
I often mention cooking and gardening being kindred spirits to sewing for me. The other day as I cleaned out the freezer and tidied up the studio it got me thinking that quilting projects and frozen food live somewhat parallel lives and that the same phenomenon occurs in both spaces.
Surely I’ll remember my meal plan for that unlabeled jar, and similarly, there must have been an intention for those strips boxed in the studio? A photo might have been snapped or a cookbook inspiration dog-eared, but why not just start from scratch, just make something?

I don’t think the strips were originally destined to become pillows, just like that apple cider I thought was chicken broth wasn’t meant to be added to the sauce, but in the end I liked the finish.

Same block, but two different designs depending how you slice it. As you likely have figured out, I’ve got a thing for this yarn dyed Essex. The grey and white play so nicely together with my million other pillows.

Reality is, the more pillows you make, the more you have that go together;)
I quilted straight lines in white.

Unlike quilts, pillows require so little backing. This Alexander Henry found its home.

I finished them both with my invisible zipper tutorial.

Of course there’s still an abundance of strips left. We’ll see what recipe these unlabeled left overs cook up into at a later date. I’m sure several times over they’ll transform, it’s in the air lately.
I’ve had inquiries about online teaching for guilds and yearly events since the world has been turned upside-down. This move will happen at some point, but altering my business model is going to take some time, especially since it’s looking like schooling will be at home this fall. I’m slowly considering my angles, rewriting contracts and consulting my peers about what’s working best for them. But I’ve gotta say that virtual teaching isn’t where my heart or mind currently are. Of course I’d much rather be with you all.
After a great deal of thought I cancelled with an online teaching event announced last week. On the day classes were announced Instagram was lit up with teacher’s studios transformed into recording studios, lights and equipment galore. While I’m so excited for my peers, I’m beyond words relieved that my studio remains a sewing studio, its design walls full of the stuff that comes out of my brain and continues to transform and inspire. I don’t think I would feel the same about it had I done what is referred to now as the “pivot.”
Things have a way of working out. Just like when you think that unlabeled jar of apple cider is chicken broth and you add it to the pan. You don’t always have to follow the recipe, the pattern or the crowd.
That’s it peeps, hope you’re getting some clean out time and sewing/cooking/gardening/happy time too;)
xoxo katie