Quilting Kept Me From a Melt Down by Jill Pesti

I am a 24 year old mother of two beautiful children and a wife of a very loving husband. I began quilting about 3 years ago as a creative outlet to express myself. My family and I moved up to Indiana in the winter of 2007. To say money was tight doesn't do our situation any justice. Between money being tight, bills that seem to be never ending, a husband that is so stressed about work and a toddler that demanded complete attention I felt like I was at my breaking point. I was introduced to a lady named Caroline Isaacs. She took me under her wing and taught me how to make my first quilt.

I thought of quilting as just a hobby, but it has turned into so much more. My mother was recently diagnosed with cancer. The moment I heard I just broke down emotionally and physically. I knew I had to somehow keep my hands busy just to mentally keep my self stable. I had to be strong for my mother and support her in anyway I could. Quilting allowed to me express all I thought and felt creatively while not breaking down emotionally....

 

Quilting also allows me to be a stay at home mom while helping to support my family by selling my quilts and crafts, which has relieved some financial stress.  It does not matter what crisis seems to come my way be it the care breaking down, gas prices going up, or a dinner that I have made the gets burnt, sitting down at my sewing machine and completing a quilt block or even a quilt give me the sense of relief and anxiety seems to be released.  My quilts also let me reflect on different times and struggles that I have had through my life.

www.allthreadedup.com

Comments

[Jennifer Maroney]

Beautiful work and an inspiring story! Keep on quilting Jill!

[lois]

the quilt in the photograph is absolutely gorgeous. Creativity certainly is something wonderful to hang onto during those stressful times.
Good on ya! as the Australians like to sy