a sewing room and make quilts.

During the preview I had written down a few thoughts of what I picked up from watching and thought I would share with you.

My emotions changed when I walked in the door.

This was spoken by one of them men and it really stood out to me.

I feel that with every fiber in my body. It puts into words exactly what quilters feel when they step in the door. No matter if that’s their personal sewing space, someone else’s or maybe even the quilt shop or store.

There is a quite about fabric, about being surrounded by fabric. It’s inspiring and settling at the same time. Your eyes wander the colors, the patterns. Your hands touch the textures, the soft, the course, the weave. Our minds wander to patterns, ideas, planning.

While not everything always works out how we planned — somehow it still is the place we would rather be.

Another of the quilters in the documentary said –

I think accidentally this is going to come our really cool

yes. My thoughts exactly.

As I watched the movie and listened to their story, I felt so much gratitude for those who make this happen for them and others. The process of choosing fabrics, cutting, planning, sewing, making adjustments and dealing with mistakes and how they can either be fixed or unpicked and restarted is truly a healing process.

10 years ago I began an online quilt group – and I have seen how this community, these friendships have formed because of the fabric. The patterns. The sewing together. The meetups. The healing that comes in some cases because of life’s ups and downs. What I also have found that even though we are all working on one pattern like the years block of the month, everyone has the ability to pick their own fabric – so in the end, each quilt reflects their own person and life. I love that. I love seeing their interpretation and that they allow themselves to show it off and express a bit of themselves in it.

Recently I’ve also begun printing off pictures of friends that I have made in the industry. They are beginning to collect on a wall in my sewing room. I love seeing those faces and reminding myself that because of what I do – I know these incredible people. Boy. I am one lucky gal.

Being focused. We are here to help others.

This was said by another quilter in the Netflix documentary.

Yessssss. This is felt deep within the soul of a quilter.

Looking back, can you name one quilter that you know that doesn’t or hasn’t sewn a quilt for charity? Or for someone else? This is a constant on our minds. While we tend to hoard, I mean love, fabric… after it’s sewn into something we tend to gift.

I have learned a lot from Stacey lately who has such a giving spirit to the organization Comfort Cases. While in the documentary they are giving to another organization that gives quilts to kids in foster care, it really is and incredible opportunity for quilters to give back.

Lastly –

Positive Legacy

This one struck my heart. These men are not in a position where they can give back. They have made choices in their life that has affected not only them but other families. They are very aware of that.

They are stuck in a situation that this is one way (and I’m sure there are few) that they are able to leave a POSITIVE LEGACY. They can choose to sew love into those quilts that are gifted. They have a goal… that they can leave something different.

So, while you are picking, cutting, sorting, sewing. This is a positive legacy that you are sharing with others. Again through your helping of others – through comfort that quilts bring.

I highly recommend you taking half an hour to watch it. Take a few notes from them… maybe looking at your quilting in a new light.

We too are given an opportunity while being in our own sewing room – to do these same things. And while it may not happen every time we walk in the sewing room… I do hope you take a moment to feel your emotions change when you walk in the door.

You can watch the Quilters – on Netflix.

Watch the trailer here.

---