Interview

A 39-year-old mother from Long Island New York lives a hectic life and began quilting to unwind in her busy life.

“My first quilt was a disaster because it was a difficult quilt to make and I didn’t know how to do some of the stitches,” said Theresa Blunt, 39 ,of Setauket, New York. “It’s hard to explain. As I continued to quilt more, it became easier and now it’s a way for me to relax.”

Growing up, Blunt’s mother always had a sewing machine in the house, which is how she learned to sew. Nine years ago, a neighbor showed Blunt one of the quilts she had made and told her quilting was not a difficult thing to do, especially since she already knew how to sew. Blunt made her first quilt by following directions in a quilting magazine. She later discovered the quilt she had chosen was a very difficult one to make, but Blunt stuck with it and is now doing very well. She is currently working with the kindergarten classes at Arrowhead Elementary School, where she works, to make quilts they will be donating to local hospitals.

“The kids used the computer to make their squares,” Blunt said. I gave them fabric which was spray-glued onto paper so they could print them, and now they have computer generated squares. I am sewing all the squares together and then they’re going to donate them to local hospitals.”

Not only does quilting provide a creative outlet, but it can also be a great way to contribute to your community.