Opelika, Alabama: Leigh Ann Parker has transformed her passion for sewing into a creative journey, recycling old quilts into coats and bags. Balancing motherhood and crafting, she aims to repurpose meaningful textiles while nurturing her children, hoping to share her creations in the future.
Leigh Ann Parker, a resident of Opelika, Alabama, has taken her passion for sewing to new heights by embracing the art of recycling old quilts. This creative endeavour began two years ago when she discovered a quilt coat pattern that piqued her interest, igniting what she describes as “a giant sewing fire” within her.
Parker recalled her initial foray into quilt recycling, stating, “I began going to all the thrift stores and estate sales to find just the right quilt pattern that I liked and sewed my first coat last February.” Since then, she has devoted considerable time to sourcing quilts that hold sentimental value, believing that these pieces have “been cared for by a whole family”.
Her weekly expeditions to thrift shops and estate sales have become not only a routine but also a treasure hunt, where Parker seeks to uncover quilts that speak to her. “I want to find quilts that have been lovingly used and give them new meaning,” she explained.
As Parker has gained experience, her projects have expanded beyond coat-making; she is now crafting vests, book covers, and recently, book bags, employing a technique designed to minimise waste. “I am trying to use every piece of the quilt because it is so pretty, and I do not want any of it to go to waste,” she noted.
Juggling her hobbies with the demands of motherhood, Parker is a mother of three young children, making her sewing pursuits a challenging yet rewarding endeavour. “Almost daily, I get to work on my projects,” she said, explaining that she utilises her children’s nap times for sewing. She often has several projects in various stages of completion, allowing her to work as her schedule permits.
In a nod to her situation, Parker has coined the hashtag #whilesulloisenrysleep for her social media posts, a sentimental blend of her children’s names: Sully, Eloise, and Henry. This play on words reflects the tight balance she maintains between her children and her creative passions.
Parker finds her sewing time to be a source of tranquillity, stating, “I feel the most like myself when I’m working on my projects, and the sounds of sewing the quilts are so monotonous that my brain has time to think and relax.”
While Parker’s quilting venture is currently a personal hobby rather than a commercial enterprise, she has aspirations for the future. She hopes to eventually explore the possibility of small-scale sales, or “micro drops”, at her own pace, using materials she has on hand. “My children are young, and I want my focus to be on them, but I would love to sew for other people and bring them joy, as my recycled quilted items have brought me,” Parker shared, reflecting her intention to balance her personal goals with her family commitments.
Source: Noah Wire Services
