Lovely to be able to read a post again-I am normally flummoxed by a password request as I guess those posts are behind a paywall-beautiful cloth and great to see it outside.
there are 2 places now, here on Substack is my regular blog. The old blog place is now my private teaching place. The Forever Zone. You might have missed the posts explaining that. Any way if you get an email post asking for a password you can unsubscribe and just read the open ones here.
I keep a collection of quotes and passages that resonate that I like to go back and reread. I just added your thoughts on not rushing to finish a project but allowing it to find its own end. I should probably read it daily or have it posted on my work table as a reminder to slow down and let the cloth lead.
“The longer the project takes the more wise it becomes... and to me it is more of a gift. This is a personal method that keeps me from rushing and always thinking about finishing. It creates patience in my heart and allows me to let the project find its own end.” This could very well stand as the credo for the Slow Cloth method. I recently put a small quilt out because it stank of the basement. It took weeks and several rain storms to be fresh again.
Well, a good opportunity since you brought it up Dee. Coincidentally, the slow cloth movement began in 2007, Elaine Lipson claims she invented it. She included both me and Glennis back then as it emerged. But then she suddenly decided , even though she was following me in 2006, that I was not worthy to be part of the project and deleted me from the movement. Bitch. Sorry but I am too old to pretend. Even had an earlier blog called Slow Stitch. I could go on but I don't have anything to prove anymore. I know who I am and that's enough. Whew.
And basements, they do have a smell. Don't have one here and don't miss it. It also encouraged me to have too much stuff. Stuff that stayed and smelled.
Rather than "a sorry excuse," the garden seems a nice beginning. Because rocks are among my favorite things, I'd love to see a photograph from the other side showing the rock edge in the front. The hosts is impressive.
I am so used to a big garden, I shouldn't be so negative. It is actually producing much of what I need. I forage of my greens, the scallions and garlic chives and parsley are doing great. the thyme is spreading, the rosemary will have to come in in the winter I just learned. The ginger has been a bit sluggish...
Rocks, there are so many rock here it is hard to dig, I could build a house.
The hostas were here, Huge! Have to keep trimming them.
“The longer the project takes the more wise it becomes…” Thank you for shifting my perspective on my stalled knitting projects.
These things we create from fiber - whether in the form of cloth or yarn - are, at their core, string that captures our energy as we interact with it. That energy is alive and gently held by the piece until we pick it up again and interact with it anew.
How I love your description of your open air ritual and letting the piece find its time of finishing. Patiently letting the right time come . In my wet / dry climate I drape my collection of cloths all over the veranda to refresh after the wet season mustiness. They look so joyful being free from a time of folds.
How I enjoy seeing your big cloths, both the pile on the chair and the one on the wood pile. I love the ritual you wrote about, airing your quilts, seeing them in different light. I am always inspired by your posts. Your words and photos are so calming.
"In this way the cloth's design comes to reflect the the time it took to make. The longer the project takes the more wise it becomes...and to me it is more of a gift."
This relationship you have to your cloth creations is why I cried when I first found and read about the feather project. I have to wonder if there is anyone in the kingdom of "textile arts" that comes close to this depth of harmony and understanding ... and love of cloth and thread and nature. Thankful to be fed here by your thoughts, photos, stories, and the incredible community.
Jude~ Oh how funny...I saw the ends of the logs as rocks, so a big rock pile, not log pile! Perhaps influenced by my recent trip to the beach?!
How nice to read your old thoughts. You taught me about the airing of one's work. My cloth has gone to the mountain/desert, the sea...a patio clothesline and back fence when I had those. Most of my weaving goes out into nature and stays there 😂 All of those Medicine Bags soaking up environment while waiting for a new home. What beautiful rituals we can do, yes?
I tell J. that you say 'old hag' - which he of course mishears as 'nag'...which sends us on a rhyming moment...hag, nag, bag, sag...snag! I decide I will be an old snag, like the old oaks we see, where the hawks sit 🙂
I feel glad you've had this slow time of change to begin recovery from such a big life upheaval. Going slow these days, maybe more than ever, seems a good use of time. (((hugs)))
I’m in my 80’s now; garden, flock, house, farm all left adrift to do as they may. I try to take time for my children and their children, all live in other parts of the state, and have so many other things on their minds. I really appreciate your posts and thoughts. This one today especially because it reminded of a card one of my artist friends sent. Unfortunately, can’t get the pic to import.
yes, I have let go of a loth of things, letting the forest be, just keeping a bit of space around the house cleared. And that is plenty of work. Yeah substack doesn't support the upload of images in comments. too bad...
I love the idea of things finding their own end. I have pieces (works in progress) that are 10 years old. Then one day zipppp they are done. It really is out of my control when they decide to end. lol And maybe all your past practice for patience is paying off today. My patience is short. I really should have been strengthening that muscle myself. I guess now’s as good a time to start as any.
Its awesome to see the pile of cloths and the one on the wood pile. I am excited to see them on the clothesline too. It does seem like you are entering a new phase, longer posts... it's good. Your garden is really nice, your foraging for plantains and dandelions is almost better. I love being an old hag. Ha!
Lovely to be able to read a post again-I am normally flummoxed by a password request as I guess those posts are behind a paywall-beautiful cloth and great to see it outside.
there are 2 places now, here on Substack is my regular blog. The old blog place is now my private teaching place. The Forever Zone. You might have missed the posts explaining that. Any way if you get an email post asking for a password you can unsubscribe and just read the open ones here.
I keep a collection of quotes and passages that resonate that I like to go back and reread. I just added your thoughts on not rushing to finish a project but allowing it to find its own end. I should probably read it daily or have it posted on my work table as a reminder to slow down and let the cloth lead.
And relax into it
“The longer the project takes the more wise it becomes... and to me it is more of a gift. This is a personal method that keeps me from rushing and always thinking about finishing. It creates patience in my heart and allows me to let the project find its own end.” This could very well stand as the credo for the Slow Cloth method. I recently put a small quilt out because it stank of the basement. It took weeks and several rain storms to be fresh again.
Well, a good opportunity since you brought it up Dee. Coincidentally, the slow cloth movement began in 2007, Elaine Lipson claims she invented it. She included both me and Glennis back then as it emerged. But then she suddenly decided , even though she was following me in 2006, that I was not worthy to be part of the project and deleted me from the movement. Bitch. Sorry but I am too old to pretend. Even had an earlier blog called Slow Stitch. I could go on but I don't have anything to prove anymore. I know who I am and that's enough. Whew.
And basements, they do have a smell. Don't have one here and don't miss it. It also encouraged me to have too much stuff. Stuff that stayed and smelled.
Rather than "a sorry excuse," the garden seems a nice beginning. Because rocks are among my favorite things, I'd love to see a photograph from the other side showing the rock edge in the front. The hosts is impressive.
I am so used to a big garden, I shouldn't be so negative. It is actually producing much of what I need. I forage of my greens, the scallions and garlic chives and parsley are doing great. the thyme is spreading, the rosemary will have to come in in the winter I just learned. The ginger has been a bit sluggish...
Rocks, there are so many rock here it is hard to dig, I could build a house.
The hostas were here, Huge! Have to keep trimming them.
That should be hosta.
I guessed.
“The longer the project takes the more wise it becomes…” Thank you for shifting my perspective on my stalled knitting projects.
These things we create from fiber - whether in the form of cloth or yarn - are, at their core, string that captures our energy as we interact with it. That energy is alive and gently held by the piece until we pick it up again and interact with it anew.
What we make, it seems it is ongoing even when we take a break.
I'm reading Art as Experience by John Dewey. For the 3rd time, with new eyes.
the outside breathing of the fabric, now I understand name Spirit Cloth ❤️
Oh I could go on and on about the spirit part.
Please do I am so interested!
How I love your description of your open air ritual and letting the piece find its time of finishing. Patiently letting the right time come . In my wet / dry climate I drape my collection of cloths all over the veranda to refresh after the wet season mustiness. They look so joyful being free from a time of folds.
free from a time of folds, well that is just a great line, I feel that way myself lately...
It's lovely where you are. Perfect background to share your stitchery.
I have outdoor plans for cloth!
How I enjoy seeing your big cloths, both the pile on the chair and the one on the wood pile. I love the ritual you wrote about, airing your quilts, seeing them in different light. I am always inspired by your posts. Your words and photos are so calming.
thank you, I can't wait to hang the big ones outside.
"In this way the cloth's design comes to reflect the the time it took to make. The longer the project takes the more wise it becomes...and to me it is more of a gift."
This relationship you have to your cloth creations is why I cried when I first found and read about the feather project. I have to wonder if there is anyone in the kingdom of "textile arts" that comes close to this depth of harmony and understanding ... and love of cloth and thread and nature. Thankful to be fed here by your thoughts, photos, stories, and the incredible community.
I thank you for these words. It continues to be an incredible journey. I am so lucky to be still just going.
Reading your words, I found myself thinking that, perhaps, the cloth has never really been waiting.
It has simply been continuing to gather the weather of your life until you were both ready to meet again.
These last two posts feel like a homecoming. Love your pile.
I've been away too long.
It's gonna be really noisy on Saturday. But winter will come.
the cloth just is, it's me that does all the worrying.
That feels true.
Perhaps the cloth has been patiently teaching me the difference between being unfinished and being incomplete.
Jude~ Oh how funny...I saw the ends of the logs as rocks, so a big rock pile, not log pile! Perhaps influenced by my recent trip to the beach?!
How nice to read your old thoughts. You taught me about the airing of one's work. My cloth has gone to the mountain/desert, the sea...a patio clothesline and back fence when I had those. Most of my weaving goes out into nature and stays there 😂 All of those Medicine Bags soaking up environment while waiting for a new home. What beautiful rituals we can do, yes?
I tell J. that you say 'old hag' - which he of course mishears as 'nag'...which sends us on a rhyming moment...hag, nag, bag, sag...snag! I decide I will be an old snag, like the old oaks we see, where the hawks sit 🙂
I feel glad you've had this slow time of change to begin recovery from such a big life upheaval. Going slow these days, maybe more than ever, seems a good use of time. (((hugs)))
I like old bag, because it is a kind of vessel, basket.
Maybe if the wood sits there long enough it'll turn to stone.
Ha. "Bag" is J's word of choice in this regard 😂
If I don't keep moving, I will turn to stone too! ugh.
I’m in my 80’s now; garden, flock, house, farm all left adrift to do as they may. I try to take time for my children and their children, all live in other parts of the state, and have so many other things on their minds. I really appreciate your posts and thoughts. This one today especially because it reminded of a card one of my artist friends sent. Unfortunately, can’t get the pic to import.
yes, I have let go of a loth of things, letting the forest be, just keeping a bit of space around the house cleared. And that is plenty of work. Yeah substack doesn't support the upload of images in comments. too bad...
Even more beautiful seeing your larger pieces outdoors!
💙💚
Looks so cozy and peaceful
They seem different outdoors.
I love the idea of things finding their own end. I have pieces (works in progress) that are 10 years old. Then one day zipppp they are done. It really is out of my control when they decide to end. lol And maybe all your past practice for patience is paying off today. My patience is short. I really should have been strengthening that muscle myself. I guess now’s as good a time to start as any.
How did so much time pass???
Quantum hiccups
Really.
PS I like to say banshee vs hag or crone. But the shoes all fit me too.
Ha!
Its awesome to see the pile of cloths and the one on the wood pile. I am excited to see them on the clothesline too. It does seem like you are entering a new phase, longer posts... it's good. Your garden is really nice, your foraging for plantains and dandelions is almost better. I love being an old hag. Ha!
Yeah, here we are!!!