Wednesday, May 05, 2010

Stitching Bloggers' Question

First a thanks to Lee, The Lake Stitcher, for bringing this back. I think these questions inspired me to write to plenty of posts when I might otherwise have foundered.

Suppose we say that there are two types of stitchers.  
There are those who enjoy the “process” of stitching.  They stitch for stitching’s sake and if something gets finished, so much the better, but it’s not necessarily the end goal.   Primarily, it’s the application of needle and thread to cloth that makes them happiest.
Then there are those who are “project” stitchers.  They move steadily through their projects, certainly enjoying their stitching time, but finding their greatest joy in the completed stitching. 
If you had to pick one to describe yourself, which type of stitcher would you be?  I imagine that we could all say that we fall somewhere in between, but really think hard about this and try to pick just one.  And once you’ve decided whether you’re a Process or Project stitcher, tell us if your recognize that approach in other parts of your life.

When this question first surfaced on Anna's blog, my initial thought was that I'm a process stitcher all the way. I love the process of starting a new project - "finding" the project and gathering the materials. Sometimes I will amble through my collection of kitted projects just to admire what is possible with no intention of adding anything to my current stitching queue. Needle and thread and fabric and the act of creation. 


But then I read Lee's response to the question this morning, and I can see the project side of me, too. I frequently take breaks just to admire what I have created thus far. And when I finish something I will leave it out and walk past it and admire it for days on end. I will stand amazed while looking at what I have created.

But which part of this makes me happiest? I think it is the process. And this may be part of the explanation of the multiple UFOs. Finishing something makes me happy, but starting something makes me happier!

4 comments:

Coni said...

Amen, sista! I was trying to articulate my answer to this question when I realized that your response hits everything I was trying to say.

I like the idea that there is actually a reason for having so many WIPS/UFOS....it is a direct result of the "process side of me".

Me standing in the living room staring at something I stitched a billion years ago SHOULD reflect my "progress side", but it usually just means I've lost my damn mind and can't remember stitching it in the first place.

Donna said...

Scary, Coni, isn't it? I've pulled finished works out of my box and literally don't remember stitching them. I have to concentrate and focus to remember.

GingerCat said...

I am definately a "process"stitcher! I have drawers full of completed (but not framed) pieces.

Terri M said...

Interesting response. I thought about this question deeply. I also love to admire my progress and finished pieces for days on end. I think planning which area to stitch next, and pausing to admire a design coming together is part of the process for me.