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. I am a rape survivor, liberal, pro-choice, pro immigration, pet rescuer, 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…. 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. 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.
Amen sister! I’m in!
I am with you all. I am the original ostrich, with my head under a stack of quilts. But we must stand. I don’t think I can make our current president even bat an eye, but maybe thousands of us can.
So (paraphrasing an unremembered author) my knees may tremble, but I will stand. My voice will shake, but I will speak up. I am anxious, but determined to be heard. And if I need a hand to grasp for support, I think I can count on our BAQ society.
I don’t even quilt anymore (I knit! and make art glass) and I’m following you because I believe in everything you are saying here. Now is not the time to hide our heads in the sand.
I was waiting to hear this from you. Rock on you bad ass resistance fighter!
Damn right! Much <3 coming your way from Florida.
“a list of 5 ways to become more politically active as a quilter.”
😀 Where can I get this list?
I’m in. I love the loge fist with the rotary cutter too. Let us march on resisters.
“The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good (wo)men to do nothing.” -Edmund Burke.
We MUST all speak up, resist, and be BadAss fabulous!!!
Yes!
Right on, sister!
I have been with you now for several years. Many things have been mentioned here in that time that was often followed by a post indicating that there may be a mass exodus by offended parties. I have to be honest, there has not been one time where I even thought of leaving. I cant even really point to where people would get offended. If they can get past the title of the group and the intro statement, what are they expecting? Well-behaved women seldom make history. While you may not be trying to make history, you are doing your best to encourage women to express and love their voice. I am glad to continue this adventure with you.
This is my first time on your page. What an awesome message!!! We can only fight the evil if we fight together. Rock on!
So many people say “why can’t you get over it and get along?!” The way I see it, If I don’t speak up, who will?
I am a proud mother of a bi-sexual daughter, and a straight son.
Looks like this is a perfect place for me! 🙂
We got your back- you’ve got our support. Fuck. This. Shit.
“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.”
I hope this means that BAQS is also a safe haven for those of us who may not embrace your philosophy completely, but do support your right to express yourself as you see fit.
Of course!
Right there with ya!
I feel for the people of the US. You go! Your site, your choices! May it always be so
Amen! The time has definitely come when we must resist the actions of our alleged president. Keep you the good work. Freedom of speech and of the press is guaranteed as well as the freedom of religion (or not religion).
Thank you for speaking out. I live in a small Midwest town, full of conservative frightened people. It’s hard to stand up and tell the truth here. But I won’t shut up. If it’s wrong, I will say what’s wrong and tell the truth. It’s gonna be a bumpy ride, Maddy. Bring it.
Yeeeehaaw!
OMG, girl! I liked you before. Now I _really_ like you. Bless you for standing up and speaking up. Our grandmothers used quilts to express their politics, we can bring that back, too!
EThank god, someone in the quilting community who is willing to stand up and say that what is going on is not right and we need to stand together to do something about it! Thank you for encouraging us to join the resistance and do something to help rescue our country!
Fuck yeah!
I would consider it an Honor to mix my voice and talents with the steadfast members of the BadAss Quilters Society! The older I get, the less I can deal with the con men and connivers!
AMEN SISTER!!
Yes! Thank you Maddie!
Today I participated at the ATL international airport. And will be doing more for the resistance. As a small blue dot in a red state, we must make our voice of reason heard.
RESIST!!! You are not alone. Our country is better than this and we all need to have our voices heard.
Power to the quilt people.
Thank you. I feel braver for reading your wise words. Much love to you a nd the world.
Thank you! So many of my quilting friends have buried their heads under a quilt since “it doesn’t affect them.” We’ll, honey, it doesn’t affect you this time, but what about next time or the time after that. History repeats itself when we choose to ignore it. I choose to meet it head on and say “Oh, he’ll no!”
Love this! A trip to my local quilting center for a lousy fat quarter has become like walking thru quicksand!
I’m sorry to hear this. If I live near you (central NH), I will go shopping with you. If not, maybe someone else does?
I agree!
In it together.
I have a safety pin attached to the bracelet my mom gave me that I never take off.
While I respect the office of President, I do not respect the man who is currently in that office.
Absolutely! Thank you for being brave and shining your light to remind us all that it is still there within us too. Now is not the time to be silent.
My saving grace is the fact I’ve not had TV or cable reception for three weeks while traveling. Once I see that face, that voice…in office…gloves off. Badass all the way. Btw. Was at the Key West march. Pussy hats rule!
Maddie the Baddie,
Being a mother (who also risked her life to have her baby – who turned out fine and is soon off to college. Ducky time being in bed rest wasn’t it ?), pro choice for others, wife of an immigrant I love everyone being able to fight and defend their beliefs. Thru passion, conversation, education and hard work change can happen. I’m more libertarian but totally support the finger at people who can’t understand you. Rock on girl!!
create badass resistance!
You are my BadAss Hero!
❤️ If I do not speak up there might be nobody of like mind left when they come for me. Hell yes I am taking part in resistance. That being said, I would like to hear something from a strong believer in what DJT is doing to explain why it is a good thing. So far I have heard nebulous keeping us safe, making us strong, keeping out terror type statements. Or, what I consider lies or confabulated stories that people believe & I see as gaslighting. My mother had dementia so I know confabulation! I do not want to live in fear so I shall stand in resistance so I can believe I have done all I personally can do. Thanks Maddie. Hugs from one of your baddass compatriots
Punctuation didn’t appear…I hope it makes sense without the commas”
Not only am I with you, but, hell yes I’m with you! I’m far too scared to do nothing!!!
You GO GIRL! I have never been politically active in my life. Last year was bad enough but now I am disgusted! I participated in our city’s Women’s March and will continue to make my small voice heard.
Standing with you from Canada ??, I will not be silent!
Well said!!!
Amen and good for you!! No room for bystanders in this mess. I’m in total agreement, and I look forward to your insights.
I’m in!?
This is why you are such a badass. Thank you for giving us a safe space to speak our minds and support one another through this terrible time in our history. Keep fighting…we will too!
Wow…
AMEN!
I’m in.
Agree wholeheartedly