Studio, What's on the Design Wall

Everything is Accomplished (What’s On the Design Wall)

tierneycreates: a fusion of textiles and smiles

Yesterday I completed the quilt top for a wallhanging based on the following quote:

“Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.” ~Lao Tzu

And like Nature, I did not hurry on completing this piece! It was started in May 2016 during a class at the Stitchin’ Post in Sisters, Oregon with the lovely Janet Shorten (see post Adventures in Appliqué ). I picked the piece back up again in June 2017 (see post Quilt Retreat Inspiration and Projects). I wrangled tangled floss and learned to backstitch (see post The Backstitch and the End of Tangled Floss) and finally completed the quilt top yesterday…July 2017!

2017-07-30_21-26-04_418.jpeg

At first I was only going to stitch the Lao Tzu quote going around the tree. However the right side did not seem balanced, with the left side having the acorn. Also I thought at first glance it might not be apparent what the odd thing on the left was (my loose interpretation of an acorn), so I decided to risk becoming “Captain Obvious” and stated that “The tiny acorn becomes the mighty oak tree”.

2017-07-30_21-25-37_177.jpeg

I am not going to win any “stitching words on quilts” awards, but I really enjoyed slow stitching the backstitching of the words on the piece and learned a lot as I progressed. I wimped out at the end and did not do the letter “i”s french knot top dots (or whatever the official word is for the dot/period on the top of the letter “i”), but maybe next time.

You may be curious about my fabric choices but let’s just say the whole piece is “multicultural”:

  • The saying/quote is from an ancient Chinese philosopher.
  • The piece was inspired by an African Bible Verses quilt and the original fabric for the acorn and the tree were from the teacher’s stash of African themed fabrics.
  • The border fabric is an Aboriginal style print.

Here is the fabric I have planned for the binding – it reminded me of a tree branch:

2017-07-30_21-34-59_859.jpeg

I plan to do a combination of machine and hand quilting on the piece, so by 2018 I should have it done (smile).

But then I am only following Nature’s example…and eventually the piece will be accomplished!

Postscript

My blogging buddy Melanie at Catbird Studios, asked her readers in a recent post how they choose their next quilting project to work on. I responded that for me it is random, which is usually true, however I realize that lately I appear to be focused on working on unfinished projects (which is a very good thing) instead of starting something new when it catches my attention.

Published by tierneycreates: a fusion of textiles and smiles

Quilter, crafter, obsessive tea drinker and lover of all furry creatures (especially dogs and cats) - join me on my tierneycreates blog as I share stories from "A Crafter's Life".

22 thoughts on “Everything is Accomplished (What’s On the Design Wall)”

  1. Thanks for the link. I had so many answers that were variations on “random” that I’m still thinking about that. Near the top of my post I tried to link our choices with our priorities with our reasons/need to quilt. So, as I said, still thinking.

    Your quilt top is fine work and I’m glad you did the embroidery on it. I haven’t done that, but it’s one more technique that is beginning to call to me… Love the fabrics choices and the saying. Thanks for sharing it with us.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you for your thoughts and comments, so appreciated. I have been very random in the past and that is my automatic reply but I seem to be focused and deliberate these days 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  2. LOVE the quilt. I love the idea of the quilt binding resembling bark. Love all the fabric choices/color as well.

    French knots are not actually as hard as they look. That is actually one thing I’ve learned through embroidery and cross stitching projects.

    I love that you are going back to unfinished projects and working on them. Love all your creativity.

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Last night while I wasn’t asleep I was thinking about your photo wall on the shed. I thought it might work to attach biggish J hooks in a line that could hold a rod. If they are stainless steel you don’t need to worry about rust stains on the shed or bits of rust falling down on your quilts. Then you may be able to get a long decorative curtain rod at one of the thrift stores. If you keep it and the clip-rings inside, you can clip the quilt, take the quilt and rod outside, slide the clips onto the rod, and then lift the rod onto the hooks. Presto!

    Maybe in that plan you can find something that helps. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  4. I think your quilt looks wonderful! Your lettering looks very organic which nicely compliments the nature theme. I totally would have done the French knot, I just love doing them. So much fun. Completing unfinished items must be a theme because I’ve been concentrating on that myself. I also like the acorn. I knew what it was right away.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you and so glad you got the acorn, it looks suspicious to me but maybe most people get it after all 🙂
      I am going to try french knots in the future. Actually I have a book on embroidery stitches I got from a second hand shop and it would be fun to learn and practice them all!

      Liked by 1 person

  5. That is one of my favourite quotes, and I love how you’ve incorporated it into the quilt along with the acorn-tree image and eclectic textiles. This is a beautiful reflection on the strength + beauty of slow processes. 🙂 I’m sure a lot of folks will be inspired by this on their creative journeys. Bravo on the hand-embroidered stitching. I love the script-style!

    Liked by 1 person

  7. I love the organic vibe and the message of this quilt. I enjoy your blog very much and I appreciate the inspiration you give here.

    This summer I’ve been working on a craft challenge from a Facebook group I am a part of to use what you have. For me, this includes many unfinished projects. The best part is that space is being freed up in my yarn bins and in my fabric stash. It is a great feeling to finish something! I am also working on not refilling those empty spots with speculative yarns and fabrics. I think that forces more creativity and that is very satifying.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks so much Tina, your comment is a nice way to start the morning 🙂
      The fb challenge group sounds like a great way to stay accountable on getting those projects done! Congrats on space being freed up in your yarn bins and fiabric stash AND very impressively, not refilling the empty holes! I use my blog as my imaginary way to force creativity and completion of projects, I mean you all won’t keep reading if I just start projects and never finish – ha! 🙂

      Like

  9. Pingback: I hurried. – tierneycreates

Comments are closed.