last stiches

Putting the final stitches into Ben's little quilt, sewing the binding down and finishing the label, I started to ponder over "lasts" and how bittersweet they can be.

It's a great joy to place the last stitch into a quilt, bringing to completion (with a certain amount of pride and accomplishment) the hours of planning and execution mixed with love to create something unique. But at the same time there is a little sadness there to see it finished, especially if, like this one, your creation is to go off elsewhere as a gift.

Similarly, life at the moment has it's bittersweet elements. 2010 is a strange year for the EF family - Miss Empty Field our one and only is in her final year of high school, so "lasts" are coming thick and fast; last soccer game, last term of lessons, last first day of term ... many more lasts will follow before this year is complete.

Quilting is my way of coping, together with the companionship of undemanding quilting friends, the simple act of creating helps make these personal "lasts" a little less daunting.