Dear Church Family,
I’ve been on vacation this week. We are visiting Palm Springs to enjoy the sun, hiking, sleeping, eating and quilting. Yes, I find quilting recreational – especially when there is no dead line. There is a process in quilting that goes from selecting fabric to finishing a quilt that appeals to my brain. I found a similar appeal in printmaking, too.
Some of the processes are meditative, or creatively challenging and fun. There are a couple steps in the quilt making process I dislike to do, but are essential to a successful completion. Basting is least favorite process – many quilters share a dislike of basting – yet it is essential. Basting is taking the 3 layers of a quilt – the top, batting and back and temporarily holding them in place so the act of quilting (permanently stitching the 3 layers together) can take place without tucks or bubbles. It demands that all 3 layers are as flat as possible and any give in the fabric has been smoothed out.
Basting isn’t always hum bug. Sometimes you can have basting parties with other quilters and you can stretch the quilts out on a frame and with busy hands make light work. Essentially, the quilt gets expertly basted, there are is lots of gossip, laughter and news exchanged and usually there is are wonderful snacks to share, too.
Lately most of my quilts have been small, and I’ve taken on the basting task alone, without tacking the 3 layers on a frame. I have had mixed results finding places where there were tucks and air pockets appear. Many times I’ve had to begin the basting process anew.
It has been a good lesson in life. Do not take short cuts – especially on the process that assist in keeping something altogether like basting. I would equate basting with my meditation practice. When I consistently do it correctly – I usually get wonderful results. When I do it with a group – all the better. When I take short cuts – I am very aware of the consequences.
Enjoy your craft – whatever it may be; food, fiber, music – allow it to teach you about you!
Many blessings,
Pastor Robert
