1)Magazines- I don't have a TON, but I have a healthy collection of quilting/sewing magazines. My first sewing magazine, came from a going out of business bookstore. A few after that, came from my mother in-law when I was sick, or she was just finished with it. Out of my collection, I have four that I turn to most often. Three of them came from 2013 when Jenny Doan featured in a few Fon's and Porter's magazines. The first magazine she mailed out, I received with an autograph from her on it! The second magazine came a few months following, just in time for Summer. Finally, after waiting a few more months, the last Fall Issue arrived in my mailbox.
The fourth magazine I turn to surprised me, It didn't seem like a magazine I would like, but i find I turn to it for inspiration quiet often! It is simply just a magazine that has 100 blocks to make. No tutorials, or turn-by-turn instructions, just 100 patterns for quilt block ideas.
2)Pinterest- I know. I know. You got me. I'm not ashamed! It's a great community of people just like me, who just want to share what they know with the world. It's may be a trend right now, and some may even be obsessed with it, but don't let that intimidate you. Pinterest is a very inspiring world.
3)Fabric- Have you ever seen a piece of Fabric and just wanted to do something with it?? No ideas, no need for anything, but that beautiful piece of fabric NEEDS to be on something! I know it happens to me often. I have a rainbow trolly like thing, that has ten drawers on it. In some of my drawers I have fabric grouped up that I plan to do something with. Sometimes they sit for a long time while I finish another project or rake in the over time at work.
Sometimes I just sit in my floor and rummage through it and see which project I had intended to do next.
I can even put a UFO (Unfinished project-UFO is also a term used in sewing for abandoned objects/projects that we mean to get back to, someday, eventually.) neatly folded in a drawer to return to another time.
4)Youtube- As an avid Youtube watcher, there is rarely a video I have yet to see. From, gaming, cooking, knife skills, cartoons, music and every craft imaginable, I watch it. That being said, my 'Recommended For You' is always full of new unwatched sewing/crazy videos for me to indulge into. Here are a few of my favorites to get you started: MSQC , The Crafty Gemini , Crafty Amy , Debbie Shore , Ina Pattydoo
5)Facebook- I know it doesn't seem very inspirational all of the time, but it can be! If you are subscribed to the right people that is! Be sure to add both business and friends of craft-alike! Even something as liking Jo-Ann's facebook page can get you ideas, and even coupons! Look through photos of friends that sew, or just search through and find what inspires you.
6)Gifts- This can be taken two ways: The first, is being given something like a handmade gift. Or even being given the supplies you need to get started as a birthday/Christmas present. (Fabric is ALWAYS acceptable as a gift to me. I promise to never tire of it). The second interpretation: Needing to give someone something. Maybe you have some fabric collecting dust? Needing to make a handmade gift for someone will boost your spirit! Babies are the easiest to make for as the things they need require much less fabric, as usually simple and and quick to throw together. A good chance to use that fabric you got, JUST because it was on sale too.
7)Artwork- Art is everywhere, and in even more places if you have an abstract eye. From a painting, to a quilt already made, You can mimic/change it into anything you want. A friend of mine saw a picture of a necklace, an adorable owl, and she asked if we could turn it into a purse or something. Though, we probably could have sat down and spent a few hours appliqueing ( appliqueing explained another time, another day), but for a beginner I told her it was best if we just chose fabric close to it. But yet, a great example of being inspired, I also keep a binder of grid paper handy. Quilts are made of lines and blocks, so grid paper if perfect for ideas and inspiration.
8)Rulers- I know this one seems a bit unorthodox to some. Extra rulers are not %100 necessary,(Though you really do need ONE) but %100 worth every penny you spend on them. Rulers come in all shapes of all sizes, making completely different shapes and blocks. I find rulers to be very inspirational. It's a chance to try something new, to see what a tool can really do.
I hope these have given you somewhere to start! Feel inspired to sew/quilt and I will post next week what to do with your inspiration! (Step Two on 'How to Quilt Almost Anything' next week) Feel free to leave a comment! I'd love to hear what you think!
