Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Must Share

There are days that people really scare me.  Tonight I had a "scratching  my head" kind of moment.

So tonight was the semi-annual homeowner's association meeting.  My neighbor is the social chairman and decided that it would be a great venue for a vendor show.  She contacted everyone that she knew had a home based business - me with my quilting and embroidery.  I set up a small table tonight to show my treasure.  I made 2 flyers explaining rates and had my business cards ready to hand to anyone and everyone.

Here's the scary part.  I had a lady approach me with a pained look, like she really needed to ask a question.  I greeted her and asked if she had any questions.  Here's the conversation:

N:  So let me get this straight.  You take a bunch of little pieces of fabric and sew them together, right?
Me:  Yes
N:  So how does that turn into a quilt?  I just don't get it.
Me:  Well all those little pieces become one giant piece of fabric.  You know like on your bed?  It could be a patchwork or very fancy design.
N:  Ummm, ok
Me:  So then I add the batting in the middle.  You know the stuff that makes the quilt nice and warm when it's all done.
N:  Yes
Me:  I have a very large sewing machine and I sew the front to the back with the batting in the middle.  That big machine helps me do all the fancy stitches.  After that I put the binding on, which is what makes the edges of the quilt nice and finished.  At this point, I give her a HUGE smile.
N:  Holy crap that's a lot of work.
Me:  Trying not to roll my eyes.  So would you like to buy a quilt from me?  I have several more that I can show you.
N:  Ummm, thanks.  Walking away

I told my husband that I really do take handwork and sewing for granted.  But as a learned tonight, there really are people out there that don't have a clue or have never been introduced to it.  I never really thought I would have to explain what a quilt was or how to make a quilt.

Have a great night.

3 comments:

Barb said...

Amazing, most people are familiar with quilting through family members or history books or somewhere???? Strange.

Cheri said...

The older I get the more I realize a lot of folks don't have a clue...period.

marilyn said...

that's pretty funny. My dad always laughed at my mom who would take perfectly good fabric, cut it into little tiny pieces and sew it back together to make quilts. Why not just start with the big pieces of fabric. Wouldn't that go much quicker? Some people :) They just don't get it!