This Quilt is not for Hiding Under and I WILL NOT shut up and be quiet.
My father always asked me (most often if we were arguing) “Is this the hill you are willing to die on?”  He was asking me in his not so subtle way if what I was about to do or say was going to be worth the consequences.  I hear you dad… and yes.  This is the hill I am willing to die on when it comes to speaking my truth about what the last week of shameful presidential behavior means to  me through the lens of BadAss Quilters Society. And while not everyone feels safe to do so I have built BAQS on the belief that we are better when we live in and act on our truth and for me my truth is the same in my private life as it is in my business.
I am a mother of 6 children, a lover, a wife and a grandmother. A homeschooler parent and business owner. Â I am a rape survivor, liberal, pro-choice, pro immigration, pet rescuer, Â aspiring minimalist, bisexual, raw cookie dough eating fiber artist, quilter, crafter.
I am a mother who has made the harrowing decision to take her own baby off of life support as well as  made the choice to risk my own life to bring another baby into this world.
I am complex and I assume you are too and you are welcome here in my place of truth.
Just know this…. Â BadAss Quilters Society is dedicated to being an inclusive, diverse, safe haven for those who need a voice in the quilt and sewing world and we will not be quiet about it or apologize for it. We are not a politics free zone and for the foreseeable future your quilty BAQS goodness will come with a side order of fuck-this-shit RESISTANCE. So writing me and telling me to “shut the hell up and just show me pretty quilts” will be responded to with a firm middle finger salute and a list of 5 ways to become more politically active as a quilter.
The day has passed when we can bury our heads and voices under our quilts and pretend that the call to duty has not been issued as we enter this dark time in history under the Presidency of Donald Trump. I feel sure we will look back on this time with sadness as we try to explain to our grandchildren and great grandchildren what went so very wrong that we could even consider dialing  back the historical clock to a time when the rights of women were being stripped, the environment was willfully pillaged for strict financial gain and the American dream was snatched away from those who had risked their lives to come here and become one of us. (And that was just the first week folks…)
When asked I will answer that I fought, I used my voice, my monetary resources, my artistic skill and my place on the net to support the Resistance to changes that are totally antithetical to my belief that love wins, and that we are a caring people.
I created BAQS to be a safe, inclusive and diverse group  and while I welcome all I understand that it is not for everyone. If you need to unfollow I understand and wish you well.
For those who choose to stay – there will not be less of anything fun but you will see more ways to be part of a rising culture of action crafty and otherwise. I know that some of you are scared  and sickened about what you are seeing and hearing (I am too) and the desire to slip back under the quilt is really tempting, but don’t, your voice is needed.
The fact is that each voice counts and I will not be silent. Â When I look back, win or lose I want to know that I was on the right and loving side of history and I welcome you to join me. We will not always agree about all the finer points and that is ok, what matters is that we are in it together.
YES!!! ?
Thank you for being you. I am with you!
Yes! I need this in my life! I stand with you!
Grasshopper you so eloquent in how you worded this, I haven’t been, I stand with you!
Exactly. #whyimarch
So well said, which is exactly why I love you and your site. I would love to have some fabric with the Create Resistance logo on it! Would you ever consider putting it on Spoonflower?
I am SO with you on this.
Let me know how to assist you in your goals.
The resistance is here, we have cookies, spiked hot drinks, and cozy blankets.
I would like my pretty quilt pictures with a side of fuck that and a list of ways quilters can assist the resistance.
If anyone has an issue with that they can unfriend me. Won’t miss them at all.
Exactly. And here’s a website that might help: https://5calls.org/
I belong to a few quilt groups, someone posted a quilt of President Obama, it was awesome in just the quality of work that went into it. She got barraged for showing it, as ” this is a quilt site and not political”. Artists as well as quilt artists have been political from the pilgrim times, it is wonderful to belong to this group that celebrates each and everyone of us. As far as letting us know ways to resist this so-called president I will welcome any info. I marched in the women’s march in NYC and will do my part.I have been calling my representatives, luckily I live in a s] city that is against Trump and in fact as declared itself to be a sanctuary against illegal ousting of immigrants
Wow! I like you. Not afraid to say it out loud. My mouth may get me in trouble tomorrow— in your honor.
Well said!!! I’m with you!
I’m not a liberal but I have liberal friends that I STILL LOVE…however may I ask one simple question? What constitutional right of a woman was taken away when Trump was made president? What rights do men have that women don’t have?? NONE. History has proven that women have made their way and achieved greatness AS A WOMAN! I’ll just peep on over back to my Conservative Quilters page!! Thanks for the short ride!
I have been watching these posts since I read the article…..I am glad to know I am not the only one that feels none of my rights were taken away by Donald Trump. While we are not in the majority on this site, all are entitled to their opinion..this is the United States of American!
I read this to my hubby then commented that is was the best use of curse words ever. Thank you being you.
I am with you.
If DT does nothing else for us, at least he has brought us together in honesty and respect for humankind and brought the country out from under the quilts. Bless you for your testimonial and honesty and for bringing us all together to bring back the light!
F*ck yes. With you on this one million percent!
So glad that people are starting to come out of the shadows and let their abhorrence be known! I am SO with you.
I’m so glad I’ve found this place! Thank you!
You go, girl!
Rage against the dying of the light. From every corner, every hilltop, the Resistance is now the Resistance is us.
WORD.
Right there beside you sister!
I marched last Saturday. Spent Friday calling my senators and reps.
You spoke my heart. Rock on and we’ll be right beside you!
Amen, sister. We have just begun and we will not back down.
Absolutely! RESIST! Fight back with our voices, with our dollars, with our craft!
Thank you for putting in prose what I’ve been feeling, keep resisting!
Your words are the truth, your attitude of loving firmness is perfect, and that logo is totally awesomely pin-worthy. I want that pin.
I attended my first rally last weekend and joined the ACLU this weekend. This horrible mistake that got elected by a fluke in our constitution can not be allowed to destroy our democracy and rewind the entire progress of the 20th century. Most quilting sites aren’t political, (and make for a great place to hide out from reality for a few) but I would be disappointed if this one wasn’t.
Exactly!
Awesome post…. thanks for sharing and caring…. You rock the badass and I salute you for it. I was at the Los Angeles march on Jan 21st and will be striking on Feb 20th… I sincerely hope there is something left of this country for our children and grandchildren to learn about and be a part of.
Gee raw cookie dough….. and I thought we were friends? kidding aside, you just keep on being “you” and we will support you. I like a place that I can come and let my personal feelings show, not worrying about getting people’s panties in a twist.
You freakin’ ROCK!!
I’m with you. We have to ensure our voices are heard. I must make a resistance quilt this year!! Can we have a resistance show?
You totally rock, Maddie. Keep it up BadAss!
I am not going anywhere!
Amen, Maddie. Amen.
Yes. Thank you. Wow. Keep speaking truth to power!
I’m in.
LOVE this. Thank you.
Very well said. I am with you girl.
Exactly!!!! The resistance (saying that in a french accent) is on! I stand tall and proud. I have already been making my voice heard and opening my pocketbook to people who deserve extra for the amount of people they will be protecting! OH yea…and can we get your new logo in pin form?? Hint hint
Well said, Maddie! We have to have each other’s backs and the backs of those we do not know but see being abused. Rock on!
All the love!
Fuck yeah. Sing it, sister. I’ve got your back.
LOVE IT!!!! And you!
5 way since of being politically active as a quilter? Will this be a follow up post?
awesome post!!!
LOVE!
Preach it, sister. In the immortal words of the Doors, ” the time to hesitate is through.” I have no intention of being silent. You, lady, are a rock star!
Thank you for being open, I am happy we can come together and not only voice our fears but be a strong voice against what we fear!!!