December 11, 2012

Transformative






 I am not completely sure why I am draw to quilting with such pizazz. I know I love the way a finished quilt feels. I love petting beautiful fabric and I love the way a certain fabric will leap out at me at the fabric shop, saying "look at how glorious I am!"

I believe however that I am also drawn to the transformative quality that quilting entails. It begins with a few 1/2 yards of different fabrics. These fabrics mingle and meet compatible fabrics which are then sewn together in a design. The design grows and grows until a quilt top of desired length and width is achieved. Then the holy sandwich of batting and backing is attached. Then the tough part for me, the quilting itself, which I usually do well despite all the apprehension. Lastly - the seal around the fray - the binding. It's a beautiful process. And in a slightly abstract way, it mirrors the transformation of my life.

You see, I was once a lonely, single 1/2 yard of fabric floating around in the proverbial stash. My colors were vibrant and it took a keen eye to match me with a compatible fabric that would allow me to shine, yet keep me grounded and down to earth. Let's call this compatible fabric "Cutie." We were measured and sewn together. We grew and grew and grew and grew. We became enmeshed and basted and quilted with delicate stitches. We had kids, well, quilts can't have kids but you see where this is going. The process of making a quilt is similar to the process of growing a life, marriage, family, happiness. I imagine the final years of my life will represent the binding and after that, the universe will wrap itself in the warmth and love that we (as fabrics sewn together) have created.

Every time I begin and complete a quilt, I relive the wonderful transformations that have existed in my life - from single 1/2 yard, onward. I get so excited to start a new quilt because I can't wait to see the beauty that will come of it. Similarly I get excited to wake up next to Cutie (my most compatible fabric), spend days with my kids, watch us all grow and grow and grow, and see the beauty that comes of it. What exists now as I look around, as I hold up my life, stand back a distance, and look at the progress of my process, is nothing less than a tapestry!


 Happy quilting!

2 comments:

sew katie did said...

The quilting is the hardest for me too. I love your labels!

Η Πευκοβελόνα said...

Amazing article and so inspiring! You should write something about scraps..pieces that were going to be thrown in the garbage...and instead...a miracle!
PS. Super-cute quilts