Quality is never an accident; it is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction and skillful execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives, the cumulative experience of many masters... 

-         Willa Foster 

I ran across a portion of this quote completely by accident.  While researching to find out who Willa Foster might have been, I found out some disheartening information.  Seems Willa Foster may or may not be a real person, and this quote may or may not have been said by her. 

However, I can’t dismiss the validity of the sentiment.  Isn’t it true of anything and everything we do?  It applies to everything I do on a daily basis – being all I can be to my family, keeping my home, and quilting the quilts I have the privilege to be trusted with.

I was once asked after I’d upgraded to my Statler system if my clients cared that I might not be hand guiding the quilting on their quilts.  My answer at the time, and still is today, that my clients want the best possible quilting they can get for the money they can afford to spend.

Would my grandmother have quilted by computer?  No. I have her very last quilt completed and I know for fact it wasn’t.  Nor would she have been communicating on some sort of blog for anyone and everyone who had an inclination to read.  I do know in my heart of hearts, that if she’d had the opportunity to produce the quality that is possible with a computerized system, she would have jumped all over it, because in her day, it was about getting things done in the best possible manner and moving onto the next project.  In her case, those projects were many – she beaded, she gardened and canned, she crocheted, among many other things.  The list was endless.

125 years ago a sewing machine was listed as part of a home’s assets.  Alongside horses, wagons and quilts.  Single, straight stitch treadle type machines were something to be proud of.  What would our ancestors have said about how far we’ve come today? 

I’m proud to be part of the next generation of quilters.  There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t work to learn about the quilting history of my ancestors, and somehow meld that history with the reality of what’s possible today. 

I can go to sleep each and every night knowing that my grandmother would be proud of how far we’ve collectively come…..

Comments

• Hi Julie, Congrats on getting your expanded website started. Looks great so far and of course those of us in Michigan will love seeing updates from you on your blog. Happy Quilting
  by Peggy on 02 April 2009 at 7:05 p.m.
• Love the website! I especially like having a large picture come up by rolling over the thumbnail pictures in the Gallery. Yeah, I know. I'm up late but can't sleep so I'm catching up on email. I disagree though, our g-mothers would have used quilting machines if they had been affordable and easy to use; after all, the whole idea then was to get the quilts completed in time for winter to keep someone warm. Nowadays, most of us quilt and piece and applique for pure pleasure and for artistic outlet because fortunately there isn't the necessity to warm a bed so much as to warm a heart with the expression of love that is a modern day quilt.
  by Vicky on 24 March 2009 at 11:17 p.m.

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