Recently, while digging through my pattern box in search of a new sewing project, I found the directions for a two-patch quilt that my Aunt Kathy had written up in her inimitable style and sent to me in the early 1980’s. In her words, it “is very simple and easy, and only requires one- and-one-half jillion pieces.”

When I first got the pattern from her, I immediately set out to make a quilt. I pulled out the two pattern pieces–a small triangle and a smaller triangle–and obligingly cut out the 8 small triangles and the 32 smaller triangles that would make the first square. I failed to notice that the directions called for me to add seam allowances to the patterns. The result was that I made a square that was considerably smaller than anticipated. I looked at this quilt square for a few days and noted that I would probably be “old” before I could ever finish such a project. So, I made it into a tiny pillow:

Cut to forty years later, and I am starting again. I have already made three squares (including one monochrome for practice), and once I added those seam allowances, I find that these squares are of a quite respectable size. I won’t need nine million squares to make this quilt, and the cutting, arranging, and sewing are rather soothing. It doesn’t even take that long, all things considered.

What was I thinking? Why was it so impossible back then? Could it be that I have matured, and don’t need immediate results the way I once did? Anyway, I will indeed be “old” before I finish this quilt, since I am already “old,” but I sure do enjoy my new attitude, which is basically, “just give it a go, and enjoy the process.” Those Jamaican bobsledders said it best: cool runnings, and peace be the journey.

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For your further edification:

Cool Runnings Theatrical Trailer (1993) – Bing video