So, I haven't touched my sewing machine since I posted my mile long WIP list last Wednesday. Kind of a bummer. I have drafted some blocks and dreamed/planned different quilts and quilt-alongs (like I need anymore projects!) but no actual sewing. And yet I still feel fairly guilty about my "quilt life" interfering with my "real life" responsibilities. Do you ever feel like that?
I guess I feel like I should have everything under control/perfect in my "real life" before I focus on my quilting. Like the leaves from our 11 (!!!!) trees should be raked and disposed of, the wallpaper that I started to strip (5 layers!!!) should be finished and painted, the floors should not make your feet stick and the dishes done before I lose myself in sewing. Logically I know that those things will never be completely done. There will always be something for me to do/clean. I need to find a way to balance and integrate my sewing so that it complements, not overpowers, my everyday responsibilities and vise versa.
This week I decided to move my sewing stuff back down to my basement sewing room. I had moved everything upstairs while I was writing the book but now that I don't have to sew all-the-time it is kind of a pain to get it out to sew for a few minutes and then put it back. So I have spent the last few days popping downstairs for a bit to clean and sort my sewing room. My plan is to run down there for a few minutes (or more!) everyday to do something/anything creative. I might not be able to put a lot of time per day into sewing, but goodness knows I could replace my Facebook "brain breaks" with a sewing "brain breaks" instead.
Dealing with scraps was my first priority. There were tons of scraps in piles all over the sewing room. After folding and storing the larger scraps (fat 1/8th and larger) I sorted the smaller scraps by color. Then I admitted that I never really use those smaller scraps, so I decided to cut them up into rough hexagons for a future English paper piecing project. Maybe like this one? This morning I worked my way through the reds. It was fun to see fabric that I had used in other projects again. Any piece that was too small to cut a hexagon piece out off was thrown away. Yes. Thrown. Away. With the exception of a few strips that I will hang onto just in case I feel the need to make a string project. Oh, who am I kidding? Once I am done I'll give away the scraps to whoever wants them. :)
Just taking a few minutes this morning to cut up those red hexagons gave me a fabric fix. Here's to taking a bit of time each day to enjoy some fabric beauty.
Those red hexies look great. I find it harder and harder to find time to sew at the moment to.
ReplyDeleteWhen my grandson moved back in with us, my sewing/crafting room went from 26 x 14 to 12 x 12. I find it harder to sew at the machine for lack of spread it out space. It's easiest to find hand work, like hexes and embroidery. It's really a mind set, but I can't get mine reset!
ReplyDeleteGood for you for being conscious of the fact that one person is not able to do everything. Please let me know when you figure out how to stop the guilty feeling for sewing when you have other things that need to be done!! Guilt for spending time sewing or money shopping for projects is one of my biggest battles. Oh, and let me know how to keep on top of all the scraps : )
ReplyDeleteCutting scraps into pieces for hexy's is a great idea. I am doing that too. I also cut into 1.5 by 2.5 rectangles for my friendship quilt too. It is a simple pattern. I can send it to you if you would like.
Keep up the great work with balancing your life and keeping up with the blog. I love hearing from you.
Melissa
This morning I said to my husband that I only wanted to do two things in life and that was piece my quilts and work in my quilt room on a project. I said I didn't mind cooking and doing the laundry but I think I will stop cleaning the house, stop cleaning our cars, stop all yard work etc. All I want to do is quilt ! And like you, life does seem to get in the way. I am much older than you but I wish now I had not made a clean house such a priority. Or a clean yard etc..... Enjoy what you like to do, life is so short.
ReplyDeleteI loved this post, as it's so "you" and "me" and the "rest of all of us!" We don't often admit to being challenged to find that balance, but I love that we keep trying. And congrats on finishing up that book!
ReplyDeleteOn a side note, I spent some time this morning cutting and throwing away. Recently my sister sent me some scraps from her MIL's scrap box from the 1970s. Um. These should have been thrown away, really. So it made me resolve to do the same when the occasion called for it.
Have fun with those hexie scraps!
Elizabeth
opquilt.com