Gee’s Bend Quilting Retreat: Day Two

Quilters love to quilt. You can feel it in the room. Watching them design quilts blocks and figure out next steps, is nothing short of inspiring. 

I’ve made a few blocks, none with a purpose beyond practicing sewing quilting blocks in the tradition of Gee’s Bend quilts. 

I’ve cut fabric into squares and strips. Gathered others’ remnants to add to my stash. Sewed pieces that weren’t perfectly cut or sized, cut them apart, and stitched them back together, adding more fabric as I went. While others seemed focused in their design decisions, I was anything but. 

Until today. 

This afternoon I decided to use the strips I had already cut if only because I wasn’t bringing them back home- I’m a practical person. I began sewing the strips together, inspired by another quilter’s work. For a few hours, I simply stitched, knowing that this is the kind of slow piece-by-piece sewing I find difficult allowing myself to do once I return home. 

When the piece grew large enough, I started sewing blocks.  Watching the pile of strips get smaller and smaller was oddly satisfying. 

What to do with them? 

I played with layouts, turning and rearranging the pieces, until something clicked. I love the color combinations. I’ve decided to make a small quilt, pairing the small blocks with the green fabric that runs through many of them. 

I cut more strips and squares in preparation for a day of sewing tomorrow, the final day of the quilting retreat. 

It feels good to have a plan. As I’ve learned time and again, clarity often comes through doing- diving in and allowing the process to unfold. 

I’m looking forward to seeing where this leads. I’ll share more here and on Instagram (@and.sewitogoes). 

I hope you’ll follow along and let me know what you think.