a very good place to start

I wanted to do something different. I thought I might sew. I haven't had much desire to sew in a long, long time, but it has started to come back to me. Then I found myself with a few hours free and all I could think was: I really should put up those last few dishes, Maybe I could go ahead and put the kids toys away instead of going through the ordeal of having them do it themselves, It would be a really nice thing if I actually ironed my husband's shirts for a change. Not that these aren't good thoughts, well, except cleaning up the kids' mess. But faced with the actuality of sewing--not the dreaming about it--I was preferring to clean house?? It was too hard. I hadn't touched my sewing machine in months. And the actual sitting down and doing it just seemed too daunting. I preferred to dream about it. It was easier. Safer. I mean, what if I didn't have it in me anymore? What if I tried to make the things I saw in my head and failed? After all, I had been looking at lots of great sewing blogs for inspiration--what if my stuff wasn't good enough?? Am I the only one who's ever been plagued with these crazy thoughts?

So, I'm easing into this gently. With no expectations. No comparisons with others allowed. Giving myself the freedom to play and even make something ugly or crooked or useless. Freedom to fail. But mostly freedom to fall in love with sewing all over again. And what better thing to cultivate that love than patchwork, I ask? From beloved vintage fabric scraps? Even better.  

 

 

 

 

Who knows where I'm going with this, but I spent most of yesterday cutting teeny tiny 2-inch squares (Gosh, they look so tiny to me!) with a couple of Ayumills' fantastic tutorials in mind. I'm thinking something pretty and practical would be a nice start.

Comments

[La Mañosa]

I have all of the fears about sewing/quilting that you have. I think giving yourself permission to play is the best thing (although, admittedly, it is challenging). Your fabric is lovely!

I've been so worried about making something ugly or imperfect that I realized I would probably stop worrying so much if I did it intentionally. :) One of my goals for the near future is to make a quilt with wonky pieces or colors that are kind of strange. I think it will be good therapy for me.

[Laura]

You've certainly got the right attitude... just go for it. No expectations, just the doing, the relearning and the experiencing. The simple joy of doing.

Lovely little squares. Each a sweet picture unto themselves, waiting to join forces and make a larger landscape with the others!

[Mixed Media Martyr]

The colours and patterns of these fabrics are gorgeous!

[John]

Oh I think ironing you husbands shirts would give you as much creative energy and inspiration as reading 100 blog posts on the subject! Oh what joy would fill my heart!
Love ya-

[elizabeth]

those fabrics are so fabulous! i am so excited to see what you make...its funny that you would say how you look at other blogs for inspiration...that is exactly why i come to yours...

[Lisa C]

You are definitely not the only one with those thoughts -- they happen with me on a regular basis, I tell ya!! I have to work on the the same thing when it happens; just remind myself it's about the journey and to just enjoy the process. It's usually then when I like the end product the most!

[Lisa C.]

Okay, woops. I guess when I commented above, I signed in with the wrong email address, so it wouldn't link my name to my blog. I wrote you an email, but disregard it. Sorry for the confusion, and have a LOVELY day!

[Karen K]

Beautiful fabrics. I will be waiting to see what comes out of them!! Enjoyed your article in Artful Blogging.

[Anna O'Reilly]

I can't wait to see what it turns into! Love the fabric.. such beautiful prints.