The Grilled Cheese Quilter vs. the Smorgasbord Quilter
Have you ever noticed that quilters don’t all quilt the same way? Some of us like order, focus, and finishing one beautiful project before moving on. Others… well, others thrive on variety, inspiration, and a little creative chaos.
I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately, and it struck me that quilting styles are a lot like how we approach supper.
The Grilled Cheese Quilter 🧀
My husband is a grilled cheese kind of guy. He could happily eat the same meal night after night and be perfectly content. No fuss. No indecision. Just something familiar and satisfying.
If this sounds like you in the sewing room, you might be a Grilled Cheese Quilter.
Grilled Cheese Quilters tend to:
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Choose a project
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Buy the fabric with a clear plan
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Focus on one quilt from start to finish
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Enjoy the sense of completion before starting something new
There’s comfort and joy in this approach. You always know what you’re working on, where you left off, and what the next step is. One project. One path. One delicious quilt at the end.
The Smorgasbord Quilter 🍽️
Now me? I’m a smorgasbord person.
I like to open the fridge, check in with my mood, and decide what sounds good today. Leftovers one night, something new the next, and maybe a little bit of everything on the plate.
In quilting terms, that makes me a Smorgasbord Quilter.
Smorgasbord Quilters often:
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Have multiple projects on the go
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Switch between quilts depending on mood or energy
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Enjoy variety in techniques, colors, and styles
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Find inspiration in having choices
Some days I feel like piecing. Other days I want to bind. Sometimes I’m in the mood for something quick and satisfying; other days I want to sink into a long-term project. Having several works in progress gives me creative freedom—and keeps my sewing time joyful instead of feeling like a chore.
Neither Is Better (Really!)
Here’s the important part: neither quilting style is better than the other.
The key to enjoying quilting is understanding how you quilt best and setting yourself up for success. Frustration often creeps in when we try to quilt like someone else instead of honoring our own rhythm.
That’s exactly why I created a project tracking document for my customers. Whether you’re a Grilled Cheese Quilter who loves checking off steps in order, or a Smorgasbord Quilter juggling several projects at once, having a clear way to track where you are can:
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Reduce overwhelm
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Save time
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Help you jump back in confidently after a break
So… What Kind of Quilter Are You?
Next time you sit down at your sewing machine, ask yourself:
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Do I crave focus or variety today?
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One project—or many?
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Comfort food or the full buffet?
However you quilt, the goal is the same: to enjoy the process and love what you create.
And if you need a little help keeping track of all those delicious projects—whether it’s one grilled cheese or a full smorgasbord—I’ve got just the thing for you. 😉
Happy quilting!
Psst... Be sure to download our FREE Project Tracking Log Sheet over at our Free Resources page.