What Are Glimmers and How to Find Them in Your Patchwork and Quilts

Life is full of little moments - some challenging and others uplifting. While most of us are familiar with the idea of "triggers," which can cause stress or unpleasant memories, fewer people talk about their positive counterparts: "glimmers". Glimmers are those fleeting moments that bring a sense of joy, calm, or connection. They are the sparks of good feelings that remind us that happiness can be found in everyday life.

Before you dismiss this as some woo-woo idea, consider this: the next time you're digging through your patchwork fabric stash, let yourself pause, breathe, and feel that joy when you come across a print by a designer you love or that notion that you stashed and haven't tried yet. That is a glimmer! It's not some grand, world-altering event. It's many small, joyful moments, each adding a drop of sunshine to our days... a glimmer!

Glimmers are everywhere in crafting and creative work and are there to be noticed. But what exactly are they, and how can they enrich your sewing, quilting, or other handmade endeavours?

What Are Glimmers?

A glimmer is a simple yet impactful moment that makes you feel the warm fuzzies. It's as plain as hearing birds chirping outside, sinking into the warmth of a newly finished quilt, or geeking out on a thread colour or the Pantone Colour of the Year #wink. Think of them as the opposite of "triggers." While triggers set off your fight-or-flight response, glimmers start the "rest-and-digest" part of your nervous system, which gives calm, connection, and focus - the ideal mindset while sewing.

Why Do Glimmers Matter?

In our fast-paced lives, we often rush past these joyful moments. Guilty as charged, I've been there! Over time, that can leave us feeling disconnected and exhausted. Glimmers help us slow down and reconnect with what feels good (and who doesn't want to have good feels!). I find it's an ongoing tug-of-war to make a conscious effort and embrace the glimmers, particularly when I'm feeling overwhelmed or stressed.

When we notice and lean into these glimmers, we train our brains to focus on the good stuff. It doesn't mean ignoring the challenges in our lives. It's about finding balance. We feel less stressed by noticing glimmers, even during a busy day/life!

Finding Glimmers in Your Crafting

Being creative and sewing patchwork gives us opportunities to have glimmers. The following are examples that may resonate with you:

The Texture of Fabric: When you run your fingers over patchwork fabric and notice the 'hand'*, do you know that feeling? Satisfying, right? I, for one, can't resist the feel of fabric.
The Joy of Colour: Choosing fabrics, mixing prints and colours for a project and watching it come to life as you sew 100% glimmers right there.
The Rhythm of Stitching: Whether piecing together a quilt or hand-sewing a yo-yo, that repetitive motion is calming and meditative. It drew me to hand piecing - the calming, dopamine-inducing rhythm.
The Feeling of Accomplishment: Completing a project can spark joy and pride, no matter how big or small. As can working on patchwork in progress.
Community Connection: Sharing your work with others, whether in person or online, can create a sense of belonging and support. I love nothing better than geeking out on a new fabric print, a quilt design, or vintage quilt blocks and sharing them with my patchwork posse. To be fair, a new-to-me quilting notion also sets off glimmers.

How to Get More Glimmers

Glimmers are all around us, but it takes mindfulness to notice them. Here are some ways to get more glimmers into your day-to-day sewing:

Slow Down: Give yourself time to appreciate the process rather than rushing to the finish line. Pause to enjoy each step of your project.
Engage Your Senses: Pay attention to the details around you while you sew. What feels particularly good at the moment? Is it that needle and thread gliding through the fabric? Or when points meet in a challenging intersection?
Create Rituals: Brew a cup of tea (tea is LIFE!) and a snack, play music or stream your favourite show whilst you sew. These small acts can boost the glimmers.
Share Your Sewing: Post your progress online or chat with a friend. Connection often sparks glimmers!
Celebrate Small Wins: Don't wait until a project is finished to celebrate. Enjoy the little milestones along the way.

Glimmers in the Craftapalooza Community

At Craftapalooza, I believe that sewing patchwork is about more than creating beautiful things (well, it's that too!) - it's about finding joy and glimmers. Glimmers are part of what makes sewing patchwork and quilts special. Whether it's the joy of hand-stitching or the thrill of learning a new technique, these small moments add up to feeling good, and who doesn't want that!?

Next time you sit down to sew patchwork or quilt, take a moment to pause and notice glimmers. They might be subtle, but they're always there, waiting to improve your day. You've probably experienced glimmers without even noticing!

Tell me what glimmers you've noticed daily and while sewing patchwork. I'd love to hear your stories in the comments!

Learn to handpiece patchwork

If you'd like to experience the glimmers of creating patchwork by hand, sign up for my free Mini Masterclass in Handpiecing Patchwork. Delivered to your inbox over three days, it includes written, PDF, and video instructions, and you'll receive the cutest house block.

* The "hand" of a fabric is the "feel" of the fabric against your skin.