An Invitation to My TCC Students

In an attempt to write beside my students, I threw these ideas together to introduce myself and invite my students at TCC to introduce themselves in their first writing sample this term. Here's my invitation and my own attempt to model for them. 

Quilting: My Neglected Hobby

Everyone has a story to tell. Some stories are told in words, others are told through pictures and still others are told through objects and artifacts that describe the culture and values the story teller wants to convey.

I would like to tell you about myself through my hobby. You see, I am a quilter, a quilter that discovered this magnificent art form late in life. I didn't begin quilting until my two children were nearly grown. Actually, I've always loved to sew, crochet, embroider to create nearly anything I could with textiles, needles and thread. I don't sit still easily, so I often crocheted afghans while watching television when my children were young. I found it challenging to learn how to design blocks with new stitches, yet relaxing because once I got hooked into a rhythm, the work seemed nearly mindless. I also loved to embroider, a craft some call cross stitch. My Aunt Nana taught me how to cross stitch when I was very young, during my annual summer visits to her home in Mexico City. The problem with embroidery, however, I found is that it would take me what seemed like years to complete a design.

So, then one summer day when I was trying to figure out what to do with my life after my divorce, I stumbled upon a new shop in town. The sign on the building advertised, "embroidery machines". Quite nonchalantly, I meandered into this new Bernina shop, just to look around, and found myself walking out with a used electronic sewing/embroidery machine. Wow! Now, since I've alway been handy with my hands, machines and gadgets, it didn't take too long for me to figure out how to use my new toy. I remember being so excited about being able to design sophisticated embroidery designs on clothing, or nearly any kind of fabric. I was ready to set up shop and start my own sewing business!

Never shy about asking questions or seeking help, I returned often to the Bernina store for advice. It was during one one of these frequent visits that I was introduced to quilting. In fact, I learned that Bernina is primarily a sewing machine designed for quilting. But what was even better, is that I could combine quilting and embroidery together. So, I became addicted. I joined a quilting bee, attended quilting meetings and bought every book or magazine I could find to help me learn my new craft. At Christmastime, I made fancy embroidered pillows, rag dolls and wall hangings as gifts for family. Soon I was making quilts to give as gifts. These I called my two-year quilts because I became so immersed in learning new quilt block designs and embroidering fancy stitches that I truly underestimated the length of time it would take to complete a project.

I have to admit that I haven't made too terribly many quilts, and nearly all those that I have designed I've given away as gifts. Today I only own one quilt that I've made. It's a child's alphabet quilt that I thought I'd give to the next niece born into the family. The only problem is that the last three children born into my family have been boys. So, the picture I've attached to this story is my testament to my hobby; a hobby, that I have to admit has gone sadly ignored during the past few years.

I don't quilt much any more because once my youngest child left home for college, I decided to go back to college myself. Since then, I've earned a Master's degree in reading education and am currently working on a doctorate in language and literacy at the University of North Texas. I am by profession and passion, a teacher. I have taught in public education for more than 20 years. I currently teach 7th grade in Keller ISD and of course writing at TCC-Northwest. I truly have a passion for anything related to language, literacy and culture, as I also speak French and Spanish. Si, soy Latina, con raices Chilenas y Mexicanas. 

I look forward to writing with you this term because everyone has a story to tell. I can't wait to hear yours.