Taking on a hand stitched project is an exercise in faith. You have to believe that you have the commitment to see it through to the end. Making a quilt-in-a-day (aka "a quickie") is a fun process with immediate gratification and hopefully good results, but working on a project for years is a test of character. |
| From: Because I Can |
But then real life happens, and there are challenges to meet, problems to solve, and you come up against your strengths and weaknesses.
And when you have chosen the long road of hand stitching,
If you have never hand stitched something, I encourage you to start, to believe it is possible, and then to develop the skills and personal qualities it takes to see it through to the end. The sense of just "being", of working faithfully to solve problems as issues arise, to learn the lessons the process can teach you, and to feel the satisfaction of the end product has to be experienced to be believed.
But first you have to be open to it, and believe you can do it. And then one day you become the person who did it!
What are you working on today? Share your successes or challenges with us and link up your hand stitching post below.
25 comments:
Congratulations on your perseverance. It is a supremely satisfying process when you finish a long term job.
I so love hand work - today I am making more Prairie Points and circles for border number 3 - lots of hand work involved! I agree if you have not tried hand work you need to give it a try
Journey of a Quilter will be well worth the long-awaited finish. Yes, a large handworked project takes patience and perseverance. I am currently working through that process.
You get so much done in the course of a week / you are amazing :)
I hope you have a special spot to display your quilt when it is done. What a journey you have been on!
Love your new springy blog header... very well done! Marking has been my hard thing to do and what I shared in my blog post.. thanks for offering the linky on Sundays... you are doing a great job finishing what you started! It is totally worth it don't you think??? Kathi
Very inspiring post. No hand stitching going on, I'm just too restless these days.
I miss the immediate gratification ... but not nearly enough to give up my handwork. There is something so therapeutic and enjoyable about working with a needle and thread in my hands. I'll be back later this afternoon to link up! Thanks for sharing this party with us.
Beginning is easy, continuing is hard, finishing is divine!!! You are almost there, good job!!!I love longterm projects. You can look at them and remember where you were and what you were doing. I am sure they are not all happy memories but they are a memory to be treasured and now you will have a quilt to treasure too! You go girl!!!
Bonjour, Aujourd'hui je travaille des blocs de courtepointe que je fais avec mes amies d'alsace.
Vous pouvez voir sur mon blog.
Bon dimanche.
I love hand work, but my hands don't. I totally agree with your thoughts on enjoying the journey . . .
So right, it is important to enjoy the process and belive we can do it. Congratulations on your perceverence. Hugs
You've done so well with this project. I can't wait to see the finish with many pictures. No handstitching project right now, but would like to get back to my hexies soon.
Thank you for your beautiful words and thoughts about long term quilting projects. When you work on something for many years, you will love it and sometimes not want it to be finished. I'm so glad that I love the process more than the result. Your quilt is going to be fantastic!
Great post Kathy. Makes me think about my reasons for starting a project.
I sure have enjoyed everything you've shared about your journey of this quilt. Thank you.
Oh, I so agree, Kathy! It is a reflection of your character. So many quilter's brag about the kits, UFO's and stash, but I feel a bit sorry for them. Seeing a project to the finish using your hands is such a joy! I think that is what is so appealing to many who love quilts, but many never take the time to experience the success. I think it might be why some hand quilters prefer to work on vintage tops!
Thank goodness for Slow Stitching Sunday - a safe haven for hand stitching.
You are amazing when it comes to finishes. You don't give up. That is good inspiration for me. Thanks so much.
Like the little engine that could...I think I can...I think I can...I think I can...OR like the little ant and the rubber tree plant...I've got high hopes...high apple pie in the sky hopes!
Nice post. Unfortunately I think most of my kid's generation are all about instant gratification. I'm hoping to teach my grandkids otherwise.
What a wonderful journey for us as we have enjoyed seeing your quilt!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts today.
Loved reading your post today! Spot on as usual.:)
Wonderful post today Kathy and so true. I started out with making fast machine pieced and machine quilted quilts. Then i found EPP and have fell in love with hand piecing. I always have loved embroidery , knitting and crochet. Stands to reason that I would favor handwork in quilting. I hope that I too will have the perserverance that you have.
Enjoy the journey!
xo jan@ sewandsowfarm
I remind myself all the time to enjoy the journey! Congratulations on coming to the end!
I enjoyed reading your thoughts on hand stitching. Made me stop and think about the hand stitched projects I have completed and what was different about those compared to the ones I can't seem to bring myself to finish. : )
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