An impromptu invitation from nearby cousins, to play in their new pool, had the wee girl changed and out the door before I had time to contemplate how to best use my child-free time. Overwhelmed by crafty possibilities, I flapped about in unfocused circles for a bit. Decided to go for a swim. Came back, looked at the thread-and fabric-strewn floor and got the vacuum cleaner out. Decided life was too short (and child-free time is shorter still) so got out
the new quilting book and a bunch of pre-cut fabric.
I carefully followed instructions (which was made super-easy by putting the book under my extension table and overlaying the fabric bits. Loving that!).
It all went well enough, experimenting with geometric shapes, the simple maths and construction of it all, but it didn't grab me. The whole thing got far more interesting after I set the challenge of making the same size blocks (12") until I'd used up ALL of the fabric scraps.
My puzzle-solving brain clicked into gear, and
I finally got what it is that makes people want to sew lots of tiny scraps of fabric together. (Until this point I was completely bemused by the whole notion, which was why I started to think I needed to try it.... I needed to
understand it.) When the little swimmer came back, I kept sewing, stopping only to toss a few noodles about in a wok for dinner and kiss her goodnight.
Then I put the quilting books away, pulled out the leftover bits from
the cat quilt, chopped them up randomly and started stitching things together in an ad-hoc manner.... and stayed focused on the puzzle until the wee hours of the morning.
At one point, I found myself saying to the man of the house "I think I'm a scrappy quilter" and then feeling like a complete fraud, knowing that I'm not really a quilter at all. I have NO IDEA how this story will end. Possibly not in a quilt. The man of the house nodded and tried to look interested (but I think he was thinking about the cricket).
As I stitched together my riot of random colour scraps, my new pincushion smiled at me. It made me smile back (especially that machine-stitched closing of the seam. My girl is all about instant sewing gratification!).
And what of the vacuuming.....?
Well...life's a bit short, really.
14 comments:
Great way to go about it! I love just cutting and piecing with no idea where it is going.... I hope you do make a quit, though. It would look fabulous!
lol that should have been QUILT! not quit....
Of course you had to go random... that's you! I couldn't see you following a pattern for too long. Looking forward to seeing the end result. Enjoy the process!
I can't do random. I have to plan it first!
technically what you are is a patchworker... quilting involves sandwiches.
:D
The TRULY Dark Side would have been if you'd spent the whole day cleaning instead.
Gosh, we just lost Kate over at Foxs Lane to the dark side...and now you.
I want your table. Simple as that.
Love it - that's my kind of quilting!
Huh, fancy him being distracted by the cricket and all... Still glad you found your groove, and genius to stick the book under the table - if only mine were clear lol Love that pincushion too, especially the sewing on of the eyes...
Goo d that you are getting there. I'mj only a patcher not a quilter. I really, really love the ad hoc approach in everything because it means I am always having to think rather than just following someone elses directions. Could be the rebel in me. Cherrie
Love it! I don't think there needs to be any rules- all those fussy little blocks! I pick a pattern and go for it, no maths brain here at all! I love the stitching on the pin cushion- no hand sewing going on at this house either! we must get them together for a sewing day.....
Far too short to worry about vacuuming when the muse strikes and the time is right!
look how fantastic your blocks are!
Happy New Year!
I'm smiling - technical,smechnical, who cares!
You Quilt Girl!! I knew you'd find your quilting mojo sooner or later. :-)
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