By Diane Harris, HQ Stitch Brand Ambassador

I’m at Handi Quilter in North Salt Lake, Utah this week for meetings, and there is inspiration all around me.

Lonestar Burst and Beyond, from Kimberly Einmo’s Lonestar Burst Workshop, quilted by Handi Quilter National Educator Patty Kerns

In the past, my quilts have often been about the fabric. But here I am seeing the endless possibilities when you open your mind to letting it also be about the quilting.

Detail, Lonestar Burst and Beyond

Sometimes a piecer doesn’t think about the quilting until she gets there. In stark contrast, a quilting-focused maker starts thinking about the quilting much sooner, sometimes before the piecing even begins.

Detail, Lonestar Burst and Beyond

Some people actually design quilts in order to show off the quilting! This is a new concept for me in the past few years, but it’s one I’m embracing as I work to build my machine quilting skills.

As I looked around, I saw that some ho-hum vintage tops had been given a second chance to shine.

It’s hard not to fall in love with them. They’re literally gracing the walls.

Even quilts with little color and questionable design choices have risen to show-stopping stardom.

The vintage pieces have me jazzed to resurrect my own small collection of older tops. Who knows what they can become under my needle?

Christ in Gold by Laurie Tigner

And I’m going to let you in on a secret.

Detail, Christ in Gold

I learned long ago that there are two ways I can respond to any area of quilting that feels beyond my reach or my current skill level.

Detail, Christ in Gold

I can say, “I will never be able to do that. My skills are lacking. Why do I even try?” Or some other similar nonsense.

Block Sampler by Kelly Ashton

Or I can say, “That is amazing. I am inspired. I can’t wait to get back to my machine.”

Detail, Block Sampler

I have settled on the second response.

Detail, Block Sampler

I never treat someone else’s more advanced skills as a reason for despair.

Elegant Trapunto by Margo Clabo

I treat them as a reason to celebrate. I let them inspire and excite me.

Detail, Elegant Trapunto

I race back to my machine and I get busy.

Quilt on,

Diane