Author interview | Ruth McHaney Danner

Sewists who make quilts in service to others is the subject of Ruth McHaney Danner’s latest book, Making a World of Difference One Quilt At A Time. You may know her from her popular book, What I Learned from God While Quilting, which I read and enjoyed. Look at the photo cover, of a little one reaching for a quilt at the top of the stack. It drew me in like a warm fire on a cold day.

Let’s get some business done.

Disclaimer: Though I received a review copy of this book from the publisher, New Word Library, all opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

Now, back to the good stuff. I want you to meet Ruth, and you can; just click on interview, A Talk with Ruth McHaney, by Monique Muhlenkamp. Afterwards, I think you’ll want to read her stories. I had no idea the scope of charities quilters engage in, and from all over the globe. Each chapter has a ‘Binding Stitch’ closure, giving contact information for relevant charities. In a world that is often bleak, her book is a beacon of good will and inspiration.

Stay tuned for a future post, where I will be giving away my review copy of this refreshing book to a lucky Craft Gossip reader. You can find Making a World of Difference One Quilt at a Time: Inspiring Stories about Quilters & How They Have Touched Lives here.

I’ll be completely honest before we even start.

Hand sewing has never been my strong point. In fact, I have almost zero patience for hand quilting. I love the look of it, I admire the tradition of it, but sitting still long enough to stitch an entire quilt by hand has always felt like a test of endurance for me.

That’s exactly why I was curious when I started flipping through Hand Sewing: A Journey to Unplug, Slow Down & Learn Something Old. The title alone suggests something a lot of us probably need more of these days — a chance to slow down and reconnect with the craft itself.

After browsing through the book, it feels less like a strict instructional manual and more like an invitation to rethink how we approach sewing.

First Impressions While Flipping Through the Pages

One of the first things I noticed while browsing through the book is how calm and thoughtful the layout feels. The photography, the pacing of the instructions, and the tone of the content all lean toward the idea that sewing by hand is meant to be a slower, more intentional experience.

Instead of rushing through projects, the book encourages you to treat stitching as a quiet process.

And honestly, that might be exactly what makes it appealing.

Even for someone like me who usually gravitates toward a sewing machine and quick finishes, the book made me pause and consider the idea that hand sewing might actually be a way to slow my mind down a bit.

What This Book Focuses On

The book explores traditional hand-sewing techniques and projects that are designed to help you reconnect with slower sewing methods.

Rather than focusing only on large quilts, it introduces smaller projects and techniques that build confidence with hand stitching.

As I browsed through the pages, the emphasis seemed to be on:

Traditional hand stitching techniques
Mindful sewing and slowing down the creative process
Simple projects that highlight the beauty of handwork
Learning skills that have been passed down through generations

It feels very much like a return to the roots of sewing before everything became fast, digital, and machine-driven.

The Philosophy Behind Slow Sewing

What stood out most while flipping through the book wasn’t just the projects themselves — it was the mindset behind them.

There’s a clear theme running through the book that sewing doesn’t always have to be about speed or productivity.

Sometimes the act of stitching itself is the point.

For quilters and sewists who enjoy hand work, this philosophy will probably resonate immediately. For those of us who are used to finishing quilts quickly with a machine, it offers a completely different perspective.

And I’ll admit… even though hand quilting still tests my patience, the idea that it could be a way to quiet a busy mind is pretty appealing.

The Style of Projects in the Book

The projects inside the book lean toward simple, timeless designs that highlight the beauty of hand stitching.

Rather than complicated patterns or heavy piecing, many of the designs focus on techniques that allow the stitches themselves to become part of the visual design.

This makes the projects feel approachable, even for someone new to hand sewing.

You get the sense that the goal isn’t perfection — it’s enjoyment of the process.

Who This Book Is Best For

This book will likely appeal to:

Quilters who enjoy hand quilting
Sewists interested in traditional hand sewing techniques
Makers looking for slower, more mindful creative projects
Anyone wanting to step away from the machine occasionally

If you already love hand sewing, this book will probably feel like a natural fit. If you’re someone like me who usually relies on a sewing machine, it might just encourage you to try a few hand-stitched projects and see how it feels.

After spending some time flipping through Hand Sewing: A Journey to Unplug, Slow Down & Learn Something Old, I can see why the slow sewing movement has become more popular.

It reminds us that crafting doesn’t always have to be about finishing quickly. Sometimes it’s about enjoying the quiet rhythm of the stitches themselves.

Will I suddenly become a dedicated hand quilter overnight? Probably not.

But the book definitely made me think about giving hand stitching another try — if only as a way to slow my mind down for a little while.

And honestly, that might be the real value of a book like this.

Comments

Cindy says
November 21, 2015 at 2:49 pm
I love quilting and am so excited that I have the opportunity to donate quilts too many good causes. Thanks for sharing this book, Scarlett. Definitely one I will add to my collection.
Scarlett Burroughs says
November 22, 2015 at 9:00 am
My pleasure Cindy!
Candy Winfrey says
November 23, 2015 at 4:57 pm
My favorite thing to do is quilt, my next favorite is to read. What better thing to read about quilting. I donate to the Chapman House in Homestead, FL. They can use all sorts of things.