As a software designer (or product designer, as we're called within the tech industry), I spend most of my days in front of a screen, designing digital experiences and navigating the corporate sphere. For a solid 6 months or so, after my "second shift" as a mom of two little boys, I found myself (literally and figuratively) at my sewing machine, piecing together quilts.
My journey began with a fairly novel idea: to make a quilt for my cousin's new baby by Christmas time. I used to sew tote bags as a teenager, so I thought, “How hard could it be? Boys do it!”
Little did I know that this project would awake a slumbering monster with an appetite for creating real, tangible things. I started with a test quilt in mid-October on a $30 Janome sewing machine I found on Facebook marketplace. I finished hand-binding the final quilt on the drive to meet my sweet baby cousin in early December.
Quilting, as it turns out, is unexpectedly therapeutic when you set aside how much math is involved. I've been jokingly called a Midwest grandma, but those grandmothers were on to something. When did we start dismissing the hobbies of our maternal figures as quaint and outdated?
I've found it to be the opposite—quite technical, requiring precision and meticulous attention to detail (okay, so it’s also a little stressful!). There is a meditative quality that allows my mind to wander and process the day. As I work, I can zone out, listen to podcasts, and step away from near constant connectivity. It's become my way of pressing pause.
And pause did I press. Earlier this year, my husband had a brush with cancer that quite literally put our entire world on hold. Trips cancelled, plans changed, and hobbies collected dust. Dear reader, I learned that cortisol face is a real thing and clenching on to stress takes a significant toll. Looking back on this time, we both feel as if we stepped through a portal and there was no turning back. We made it through with Ben in remission, and we thoroughly enjoyed our wonderfully warm summer on Lake Superior.
Well Pressed marks my return to quilting as a space for me to reflect on the craft and share my love of it with others. I see the world around me differently now, in many ways. I've developed a new appreciation for the time and skill that goes into handmade items. I find myself examining the construction of clothes, gravitating towards natural fibers, and questioning the true cost of fast fashion. It's made me more mindful of my consumption habits. I've also found connection—my mother-in-law, Susan, an artist who has explored many mediums, became my quilting mentor. She's shared antique family heirloom quilts and their specific anecdotes with me, a gift I'm sure she didn't realize she was giving.
There's something powerful about continuing tradition, and I hope to inspire more young people to learn and appreciate the art. We'll dive into quilting techniques, discuss how technology can enhance our craft, and consider the role of handmade items in an increasingly online world.
Whether you're an experienced quilter, a curious beginner, or someone who's just intrigued by the idea of creating something lasting, I hope you'll find something here that resonates.
Welcome to Well Pressed.
I'm so glad I found your substack! Also feeling the pull of continuing tradition - my mom has been quilting for most of my life, and I've made a few along the way. I really want to get back into it, and I'm excited to follow along with you here :)
what a fab substack find! subscribed and looking forward to reading ✨🪡