Quilting and Perseverance

After reading this blog post's title, you may be asking what perseverance has to do with quilting. Well, until today, I would have asked that question too. In a recent post, I shared a mostly completed quilt top. Using only three fabrics and a simple pattern, I enjoyed seeing how large 18 inch blocks began to come together as they formed a chain-like pattern down the entire quilt. 

It's almost always an exciting process to begin a quilt, especially when using a new pattern. Finishing a quilt top is almost always gratifying as the last bit of stitching ends up in a completed product. This time, however, has been a little different. 

Starting this quilt top brought the same excitement as usual when I begin a new project. I found myself "in the flow" as I rhythmically worked on one block and another. Then--I took a break. I traveled a bit and read a bit and became inspired as I planned other projects. Today I returned to my mostly completed quilt top to find that the rhythm and flow I had earlier was just not there. I wanted to get the quilt top finished, but now putting the last few blocks together seemed repetitious. 

Sewing the last row of the quilt

It took a bit of self-discipline and a lot of perseverance to keep at it until the last stitch was in. This may have been the first time in my quilting years that I experienced this not-so-enthusiastic finishing of a quilt top which in turn required perseverance. 

Pressing the completed quilt top

I am feeling a sense of accomplishment for having persevered today with my quilt top. The end result is pleasing to me since the pattern is so different from what I've made in the past, and the quilt will be completed with just a binding rather than my usual borders. 

Pattern: Dream On designed by Jocelyn Ueng from Quiltmaker March/April 2013

But speaking of completing the quilt top I now have three UFO's (unfinished objects)--GASP!! I am usually a quilter who finishes a quilt top and immediately sets about adding the backing and batting, quilting the entire quilt, adding the binding and label, and presto--the quilt is complete!  Somehow the excitement of new projects awaiting negates the feeling that I should completely finish a quilt before starting another. In the past I have often made quilts to give as gifts. It feels a little different to make quilts just because...just because I like the fabric...just because I want to try a new pattern...just because it feels like the right time to attempt a new technique...just because. Since I'm making quilts right now that have no timeline or deadline, I can feel free to make a few of those quilt tops now and finish the quilts later. 

During this whole process of finishing my quilt top today, someone else showed a lot of perseverance too. My cat, Enzo, persevered in keeping me company and watching me sew from the top of a chair in my sewing room!

Enzo the cat

I have received no compensation for the mention of items or companies in this blog post. All opinions are my own.