Coming to the last page of the calendar of 2025 meant for me, traveling to our family in Australia. At the same time I knew, this will keep me away from the sewing machine. Still, my plan was that I’ll use my precious fabrics from a screen-printing workshop for this work. These would be the center of this Cloth In Common round. I love the warm colors and I even found perfect companions in my hand-dyed stash. But no matter how determined I would be to finish the piece before leaving, I could only manage to complete the major piecing and some straight quilting to hold the layers together.
Then I dared to dream, – how about to take the work with me?
Selecting the colors of threads was a bit taxing, as I knew I couldn’t just walk up to my thread storage and find another one. So, I packed up lots of those little balls of Perle Cotton, a set of embroidery needles, tiny scissors, and my trusty little mini pliers. All hand stitching supplies went in a baggie, and I was ready to hand stitch section by section. Easy, – so I said.
Lots of good intentions! I was seeing myself stitching in hotel rooms, on the family sofa, even in the car, trying to work in stolen moments. But as I pulled the needle through the fabric layers, adding more and more stitches and little French knots, I soon could see I would not be finished in time.
Time is such a tricky thing. The weeks to our reveal disappeared very fast and I had to admit, my ambitions were bigger than what this artist can handle. I have to admit, this is a classic artist’s defeat! Yesterday, I took pictures of the unfinished work, and I felt a strange mix of guilt and relief.
Travel and family had interrupted my best-laid plans, but it had also filled me with new ideas, new colors and stories. I know, once I am back in my studio, I would finish it—not on time, but filled with joy.
5-6
Artist’s Defeat
28″ x 40″
screen printed and hand dyed cotton, Perle cotton, wool batting
pieced by machine, quilted by machine and hand
Lisa, your piece almost looks like it has absorbed the colours and images of Australia as you have travelled around with it. I’m sure that my homeland will stay with you in this beautiful artwork.
I love everything about this! The colors, mix of angular and flowing organic shapes, the balance. It’s just incredibly beautiful (and I often struggle with abstract art). I could stare at this for days and days.
Why set such hard line deadlines for yourself that by missing them you feel defeated! You’re creating a beautiful piece. You are finishing it while you are enriching your life and those you love with “in person” time. Nothing is better and that love will be reflected in your work.
I recognize this dilemna. I always pack some stitching supplies and a project, but never complete anything while I am traveling. My whole mindset changes and the fear of judgment by others crops up. You did so well! It inspires me to do some hand work again.
I love it and your thoughts that go with it. Not only are the colors beautiful together, the design & your hand stitching are exquisite. Don’t be so hard on yourself, you are able to spend precious time with your daughter and grandchildren what can be better than that. We miss you, it will be good to see you again, and hear about the trip.