Going to sleep under your average, run-of-the-mill, storebought duvet feels nothing like snuggling under an artistic quilt that you or your loved one made for you. With affection. With care in every stitch. With countless hours of skill and dedication.
We’re continuing to delve into the cozy and warm world of crafts, and this time we’re featuring the soft and splendid ‘Quilting’ community over on Reddit. There are no hidden agendas or complicated goals when it comes to the r/quilting subreddit—it’s all about celebrating the beauty of quilting. Plain and simple. Or rather, exquisite and detailed, as you’re about to conclude when you see the gorgeous patterns that the members of the community have been sharing.
Let’s keep things thematic, so if you’ve got a hand-me-down quilt that’s been in your family for generations or you’ve got a work-in-progress, go wrap yourself in it and let’s get scrolling. Preferably while in front of a merrily crackling fire.
The photos that you enjoyed the most and would utterly love to snuggle under definitely deserve an upvote, in my opinion. And I know that I’d love to see what craft projects you’re currently working on, dear Pandas, so let all of us know in the comments.
One of the moderators helping manage r/quilting, who has been a part of the community for 4 years, was kind enough to answer some of my questions about how to get started with the craft and how to rediscover your passion if you've lost it. You'll find Bored Panda's interview with the wholesome moderator below. Oh, and before I forget, you can find the subreddit's incredibly detailed Wiki and FAQ right over here.
#1 I Make Seaglass Art Quilts To Use Up Leftover Fabric Scraps. They’re The Perfect Stashbuster, And A Great Way To Showcase Those Last Bits Of Your Favorite Fabrics.
Image credits: exhaustedoctopus
#2 My Mother Finished Her Pride And Joy Recently
Image credits: ebogain
#3 It’s Denim Jacket Season Here In New England So I Found A Way To Display My Quilting On The Go!
Image credits: ec20463
The moderator shared with Bored Panda that over the last few years, there's been a broadening of members at all quilting skill levels which, in turn, makes the community more welcoming. In short, it's not as intimidating to share your own work when it's not just grandmasters to who you compare your work to.
"In the 4 years I’ve been on the subreddit, there has definitely been an influx of new quilters putting out maybe their first or second quilt. When I joined in 2017, it seemed like a lot of experienced quilters who were posting show quality pieces, which I think can intimidate new people to see 30 years of experience when they’re just starting out. Now, we have a mix of skill sets and experience levels and everyone is generally supportive whether it’s your second quilt or one hundred and second," the moderator said to Bored Panda.
#4 Bisa Butler's Amazing Quilts
Image credits: bisabutler
#5 I Made This A Year Ago For My Baby Sister's Graduation And I Am Still So In Love With It
Image credits: cpersin24
#6 My Aunt’s Quilt - She Astounds Me!
Image credits: DrBear11
Getting started when you know nothing about quilting is the most frequently asked question that the moderators deal with. "We usually recommend people check out our resources on our Subreddit Wiki; it gives project ideas, directions about techniques, links to step-by-step beginner tutorials videos, and more!" they mod kindly told Bored Panda.
"Personally, I recommend beginners start with a simple checkerboard of patchwork, which is made even easier with charm packs (5” squares of precut fabric); this way a new quilter doesn’t need to invest in the various tools of quilting, which can be pretty spendy if it’s your first project," they told me what a good way to start for someone completely new to the craft is.
#7 An Absolute Work Of Art My Buddy’s Mom Finished Recently
Image credits: Kim_Jong_Fieri
#8 My Husband Just Finished His First Quilt! It's For Our Baby Boy Due Next Month. All Of The Fabric Was Hand Dyed
Image credits: chronography
#9 My Mom Started Working On It As Soon As I Told Her I Was Going To Ask My Wife To Marry Me. She Gave It To Us For A Wedding Present
Image credits: TardisTitan63
Though learning quilting from someone is person can't be matched, in the digital age (and especially during the pandemic), the internet is chock full of great resources and tutorials as well. "I personally learned to quilt from my mom. I always advocate for live learning when possible, so you can get feedback and ask questions. With the current state of the world, that’s a lot harder though! The Internet age has definitely given a huge rise in video tutorials for newbies who maybe don’t have access to a beginner quilting class, for whatever reason, as well as offering skill refreshers or new techniques to experienced quilters."
Finally, I was intrigued to get the moderator's take on finding lost passion for the craft and reinvigoration one's love for quilting. Moving past creative blocks (whatever your hobby might be!) is incredibly difficult and I'm sure that many of you Pandas have been there.
"We get this question a lot too. I’ve been quilting for over ten years and have blocks all the time. There are tons of ways to re-inspire yourself! Check out local quilt shops, go to a quilt show, browse on Pinterest for new ideas, reorganize your fabric, check out new pattern books at the library."
#10 My Mom Often Puts Herself Down Regarding Her Creations, While I Think She Makes Beautiful Things. What Do You Guys Think?
Image credits: Devairen
#11 Dinosaur Quilt
Image credits: underarock369
#12 This Is The Quilt I Made For Myself After Leaving My Ex. I Finished It A Year Ago But I Still Feel Proud Of It Every Day.
Image credits: OmegaSusan
The mod also shared what they do to re-inspire themselves. "My technique is to have a small fun project to ease back into it when I’m not feeling inspired. I tend to make small seasonal quilts to hang in my foyer: they’re achievable, affordable, and time-sensitive. That said, I also have a Christmas one that I started in December 2020 never got done. Maybe it’ll be done for the last day of Christmas in July for 2021!"
Currently, the r/quilting community had nearly 79k crafts-loving members who are proud to share what they’ve been working on. The patterns and designs are stunning. And I’m blown away by the amount of time these redditors have put into their projects.
#13 Finished In Time To Give To My Mom For Christmas!
Image credits: acanth3
#14 100 Days, 100 Blocks, One 112" Rainbow Stained Glass Scrap Quilt!
Image credits: SatanDarkLordOfAll
#15 Made A Quilt For A Friend Who Lost His Husband Suddenly. The Squares Are From His Shirts
Image credits: bethntim
We’ve all got our hobbies that we’re most passionate about, but this level of skill is making me think of switching my spare time to quilting. At least to try it out for a while.
Quilting isn’t just a fun activity—it has its own very practical side. Who here doesn’t like being all snuggly while it’s raining or snowing outside and you’ve got your hands wrapped around a big steaming mug of tea (or hot chocolate!)? Personally, I’m a huge fan of feelin’ comfy.
If I can wrap myself in a large quilt that’s been made with love and looks fantastic, I definitely will. The alternative is a blanket and while that’s all very well and good (especially if you knit it yourself!), it just doesn’t create the same atmosphere, does it?
#16 I Made A Dumbledore Art Quilt Using Raw Edge Appliqué In A Mosaic Style. 48”x64”
Image credits: exhaustedoctopus
#17 My Mom Made This Quilt And Won Second Place At The Texas State Fair Last Year. Sad That This Year There The Fair Has Been Canceled!!
Image credits: tribelawn
#18 Finished My Labyrinth Walk Quilt Top This Morning. Wasn’t Sure About My Fabric Choices For A While, But Now That I See It All Together I’m Pretty Happy
Image credits: YourLadyship
However, quilting’s power goes beyond the cozy and the aesthetic. Researcher Virginia A. Dickie looked at quilting as a potentially therapeutic activity. Virginia analyzed whether the therapeutic aspects of quilting were part of the dialogue in quilting in North Carolina. She found that quilting as therapy fell under two broad categories depending on the way in which it was used.
“Ultimately two types of a self-generated therapeutic use of quilt making were identified—mundane and exceptional. Mundane therapy was part of women's daily routines, whereas exceptional therapy was taken up in response to difficult events or times in people's lives,” the researcher explains.
#19 My Grandmas Award Winning, King-Sized Quilt
Image credits: Stizzzy
#20 My Aunt’s Hand Stitched Quilts Displayed At Her Funeral Today
Image credits: clipperguard
#21 My Mom Started Quilting A Couple Years Ago. She Recently Made This Beauty For Me. She Isn’t On Reddit, But I Wanted To Put This Somewhere For Her To Get Some Recognition For Her Great Work.
Image credits: Lava_Panda
So there you have it. Beautiful, practical, and a way to improve your mental health. Quilting seems to have it all and r/quilting is a great way to celebrate a deep craft, the benefits of which are broader than it might first seem.
#22 936 Houses, 6552 Scrap Pieces - My Mom Does Incredible Work
Image credits: Afmudbone
#23 The Biggest Quilt (Top) I’ve Ever Made! It’s Not Perfect But I’m In Love
Image credits: m29color
#24 2020 Really Has Been A Dumpster Fire Of A Year
Image credits: ec20463
#25 I Made This Nautilus Art Quilt Using Raw Edge Appliqué Combined With Traditional Piecing. I Free-Motion Quilted It With A Variety Of Thread Weights To Add More Texture. I Encouraged Fraying Of The Fabrics To Give More Interest To The Piece. 58”x61”
Image credits: exhaustedoctopus
#26 I Made This Quilt Because My Spouse's Favorite Movie Characters Are The Birds From Finding Nemo. He Literally Wanted Just A Quilt Full Of Seagulls So I Sketched This Up And Used Needle Turn Applique And Embroidery To Get The Job Done. I Was Happy It Got To Stay In My House.
Image credits: cpersin24
#27 This Quilt Has Been My Longest Ever Project, Happy It's Finally Finished. (Pattern By The (Not So) Dramatic Life)
Image credits: lymphotactin
#28 Finally Finished Fox Blanket 2,4 M X 2m
Image credits: hotonionburger
#29 I Found Out One Of My First Graders Was Severely Abused At Home And Would Be Moving Away To Foster Care...i Literally Whipped This Out Today Just So She Would Have Some Comfort And Something To Remember Me By. It's Not The Best, But It Was Definitely Made With Love.
Image credits: sevenskullsdesigns
#30 Pantry Quilt
Image credits: PennyQuilter
#31 Next In My 2020 Quilt Block Series... The 2020 Purehell Block!
Image credits: ec20463
#32 Reddit Meet My Friend Ted. He Took Up Sewing At Age 90. This Is His Second Quilt!
Image credits: MsMika2
#33 I Finished 2 Baby Quilts For Twins! Our Friends Are Having A Boy And A Girl, So I Wanted Them To Match Somewhat And I Didn't Want To Do Pink And Blue. I'll Miss These Two.
Image credits: Aaaaammyyyyyyyyy
#34 Grandma Says Thank You For All The Love! Both Dear Jane Quilts Together
Image credits: roborabbit_mama
#35 Wonderland Village In Bloom - I Won Second Place In The Masters Division At The Dallas Quilt Show!
Image credits: janamcb
#36 Throwback To When I Painted And Quilted Lorde’s Album Cover And She Took It On Stage
Image credits: raynaknowsnothing
#37 Who Would Have Thought A New Machine Would Elevate My Quilting This Much?!
Image credits: mellyrod
#38 Just Finished My Third Quilt, This Time A Pattern Of My Own!
Image credits: CunningJack
#39 It Is Finished!
Image credits: alonelycellist
#40 “Go Home, Stay Home” Super Proud Of This One.
Image credits: Lizajane38
#41 Mermaid Quilt ✅
Image credits: quilter_tn88
#42 My Mother-In-Law Passed Away Last Week. Here Is Her Quilting Legacy On The Back Of The Pews Before Her Funeral This Morning. She Will Be Missed.
Image credits: xxxKELLSTERxxx
#43 Finished And Hung Up!
Image credits: mrenae75
#44 I Won A $100 Gift Card, So Naturally I Splurged On A Walking Foot And Finally Machine Quilted My Very First Quilt!
Image credits: notrandomspaghetti
#45 Just Finished Custom Quilting This Gravity Quilt For My Friend Kelly!
Image credits: quilternblue
#46 Tubular Piece From The 2019 International Quilt Festival
Image credits: SDPostcards
#47 This Is A Picture Of One Of The Quilts My Mum Made For My Sister. Took About 6 Months.
Image credits: BigDonMega10
#48 Color Wheel Quilt! Completed By My Mother, Sheila Bruner, Master Quilter. It Is So Stunning.
Image credits: blabernethy
#49 Gemstone Quilt Piecing Done!
Image credits: WA5GFT
#50 No Quilts Were Harmed In The Making Of This Photo
Image credits: knockknocksnail
#51 This Pink/Purple Elephant Quilt Brings Me So Much Joy!
Image credits: YourLadyship
#52 A Year In The Making: My First Patchwork Project!
Image credits: orangecatginny
#53 Finally Complete! I Am Shipping This Gift Tomorrow. I Hope She Loves It.
Image credits: snugglepackTM
#54 My Mom Passed Away Last Monday. I've Been Working On This Quilt While Mourning Her. I Didn't Make The Connection To The Fact That She Had 4 Cats In Her Lifetime. So This Is Her Memorial Quilt Now And Will Hang Over My Fireplace.
Image credits: Lindaeve
#55 My Work At 22° Gramado Internacional Quilt Expo - Br
Image credits: yaskaha
#56 Finally Finished My Abstract Cow Quilt!
Image credits: Tenishoes
#57 Finally Got A Picture Of My Bound And 100% Finished Nova Star Christmas Quilt
Image credits: winnersdrinkmilk
#58 My First Large Improv Quilt. This Will Be Hung With On A Wall.
Image credits: TheQuiltingEmpath
#59 A Personalized Scrap Quilt For My Sister Who Is Graduating. Each Book Is Embroidered With One Of Her Favorite Titles!
Image credits: camelscrafts
#60 My Mom Just Finished This Bird Quilt And It Might Be My Favorite Of Hers!
Image credits: SaltwaterRedneck
#61 My Mom Sent Me My Brothers Retired Navy Uniform And Asked Me To Make Him Something. My Brother Sent Me This Quilt Pattern When He Was In Port In Hawaii, So I Made The Obvious Decision. I Asked My Long Arm Quilter To Echo The Design, And She Blew My Away With Her Design!
Image credits: knockknocksnail
#62 7/8" Hand Pieced Epp/Hexies. Will Be 108x120 When Done. Please Excuse My Mess. Losing Steam And Needing Encouragement To Just Finish It!!
Image credits: LucyAnnaNoelle
#63 Update: My Wonky Quilt Is Now Pretty Straight! Thanks So Much To Everyone Who Gave Me Great Advice. I’m Really Happy With How It Turned Out! Love This Community!
Image credits: MrsCarmichael
#64 My First Written Pattern! I’ve Been Quilting For 6 Years Now And Finally Made The Leap To Pattern Design!
Image credits: jwakaflocka
#65 A Handmade Nursery For Our Baby Girl, Arriving Tomorrow! (Cross Posted To /Modernquilts)
Image credits: NovaMarieHope
#66 My 2020 Themed Quilt
Image credits: YourLadyship
#67 Just Finished My First Patchwork, Making A Baby-Quilt (Becoming An Uncle). Wanted To Share :-)
Image credits: c_bassie_jaan
#68 I Am In Love With My Finished Bookcase Quilt!!! All Blocks Were Foundation Paper Pieced.
Image credits: J-Dog-35
#69 I’ve Gotten It Into My Head That I Need To Make An Entire Monstera Leaf Quilt. Here Are My First Blocks.
Image credits: MagpieJuly
#70 I Just Wanted To Show Off The Amazing Quilt My Mother In Law Made For Her New Grandson. I Told Her It Was So Good I’d Post It On The Internet For Everyone To See.
Image credits: Hypothetical-Fox
#71 Have You Ever Been More Obsessed With The Back Of Your Quick Than The Front?
Image credits: asudancer
#72 Can You Believe I Finished My First Quilt?!! I Can't Wait To Do More
Image credits: fairyboye
#73 This Was A Fun One!!! The Curves Weren't As Tough As I Thought They'd Be. Had A Really Good Time Quilting It! ?
Image credits: sewwhat123
#74 Was Really Enjoying Making My Legendary Quilt Until I Screwed Up One Piece & Now Bigfoot Has A Boner :/
Image credits: ingepurl
#75 Grammy Loves It!!
Image credits: mellyrod
#76 Ante Meridiem- This Modern Quilt Represents The Colors Of The Sky Every 15 Minutes From Midnight Until Noon. It Is Based On The Actual Astronomical, Nautical And Civil Dawn And Sunrise In Madison, Wi On 6/18/81, When My Husband And I Started Our Romantic Relationship. Quilt Lines Every 5 Minutes.
Image credits: karenk2232
#77 My Moms Newest Quilt! She Was Afraid To Post Herself
Image credits: aclem3
#78 Is It Okay To Say I’m Obsessed With Something I Made? (The Answer Is Yes Because I’m Totally Obsessed And I Wanted To Share This With You All So You Could Be Too)
Image credits: knockknocksnail
#79 The Goal: Use Up Every Scrap Instead Of Putting It In The Scrap Bin. Mission Accomplished.
Image credits: SatanDarkLordOfAll
#80 Finally Finished The Atomic Starburst Quilt!! Using Kona Snow And Mostly Agf Campsite Collection. Lots Of Love Went Into This One.
Image credits: ec20463
#81 Just Finished This Quilt, I’m Also Getting Married Today! It’s A Good Day.
Image credits: beefsquatch5
#82 My Mom And I Finished This King-Sized Kaliedoscope Quilt-Top Today, Entirely From Scraps. It Will Be A Gift For My Aunt & Uncle.
Image credits: littlestbarrel
#83 Down The Rabbit Hole - Full Quilt
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#84 Put Off Finishing This Monster For Almost A Year Because I Hate Binding!
Image credits: Vv3stie
#85 My Third Quilt...far From Perfect But Probably My Favorite Thing I’ve Made Yet!
Image credits: littlebearpup
#86 Finished My Nine Lives Quilt And Presented It To My Uncle Yesterday! So Pleased With How It Came Out.
Image credits: smacattack3
#87 Finished My First Quilt. Thank You To This Sub, For Giving Me Motivation To Complete This.
Image credits: zkemp08
#88 Happy Birthday To Harriet Powers! Considered The Mother Of African-American Quilting, She Was Born Into Slavery And Taught To Sew By Other Slaves. Her Style Combined African Style And Biblical Stories. Only 2 Of Her Quilts Survive.
Image credits: SSTralala
#89 Finished My Circuit/Dna Quilt! So Proud Of This One.
Image credits: kokokaktus
#90 This Is My Version Of The Phase Quilt From Modern Handcraft! I Only Used Black Kona Cotton And Two Yards Of The Orange Inferno Fabric From Giucy Giuce. The Fussy Cutting To Get The Proper Color Change Took Some Time, But I Think It Was Well Worth It! ?
Image credits: sewwhat123
#91 One More Dinosaurs Quilt To Add To The Group!
Image credits: Katies9484
#92 My Second Quilt Top Project. Birthday Gift For My Best Friend Of 22 Years And Counting!
Image credits: GeekGirlGrace
#93 I Was Practicing My Curve Piecing With This Pattern And It Inadvertantly Turned Into A Valentine's Quilt! I Decided To Embrace It And Quilted It With The Hearts! I Kind Of Love It Now!
Image credits: sewwhat123
#94 I'm Making 1,000 Of These 3" Tall Hearts To Sew Together To Make A Quilt. I Know It's Wonky. I'm Still Playing With Layout Ideas. Here's My Latest Design Idea. I'm Quite Fond Of It
Image credits: Archivarianne
#95 I Finished It! Four Months, One Test Quilt, Backordered Fabric, And 15 Hours Of Quilting On My Domestic Machine Later, And This 112" Beast Is Done!
Image credits: SatanDarkLordOfAll
#96 You Had Me At...
Image credits: everydayABG
#97 You Can't See Our Quarantine Sweatpants Behind My Newly Finished Quilt! Elizabeth Hartman's Fancy Forest Pattern
Image credits: MuskOxVet
#98 My Homer Simpson Quilt Top! I Bought A Crossstitch Pattern And Just Winged It, I'm Kinda Proud Of It!
Image credits: Hemansno1fan
#99 I Finished This Sweet Bird Quilt! It Came Out Smaller Than I Thought, But So Sweet!
Image credits: Aaaaammyyyyyyyyy
#100 Started This Top 3 Years Ago When I Didn't Even Own A Sewing Machine. Got Discouraged, Ignored It, Disassembled It, But Now It's A Complete Quilt!
Image credits: PrettyPolkaDots
#101 Lone Star Finished!
Image credits: red-car-
#102 Repurposed A Quilting Project I Never Finished As New Upholstery On A Chair!
Image credits: Ok-Development-2812
#103 I’m Pretty Stoked About Giving This To My Son Tomorrow Morning. 100% My Design. Sketch To Finished In 30 Days. Merry Christmas My Fellow Fiber Artists!
Image credits: classicdialectic
#104 Chef’s Kiss
Image credits: m29color
#105 First Time With Curves! Twin Quilts
Image credits: aquakittenpk
#106 I Just Finished Making This Quilt. I’m So Happy With How It Turned Out.
Image credits: spear_wife
#107 Since You Liked My Last One, Here Is My First Set Of 4 Gemstone Blocks!
Image credits: WA5GFT
#108 Just Finished My First Ever Quilt As A 31y/O Dude After Buying A Sewing Machine At An Estate Sale This Year. Thanks To This Page And Ladies Of Gee's Bend For The Inspo!
Image credits: BlueNoteRVG
#109 Dinosaurs By Elizabeth Hartman. I Started October 16th And Finished It Today. So Much Fun! ???
Image credits: justrebbeh
#110 Finally Quilted And Ready To Go To Its New Home!
Image credits: TheQuiltingEmpath
#111 Felt A Little Discouraged By The Imperfections In My Piecing, Then Took A Step Back And Changed My Attitude. My Quilt Top Actually Looks Like The Picture From The Pattern!
Image credits: isntthatcorny
#112 I Finished My Very First Quilt This Weekend, So We Took It Out To The Mountains For A Photo Shoot! It’s Definitely A Little Wonky But I’m Really Proud Of It!
Image credits: ferndownforwhat
#113 One Of My Favorite Things I've Made. He Makes Me Chuckle Every Time I Look At Him.
Image credits: Craft_towards_joy
#114 It Actually Looks Like A Dragon!
Image credits: SatanDarkLordOfAll
#115 First Time Hand Quilting The Top!
Image credits: YukiChansMom
#116 First Ever Quilt Completed!
Image credits: partly_sunny
#117 Last Quilt Of 2020! Fun, Quick Lap Quilt For My Brother.
Image credits: quiltingman
#118 A Passenger Quarantined Because Of Coronavirus On A Cruise Ship Brought Her Sewing Machine And Has Been Using The Time To Quilt Lol.
Image credits: Hemansno1fan
#119 I Fell In Love With Hand Quilting Last Year And Wanted To Design A Quilt That Features It. This Was My First Time Doing A Rounded Binding Too Which Was Really Fun. I Also Made A Linoleum Stamp For My Quilt Signatures!
Image credits: ray_wathers
#120 Finished Baby Quilt For My Niece!
Image credits: Nadette
#121 My Wife’s Aunt Just Finished This
Image credits: notyogrannysgrandkid
#122 First Time I've Needed To Hang From The Deck To Get A Good Look.
Image credits: LeakLeapLeanLeah
#123 It’s Finally Done!
Image credits: SweetPetunia0206
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