People fall in love with quilting for many different reasons. Some quilters are driven by inspiration and creativity. Others might craft to relax after a long day at work. Or maybe you just love wearing cozy handmade hats and scarves in winter. These are all great enough reasons to pick up a sewing needle, but we’re going to add one more to the list — your health!
It may sound hard to believe but quilting actually has some major benefits for your mental and physical health. So, next time your friends or family poke fun at you for holing up inside with your piles of fabrics and patterns, tell them about all these health rewards you’re reaping in return!
1) Improves cognitive health
Anyone who quilts knows that it requires plenty of focus, planning, and problem-solving to achieve the desired results. Between figuring out how much fabric to use, taking measurements, and following the pattern to a T, you’re getting some serious mental exercise. The work that goes into quilting keeps your brain sharp, which in turn lowers your risk of cognitive diseases such as dementia or Alzheimer’s.
2) Reduces stress and anxiety
Quilting can be a form of meditation. Like with any craft, it’s easy to lose yourself in the creative process. As you do, you focus less on your stressors and anxieties and give your mind and spirit a chance to unwind. If you’re working with bright colors, you get a little bonus happiness on top of the relaxing effects of quilting, since these colors are uplifting on a psychological level too.
3) Enhances hand-eye coordination
The intricate sewing motions involved in quilting put your hand-eye coordination and spatial perception to the test. Threading fine string, following stitch patterns, cutting fabrics to size, and weaving them through a sewing machine calls for a lot of dexterity. For those who quilt regularly, engaging in these refined motions can improve your hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills.
4) Boosts self-confidence
Learning a new skill is a surefire way to help yourself feel more confident. Even more, quilters often feel a sense of pride and accomplishment with every finished project. There’s something special about seeing something you made with your own two hands. Then, when you wear and show off your creations or gift them to others, words of praise will start rolling in and take your confidence even higher.
5) Lowers risk of heart attack and stroke
When you get stressed, your body produces a hormone called cortisol. Cortisol produces a flight or fight physical response that increases your blood pressure, heart rate, and respiration. If these metrics remain elevated long-term, you’ll be at a higher risk for heart attack and stroke. Since quilting helps you relax and reduce stress, it lowers your cortisol levels, the associated physical effects, and their risks. The mood boost it delivers also helps decrease stress hormones by replacing them with feel-good chemicals instead.
6) Fosters social connection
One of the best parts of any type of crafting is the community you can build or find with your fellow crafters. Quilting is a great way to meet new people with shared interests and build friendships that grow beyond patterns and thread counts. The internet has made it even easier for you to connect with other quilters, but you can find a local in-person group in many areas too. In your quilting community you’ll find support, inspiration, knowledge, and so much more.
You shouldn’t settle for anything less than the best when it comes to your health — quilting included. At 118 Fabrics & More, we can provide you with everything you need to bring your next project to life. From colorful fabrics to patterns for all skill levels and beyond, our family-run quilt shop has something for every crafter.
Shop our store online or stop by for help from our friendly staff today!
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