Category Archives: personal essay

that we may be one

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When I finished the final quilt block, I laid out all the pieces like a puzzle on the floor and stood back to view them. Squinting my eyes, I checked the composition. My daughter Annika stood beside me and studied the layout. “That one should be on the top and the top one should be on the bottom,” Annika declared.

“The first one is supposed to be on top,” I replied. Annika persisted, so we switched the arrangement around. I moved the two blocks, then a few others, and we came up with a much more dynamic composition as a result of our collaboration.

Since medieval times, artisans have joined together in guilds, which not only protect their mutual interests, but also provide a forum to exchange ideas, support, and advice. There are guilds for artists and writers, as well as piano technicians, automotive restorers, bread bakers, and handcrafted soap makers. There is also a quilting guild that meets close to my home. I, however, have not yet taken the time to join.

On the occasions when I am struggling by myself to master a new skill or agonizing over various compositions, I feel the void of a quilting community in my life. Sometimes I develop a new technique that I would love to share with others. Many times, though, I am too busy to notice what I am missing. Lucky for me, my daughter Annika has a good eye for design.

I can create impressive quilts on my own. But imagine how much more amazing my work could be if I had the support of a like-minded community. Think of the beginners that I could help through their struggles if I made the effort to join a guild.

We don’t have to stand alone in whatever we do. Quilters have guilds and Christians have churches where they support and encourage one another. This was Jesus’ prayer for all believers: “[I pray] that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” John 17:21 NIV. When Christians join together with each other and the Lord, there is nothing we can’t do!

P.S. I joined a guild after all, Citrus Belt Quilters, and love it! (although I still enjoy hearing Annika’s take on things.)
We Shall Be Changed, Christy K. Robinson, editorUPDATE: This devotional essay is now available as part of a daily devotional book, We Shall Be Changed (Christy K. Robinson, editor, Review & Herald Publishing Association, 2010).

I contributed 31 essays to this book about spirituality, faith, family and daily living, three of which relate to quilting. This was my third devotional in the quilting series (read the first, The Humility Block and the second, The seam ripper).

the humility block

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In my spare time, I enjoy quilting. I love the rich colors and graphic patterns. A finished quilt can hang on the wall to be admired, or wrap a loved one.

The blocks women pieced throughout history give us a window into their world. “Churn Dash” portrays the device used to churn cream into butter. “Grandmother’s Flower Garden” reveals a relaxing moment.

Women expressed themselves through their quilting. Mathematically-inclined women drafted intricate geometrical patterns. Before women could vote at the ballot box, many boldly communicated their political views through the quilts they stitched. The Amish, who refrained from wearing bright colors, displayed their love of color with daring color combinations.

Some women included what was known as a “humility block.” This was a block made with a deliberate mistake. It indicated that only God is perfect.

The concept of the humility block was initially hard for me to accept. I could never put all that hard work in and then deliberately mar an otherwise-perfect work of art. As time went by, though, the humility block grew on me. I came to view it as charming. If one was good, why not four or five?

My embracing of the humility block, however, was not in the true spirit of the woman who initiated this custom. She used it as an acknowledgement of God’s perfection. I had reduced it to nothing more than a fashion statement.

For her, the humility block was a constant witness of who God is. It was a reminder to her family who went to bed and woke up every morning under her quilts. When she went about her daily chores, she would see the quilts and remember who God is. Passers-by would see a quilt hanging on the clothesline and would be reminded of who God is.

I will proclaim the name of the LORD. Oh, praise the greatness of our God! He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he. Deuteronomy 32:3-4 NIV

We Shall Be Changed, Christy K. Robinson, editorUPDATE | NOV 2010: This devotional essay is now available as part of a daily devotional book, We Shall Be Changed (Christy K. Robinson, editor, Review & Herald Publishing Association, 2010).

I contributed 31 essays to this book about spirituality, faith, family and daily living, three of which relate to quilting. This was my first devotional in the quilting series (read the second, The seam ripper and the third, That we may be one).

fabric shopping

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I bought quilting fabric for years before I ever made a quilt. At first my whole stash could fit in a shoe box, then it graduated to one of those really huge clear plastic bins, then two, then three. Now my fabric takes up an entire wall of my studio and more!

When I and my shopping cart overflowing with bolts are waiting in line at the cutting counter, people often ask me what I am making. “Oh, quilts,” I say nonchalantly as if I know exactly what I am doing. Most people seem impressed, as if I were attempting to build a thermonuclear reactor out of paper clips or something. Sometimes I feel like that’s what I’m trying to do, although these days, I know my ability better, so I am able to tell when a quilting pattern is way over my head.

Occasionally I do make quilts, but they take a really, really long time, so mostly I buy fabric. All the sales staff at Hancock Fabrics know me and they also know the quilting police will never in a million years ticket me for speeding through my quilting projects. So when they ask me these days what I am making, I simply answer, “Its for my stash.”

happy quilting!

clothes shopping

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I rarely go to malls. Most of my shopping hours are spent at fabric stores. As a result, when I feel I need a new garment, I must either take away precious time from said fabric stores or simply purchase extra yardage while on a fabric shopping spree.

Last week I bought a few yards of nylon boucle suiting, intending to whip up a jacket (you know, one of those stylish numbers with raggedy edges). Well, you’ve heard it said that bias has a mind of its own. At least it has a mind. Boucle is completely mindless! Its weave is so loose it makes homespuns seem like Egyptian cotton sheets (the $300 variety).

After uneventfully cutting out the pieces, I was horrified to find the two front sides wildly different from each other, as if they were cut from completely different patterns. Turns out, one was hanging halfway off the ironing board and the sheer weight of it had pulled it out of shape. I simply pushed it back and it was fine. BONUS: Piecing curves here–no pins needed! Just mold the pieces together as you sew. Watch out though, this material frays if you look at it!

The silk crepe de chine lining was not any easier, although I expected it to be slippery and to need extra care with pins. If I’m careful, I may be able to wear it inside out, but not just anywhere. It snags like crazy!

Because I never follow the pattern directions (I don’t speak their language) now I’m at the point where I’m not quite sure what I should do next to finish it off. For now, I’m going to hang it in my studio, next to my apple green cotton pique jacket (also not quite finished) and go back to my quilting. When the inspiration strikes (or the clothes bug bites), I will add the final touches to one of them and have a new jacket in short order!

happy quilting!