Quilting in Public
Last week, I had to take my husband to the hospital so he could get his L4-L5 shot up with cortisone. Good times. The poor guy can’t seem to keep that disc from bulging, but the injections are helping, so that’s good news. Anyway, these trips to the hospital are not quick. Check-in is at least an hour before the “procedure” (a.k.a. the five-second needle poke), which leaves me in the waiting room with time to kill. The solution? Q.I.P.-ing!
Q.I.P.-ing, or “quipping,” if you like, doesn’t have anything to do with sitting around and spouting off witty remarks, as the term would suggest. No, quipping is short for Quilting In Public. Ever done it?
I have to admit, this was my first time. I had to hand stitch the binding of a small art quilt–my contribution to the QN staff slice quilt that will be on display at the Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum later this summer. Working on a quilt in that busy waiting room, I caused quite a stir. Nurses, doctors, patients, patients’ friends and family members–tons of folks asked what I was doing and requested that I show them my work. And when I did, their eyes lit up! Everyone has a story about quilts, or about someone they love who quilts, and they were eager to connect with me over this simple little project. How cool!
Now, many years ago, before the quilting bug sank its needle-like fangs into my fingers, you would have been very likely to find me “K.I.P.-ing”–knitting in public. Besides a few sideways glances, there was no real personal reaction to my knitting. The contrast amazes me. I just love how quilting–especially quilting in public–invites conversation, connection, and the sharing of memories. It just proves to me that quilts have a power that other forms of fiber art are missing. Don’t you agree?
What’s your Q.I.P. story? Email it to submissions@qnm.com and write Q.I.P. in the subject line. I can’t wait to hear from you!
5 comments
I too have those injections and also attend the pain clinic for other treatment at our large hospital. I must say when I have them it is an all day thing…and the clinic is usually a two to three hour wait. So last time I too took a baby quilt I was binding and I had no sooner got it out than I had to see the specialist…so am thinking it might be the way to a quick appointment lol!
Hope your husband is feeling the benefit now.
What a great way to connect with people A quilt in progress will do it every time. Hope hubby feels better. Great story.
I used to take my in-laws to endless doctor appointments. I always had a “drag around” (quilt) project. Got many admiring comments and I think used to annoy my m-i-l greatly that I got any attention.
I go to a lot of conferences for my work, and at a recent conference, I brought along the piecing for the Delta Dawn units. People kept asking me what I was making, and I kept having to say, “I don’t know!” It was fun to have all those conversations, and I find that I focus much better in long workshop sessions when I have something to do with my hands.
I began Q.I.P.ing , twelve years ago when my grandson had his first heart surgery. I had a quilt I was pinning to get ready for machine quilting. It was like 12:30 in the morning and no one in the cafeteria, I thought… well I wound up with several observers and lots of questions. It really helped me pass the time. I have since had hand quilting projects that I take every where, needle turn applique, and hand piecing. These projects have kept me going through my Mothers lost battle with ovarian cancer and my Dad’s lost battle with skin cancer. Sitting in the waiting room while mom had her chemo I worked hand quilting and yes everyone had to see, the doctor was so fascinated he had to take a picture and then he invited me to display my work. Since then I have hung several different wall hangings rotating them out with new. Quilting has kept me going and given me many new friends as well as a connection with my grandchildren teaching them the art I love.
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