Carpe Curva

I started a new project the other day.  It wasn't like I had all my projects completed and I needed something to do.  In actual fact I was working actively on at least 6 projects and was trying to focus my energies on getting those completed.  But I started a new project in spite of it all.

Two weekends ago I took part in a virtual retreat organized by Jo Avery and Karen Lewis in the UK.  It was so much fun and a great learning experience. The Sunday project was a fantasy butterfly block which incorporated curved piecing and foundation paper piecing. Similar to a New York Beauty block, I was excited to try it.  New York Beauty quilt is one of my bucket list quilts. A quilt I would make when my skill set was advanced enough to have success.  I am a cautious quilter. So this project was a stepping stone to my quilt dream.

Curves I love.  Making curves not so much. I had managed a few with success. The first game changer moment came last summer while making the Summer Sampler. Jen Carlton-Bailly's Cul de Sac block was filled with curves. She  provided video tutorials for the newbie curve sewer which recommended using glue instead of pins. Along with her acrylic templates, the block came together beautifully.  I can do this! And I did make more curved blocks throughout the sampler without problem using glue.

My fantasy butterfly block was a success.

Jo Avery provided her pattern for making a New York Beauty along with the butterfly block. I was feeling some success making curves. And with the "stay at home" orders I definitely had the time to try.  But I felt doubt; my inner voice was still telling me I wasn't ready.  This time I wasn't going to let that little voice win.

I was going to change my paradigm and believe that the curves would not hold me back. How? I would sew a 100 curves. If I sewed that many curves surely I would feel comfortable sewing them.  I had the fabric. I had the time. I had the templates and I had the glue. 

Enter my new project -- 100 curves solely for the sake of making 100 curves. My plan was to make 10 curves a day using my Kona solid stash. No other demands or expectations. Just practice  improving my skill to make a New York Beauty quilt.  I didn't even consider the palette until the first sewing morning.  Pink was the easy choice. I like it a lot so I had a good supply.  It was spring and pink goes with green -- two colours. A happy palette for just sewing random curves.  My view the first morning added the third colour - the ground was covered in snow.

Within a couple of hours this is what I had.

Day 2 was bright and sunny and the snow was melting. Yellow got added.

Around the same time as I started this, my son asked me if I missed anything about teaching elementary school.  My morning swing I answered - whenever I was on playground duty I always took the time to having a swing.  These curves reminded me of those swings, swings I would have eagerly anticipated when the snows melted.

By the third day, I began to think I could have a quilt.  I had seized the inspiration and my circumstances. Carpe Diem - I had seized the day. Carpe curves. The google gods told me the Latin for curve is "curva". Carpe Curva has begun.