Submitted by Liz M.
I have been staying home since March 13 due to Covid-19. I had great plans for how to use my time and listed out projects to complete. I made some progress each day but did not spend hours quilting as I had originally intended. Rather, I have spent time reading, enjoying my favorite blogs, sewing a bit, walking outside daily, FaceTiming with family and watching the news. I admit to feeling guilty that I was not being more productive.
One of the blogs I follow shared an article that helped me put those feelings into perspective. It’s from the blog, “Wit and Delight” and you can find the article by clicking here. I really enjoyed her message of “you do you”. Each of us processes situations differently and there is no right or wrong reaction to them. There are several good suggestions that helped me focus on the positives of this stay-at-home time.
My small quilt group did a virtual meeting this week and it was so great to “see” each other and what everyone was working on. Some members were very productive, most of us have been sewing masks and several of us shared that it was hard to focus on projects and move them forward. Hearing that some of my friends were feeling at loose ends helped me recognize that I wasn’t the only one!
I looked back at the blog post I wrote in November 2019-Works in Progress. I am writing down my One Weekly Goal and giving myself permission to spend this time in a way that works for me. Masks, finishing the backing for several tops, practicing free-motion quilting, hand work are all possibilities.
Today, the sun is out. I have the windows open and the birds are singing. I am in my sewing room tidying up. I started with a pile of fabric and sorted it into its respective color bin. In doing so, I discovered I had too many fabrics to fit one color per bin. Some of my procrastination can be attributed to the large amount of fabric I own and too many choices. I decided to edit my stash so I have one bin per color. (Maybe 2 bins of black and white fabrics). I have started a box to donate to the MPS auction in the fall and I gave a stack of fabric to my neighbor to sew masks.
What are you working on? How are you “doing you”?
I have enjoyed seeing what is important in my life by what I have and am choosing to do each day. I am quilting a lot. Interesting, I am finishing up three projects that others have donated but I can’t pass on or throw away. The current project is made of 5″ blocks of “baskets”. The quilting accuracy is not great but I think I will really enjoy the finished quilt as a little table topper. I don’t think I would have ever done these blocks myself. Rosalie
I’m finding that I’m avoiding anything that has to do with digging into those cluttered cupboards, drawers and closets. I have been sewing a lot. Set up my featherweight machine in the living room. It’s amazing how much can be done during a tv show. Still getting my training in via FaceTime with my trainer and riding bicycle listening to audio books. Also having Zoom meetings with friends. All is helping with the staying home scenario.
It’s validating to hear others are also not just in the sewing area. As I sheltered in, I thought also that I would get to so/sew many projects. Imagine having not much to do but sit at a sewing machine! Well, there are conversations with my husband, FaceTiming with family, settling into a good book, long walks, and the garden. Seems I am chatting on the phone more often. I am thankful for all the activities to occupy me while ‘sheltering in’ with quilting just being one. And I appreciate all the MPS postings!
Hi everyone! I’m so happy to hear that others aren’t being as productive as planned! When mandatory seclusion came about, I thought “yippee! Finally time to spend hours in my quilt room- finishing my MANY UFO’s! Amazing how I can still tell myself that I’ll get on that tomorrow! I have been making many masks, which take more time than I thought they would , but it does feel good to be contributing to the community. I also have 2 granddaughters who graduate from high school so I’m trying to pull from my stash to get those done. Funny how with all the fabric I do have , none of it seems to be “quite right”. Ordering on line is not that easy! Blessings to you all and I hope you are all well and being productive! Nancy Wollmuth