Back to Square One…
I don't know about you, but sometimes my life gets so fast and crazy, I
just want to stop and make the world go away. Now being a quilter, I can
do that. Just send me to my sewing room aka the C.A.T. House - stands
for Creative Arts & Textiles now, but it was where the cats lived
until they got their own place! Once inside, I enter a new world which brings me a great deal of comfort. Looking at all my fabric stash is like spending time in a library looking at all my favorite books.It is like spending time with good friends. Quilters will definitely know what I am talking about.
But I need to take it a step further. I just want to sit and stitch and get lost in the pattern. However I don't want a complicated pattern. I want something simple and basic. Therefore I go back to Square One. Yes, a simple square can bring such delight. Whether it is one inch, 1 1/2 inches, two, five or ten inches, it is just "purrfect" to use to regroup.
I love working with the small squares of 1 and 1/2 inches. Just there in a little pile, it is so much fun to see them go together. When I see squares like this, they scream at me to pick them up and start stitching. There is something so comforting about feeling the fabric between your fingers and watching the needle slip in and out of the seam. I love to hand piece, but machine piecing is just as good. Sitting there with your sewing machine is like renewing a wonderful old friendship.
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I have showed you some of my small squares. I am going to sew some together now and then, showing you my progress every month. I am not going to follow a pattern, I am just going to start stitching and let the fabric take over. It may be a Kennel Quilt or a King Size Quilt - depends on my schedule, my time and all the craziness that goes with it. It will be interesting to see the progress.
I hope you will do the same. Keep it simple - back to Square One. Go through your scraps and start sewing some squares together and show me your progress. I will post them on my blog. It will be interesting to see all the combinations and what we end up with next December. So join me in the Square One Share!
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Until next time...
Nan
I understand where you are with quilting. I feel the same way - love to peruse all my fabrics. I keep my fabric in plastic bins so I can see them easily and also keep them dust free. I many times start a quilt without any planning - who knows where it will lead. This sometimes gets me in trouble but then again, I find a solution and I am pleased with the finished quilt.
ReplyDeleteSusan,
DeleteThank you for your comment. It is nice to know that there are kindred spirits. I hope you will share some of your finished quilts!
Nan
I understand the need to take time to step away from the "real world." I am kept busy with my machine embroidery business. I have found a whole new world of quilting by incorporating my embroidery designs in my quilts. Spending time choosing a pattern and fabric colors is the perfect escape for me. I am probably the world's worst "color junkie." However, I find that I tend to search for the colors of the 30's and 40's for my quilts. I thoroughly appreciate the inspiration I get from other quilters around the world and marvel at the pieces of art they create. Thanks for the inspiration.
ReplyDeleteSheila,
DeleteI know the fun choosing colors. There are so many gorgeous colors that it does take a long time which helps us when we are in escape mode. Would love to see your 30's and 40's quilts. I bet they are lovely. Thank you for sharing!
Oh Nan, you should be a motivational writer! Wait, what am I saying, you ARE a motivational writer! :) You really got to me with this one, and I'm going to do all I can to stay connected with you. First off, I'm putting your blog at the top of my blog roll.
ReplyDeleteBarbara,
ReplyDeleteThank you for the compliments. It is nice when we can connect on favorite subjects. I hope you will continue to follow and I look forward to your future comments. Thank you again!
Nan,
ReplyDeleteThat is exactly how I feel when I retreat to my quilt studio. The world is on hold there till I want to resurface again. Whether I'm fondling the fabrics in my stacks, cutting, sewing, or quilting, it's all calming and rejuvenating to my spirit. The age old question of whether there are other worlds out there is,"Yes!" You and I know it's right here on earth and only steps away in our quilting room/studio! Loved your post!
So true. I can get lost working on a project in my sewing room and the time just flies by. I feel so fulfilled when I see the progress in a project taking shape. Only problem, need more room for quilt fabric.
DeleteCWQ,
ReplyDeleteIsn't it nice when we can relate to something so simple & basic yet so rewarding? Thank you for your thoughts and kind words!
So, I dug deep into my scraps, closed my eyes, pulled some out and started sewing them together. Not necessarily squares, but oh well...just mindlessly creatin fabric and who knows? A quilt someday! Thank you Nan! Oh, also thank you for no pattern! I do not do patterns well. Happy spring!
ReplyDeleteWow Barbara, good for you! I hope you will share your creation! Happy Spring to you!
ReplyDelete