I have long believed that objects can tell stories and that some objects are better receptacles of memory than any scrapbook or shoe box or text or even brain cells.
Fast-forward, present day. I have loads of clothes I cannot part with because they have a memory. I dragged them through an international move, because they have a story. I routinely take them out of the give-away bag because they connect me to another time, another version of me, or a loved one far away.
A halter-top I have not worn since 2005 but cannot give away because I was wearing it when I met Pete. A pair of cargo-pants I never wear but cannot give away because I bought them when I was with the circus. A corduroy skirt I haven't worn in years I cannot give away because someone told me I looked professor-chic once.
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| It’s my life, from 16 to about 27, in T-shirts. From family vacations to University activism to my first job and even all the way to the African continent. |
What do I do with these items? Suck it up and send them on their way? Write their stories here and hope they maintain? So much of their power is in the tactile.
And it is because of that tactile power, I have decided I will re-purpose these items. I want to be able to feel them still, remember their stories, but I also want some room in my closet. As I cut and piece and sew, I will hold the story of each piece in my mind as I give it a new life and a new role in my life.
But as any storyteller knows, the story is no good without an audience to share in its telling. I have a vision of sitting around with good friends and good wine and scraps of clothes, telling stories, creating stories. Swearing up a storm and ripping seams.
Of course this isn't likely to happen in real life, but it could happen virtually. Can we create a virtual quilting bee?
A stitch 'n' bitch? Heavy on the bitching, light on the stitching until I get a bit better.
Can I reclaim a bit of the power and joy of the domestic?
(she cries, brandishing the cooking shears in one hand, because they are the best scissors in the house, and a pair of ratty jeans in the other, in a kind of domestic, barbaric yawp)
That is exactly what I hope to find out.
**a portion of this intro appeared in this post and this post.
EMILY:
A recurring theme of my life is "I told you so," usually said to me by my mother. I fought learning how to sew, I fought learning how to cook, I fought classifying myself as a southerner. Each time I turned to these new hobbies, I could feel those four words--I told you so--floating around me, whether or not she actually said them. Coming to the realization that I wanted to learn how to quilt was no different.
I've been sewing apparel and accessories for nearly eighteen months, and I love sewing them. I don't want to give up on it, and my focus, on the whole, surely isn't shifting. But I still feel the need to branch out, to try as many different techniques as possible. I've checked sewing, embroidery, knitting, cooking and baking off my list; why can't quilting be next?
Ariel had the brilliant idea for a virtual sewing bee after I asked on Twitter if I was crazy to think I could start and finish a quilt (or more) before Christmas. She had been wanting to quilt and needed a kick to get in gear. I am determined and motivated by outside pressure, so it was a no-brainer. If I had an obligation to show my progress on this blog, I was going to commit, and commit hard.
I do have a t-shirt quilt in the works, but on the whole, I'll be quilting with new supplies--new fabrics, new patterns. Hell, I might even buy some new pins. I'm more focused on creating something new for my budding family of four (me, my boyfriend and two cats) to pass down to our grandkittens one day. (Just kidding--we have our pets spayed and neutered.) Learning how to quilt will be challenging because, well, I'm teaching myself, and I also tend to move very quickly: in one weekend I typically sew at least one dress and a skirt, if not more. Quilting is slow. I will learn to enjoy the process of choosing which strips to pair, which fabrics to cut for which block. I will learn to love the quarter-inch seam, to find solace in pressing each and every allowance. Because, if I don't, I'm completely screwed.
GOING FORWARD
A note on the structure of this blog: the basic outline and goal is to post thrice each week--Emily will post on Mondays, Ariel on Wednesdays, and we'll switch off on Fridays. Schedules keep goals in check--we hope! If you ever have any questions or comments, or just feel like saying hi!, our emails are listed to the right. We love hearing from readers!
We'd also love your input! If you'd like to contribute your story to Squaring Up, let us know! Even if all you have to talk about is the fantasy of a quilt, we love guest posts.
EMILY:
A recurring theme of my life is "I told you so," usually said to me by my mother. I fought learning how to sew, I fought learning how to cook, I fought classifying myself as a southerner. Each time I turned to these new hobbies, I could feel those four words--I told you so--floating around me, whether or not she actually said them. Coming to the realization that I wanted to learn how to quilt was no different.
I've been sewing apparel and accessories for nearly eighteen months, and I love sewing them. I don't want to give up on it, and my focus, on the whole, surely isn't shifting. But I still feel the need to branch out, to try as many different techniques as possible. I've checked sewing, embroidery, knitting, cooking and baking off my list; why can't quilting be next?
Ariel had the brilliant idea for a virtual sewing bee after I asked on Twitter if I was crazy to think I could start and finish a quilt (or more) before Christmas. She had been wanting to quilt and needed a kick to get in gear. I am determined and motivated by outside pressure, so it was a no-brainer. If I had an obligation to show my progress on this blog, I was going to commit, and commit hard.
I do have a t-shirt quilt in the works, but on the whole, I'll be quilting with new supplies--new fabrics, new patterns. Hell, I might even buy some new pins. I'm more focused on creating something new for my budding family of four (me, my boyfriend and two cats) to pass down to our grandkittens one day. (Just kidding--we have our pets spayed and neutered.) Learning how to quilt will be challenging because, well, I'm teaching myself, and I also tend to move very quickly: in one weekend I typically sew at least one dress and a skirt, if not more. Quilting is slow. I will learn to enjoy the process of choosing which strips to pair, which fabrics to cut for which block. I will learn to love the quarter-inch seam, to find solace in pressing each and every allowance. Because, if I don't, I'm completely screwed.
GOING FORWARD
A note on the structure of this blog: the basic outline and goal is to post thrice each week--Emily will post on Mondays, Ariel on Wednesdays, and we'll switch off on Fridays. Schedules keep goals in check--we hope! If you ever have any questions or comments, or just feel like saying hi!, our emails are listed to the right. We love hearing from readers!
We'd also love your input! If you'd like to contribute your story to Squaring Up, let us know! Even if all you have to talk about is the fantasy of a quilt, we love guest posts.
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