MEET 52 QUILTERS

If you haven’t come across the fabulous social experiment on Instagram of 52 Quilters than you’re in for a treat today. 52 Quilters uses social media (Instagram and a blog) to showcase a different quilter and their lives every week of 2015. Genius, right!

Chris Webb is the mastermind behind this fascinating look into the many and varied quilter lives out there and I’m thrilled to be able to learn a little bit more about his creative experience and his reasoning behind creating 52 Quilters.

I really enjoyed this interview and I hope you will too!

Why did you start 52 Quilters?

I have to admit, I took inspiration from other ‘52’ accounts like Sweden’s national account where a different citizen takes over the account each week or the Bristol52 based in Bristol in England. I loved following the Bristol account when I lived there, and started to wonder what it would look like if a similar account connected people who share a common practice. Quilting is my passon and so it only seemed natural to create a virtual patchwork of quilters – sharing their skills and stories online. Selfishly, I want to improve my own skills and learn from other people so it’s a way to fullfill that for myself and bring the conversations I want to have out for the public.

How do you pick the quilters to profile on 52 Quilters?

For the first 15 quilters, I put a call out online and asked people to apply – I was totally blown away by the number of responses I had: well over 52! I chose the first 15 with a bit of help from other quilters, choosing a mix of men and women, different styles and skill levels, and people living in different places. In the spring, I’ll put a call out to fill another three months but I’ll also be asking for feedback from the featured quilters and followers, and from that invite people who have really engaged with the project to join. I really think this could go beyond 2015, as there are so many wonderful and talented people out there who want to take part.

Who would be your dream quilter to participate with 52 Quilters, and why?

Oooh… this is such a hard question. I’ve had a long think about this, and you might be surprised by the answer. I do have my favourite designers and industry names, but honestly so many of them already reach so many people through their own social media accounts. When I looked at the people on the top of my wishlist, I realised that they already give so much on social media and use it effectively to reach people… So I could name the who’s who of the industry, but I don’t know how much they would actually add to the conversation I’m trying to have with 52 Quilters… In terms of quilters on social-media on instagram: I’m always looking out for other male quilters, and do stalk, lurk, creep…. ahem, follow Giucy_Giuce on instagram and think he has an unqiue view and an amazing perspective!

Do you think social media and projects, like 52 Quilters, are changing the quilting culture for the better?

I really hope so: I think that there will always be a place for the quilting shop or quilting guild where people can gather locally, but the web has really changed how we exchange ideas and that in turn is shaping the industry. I can follow my favourite shop on the other side of the world and see whats going on even though I can only visit the shop myself once every few years. To me that online access is as important as in person exchange, but I think the trick is to take it for what it is and find a balance. Real life isn’t measured in likes, but if you can connect with people and get advice and feedback online – then why not? I also think that more people are discovering quilts who never would… and that really helps our community: not just opening people’s eyes to what we do, but also to help them understand the skill and value of our craft.

What is your dream for 52 Quilters?

My real hope is that it can be a starting point for real conversations: not just a platform for showing off, but a forum to share the tough times, somewhere to find advice and place to show off who we are as well rounded people beyond quilting… or in my case how quilting helps me maintain being a well rounded person. Not everyone who quilts has the time to run a full-time blog, but why shouldn’t they be in the spotlight for one week a year? Everyone should have that chance to connect with people who can give share advice, constructive criticism and encouragement. I hope that it can be the start of meaningful conversations and collaborations not just about what we do, but also why we do it and what quilting means to us.

So we’ve heard a little bit about 52 Quilters, let’s find out a little more about Chris Webb…

What’s your creative story so far?

I grew up in a ‘make and do’ home – think less Little House on the Prairie and more Medium House in the Suburbs. Both my parents and a lot of my extended family were not just crafty, but also quite enterprising in making a living from craft. From a young age I liked to create things, and I’ve always found find for making whatever else was going on in my life. I’ve always loved to make things, but have only made making a real focus in my life in recent years by bringing making into my career as well.

What is it that you love about being creative?

I think mostly it helps me slow down and savour my time. I really appreciate and need the time I have to myself when I’m making, but also know I need to make time to collaborate and be creative with other people. Making time to be creative balances the other areas of my life where what I do is much more structured and dependent on other pressures: it’s nice to have a space where I can be creative without limits, and I try to savour having that luxury.

What fuels your creative passion?

Overall, I get my inspiration through seeing friends and going out and seeing the world (whether that’s a walk to the corner shop or a trip to a far off destination)… project to project I’ve taken inspiration from so many things, photographs, books, films, conversations, music… but I’m a person who needs stimulus so getting out of the house and seeing things for myself tends to be the central thing that gets me going.

What gives you the most joy from being creative?

Although I love to show off a finished product, for me the joy is the process of making and creating something. To other people the finished product looks like something aesthetic, but to it tells a story that only I know how to read; a story of my process, the lessons I learned, the problems I had to overcome and the time I put into it.

What are you most proud of from your creative journey?

This may seem so obvious, but I’m so proud that I’ve learned to recognise what being creative means to me. Making and being creative has a direct impact on my wellbeing and it took me a surprisingly long time to understand that. When I’ve faced difficult times, I’ve turned away from being creative because I couldn’t handle the silence of being on my own, having no distractions and having to find creative stimuli from within – but now I’ve realised how important my creative practice is, and I never want to make excuses that distance myself from that.

What’s the one piece of advice about being creative that you wish all people knew?

It’s not about being perfect or having a finished product. No one is Beyonce or Martha Stewart without a giant team behind them: it’s about what you get from it and what your abilities are, you don’t have to be perfect you just have to be yourself. Set your own standards and remember that your own satisfaction is the best measure of your work.

We all love finding new creative people to get inspired by, who are some of your favourites at the moment?

I must admit I’m a bit late to join instagram, so I’m totally in awe of what’s been happening and how people are connecting on it. Honestly there are too many people to name, and every day I’m discovering new people (including those I’m connecting with planning 52 Quilters)… so I’m afraid I don’t have a good answer. I’m inspired by anyone who is proud enough to share their work with others and brave enough to tell their own story as well.

What creative challenges would you like to conquer in the next 12 months?

My word for the year is ‘focus’ and part of that is slowing down and pushing my the limits of my own patience. I want to try a big paper-pieced (hand sewn!!!) project, like a millefiori quilt where I can slow down and focus one rosette at a time. Might take me longer than 12 months though.

What are your 3 favourite creative projects that you’ve done that reflect who you are as a creator?

My first quilt – which was inspired by a photo, and really opened my eyes to patchwork and quilting and what was possible. My Tube Map Quilt which tested my patience but really helped me learn to love the process of designing and creating something, and my Canadian Wild Quilt where I taught myself to draw my own paper-pieced designs – and it’s also a throw back to my creative roots in Canada. You can find images of them all on my blog at: http://lazycrafternoons.blogspot.co.uk/p/finished-quilts.html

If you weren’t doing what you do now, what other creative endeavour would you like to master?

I’ve always loved woodwork and in the past, when I’ve had access to a proper workshop have loved making things out of wood. I love the idea of really learning woodwork and traditional techniques; it would be amazing to be a proper carpenter or furniture maker.

Is there anything else that you would like to share with my readers?

No I think I’ve probably said enough!

A Bit of Fun

If you could only have one or the other for the rest of eternity what would you choose?

You can just choose a word, or choose to elaborate on your choice, it’s just a little bit of fun.

1. Fabric: Solid or Pattern? Pattern.

2. Quilt Styles: Pattern or Improv? Pattern.

3. Seams: Open or to the Side? Side. Open?! No. just. no.

4. Stitching: Hand or Machine? Machine. I’m too impatient for hand, but might push myself this year.

5. Binding: Hand or Machine? Machine, unless I actually also get to live for eternity, then I’d take the time to hand.

6. Food: Sweet or Savoury? Sweet. I’ve never heard of the savoury nonsense.

7. Entertainment: Books or Music? Music.

8. Entertainment: Television or Movies? Television.

9. Computer: Mac or Windows? Mac.

10. Drink: Coke or Pepsi? Pepsi.

You can find more of Chris in the following places:

Personal Blog | 52 Quilters | Store | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook