Did you know that May is for Makers?
I always felt this was a year round celebration.
Makers don't celebrate only one month a year. Do they?
But it looks like the month of May has become particularly poignant.Makers don't celebrate only one month a year. Do they?
So why not join in the fun?!
Let's celebrate the makers!
Lindsey of LRstitched is the brains behind the movement. She wrote this post in April, declaring her intention to support indie designers during the entire month of May. This campaign is heating up over on Instagram and spreading like wildfire! Do a search on #mayisformakers
I read about this on a few of my friends blogs. Yvonne of Quilting Jetgirl wrote about her willingness to participate. And Kitty of Night Quilter did too! Debbie of A Quilter's Table is also on board.
This is a wonderful opportunity. We are all makers. So we know what it feels like when someone says, "You matter to me." And, "The things you make are beautiful! I want to make one too!" We all need a little love now and then. A little validation.
Us quilters and stitchers by our very nature are a giving breed. We make things with love and we give them away. All the time! But when someone puts all that hard work and love into an item - whether it is an finished item or a tool like a pattern to make a quilt, a bag, an item to wear - it's nice to know that it matters. Sure it's wonderful to get free tutorials and free quilt alongs and free patterns. But we also need to tell those wonderfully talented and inventive makers that provide those generous items that they matter.
I read about this on a few of my friends blogs. Yvonne of Quilting Jetgirl wrote about her willingness to participate. And Kitty of Night Quilter did too! Debbie of A Quilter's Table is also on board.
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| Bean Sprout FPP pattern by Kitty of Night Quilter |
This is a wonderful opportunity. We are all makers. So we know what it feels like when someone says, "You matter to me." And, "The things you make are beautiful! I want to make one too!" We all need a little love now and then. A little validation.
Us quilters and stitchers by our very nature are a giving breed. We make things with love and we give them away. All the time! But when someone puts all that hard work and love into an item - whether it is an finished item or a tool like a pattern to make a quilt, a bag, an item to wear - it's nice to know that it matters. Sure it's wonderful to get free tutorials and free quilt alongs and free patterns. But we also need to tell those wonderfully talented and inventive makers that provide those generous items that they matter.
As an indie designer, I know how hard it is to get started. And I know what it feels like to sometimes think that maybe all people want is what you are willing to give away for free. Truthfully. It can sometimes seem like that. Worse yet, as a new designer, you also have moments of self doubt. Does no one like what I made well enough to pay for it?
We should be building each other up and supporting those hard working creators. And making sure they know that what they make is good. And beautiful. And worth compensation.
I know times are tough. I know fabric is expensive. I know we don't have an unlimited budget.
But we could skip that drive thru coffee once. And spend it to build someone up?
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| Beacon a Modern Minimal quilt pattern by Yvonne of Quilting Jetgirl |
I am taking this on.
I am a maker.
And I want to support the other indie makers out there.
To let them know that they matter.
And that what they make is worthy.
How about you?
Are you with me?
Are you with me?
Keep On Quilting On!
16 comments:
Thank you so very, very much for you support, Lorna. I am totally with you! <3
You are so right! A maker has to make, every month. But it is great to make an extra effort to support each other, and designating a specific month for that gives extra attention to that issue.
I am with you Lorna! I've already started to support. I really appreciate all the designers out there and their hard work.
Lorna that sounds like a great idea - I know so very many of you sell patterns on your blogs and we all love all the creative ideas y'all pass on to us. When we all think of how much that daily or weekly treat of a drive through coffee is I think a lot of us could probably afford to have a look through the blogs and see what pattern we would possibly want instead :)
I am doing this as well, posting every Monday about indie designers I have supported. https://frommycarolinahome.wordpress.com/2016/04/30/may-is-for-makers/
I agree with you, this should be a year long celebration. But I think Lindsey's idea for the month of May is genius. I've only tried my hand at writing a few simple tutorials, but wholly cow the work that goes into such things. We need to let our designers and teachers know how much we love them and support them. I haven't wrote a post about it yet, but I hope to soon.
Very cool and I like the first pattern you chose!
Absolutely! I'm with you Lorna and you said it all so well! I've always felt like this and even as a family we try to do our gift shopping at craft fairs and such. It's really important to support and encourage artistic and creative endeavors in every way we can!
I'm on board. Love the pattern by Kitty and the one from Yvonne is on my list to purchase. This is a small thing to do as a thank you.
Well said. Just need to decide who I'm going to support and what to buy. So many choices!!
You're so supportive! Kudos to you! There are plenty of free patterns, but I LOVE buying patterns created by makers with small (or smallish) only presence.
I'm in too! I made a pattern purchase this morning. I can't wait for your raccoon pattern to come out! I just saw it and it's absolutely adorable! <3
I'm with you too Lorna!
Totally with you =)
I want to cry this is so beautiful! When I saw your post on IG, I knew I was going to start purchasing all of those patterns that I have "favorited" along the way. (Well, five at least.) I think it's so true... it's sometimes so much more than the money... Great post!
I've been debating this purchase for a little while now but I think this post may have clinched it - I can't believe how much the EQ7 visual looks like the finished quilt - amazing!! There's a quilt show in a couple of weeks so hopefully there will be some show specials!
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