Carpe Stitchum is the New Black

A few weeks ago, I spent some time puttering* around the studio, putting fabrics together to see what would happen (inspired by some of the improvisational piecing going on over at daintytime).  I like the idea of taking non-square pieces and seeing how they can go together without any real plan or expectations.  It’s so different from how I do most everything else.

Curves are sorta fun for me.  I know that’s not how most people feel about sewing curves (if it makes you feel any better, I also enjoy knitting cables and lace, but really don’t like stockinette stitch at all–just more proof that I’m a raging fiber geek).  There’s a subtle challenge with curves, but one that if you can chill out and focus becomes soothing and sorta Zen-like.  I need more Zen-like places in my life.  Don’t we all?

I feel the same way about free-motion stitching.  It takes a goodly amount of concentration to really get into the FMQ groove, and I have found myself working on a project, thinking I’ve only been sewing for a few minutes, maybe 30 at most, and suddenly three hours have gone by.  Seriously.  It was glorious.  I felt relaxed and happy and satisfied with a job well done.  Good stuff.

Improvisational piecing can be like that, too.  No real planning, just mixing up some shapes and following their lead.  I loved seeing what happened when I reversed the shapes or how curvy I could get my curves, depending on the angle of the edges.

It’s so easy to see cool, inspiring things online and think, “Wish I could do that.”  I say: Carpe Stitchum!  Who says you can’t?  The sewing police?  Because those people aren’t elected, they’re appointed, and self-appointed at that.  They can’t actually enforce those tickets they hand out.

Get out there, chickens!  Get sewing!

*If you needed more motivation to go out and get wild with your sewing, it had been so long since I’d given myself permission to putter that I actually had to do a Google search for synonyms of “fiddle around” because I had forgotten the word “putter.”  How’s that for sad?  Never forget to give yourself chances to play–sewing is supposed to be your happy place!