Fat Squares and Rotary Scissors

I am on Facebook.  I rarely post a comment, but last night I did.  I commented about my sewing machine and doing various projects and learning about "fat squares" and "rotary scissors".  My friend Kathy commented back:  "Nancy, hon....that's fat quarters and rotary cutters."   I actually laughed out loud when I read that.   I did know that they were fat quarters (a quarter of a yard or 18x22).   But it was obvious, nonetheless,  that I am a novice.

My, oh, my the trail of comments that emerged in response, from a whole host of women friends,  mostly all about quilting and getting hooked.  I got an invitation to a specific fabric store, where a Facebook friend works.   I got invited to a quilting guild at a former church where I have served.  I got offers of help. I remembered all the AIDS baby quilts we made at my first church,  dozens and dozens of them.

  Today, a friend brought a pile of sewing books and a bunch of patterns, which will be very helpful.   It's a whole new world,  a fabric world!

My friend Kathy said that not only are there fat quarters and jelly rolls,  but there are also "layer cakes" and "honey buns."   (And I am assuming that all this is NOT about food!)

At the moment, I haven't actually settled on "quilting" but I can see that there is a huge quilting culture out there just waiting and wanting you to join in and enjoy all the fun.  I have been mostly a "sewer", rather than a "quilter",  but I may eventually get there.   I have made a tablecloth and napkins,  placemats, a decorative bed pillow,  and a skirt, so far.     The placemats were made from quilting squares sewed together, but without batting.

This picture is not my work.

  My next project is going to be a table runner, made from a jelly roll.  Seriously!  Who knew?