So this thread is about keeping up with real life and my quilting–when both are in chaos.
I cannot believe that in the middle of a kitchen remodel–a major remodel at that–I still find time to quilt, but I do! Often in the very, very wee hours of the night and into the early hours of the morning. I quilt because I love quilting…it calms me and brings me back to my core
Quilting can be as hard and as rewarding as putting up these cabinets and building out a new wall. The seams may not want to match up right away. Squares may have been pressed out wonky and need some finessing. And I may just have not taken enough time and patience with something along the way. However, with enough patience now, and a little attention to detail while putting blocks together, most of that can be worked out.
If it cannot, there is always Jack. Many people see the seam ripper as their enemy, their nemesis, their foe. Actually, the seam ripper is your friend…the seam ripper brings you back to reality. The seam ripper helps you create the piece you want, not the piece you got when you were a little lazy or careless.
Recently, I was at a retreat where the retreat sponsor “taxed” us a dollar for every time we used our seam ripper. It was a cute little game, although, to me, it was unintentionally slightly rude, because the seam ripper is my friend. The seam ripper is part of the process. If I don’t like a seam and I want to remove it and do it better, why should that be something that I fault or something that someone taxes me on?
Actually, I should be commended for my desire to reach some semblance of perfection. But I happily paid my taxes and knew that my seam ripper was helping to create a better project, a better outcome, and a more attractive piece.
I advise you to never regret that “do over”, that mulligan. These are the things that make your creation beautiful and express your love of your craft.
I remember working on a piece as a child that I just couldn’t get right, and I wanted to quit, to throw it away. But my aunt advised me to finish it, to see how it came out. Every time I worked on that quilt I cringed. I thought I could be spending my time on something else…anything else.
But when it was done, it was really beautiful and my aunt loved it. She claimed it as her own. I often smiled when visiting her home, where she used that quilt every day, until her passing.
You see our ugly ducklings, our mulligans, our do-overs can be great treasures, if not for ourselves, then for someone we love.
Enjoy your time with Jack, because Jack is your friend. That seam ripper is part of the process on your journey, chaos and all.