This is the quilt that Liz built.
When I began this project I was pretty darn enthusiastic. The corners were going to be perfectly matched, the points would be sharp, and it was going to be beautiful!
Not wanting to use any fabric that required my car or wallet, I began hunting in my sewing drawers for enough coordinating fabrics to make this work. Well, not having any background color, I was forced to undo a class project so that I could use the muslin from it. The muslin was not of high quality, and as I ironed, it shrank. It was a mess.
But, I'd already sewn all the 72 "geese" (triangles) and was determined to persevere and make the best of it. I sighed through every stitch, but I didn't give up, tear it up, throw it away, or give the Lord a shorter count with the number of my hairs.
I kept at it. Sighed. Continued. And.... ta-daaa... finished!
Life is like this, don't you think? We begin different seasons with high hopes...Ours is going to be the perfect marriage, I'm going to be the perfect mom, etc. And then, the corners don't meet, the points are cut off, etc.
We just can't take the whole and destroy it. No! We keep at it, by God's grace!
It takes perseverance. That is a trait that gets sewn in our lives when things aren't going quite how we had planned, hoped, or dreamed. Disappointment in life, others, ourselves is the fabric God uses to make beautiful quilts out of our lives. If we quit before His work is done, then another project will soon be following. God does not give up! He completes the work He has begun (Philippians 1:6), of this we can be confident!
So, don't give up! Persevere, one second, one step at a time!
And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance... and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope... but if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it... for whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
Romans 5:3-4, 8:25, 15:4.
Though my quilt did not turn out at all as I'd hoped, and is quite humiliating for anyone to see, it taught me a lesson in perseverance, and some little preemie at our local hospital is going to be warmed by it!
Glad I persevered and finished it!
22 comments:
Good topic to be reminded of. Perseverence is not always fun, but usually we learn something from it.
Thank you for stopping by to see me!
Good lesson for us all, Liz. And, I really like your quilt top! You have to remember the goal, and you did. No one looks at our quilts as critically as we do.
I have a large blanket I've quilted, and I was unhappy with some little pleats and tucks that happened on the back. I have been working on ripping it out gradually (amazing how it went in so much easier than it is coming out?!?), and twice now, I had to stop, throw it across the bed, and remember the "prize" of accomplishment that will come with consistency, staying on task. God is good, and sometimes it takes alot of character-building with some of His sheep! Bah-ah!
:-} pokey
My first thought when I set eyes on it was how pretty it is. Never mind about the corners - DONE is the main thing!
I think it's a very fine looking quilt. I am sure it will be appreciated.
But a great lesson. There have been things and people that have disappointed me and I have wanted to quit on them. But we don't know how it's all going to come together. It might just turn out better than we thought.
Thanks.
What a great post! And I believe you put the colors together wonderfully...and that is real talent! I think it's a wonderful quilt!
Hello sitsta... if there was a quilting "diva" it would be you! Speaking of which I need to get over to your house ASAP & get quilting! Love the lesson on perseverance. I know you have "it"... you are teaching me to quilt.Haha :)
Hummmmm... that fabric looks familiar :)
I think your quilt is beautiful!
And I agree about different levels of excitement as one goes through projects and/or seasons of life.
I remember when I had to write my thesis in college. I was gun-ho in the beginning. And in the end, my motto was: done is better than good. ;)
But your quilt is much better than just good.
It may not be perfect but it is beautiful.
What a great quilt, and even if you know it's faults and shortcomings, the person that gets to use it will love it!
Thanks for sharing,
Margaret
www.quiltsoflove.blogspot.com
I think your quilt is beautiful! Perseverance is key in quilting I think. I felt the exact same way when I made my first quilt (which I blogged about in my Festival post) and I was very critical of it, but the person that now has it says they love it, and that is the important thing!
A good philosophy to have and I'm sure the preemie and family will love the quilt and the time you took to make it.
Oh, how I love you. Quilting has certainly helped me embrace my imperfections. "Ours is going to be the perfect marriage, I'm going to be the perfect mom, etc. And then, the corners don't meet, the points are cut off, etc."
Good for you! Nicely done!
It's amazing how He uses our circumstances to teach us. Well, your little "thorn" turned into a beautiful flower.
By the way, the Amish make a point of having a mistake in every quilt they sew because "only God is perfect". I try to claim that in every imperfect quilt I make.
Have a great day!
Melanie
it's a beautiful quilt. You just need to give it to a non-quilter if you're that concerned about it's defects. They will love it and never notice!
Beautiful Quilt. Thanks for sharing and for participating in the Bloggers Quilt Festival.
SewCalGal
www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com
My husband always says "perserverance is the real key to success. I guess he should know because he's built a business on it. I can't tell you how many times I've been convinced that a quilt is ruined but decided to finish it anyway for the "lesson value". When it turns out well, as yours has, I'm amazed.
Thanks for the encouragement to press on toward the goal. It is exactly what I needed this quiet Saturday morning. I also have several quilts that I was (or am )determined to finish and, while they didn't match my vision, they turned into something beautiful in a different way. Your quilt looks beautiful to me! The color choice are great and I do love the "geese."
I think your quilt turned out beautifully. Great lesson to be learned by all. Thanks for sharing.
Wow, I can't believe you found all these gorgeous fabrics in your stash. They go together perfectly! I just love it! Look forward to your picnic quilt (O:
PS: I had a great time going through blog. And it is so nice to get to know new bloggers through A year of Schnibbles. Liefs, Simone xo
Can't learn lessons if the task isn't completed. Love how you powered through your project. Better still is the fact that a tiny new life gets to swaddle and feel the love. ; )
My wеb blog - Crucial Components Of Catering - An A-Z
Post a Comment