Image courtesy The Armory Center for the Arts website
The Armory Center for the Arts in Pasadena is opening a four-part virtual beginner class on the basics of quilting, starting on Monday, November 9 at 6 p.m.
In this Beginners Quilting Workshop, open for ages 14 and up, students will be introduced to quilting history and terminology, a variety of stitching techniques, and work towards creating a hand-stitched lap quilt by the end of the workshop. Participants are expected to possess a basic understanding of how to quilt, which actually has many benefits to it, by the end of the training.
Seams and Scissors, a website dedicated to promoting sewing and quilting, says quilt-making not only carries on a time-honored tradition of artistry and skill, but also brings people together and allows them to express themselves using fabric and textile art.
The online resource lists four health benefits of the art, saying it lets you unplug from the modern world, where too much time is spent staring at your tablet or laptop.
“The physical act of quilting, from choosing your fabric to cutting and piecing together blocks, is time set aside that lets you unplug and instead focus on creating,” the publication said. “The environment of quilting also helps you focus on completing tasks as opposed to shortening your attention span, especially since quilting is an art that requires your full attention.”
Like all forms of sewing, quilting has been proven to be good for both your mental and physical well-being. It’s not just having an up-to-date and well-fitting wardrobe or getting rid of missing buttons, it is also good for your health.
By focusing your physical and mental facilities on a sewing project, you stop worrying about everyday problems like paying utilities, issues at the office or family conflicts. These problems may not necessarily go away, but by doing healthy projects, people don’t just give up and find time to rebuild their foundations.
The workshop will be taught by Los Angeles artist Kira Doutt, who obtained her BFA in Painting from Massachusetts College of Art and Design. She also studied at the Victorian College of the Arts in Melbourne, Australia.
Sessions are Mondays and Wednesdays – November November 9, 11, 16, and 18 – on Zoom.
To register for the workshop, visit www.armoryarts.org/education/fall-online-classes/adults/beginners-quilting-workshop-2.
