As I continue to think about this fabric art and how I work with it, I know that it offers me great moments of spiritual evolution. We are all born into existing patterns in our life through our families. For the most part, if we chose to stay within those familiar systems or patterns, we try to maintain stability by negotiating our relationships, speaking gently and forgiving slights others might present. Changing habits and traditions is always a challenge, and we resist change. When we dare to do something different, its like we have begun to rock the boat, and that threatens us and everyone around us.
I see that in myself right now as I struggle to do what I know in my quilts, and resist doing that which is unfamiliar. I find myself criticizing the minor 'fail' in a block I make that really only goes beyond my comfort with with a pattern or fabric combinations. Its not that they fail. They present learning opportunities that push my comfort. My old system or quilting style is just protecting itself.
Sometimes, what I do is just not going to be right for it to be something that is either swapped or part of a quilt going out. Funny thing is that now I am making the B&W quilt for myself, I am willing to take a block that is less than perfect because of the nature of this quilt (scrappy sampler), where anything goes and anything works. Life. Anything goes and anything works.