Press *pause* on your creativity, please...

I just finished replacing a zipper and hemming two pair of pants for very good friends. I don't mind the occasional favor for buddies because I get paid back in spades.  The only time I resent repair requests is when I'm in the middle of a quilt project. I don't like having to pause my creative process to hem pants or whatever. And if it's a difficult alteration or repair I tend to procrastinate doing it, but I can't make myself do any other sewing until I finish the task I committed to. Ugh! (You know, when I write this stuff then re-read it, I realize how crazy I am. Ack!) I'm obviously not a quilter who has multiple projects in progress. Makes me nervous! Lol!

The friends who ask for clothing alterations don't sew. Not even buttons. It boggles my mind. Here are comments from non-sewers that are personal pet peeves:

*   Would you mind fixing this broken zipper? It won't take you but a minute!

*   Would you hem these pants for me? Thanks! Oh, I need them for tomorrow. It shouldn't take you but a minute!

*   My kid has a ton of tshirts! Can you make her a t-shirt quilt? It doesn't have to be fancy so it shouldn't take much time.

*   It costs how much for quilt supplies? Wow! I thought you could just use some you already have on hand.

*   Can you repair this rip? All you have to do is cut this, sew that, turn it wrong side out, then sew it from underneath. (WHAT?)

*   My gosh! Why do you have all this fabric? You're a...a...a hoarder! (Like that's a bad thing!?!)

*   Why do you have so many sewing machines when you can't use but one at a time? 

*   You sew??!? My grandmother sewed.

*   Can you teach me to sew this weekend? It can't be that difficult.

*   Can you teach me to sew? I'd like to make my daughter's prom dress to save money. 

*   If you love me you'll make me a quilt. (POOF! You're a quilt!)

My list of people for whom I will do alterations is very short. Verrrry short. I figure all of us who are sewists  have the same type of list, although I do know a few quilters who know nothing about garment construction and can avoid the alterations trap. 

Back to my friend with the broken zipper. She's very set in her ways, a bit OCD, and traditional style mostly tailored. This was the second repair on this zipper. I told her I would try to figure something out, to which she laughingly said, "Maybe you can just put Velcro instead of a zipper!" When I called to tell her I had completed the repair she was so excited to get her favorite pants back! She laughed and asked if I used the Velcro. I got quiet and then asked, "Were you kidding about using velcro?" * long pause * I knew she would never wear velcro'd pants but I let her think that was the case until she came by today. Lol!! She wasn't nearly as amused by me as I was. *giggle*  And I'm the woman who recommends kindness! *another giggle*

I'm signing off so I can get back to piecing and quilting. Woohooo!

-Angie Clemons

Choose kind! (Do as I say, not as I do. Lol!)

Fan Girl!

When I first began quilting I spent hours watching video tutorials on youtube, pinterest, and tv. Love of Quilting (Fons and Porter) on PBS, Leah Day fmq videos, Midnight Quilt Show (Angela Walters), and the queen...Jenny Doan of Missouri Star Quilt Company. My interest faded a bit on the first two but I am locked in on the latter two. Still.

I stocked up on precuts. I worshipped at the altar of half square triangles (in all five methods of sewing and cutting). I completely bought in that Quilting Is My Therapy and threads are my meds (Angela Walters). I would giggle and think to myself... "Yessssss. They are." For months I couldn't get "Hello my quilting friendssss" out of my head (Leah Day). Annnnd now it's back in my head. Grrrrr!! They made it all sound so easy! Surely I could do this quilt thang. And so it began...

BUT, just to be sure I was on the right track, I took a beginning class at Mineola League of Arts taught by Cousin Nancy (Gibson). It was an eye opener. I had to iron the fat quarters. I had to line up selvages and cut straight lines. Uh!?! And all with no wine or popcorn! Biggest lesson I learned? You can't use all medium color prints or you can't see the piecing. There were butterfly, windmill, and 8 pieces of pie blocks but it all just looked like a bright pink flower garden. I. Learned. A. Lot.

The video tutorials are great but they can't hold a candle to the helping hands of my friends in the TMQG! There's as much or more quilting knowledge in our guild than there is on youtube. And it can answer questions. Live! In real time! Lol! With snacks! I don't even have to ask anymore. It seems the guttural growls and pained moans I make when frustrated at myself, my sewing machine, or a sewing technique are a dead giveaway that I might need a bit of assistance. They speak, or at least can interpret, my language.

Now I'm a conglomeration of "stuff I've learned." To know how far I've come I'd have to show you my first quilt and that ain't gonna happen. I live by the words of my she-ro, Angela Walters..."Finished is better than perfect." Is that not the best? "Free your mind and the rest will follow!" (En Vogue lyrics from the 80s) Lol! 

Come hang out with us on Sew Day. You'll see. 

When the world around you isn't kind, you can be. Always Choose Kind.

-Angie Clemons

"Finished is better than perfect. Finished is better than perfect. Finished is bet..."

A Group

In my perfect world I would make all the decisions and people would happily do what I tell them, and all of my choices would be perfect and correct. Since my world isn't perfect and I can't even get the best of my friends, or family, to buy into my plan, I'm in a constant state of trying to get along with people who function differently than I. Some days are real beatdowns! Lol! 

When I retired I needed to choose something I enjoy that would fill my days, be productive, and provide an outlet for creativity. Daddy had always stressed productivity and Mother was, as an art teacher, all about creativity. I was also leaving a workplace that was my social network. Turns out the saying "out of sight out of mind" is a real thing. Work friends are not necessarily life friends once the common bond is no longer common. So...I needed some more friends! I wish I could remember how I learned of the modern quilt guild but I can't. I got my friend Dee to go with me to our first meeting and we ended up joining. 

So here I am, a non-joiner, joining a group. Whewww. Joining is way out of my comfort zone. I'm still adjusting after two years. It's probably that old "my perfect world" thing. I'm learning. Slowly. It's easy to sit back and criticize or complain, much more difficult to jump in and provide help to leadership by suggesting solutions for things with which I disagree. Pfffft! The most difficult thing for me is acceptance that I'm not calling the shots, will never call the shots, and shouldn't call the shots. Lol! My other struggle is the realization that it's up to me to get along with others in the group, and that not everyone is going to want me as their bestie. (Even as I write this I'm wondering why ever not?) I don't want to become the Debbie Downer of the group, and I don't want to be the one sitting alone because all I do is complain. I would be creating my own hell! I'm learning to play nice with others. My first grade teacher is probably thinking (from the grave) "finally!" I guess this rambling paragraph is about personal accountability for where and how I fit into the group. I'm the only one on God's green earth who is responsible for my happiness, successes, or contentedness. Pretty sure I just made up a word. 

There are many benefits to belonging to a group with a specific mission. I've learned so much from my creative and talented friends! I have purpose (making quilts), I have creativity (making purdy quilts), and I have new friends! WINNING!

When you're choosing what to be...choose kind. And don't forget to be kind to yourself while you're at it!

-Angie Clemons