Happy Slow Year
As usual I’ve been thinking about the blog instead of writing the blog. It’s not that I don’t have anything to say. Lord knows I have opinions about everything, and some of them are actually informed. No, it’s that old evil perfectionism, must have pictures, must be eloquent and profound or at least brilliant. Yikes! No wonder the fingers quake on the keyboard.
For some time I’ve been beating the drum for more thoughtful and challenging projects in the quilt world. While “quick, fast, easy” has it’s place, I fear that we are dumbing down our quilting universe by encouraging mindless sewing to the exclusion of anything else. Yes, I love the small projects, they are the appetizers of cloth. But nothing will replace the pleasure of working on a project that challenges me, engages me and, when completed, is a source of deep pride.
Now I find out that I’m not alone in my thoughts, and that there’s actually a term for it: Slow Cloth. The Slow Movement began several years ago. The foodies started it, in reaction to the opening of a McDonald’s at the Spanish Steps in Rome. (I LOVE that I can say “I’ve been there and my slow quilting took me there!” That’s Heather Purcell of Superior Threads next to me. We had a ball together in Rome!)
It’s not hand vs machine or art vs traditional or right vs wrong. It’s not, it’s NOT! It’s about being mindful, careful and thoughtful in what we do, however we do it. (See that big orange tummy in the picture? That’s in large part, pun intended, to mindless eating.) I love my sewing machine, and no Slow Movement will convince me to unplug it. The machine is a just a tool, it’s not about the speed, it’s the technique.
One of my favorite bloggers, Sharon B of In A Minute Ago, gives her take on Slow Cloth here. Elaine Lipson of Red Thread Studio sums up the Slow Movement very well in this post on her blog.
Many years ago I shared a table with a quilter in a class at the Empty Spools seminar. This woman was lovely, and quite personable until the sewing commenced. She would race through the exercises at lightening speed, shaking the table so much that I that we were in an earthquake. If that wasn’t annoying enough, she would snatch her work out of the smoking machine and wave it in the air yelling, “I’m done, I’m done, I’m done!” (I’m not kidding.) Now, I’m pretty patient, and very forgiving, but after several repeat performances, I was ready to throttle this wench. After a little “come to Jesus” discussion, she finally admitted that she didn’t care about the workmanship, she just needed to be first. We agreed that she could be first without having to announce it (and break the concentration of the rest of the class). What does it matter who finishes first? When did quilting become a race? Done first does not mean done best!
Want to know the secret of terrific quilts? It’s really simple: slow down! Take time to improve your skill, take time to do your best, take time to enjoy the process.
So, here’s my resolution for this year. I want to be more intentional in what I do, what I eat and what I say. That sounds all stodgy and stiff, but to me in means just the opposite of that. I want to be in the moment, living each to the fullest, rather than multi-tasking my way into exhaustion. I will give full attention, laugh with my whole body and reacquaint myself with my five senses. Want to join me in rediscovering the joy of a simple task well done?
January 4th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
Hi Beth … so glad to have stumbled on to your blog! And … well-said as to the concept of Slow Cloth. Here, here, Here’s to you and all the others advocating a slow down in quilting. Fabric companies probably won’t like the concept, but it’s time to “monitor and adjust” our thinking and the way we do things.
Kay
http://kay-mntopquilting.blogspot.com/
January 5th, 2008 at 7:40 am
AMEN!!!
January 5th, 2008 at 2:47 pm
Hi Beth
Loved the comment. After looking at show and tell at the guild last month, nothing was flat in the work…major ripples…due to many reasons…but maybe we need to go back and teach the basics again.
Joanne
January 5th, 2008 at 5:29 pm
Hi Beth, I’m a friend from Minnesota Quilters, and I have to say I like your idea about slowing down. There are times when we need to go fast but certainly not all the time. When trying something new, do it slow and do it right. That way the finished product will be much more satisfying.
January 6th, 2008 at 9:22 pm
When I found myself reading, eating and “watching” Tv, I had the same idea. Doing everything and enjoying nothing is absurd. Multitasking is a terrible habit when it is not necessary.
January 6th, 2008 at 11:13 pm
Very well said Beth. I do think we should take our time and really enjoy the process rather than just having something to check off to see how productive we are. I have expanded last year to making smaller projects which help me gain confidence in trying new techniques, and don’t scare me in terms of how much work still needs to be done on them. Sometimes I just get overwhelmed with wanting perfection, and obsess too much until I let myself relax and let minor things go.
January 7th, 2008 at 11:15 am
Hi Beth,
I’ve always enjoyed the journey more than the destination. Why rush through making something that’s just OK when you could slow down a little, enjoy the process more, and create something really wonderful? Being mindful just means that you should be completely present while you’re doing whatever you’re doing. And isn’t that more fun than rushing around?
January 8th, 2008 at 11:53 am
HI Beth, I so agree with you. We do need to slow down! When I first started quilting it was like the rest of my life - the fastest gear I could go.
I wanted to make every quilt out there and there just wasn’t enough time to do it. Now, quilting has taught me patience. I am back in 1st gear and learning to truly enjoy the art of making a quilt right…maybe because the Lord has made me slow down as my body just won’t keep up anymore.
I do not like frog stitching so I make sure that I double check every step of the way. I also use that iron way more then I did in the beginning. I find that seams go together better and I am happy with my work.
There is a saying to stop and smell the roses - take the time to look and see them. I am learning to stop and enjoy the work that I am doing and I thank you for making it so enjoyable.
God bless,
Althea
January 11th, 2008 at 9:33 am
Agreed…. I gave myself permission to Slow Down last year… have a grand time quilting, gardening, fishing, traveling…. I’ll share this with my Stitching Group tomorrow …. they love your work…. Blessings… Fae
January 12th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
God Bless you for your comments on living in the moment. I have been quite ill with environmental illness for several years and now that I am getting my life back I value “living in the moment” and take great pleasure - and gratitude - in each step of the way. We tend to take so much for granted untill it is taken away from us. Enjoying what we are doing and taking our time to enjoy makes for a very happy life and beautiful quilts!
Sandy
January 13th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
I am the editor of the Mahone Bay Quilters Guild newsletter and in writing the next edition I wrote about a quilt I recently finished that took me almost 25 years to make, all handpieced and handquilted with almost 4,000 pieces. I did lots of other quilts throughout that time. I presented a program about this quilt to the Guild last month and talked about how I thoroughly enjoyed the “slow” process of making it. No fancy gadgets or quick tricks. I wrote that we should start a “slow quilting” movement! Then I decided to google “slow quilting” just for fun and there you were! Who knew you had already started it!
You should start a Yahoo Group or smething where we can all meet online and promote slow quilting!
Thanks
Barbara
January 19th, 2008 at 7:32 pm
I love the idea of slow cloth…. I have lost my interest in quilting lately a lot due to the mad rush to get projects finished….but this year I am going to go slowly and love it…less stress and more pleased with the results…also as qwe will be retiring and moving to a smaller place I will get projects lined up I can hand stitch and just enjoy the process a lot more.