The following is an excerpt from a June 13th article in the Daily Mail Reporter from the UK.
But quilters, it seems, have every right to celebrate their craft after researchers found that it is ‘uniquely’ good for you. A study found quilting improved well-being in ways that physical and outdoor activities could not, and offered a creativity that had been ‘stifled’ in the modern world.
They interviewed quilters and found the activity helped their cognitive, creative and emotional well-being, particularly among older people.
The use of bright colours was ‘uplifting’, the activity distracted from the stress of work, and quilting offered challenges such as maths and geometry. It also increased confidence and had an important social side.
Professor Jacqueline Atkinson, co-author of the study and a quilter herself for five decades, said: ‘Doing something that engages you and that you enjoy is key. As adults, we don’t often do enough that includes fun and play.
Graduate student Emily Burt interviewed 29 members of the group and the transcripts were analysed for the study, published in the Journal of Public Health.
Beneficial: The researchers said more consideration needed to be given to hobbies, from reading to train spotting, and their potential for enhancing well being.
It concluded that: 'Whether it is growing vegetables, knitting a jumper or discovering a new scientific formula creativity may be fundamental for well being and has received little attention so far within public health.
'Exploring creativity and what people do in their everyday lives, which they deem creative, may be an important avenue for well being promoters.
'Additionally, more consideration needs to be given to all hobbies, from reading to train spotting, and their potential for enhancing well being.'
Craft Scotland said interest in quilting amongst younger Scots was increasing but there was no measure for how many people take up the hobby individually or in clubs.
She said: 'We’ve definitely seen an increase in groups doing quilting socially but also individuals.
'Historically older groups of women did quilting but women in their early 20s are getting together and children's groups are also taking it up.
'People are investing in quality pieces of quilting, but also looking to make items themselves and re-use materials they have in their homes.
'I can only see the popularity increasing.'
The craft industry contributes around £3 billion a year to the UK economy.
Now we didn't need a study to prove that to us, did we?
Several years ago there was a therapist in our area. She was also a quilter. She would hold monthly "Therapy" sessions where everyone would gather around a quilt frame, hand quilt and talk. Maybe this is why our grandmothers didn't need a therapist. I have another word for a therapist, A LIFE COACH and we could all use one. Or maybe we should just pull out our grandmothers quilting frame
and invite a few friends over!
One more funny story - I hope my husband doesnt read this. When the kids were younger I told my husband I needed therapy. Now of course he assumed this meant a therapist and I didn't tell him any different. So I took some $$ and went to lunch with a friend, spent time at the boookstore, or any other theraputic thing I wanted 1 day a week. It really did help! and I think my husband probably helped a little more around the house because he thought I was loosing it!!
Maybe it is time for more therapy!!
