As quilters, we often have a Work In Progress (WIPS) project(s) that have been following us from year to year. Or maybe you have fabric pulled for that pattern you bought and then stashed on your table when life got busy. Some of us have seen the amazing quilting work others do by hand or free motion on a domestic machine and would love to learn how they do it. Whatever these goals may be, now is a great time to sit down and create some intentions for the year ahead.
Hearing all the creative goals, at January’s meeting, was wonderful and inspiring and I often found myself mentally adding some to my own list. But after we set these goals, where do we go from there? This can be a problem when setting any kind of new year's resolution, you get caught up in the idea and fail in the execution. This is where our guild can step in and help. Many of the ideas we heard last night we had already talked about having educational programs for each month. For example, next month in February, we are having a full evenings discussion on color. After we discuss color theory, we will be setting a color challenge for anyone who wants to participate. So make sure you set your calendars now, because you don't want to miss out on all the details.
The biggest take away from the meeting last night was not only that we should be setting these goals, but we should be following through with them. I think for many we stumble because we are afraid it won't be perfect or that we will fail. I heard something on a podcast the other day that really stuck with me and I think it will help many of us if/when we stumble to make our new goals stick. Stop editorializing your work. If you spend too much time trying to make it perfect, then it will never happen. Mistakes are a wonderful teaching tool and should be embraced. It's said the Amish purposefully make a mistake in each quilt so that you know its handmade. Those quilts you give to friends and family are loved because you made them a stunning gift. They don't love the quilt because of its perfection. So be brave, go and take a class on free motion quilting. Try new techniques like sewing curves or equilateral triangles. Finish those WIPS that have been sitting in your closet for longer than you care to admit. Then come back to the guild meetings each month and show us all the progress you’ve made. I can’t wait to see what beautiful things you make this year.
Jacky Jones
Secretary
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