5 Reasons Why Sewing and Quilting are SOOO much Better than Cooking
Rant coming: Everywhere I go I hear people talk about how much they love to cook or how amazing they are in the kitchen I usually sit by politely saying ‘uh, huh’ and ‘that sounds great,’ all the while thinking that they just don’t get it. Sewing and quilting are wayyyy more fun and seriously better hobbies, people.
Let me name 5 awesome reasons why – and then we will be ready to convert the unsuspecting craft-less to our way of life.
1. Quilts last longer. Seriously. How long does a plate of food last? Even in the fridge? A quilt can be loved and used for over 100 years! Quilts win.
2. You can’t ruin a sewing project by getting distracted and walking away.
Confession… this is probably why I am a terrible cook. Life has so many distractions: babies, cell phones, emails, teenagers, awesome music, that darn alarm clock telling me I need to pick up the kids from school, husbands (I only have one but other people’s husbands bother me sometimes too), that ‘washing machine is done’ sound, the dryer buzzer, the hose that the kids forgot to turn off… must I go on? All of these distractions make me burn the grilled cheese sandwiches, forget to check on the cookies, and spill… whatever. Then there is a mess to clean up.
Walk away from your sewing project for a few hours and guess what? It’s still there, no harm done, waiting for your loving hands. Leave a UFO for years and still – you can finish it and it will be awesome!
3. Sewing can’t make you fat. In fact, I find it’s quite the opposite. Walking back and forth between my sewing machine, cutting table, and ironing board can give me quite a few steps in a day. And when I get into a project let me tell you – I will go hours and never even notice that I forgot to eat lunch. How’s that for a diet? But probably that’s also why I need to set my ‘time to pick up the kids’ alarm, lol.
4. You can fix just about any sewing or quilting project just by unpicking. Or sewing a little more fabric on. Yup. Totally. But if you put too much salt in. Or get your ingredients mixed up. Or burn those darn grilled cheese sandwiches – all ruined. Then it’s pizza delivery or cheerios for dinner. Here’s an idea: Let’s just alternate pizza delivery and cheerios for dinner anyway. Problem solved.
5. Foodies are snobs. Am I right? They ask you where you want to eat and you are afraid to say anything because it’s going to be a terrible choice. I definitely can’t say Olive Garden (even though I could eat those breadsticks all day long) because that’s totally cliche. But if I say something else it’s probably wrong too. I don’t go out much, people. My sewing machine is at home!
But people who sew and quilt – Quilties? – they are the sweetest, most giving, sharing, and loveliest people I know. Quiltcon 2017 was the friendliest place on earth (and it probably had the worst food, hah!).
These are just my top 5 reasons why sewing is way better than cooking. I’m stopping now because sewing is also better than writing and I want to get back to it! So which reason is your favorite? Tell me in the comments! Or if you have an even better comment – add it to the list by telling us below. I can’t wait to read what you think.
Happy sewing!
xoxo,
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So true! Especially #3 …
I’ve given directions to our unique kitchen store in town, to lure foodies away from my favorite shopping spots. I find fabric shopping much more enjoyable if the store is filled Quilty peeps. Besides everyone needs their own hangouts
Zz in KC
A quilt can keep you warm! Try that with a leftover meatloaf from the fridge. Cold. Greasy. Ugh!
I love every word! Feel exactly the same!
Thank you
I was going to say with sewing you can’t stab the palm of your hand with a very large knife. However it is possible to slice it with a rotary cutter. So I think they might be both pretty even on the injury possibilities.
I wholeheartedly agree with you though. Sewing is so much better. I got my cooking skills from my mother. Neither of us cook and thankfully each have a spouse who does.
My favorite point was that a quilt lasts for longer. That’s my main reason for not cooking. Why would I want to put so much creative effort into something someone is going to shove down their pie hole?! Sewing rules!!!
But…. if I keep reading my emails, my sewing doesn’t get done 🙁 Actually I’m with you. I’m going to show my hubby your sewing room picture so we can put a little sized one in a bedroom and if I don’t get a move on, neither sewing or showing a picture will be accomplished this morning. Actually, he is picking Blueberries this morning so I’ve a few extra minutes.
I totally agree with you. i’d rather sew than cook any day.
there are just a few things in life i can’t do…sing, dance and cook. i don’t make people suffer those but everyone loves to get one of my quilty hugs. will be pointing out ur 5 reasons next time hubby say i’m hungry. hahaha.
My favorite reason is that it keeps me from grazing in the kitchen. When I’m sewing, I’m not even thinking about food. My sewing machine is in the dining room, cutting board and iron is in sewing room/guest bedroom, most of my stash is downstairs. This way I’m constantly moving and running stairs. Multi-tasking. 🙂
Your reasons are funny and true!!! I like both because you can create something new and if the food is for a party the art of arranging the food is a way to add a creative touch and beauty to the table.
I agree. the only reason I have a kitchen is because it came with the house.
If you are a quilter not only will people fight to be on your Christmas list, they will bring you food as well. I have a friend who bakes me molasses cookies, in return I sprinkle her home with a quilt or two…win win
Well, my dear Caroline, you said it all and soooo well!!! I am a retired first grade teacher and I, also, LOVE sewing! Anything that I create or repair with my sewing machine gives me great pride and fills my heart with so much joy! I love helping my friends with their sewing needs. I fill a niche in my community and love doing so. But nothing is more rewarding than creating something that no one else has done! I pay someone to clean my house, take care of my swimming pool and yard and go out to eat often, so I can spend more time sewing!!!
I enjoy your daily emails! Love, Connie
Sounds like me!
But, there are wuilt dnobs out there, believe me. I sat and watched as a fairly new wuilter was happily sewing her pieces together and a Quilt Snob walked over and pointed out every mistake & said it wasn’t show quality!
In my book that is a Quilt Snob, certified member of the dreaded Quilt Police and are responsible for many quilters hiding projects from view, not going to classes where it is supposed to to be fun….
I love sewing and quilting but love to cook and bake too! But love Olive Garden hubby not so much, I too could just sit and munch on those bread sticks and be a happy girl too! But definitely love to stay at home with my sewing machine as well, have missed it lately while I have been playing grown up and staying with mom while she was recovering so glad we are home and I can get back to my fabrics
I’ve never once thought of them as competing interests. I think I wouldn’t eat as well if I didn’t cook well. It’s enjoyable to make stuff in a variety of ways. I also like to paint and garden, for the same reasons, I guess.
Oh Caroline…quilty friends are the best….I cooked when the kids where all home (all 8 of them,) mostly sandwiches and once a month that ole cook up dinner in a dish and put in freezer kind of food…but sewing was my time,,,my quiet time, my breathing room and my place to be alone…because with 8 kids and 2 bathrooms….I was always outnumbered…..he, he…love the 5 good reasons….
What about all the great stuff you sew that you can WEAR! My fave thing is a new comfy easy skirt to wear to church on Sunday…And making matching skirts for my daughters. They still think it’s fun to dress like mom, so I’m gonna go with it for as long as I can!!! It’s nearly impossible to find matching mommy/daughter stuff unless you are willing to pay boutique prices. I figure it’s cheaper to make it myself! So I do!!!!! I also HATE cooking because my kids refuse to eat. Why bother???
Quilting is way better than cooking. If you buy the ingredients for a dish or meal you better cook it up in a few days or they will spoil! Lol. some pieces of my quilting stash have been around for a long time and are still fresh!
My favorite was the distractions. I’d add cooking requires cleaning up. Pots, pans, and utensils. I never have to "clean" any equipment or tools after sewing. Can’t say that about a items reqiured to cook. The sewing room can look messy, like a small wind storm takes off the roof, every day for couple days, yet still allow for amazing work to be completed. Can’t say that about a kitchen.
I couldn’t agree with U More. I think sewing is much more fun and productive than cooking. I enjoy the looks on my friends or family faces when I give them a blanket or pillow. Their even more grateful when I embroider their name on it.
And there’s all that dirty clean up with cooking. My sewing just requires me to dust away a little lint here and there.
I have three teens. Cooking is a chore for me. I took up quilting almost three years ago. I’m not a crafty person and absolutely love it. It’s my thing.
Most of my sewing is for work. I love to bake and enjoy cooking. Homemade taste better and saves money so there is more to spend on sewing things.
While I enjoy cooking, I dislike being interrupted to do so when I’m in sewing (or other crafting) mode. Thanks for a great post!
I have been seeing all my life-starting with outfits for my Barbie dolls. Then as I got older + better, I made all my own clothes. After marriage it was curtains, tablecloths + so much more. But then a few years ago, my friend turned me on to the world of quilting!!! I can’t remember how many quilts that I have made for people– my first was for my Daughter’s 40th Birthday 😀. I have made a lot of baby quilts, charity quilts , for a number of people. One quilt that I haven’t done yet::: 1 for my bed. But I don’t fret I love to make others happy. Southpawsooz
Love the post! Read before bed tonight and after quilt guild tonight! I agree with all the reasons! Quilters are the nicest people!!
Well said! I sure don’t cook!
"I’m stopping now because sewing is also better than writing" Haha, witty! I agree with you, people who sew and quilt are the kindest people!
Thanks for the great post,
– Leanna
Have you ever been to an all day cooking retreat? Spend hours looking at other peoples food, and petting their ingredients? Maybe order in some made-overseas fabric goods for lunch? No? There’s a reason for that. Nobody should.
My favorite recipe: 1 Buy two steaks, 2 Give steaks to husband, 3 Sew until Husband announces steaks are done.
I love to cook and I love to sew and I’m just as happy doing one as the other. Some days all I want to do is play in the kitchen, others I just want to play in my sewing room. I thoroughly adore thos days when I can have friends over, potter around the kitched chat and cook and just relax together over some good food just as I love to get together with some crafty friends and get creative. I might not be the norm but I’ll agree to disagree with you on this one.
Fabric doesn’t go bad from sitting on the shelf too long.
While I have been distracted and made mistakes quilting or sewing, I never made a mistake I couldn’t fix. I also don’t have to clean the kitchen when I sew, although I do often have to clean the sewing room, it’s not as much work. (and I often find really cool stuff!)
I couldn’t agree more. Thanks for making me smile and being an inspiration.
Well, I think that cooking and sewing were the activities that you can combine. Although I fully agree with everything said in this article, but still, cooking for me remains a very exciting experience that can please me and my loved ones 🙂
Well, I think that cooking and sewing were the activities that you can combine. Although I fully agree with everything said in this article, but still, cooking for me remains a very exciting experience that can please me and my loved ones 🙂
Funny post today! I love all the reasons to sew that you listed and there are lots of new ones from others.🤗
Thanks for a good laugh. Everything you said is 100% true. Also, you don’t have to do dishes when you finish!! LOL