My Story

The First Stitch: How My Quilting Journey Began

Pull up a chair, sip a beverage and enjoy the read (it’s a long one!)

 

My love for sewing (and all handmade crafts for that matter) started at around the age of 9 or 10. I was then playing with Barbies together with my aunt (paternal side) (who is 4 years younger than me) and my younger sister. At that time, Barbie clothes were either too expensive or hard to find, especially given that it was in the early 90s and Barbies and most toys were imported. This early challenge sparked my creativity and introduced me to the joy of making things with my own hands.

I used to accompany my paternal grandmother to tailor shops. I was, in fact, like a second shadow for her since I was the first grandchild and my father was her first! Shh, don’t tell anyone I am the favorite one! I used to go out with her to almost every place possible, even her doctor appointments. What a privilege that was!

 When we visited the tailor shops to get her clothes sewn, I used to wander around that tiny, tiny shop where there was barely enough space for one person to walk. I remember the distinct smell of fabrics and the loud whirrs and hums of sewing machines in the background, a symphony of creation that I found utterly captivating. In almost every tailor shop, there was a massive box of fabric scraps, and I used to dig into them as if I was searching for treasures, which to me, fabric was, even if it was just scraps.

At that age, it was hard for me to use any sewing machine; all that was available at that time were those black Singer machines that most people in the world had. My grandmother didn't have one, though. So, I had to use a needle and thread to construct the Barbie clothes. I turned the doll clothes that I had inside out, traced them on the back of the fabric scraps, cut them with scissors, and sewed them up with needle & thread by hand. Ironically, now I don't construct clothing, only quilts.

When my grandmother saw all of those clothes I had sewn up for the Barbies, she saw that I had a talent that needed upgraded tools. So, she bought me my first sewing machine from Al-Ghuwair souq in my city, Sharjah. It was pink and white, plastic, had a hand-cranking mechanism, and was made in China, but it used real needles and thread. What a treat! I was using up the scraps that I picked up like crazy. That is definitely one of my favorite childhood memories. Allah yerhamch umi Osha.

Until the late 2000s, I had gone from one hobby to another, but nothing truly made my heart flutter. I always felt I needed something else, a deeper connection to a creative outlet. Eventually, I felt the pull to go back to sewing, my first love, needle and thread. So, in 2014, while I was pregnant with my third child, the thought of making quilts intrigued me so much. I bought my own sewing machine – a Brother combo sewing and embroidery machine. I unboxed it, used it twice (just testing it, actually), and then got completely intimidated by it. I put it back in the box, where it stayed for two years, before I finally decided to give it away to a friend who I knew would appreciate it more and put it to good use.

Then, when the pandemic struck, and everyone was house-bound, I, like many, was bored to death sitting at home. With no work and having just had my fourth child (I call him Corona Baby), I was overwhelmed by the online classes for my other children. I had to have an outlet, or I was going to lose my mind. So, I decided to pursue my love for sewing, trying the quilting thing again. At first, I started making simple doll quilts for my nieces, then upgraded to making baby quilts as gifts. I found that I needed to up my game a bit, to make quilts that added that handmade touch, which in this world and era, has been forgotten amidst a sea of mass-produced items, where almost every house is a replica of the other and personal touch has been lost. That's when I bought my second sewing machine, a mid-range, quilting-specific beauty: the Janome 9400 QCP. I couldn't really afford it, but that was my dream machine since I was going to quilt. My baby sister (Hi Soosa!) chipped in and helped me buy it. I named her Rose. I still have her until this day; she's my backup machine. I am now using the queen of all sewing machines, in my humble opinion, the Janome Continental M8.

Long story short, I feel that the world still needs that handmade touch to make us feel more unique and special, and that's why I started Gourmet Quilts in 2020.

At Gourmet Quilts, I can take your baby clothes or your loved one's clothes and make you a memory quilt which you can cherish for years to come. If you want a special quilt to match your bedroom or home, I can help you with that too.

From that humble beginning, quilting has become so much more than a hobby. It's a meditative practice, a creative outlet, and a way to connect with a community of fellow makers. Each new fabric, each new pattern, presents a fresh challenge and an opportunity to learn. And with every quilt I make, I'm not just creating warmth; I'm weaving a little more of my own story into the fabric of my life.