Saturday, October 10, 2009

a binding issue



why is the hardest part to finish on a quilt the binding? i had a conversation about this recently with my friend se'lah of the necessary room. we talked about loving to quilt, but hating to bind. which actually means hating to finish, doesn't it? and why is that? because there's so much satisfaction in finishing things. so why is it that we hold ourselves back from it? is it the pleasure of the process? is it because we don't want it to be over? is it because our attention spans are short (and by our, i mean mine)? are we too easily bored in this fast-paced information age? why do we leave things unfinished?

i don't have an answer. but this evening, while watching my usual saturday evening midsomer murder, i'm going to be sewing on the binding above. i have a need to finish it. before the baby i've made it for turns 18...(hint, hint, se'lah, i'm binding my quilt!)

13 comments:

Big Blue House said...

I hate the binding for two reasons. #1) It is usually the only hand sewing on the whole quilt. If the quilt is very big, it is a lot of hand sewing. #2) is, my corners tend to all be a little different. I have sewn on many bindings and you would think I would have it perfected or at least do it the same on one quilt, but no. #3) I know I said 2 reasons but the biggest reason is, I AM A PROCRASTINATOR. I never used to be but it seems I am with almost everything. ex: I need to wash my hair before we go to church at 5:00 tonight. It is 3:30 and I have had all day but when I get this post done, I must go do it, well maybe after coffee!!!!!

Polly said...

I hope I will have this kind of dillema at some point in the future. At this time I am glad I can tell a quilt from a duvet. This is how domesticated I am, and I am NOT proud of it.

Liz said...

Well, you read on my meme earlier this week, that I have trouble finishing things. I think I'm driven by the excitement of the new, the possibilities. But then the going gets tough, and dull, and tedious. So I duck out. Terrible thing to admit, but that's me.

Mari Mansourian said...

now that you've come to terms with the fact that you have to finish it :).. it will get done, enjoy... lucky baby, the quilts beautiful

Kim said...

I have a "completion problem". Once I see the end of something it is as if it doesn't actually need to get done!

Something I found about your beloved Starbucks http://bit.ly/59v71

Cheers
Kim

jane said...

i can so relate... p.s. thank you! and i used a 100mm macro for the shot. happy weekend!

Eliane Zimmermann said...

my explanation for my many UFOs is that I prefer the process of inventing and creating and not the rather boring process of finishing... I dedicated a post for you, as the answer for the question about boiling condensed milk in the unopened can: http://scents-and-senses.blogspot.com enjoy this delicacy! eliane

Eliane Zimmermann said...

thank you for reminding me to finish my post properly! I still had wanted to add:
I had planned to serve it along with some piece of fruit... but we spontaneously decided to munch it right from the can. You could also spread it on cakes and toast or mix it with 1 table spoon of best cocoa powder. And/or add 5 drops of organic essential oil of orange peel. Anyhow and any way it's a nice treat for a sweet tooth...

Zuzana said...

Great post, I absolutely agree. There is a great satisfaction when reaching the finish line, but the progress of reaching it is what holds all the excitement.;)
Hope you finished your quilt.;)
xo

Char said...

I know this feeling - the final details and completion. Hope it went well.

christina said...

ooh, i will sit back and watch. i love quilts, love them. i will be the first one to admit, i am not great with the sewing. : )

McVal said...

I think because all the interesting bits of sewing the project are done and it's just the handstuff that I ALWAYS put off. It's time consuming. At least that's why it's always put off for me. I don't think it's as deep (for me anyway) as finally completing a project. I'm a big one for getting on to the next thing.

SH -ic said...

i love the colours . great i love handcrafts