Freedom in a square

This week I was feeling boxed-in by the notion of sewing only birds in the form of square coasters all year long, wishing I had designed a project with more flexibility like the delightful #52weeksoftinytextiles by @birchandloon.

Yet sewing bird coasters is like so many constraints I have found liberating over the years, such as the Montessori approach to education, which some find overly structured with its emphasis on order but I found fascinating as a teacher and trainer; or living in a 600 square foot apartment, which poses challenges but allows us to live the way we want; or being married for 33 years. At some point along the way the Montessori method felt too rigid, the apartment too small—and who can ever imagine such a long marriage?

Fortunately, I happened to pass Purl Soho on Broome Street and decided to stop in. I walked underneath its soaring ceiling in a trance, past the wall lined with fabric and yarn in every shade. I stopped at my favorite basket filled with bundled fabric squares and examined a glass display case holding vintage linen Swedish thread that excited my Scandinavian soul. In a small, exquisite Japanese embroidery book, I learned that the eye of the needle should match the thickness of the thread for finer stitching. A shopkeeper pointed out that the higher the number on a spool of thread, the thinner it is. Eager to learn more, I bought a pocket guide to stitches.

As the world of embroidery opened up, I felt new enthusiasm for my project, even more excitement than I felt three weeks ago. Instead of scrolling the New York Times news feed on my phone that evening, I took my stitching to bed to finish my latest bird. This action surprised Chris, who disapproves of phones in bed, but tolerates my occasional habit, and I was gratified I could still be unpredictable.

It is easy for me to forget the power of this cycle of life and work: inspiration typically gives way to uncertainty and restlessness, which generally leads to the acquisition of new skills, and often results in new enthusiasm.

Speaking of squares, I’m including a PDF of Chris’ year-at-a-glance pie chart, so you can click and print one of your own. He plans each month in advance but it could be used like a diary. For 24 years he hasn't missed a year of pie-chart planning.