We've all had those projects or quilts we've made where things did not go according to our original plan. Where we had an idea where things would come together smoothly but, surprise! the seam ripper was involved (more than once) - or the vision we had in our heads did not quite materialize. Sometimes (a lot of times) life itself is the same way, offering up unexpected (and usually unwelcome) surprises.
Last week I had one of those times when life did not go according to plan.
After weeks (more like months) of preparation I was 2 days away from flying to Houston to share my new Albion Fabric Collection at the Quilt Market trade show for Quilt Shop retailers. It was going to be my first time attending this trade show in 4 ½ years!
Not only was I doing a lot of prep work to prepare but I was also really looking forward to seeing new trends and, especially, reconnecting with old friends.
Instead I got super sick two-days before I was supposed to get on the plane. And that was the end of that plan. Fortunately for me, I was able to get all of my projects and items to display to the Riley Blake offices in time for them to take everything, so the booth was able to go on without me. (Above - a little of the sewing room chaos pre Market.)
But missing the show was a major bummer. I feel like if there's anything the past few years have taught me, it's Wesley's quote from the Princess Bride: "Get used to disappointment."
Truthfully though, I'm getting better at accepting disappointment and just rolling with events as they come. So for all of the upheaval the past few years, I'm grateful that outcome.
Fortunately, the booth came together without me - thanks to the help of helpful friends and colleagues at Riley Blake Designs.
That experience reminded me of some insightful words that my friend Kris shared a while back after having a few stressful mishaps (and quality time with the seam ripper) while making a recent quilt.
Kris is a wise woman - I still want to grow up to be like her one day. Here are her words:
My quilts speak to me. Generally we have a love-hate relationship during the sewing process. This particular quilt had been unpicked twice. First time it was all pieced together in a pattern I thought I liked, but when I saw the final quilt top, hmmm... it didn't look right so I unpicked it and reassembled with a different pattern.
Second round of unpicking came after I had the whole thing finished on the long arm machine, I discovered a major tuck in the backing. So... I unpicked all the long arm quilting.
So, this quilt taught me some lessons.
- Things don't always go as planned (quilts and LIFE).
- Even if it's it's not what you thought it would be, it can still be beautiful (quilts and LIFE).
- It's okay to make changes as needed, even if it takes a lot of time and effort (quilts and LIFE).
- Sometimes we have to pick up the pieces and try again (quilts and LIFE).
- Don't give up on a good thing. It will all work out (quilts and LIFE).
Doesn't all of that ring true?
So, I don't know who needs to hear this right now - and whether it has to do with a quilt that's driving you crazy or something much heavier in real life - but don't forget that life (and quilts) not going according to plan is normal - and not always a bad thing.
Don't give up on either one. There are life lessons in quilts (and quilt lessons in life). We might be pleasantly surprised later by what those quilts and seasons have taught us. That's definitely been the case for me.
Keep going. xo
Jocelyn
I am currently unpicking a small Christmas quilt that I have been neglecting for far too long. I decided that I needed to finish it, so the seam ripper came out, and is working its magic. By the way , your booth is beautiful!
Rosemary B
Amy, you are inspiring as always
I hope you are feeling all better
Your booth is beautiful as your fabric, friends and colleagues are a God send ❤️
Sandy B
I normally don't reply but this really struck a chord with me and gave me encouragement. I wanted to make a quilt top for my daughter. Of course no pattern but I had an idea - lattice quilt with 5 inch blocks. I'm not a master quilter, I call myself a utility quilter. I want the quilts to be used but also to look somewhat nice. I definitely used the seam ripper a lot and it definitely gave me a headache but I finally finished it YEAH!! and very happy how it turned out. My daughter will love it because I made it. AND I was happy to see that my dining room table looked as jumbled as your sewing table.
Auntie Em
I can only imagine your disappointment at having to miss Houston. On the bright side, your new fabric is lovely, and the booth looks like it turned out great!
TN Dunn
Chin up and carry on, hope you are feeling better, your work is sunshine.
Jayne Cating
Aunt Jayne November 3 2:35 p.m. This is the first time I have ever written a reply
I really needed to read your words today
.It's nice to know I'm not the only one on a first name basis with a seam ripper. Thanks
Debra Fahey
Your words of wisdom really hit home for me today. It's been a really rough week in life and quilting, but I have made it through each day knowing that tomorrow will be better. There are lessons learned from everything we experience-good or bad, easy or hard. Amy, I hope that you are feeling better after your illness and wish you the greatest success with Albion, even though Quilt Market didn't go as planned. The booth was gorgeous!
Eva Gronroos
I am sorry to heat that you are ill - Get well soon!
(and in my world things NEVER go as planned- one learns to roll with the punches!)
Jane H
Thanks for the reminder, Amy. Your words always seem to arrive at the right time. Love your blog—something to look forward to every Saturday.
Debra Holmes
Krista, THANK YOU for sharing the picture of your chaotic sewing room. No matter how hard I try to kerp some semblance of order, my sewing room is chaotic too!🙃 So happy to see I am in good company!!💕 So sorry you missed Houston quilt market. My plan was to attend quilt festival this year too, however, life had other plans. There is always next year😉👍
Bridgette
That box of Kleenex next to your sewing machine, I feel that. Life is what happens when you’re making other plans, John Lennon.
Joan Sheppard
I have 3 seam rippers (different styles and sizes) and 2 pair of super sharp pointy scissors for "reverse sewing". I have finished a quilt hung it up for a couple MONTHS and taken it down and ripped it out. (Sometimes I wrap them up and give them away!) But my mother said it best: "It doesn't show how long it took, it shows how well it's done." Are mine perfect - heck no. But to leave something I can change - what's the adage, "God give me strength to change the things that I can change, the courage to accept the things I cannot change and the wisdon to know the different. Viva La Seam Ripper! Thanks and hope you are completely better, your display is lovely.
Carmen Hoffman
In the words of my high school home ec teacher "You'll feel a lot better if you go rip that out." She was SEW right and I use this as my inner voice when something isn't right. And from the wrapper of a DOVE chocolate, "It will all be OK in the end. If it's not OK, it's not the end."
Amy
Wise words from Dove and the High School Home Ec teacher!❤
Janet Sinclair
Love your postings and the way that you write. Love your new fabric line and especially because the name is near and dear to my heart... I was born in Albion, New York. Anyway, about things happening, I used to get upset if something didn't go as planned, but as I got older I realized that things happen for a good reason whether we realize it or not. No one said life would be easy.
tbmisses
I hope you are feeling better. This is such a lovely post. I enjoyed reading it.
Laura
This really hit a nerve. Trying to finish a small, easy table runner for Thanksgiving. Everything going wrong..fabric, tension issues…small world problems. Feeling grateful for what I have.
Mary Susan Johnson
This rings true on so many levels! Thank you for sharing these words of wisdom.
Amy
xo