Last spring, I bought a new quilt pattern. It is ambitious, compared to the ones I can learn from a ten-minute video on You Tube. This one involves a forty-page booklet, with an accompanying ruler designed for this method. I already own upwards of thirty rulers and templates, some of which I often use and others which only come in handy when piecing a One Block Wonder, or Pineapple quilt. 

 

It was a gift to myself, after an especially busy week of chaplaincy, meetings, and anniversaries. The finished quilt will be a portrayal of the Christmas story.

 

The thing is, so far I have only read the book. Several times. I have held the ruler in my hands as well. But between you and me, I am nervous. It turns out that rereading the text multiple times does not somehow morph into actually piecing it. There is a quantum leap between those two activities. 

 

Since I am not excited about the possibility of hanging the booklet on my wall, instead of a finished quilt, I need to start cutting. 

 

In past years I have belonged to quilt groups, which were a chance to learn together. I forked out money for classes, pretending that it was not still me doing all the work. Being elbow to elbow with other seamstresses, got me over the resistance that stood between me and thirty blocks of stained glass. 

 

It works with all kinds of endeavors... marriage group, spiritual growth, yoga class, book clubs. But it seems likely, or shall I say seams likely, that I will be facing this one by myself. I'll let you know how it turns out.