American Tattoo Artists

Winters always a good time to try that new hobby youve been dreaming of, and this year thats especially true: Between social-distancing rules, stay-home orders and, in some parts, curfews weve all been spending a lot more time staring at our own four walls. Its no surprise that, along with toilet paper and flour, sewing machines were selling out everywhere, in the early months of the pandemic.

A lot of crafty types dusted off their sewing machines back in March, to make re-usable fabric masks. The next logical step, as the pandemic drags on, the nights are long, and the weather gets colder and colder: to tackle that quilting project youve dreamed of starting for years.

Making a cosy quilt to hide under at night is an excellent use of your time when the world outside feels scary. It doesnt only keep you busy research shows the rhythmic whirr of the sewing machine, the uplifting colours and the tactile aspect of the craft can calm the mind and improve your mood.

For Mona Brown, of Fogo Island, Nfld., quilting is not a new hobby. It has been her way of getting through long spells at home for more than two decades. Quilting is how she makes the most of the colder months in the outport community where she was born and raised.

You could get a lot of stormy days here in the winter, and theres nothing better to do than go upstairs go in the little sewing room and sit back with your machine ... it passes time.

Watch the video above to learn more about Browns love of quilting and how it connects her to the generations of quilters on Fogo Island that came before her. (Story continues below)

If youre tempted to make quilting your pandemic hobby or to challenge yourself with more complex projects, there are excellent tutorials, tips, videos and inspirational posts on YouTube, TikTok, Pinterest, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Below are some quilters to follow on Instagram to get you started.

Fabric designer, quilter and author Tula Pink creates unique and fabulous fabrics and kits for modern quilting projects, and often shares images of quilters handiwork all of it spectacular.

Kathleen Riggins from Alberta (who created the gorgeous tattoo quilt in Pinks unboxing video above) offers a variety of virtual classes, some of them free and some for a reasonable fee. Her Instagram account shares many quirky and intricate quilting projects, as well as embroidery and appliqu work.

Manitoba quilter @prairimbquilters colourful Instagram account is excellent both for modern quilting inspiration and soothing glimpses of nature. Remember the outside world?

Bisa Butler takes quilting to a high-art form, exploring her African-American heritage and social justice issues through quilting and appliqu techniques applied to vibrant cotton, silk, wool and velvet.

New Yorker Christopher, a.k.a. @the_tattooed_quilter, has a wonderful blog in which he shares his fabric designs, favourite patterns and quilting books, as well as projects in progress.

Malaysian quilter Amira Saryati Ameruddin shares easy-to-follow tutorials and also offers subscribers free access to a sewing resources library on her website.

Samuel Mikolons love of making quilts (especially with denim from thrifted jeans) is only matched by his love of inking, biking rifles, trucks, headless vintage dolls, and having songbirds land on his arms on forest walks.

Quilting it really is for everyone.

See the rest here:

These Amazing Quilters Will Inspire You To Take Up A New Pandemic Hobby - HuffPost Canada