Just Do the Fun Part - part 1

Half a century ago when I was learning to sew, most people who sewed did so out of necessity. Before the proliferation of Target and Walmart, one could actually make clothes for less than the cost of buying them. More women stayed home and contributed to the household economy by outfitting themselves and / or their children. Some brave and talented women went so far as to tailor suits for their husbands. But the result was sometimes children who were teased about the homemade look of their garments, or siblings with matching outfits as women maximized fabric purchases.

Fast forward to today when sewing may provide better fitted or well made garments, or a more creative fashion statement, but it doesn't save money. Unless one is comparing it to the cost of couture, it costs more. most of us who sew, do it as a creative outlet or craft. And many of us spend more on fabric and sewing equipment, than on our wardrobes. Living in casual California where comfort and ease of laundering inform wardrobe choices as much as style, I have even less of an incentive to invest time and energy into my clothes. My friends who do garment sewing are generally in better shape than I and have more interesting places to go to display them.

But the main reason I turn my sewing skills to art quilts and bags is that there are more 'fun parts'. We all have enough things in life we have to do. I don't sew because I must, I sew because I like the feel of the cloth and combining the colors and textures. I enjoy turning and shaping this 'plastic' medium. And, of course, it's a thrill to walk into a fabric shop and see the variety of colors and patterns and to choose some to take home. As a landscape quilter, I'm always looking for small amounts of fabric that 'read' grass, leaves, trees, rock, water, mountains, etc. without being so obvious that nothing is left to the imagination. I get to do more shopping and buy fabrics greater in variety. I can use things that won't be laundered or plastered across my behind. My challenges are more creative, more like those of an artist. And I don't concern myself with wear, unless I'm making a handbag.

CQFA Retreat

Last weekend was the annual CQFA retreat. This year it was in Half Moon Bay at the Comfort Inn. It seemed to be a huge success, the only negative comments being from those of us who found the beds either too hard or too soft. Between Maureen's brownies and Nancy's discovery of the 'Native Plants and Coffee' place less than a block away, and New Leaf Market, we had yummies beyond the complementary breakfast and a great dinner Saturday night at the Half Moon Bay Distillery.

It was good to have people come by on Saturday, even if they couldn't stay the weekend. A variety of projects were progressing around me. Most visible was Jaye's bright, colorful, collection of diamond shaped blocks on her portable design wall. Every time I looked up there seemed to be a few more snugged up together. At the other end of the room, Sue progressed through what I think is called 'moon over the mountain' blocks. One minute they were flapping against pins and the next, they were securely sewn together, and she was doing a collage of paper, cloth and pastels. Terry and Robin did kaleidoscope quilt tops, a la Ricky Tims, Maureen was making postcards and Madlyn produced a purse and went on to assembling blocks for something else. Riva quilted her cherry branch quilt and started on something else with tree branches. Julie's quilt was becoming larger than the bed. Dolores did an amazing portrait of her even more amazing grandmother. Diane and Debbie each seemed to be working on something different every time I looked. Sonia quilted a flower which had been haunting her for years. There was a lot of laughter and giggling, especially as the hours got later and fatigue increased. I made progress on two different projects which had been cut out and waiting for some time. Will they be done by next year's retreat? Only time will tell!