When I’m sewing, I often will hit my Netflix Instant account and re-watch programs I’ve seen and loved as I work. I have exhausted most of those–I’ve gone through all the episodes of Monk three times, in order; all of Psych, also three times, also in order; I’ve watched most of Bones a second time; and notably have seen every single episode of Murder, She Wrote ever aired (with the exception of a Magnum, PI crossover episode that Netflix continues to deny me). With those out of the way/completely memorized (maybe not the Mrs. Fletcher ones, but the rest), it was time for something new. So I dipped my foot into a pool I had not yet experienced: Dr. Who. And the water is warm, my friends. Very warm indeed.
(After enough episodes, you’ll actually start thinking in a British accent. Try it–you’ll see I’m right.)
I had known of Dr. Who back in the day, when it originally aired, but never watched it for one reason or another. When these new series came out, I watched chunks of one with my oldest, the Amy Pond seasons. But it wasn’t until I started at the beginning of these newer episodes that I really, truly got hooked.
Fair warning: everything beyond this point is unabashed geekery. Feel free to run away if you’d like and I’ll see you tomorrow with something less dorky. Mostly.
On a whim today, I did a search for “TARDIS QUILT,” mostly because I was thinking how cool it would be to have a quilt that’s also the TARDIS. As I did my Googling, I had a sneaking suspicion that I was not the first to have this idea. I was not disappointed.
Behold, my friends: the vast array of TARDIS quilts in the universe. Time Lord, you are no longer alone.
From Wendymoon (a long-time blog friend in these parts–hello, Wendy!).
Maybe my favorite, this mini-quilt version from gatheredthreads, via Mr X Stitch
From Crafty_Tardis (this one comes with a sonic screwdriver pillow)
From SewHooked, along with link to the pattern she used.
There is, of course, a whole world of Dr Who crafty patterns and ideas. I’m waiting for the Rose Tyler quilt, because as much as I love Amy Pond, Rose was something special. You geeks know what I’m talking about.
Welcome to the mania, people. I quote the Bloggess:
Ann G.
May 17, 2012 at 6:39 pmWhat do you recommend to start with, for a total newbie?? I thought it had been on for like 30 years without stopping, but I guess I am wrong!
Deborah
May 17, 2012 at 7:13 pmAccording to Netflix, it was on for 20+ years through the early 90s, then took a break. I haven’t seen any of the “classic” episodes, just these new ones that began with Christopher Eccleston. I think you can jump right in with the new ones and skip the classic ones and you’ll be fine–I’m totally hooked without seeing the older ones at all. But I can also tell that they’ve done a really good job of staying true to the overall storyline and bringing back villains and locations from earlier decades, based on the references and dialogue. I am 90% sure when I get caught up on the streaming new episodes that I’ll go back and watch the older ones, too!
Jana
June 3, 2012 at 11:19 pmFor a newbie – watch The Girl in the Fireplace – one of the best episodes (new series season 2, episode 5). Then try some Doctor 9 (season 1) – episode 1 is ok, but the series really gets good around season 1, episode 9-10. (You can totally skip to episodes 9 and 10 and finish season 1 without missing too much). My suggestion is to get to Tennant as quickly as possible – he’s the best.
Another way to get started is to start with Season 5 of the new series – it was really another fresh start. Watch Seasons 5 and 6 and then go back and watch Seasons 1-4.
Classic Who is different, but still very interesting. You can always find some Doctor 4 – that’s who most people identify as the doctor. I really enjoyed The Arc in Space (it’s on netflix).
I really just got into Doctor Who this year, so I do know how to go from knowing nothing to everything – there’s so much out there about awesome episodes!
Deborah
June 4, 2012 at 8:00 amI actually watched a few episodes of Season 5 with my oldest, which is how it began–love that Amy Pond. But now I totally get why everyone is so crazy for David Tennant. I personally really liked Chris Eccleston, but Tennant is the real deal, for sure. I liked Girl in the Fireplace, but looooved Blink, and am now racing on toward finding out more about the Doctor’s wife, even though I haven’t gotten far enough to know that’s who she is, I’m just inferring based on what I know from the Library.
Eeek! It’s so addictive! 🙂
Gillian
December 21, 2012 at 8:03 pmYou know, you really shouldn’t recommend that people start in the middle…It’s very confusing.
Karen Chatters
May 17, 2012 at 8:02 pmI am completely and totally hooked on the Tudors. COMPLETELY. I’ve flown through the first 2 seasons and am on the 3rd. I think. Anyway, it’s FULL of sex (hello Showtime) and there’s nothing like quilting a baby blanket to some raunchy Showtime sex. In the meantime, my husband is MYSTIFIED as to what I’m doing…
Charlotte
May 18, 2012 at 2:31 amI love Doctor Who! As a brit, I grew up watching it from behind the sofa. It ran from 1963 through to the end of the 80s, and then returned with a vengeance in 2005. It’s so interwoven in the consciousness of my generation (I’m 39) that I can’t imagine a life without it. Seriously. It’s what it means to be British 😉
Deborah
May 18, 2012 at 5:18 pmMy husband and I loved this, and were trying to think of an American analogue–maybe Friends or Seinfeld, but those didn’t run nearly as long. I love that I feel obligated to drink tea while watching (Dr. Who, or Sherlock or Downton, for that matter) and I always feel I’ll be a better educated tourist from having seen the good Doctor on his travels. Whether I go to Britain or tour the universe. 🙂
Sparrow
May 18, 2012 at 7:53 amOh yeah, the Doctor is impossible to resist! I got hooked on the geekery years ago, and then got my BF to watch just so he could understand what I was talking about when I spewed random references to the show. Now he’s a bigger fan than I am! lol
Erin
May 18, 2012 at 10:18 pmRose was special but I love the Donna Noble season best. Such a wonderful dynamic female character. None of the hinted romance, just a great friendship. Love every minute of at show!
Lorene
May 19, 2012 at 9:15 pmDid you make it to Jenny Lawson’s book signing on Wednesday (Atlanta)? It was SO much fun!
michael moebes
May 20, 2012 at 3:14 pmI attended! It was fun.
KerryQ
May 20, 2012 at 10:47 amWhen you exhaust Dr. Who, try The Closer. I am addicted. It airs on TNT and the final season is this summer.
Janelle
May 22, 2012 at 3:26 pmAfter years of ignoring Who as my dad’s show, the New Who episode “Blink” got me on board, and then my girl crush on Amy Pond and Doctor crush on Matt Smith made me force my husband to watch the last couple of seasons.
I also Netflix while I sew, though mine tends toward Felicity and Sports Night because I am still living in 1998, apparently.
It’s not sewing-appropriate, but I’m hooked and can’t stop watching a Korean soap on Netflix: Boys Over Flowers. It’s a bit of an adjustment getting into that first episode because the heroine screams a lot in the beginning – she screams less as it goes on – but very entertaining in a The OC kind of way (minus the sex and drinking to excess).
Deborah
May 22, 2012 at 5:02 pmI just saw that episode–it’s brilliant!! Also: I think we’re long lost identical cousins, because I watched every single Felicity episode when it originally aired while it was on–loved that show. Will have to check out the Boys Over Flowers–I lived in Korea for a year when I was in school, so I’m super curious about the soap! Thanks for the great tip!
anna v
May 24, 2012 at 6:03 pmLove the phone booth!
Wendy
May 24, 2012 at 10:59 pmGlad you’re enjoying Doctor Who! I too love to craft to Netflix and DW is one of my go-tos for rewatching. Haven’t seen the classic eps, and I’m not super keen on Matt Smith, but Eccleston and Tennant are brilliant.
Thanks for including my mini-quilt as well. This reminds me that I was working on a TARDIS pouch tutorial. Should get on that again!
Heather
November 19, 2012 at 12:20 pmI remember Doctor Who from when I was a kid watching with my dad on PBS. Tom Baker (Curly hair and the long scarf) was my first Doctor. And it’s true…you never forget your first. They seemed so cool. My DH and I went back and watched some of the oldies *(think 70’s and 80’s) I laughed my but off. They were definitely meant to be seen on a fuzzy 12″ screen with rabbit ears. It was great. I am a total Whovian to this day. David Tennent is my absolute fave…my McDreamy. Incidentally, we unintentionally named our first daughter after an old sidekick (i won’t say which) only that when she was several weeks old this particular sidekick made an appearance in a new episode. OMG We named our baby after a Doctor Who character!!!!!!! Now I just think its funny b/c she likes it too. My little brother also recently married a Whovian. GEEKS RULE. I’m making her a Tardis quilt for Christmas. Welcome to the family Sis!