Sherri Lynn Wood, over at Daintytime, has a very interesting series going on Mondays exploring improv quilting. In her latest, she talked about rules and breaking rules and asked us to post our "rule memoirs". Here I go:
1. Work with what you've got.
This simple rule, posed to me by Fred Granzow, my high school art teacher, has become my mantra. It is incredibly valuable in all aspects of life, not just quilting.
2. Everything must line up perfectly.
This is one to break.
The quilters of Gee's Bend changed my life forever. Hallelujah!
Ummm, I think that's it.
I have just one rule. reduce, recycle, reuse and it all comes down to "using what you have". it forces one to be creative
ReplyDelete"Work with what you got" is like the Golden Rule. I really resonate with that one. It's the essence of improvisation I think.
ReplyDeletelol... very simple rule, but powerful. If I had to keep running to Michael's or Jo-Ann's for everything I don't have, I would never get anything done... :)
ReplyDeleteHi from Spain Heather...i too start with what i have...in every aspect of life not just quilting i think that´s what sparks creativity in me.
ReplyDeleteAlso it is a relief to experience creativity is not a matter of money.
Well said!
ReplyDeleteI love rule number 1 but I am also a big fan of rule number 2!
ReplyDeleteRule #1 certainly works with Saori weaving and for rule #2, I guess it depends on your definition of 'perfect'. Sometimes unintended things work out 'perfectly', but not as planned :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for the visit Heather, i liked your comment on how stories connect people. I did not think on that but its so true. Reading your profile i found that i like too the same films you mention on it, so again, stories connect us!!
ReplyDeleteJust found your blog yesterday through Sherri's and looks inspiring to me so i'm a follower of it now.
"Work with what you have got", I also love this rule and have been applying it for years. So many beautiful and meaningful leftovers from previous quilts are waiting for a new life. The Gee Bend's quilters and African-American quilters in general are an unending source of inspiration for me. Love your blog :)
ReplyDeletei want to learn the rules so i can break them.
ReplyDelete