Idle Hands Beget The Devils Work

As a southern girl, sewing was a rite of passage. You never questioned if you should learn, it was a matter of when. Though I possess the skill, it was rarely put to use. One day, while shopping for a quilt, I went back to my roots.

Searching for a quilt with an ethnic feel, I went to several department stores. I found nothing that appealed to my sense of color, style and culture - nothing that spoke to my soul. So, I gave up, went to an African fabric store, selected fabrics, and made my own.

As a child in rural Alabama, this routine restored memories of the first quilt I ever made. I was nine and in fourth grade. Around this time, my grandmother made a quilt for each of her grandchildren as a Christmas gift. Now, my nephew of nine sleeps on that same quilt. Tattered and re-stitched in several places, it remains a familial favorite.

While making my most recent quilt, I rediscovered that quilting is more than sewing, it's a bond from generation to generation. Wrapped in my grandmother's gift, I feel her presence. Hair askew, laughing in her lap, I'm nine again, with all its incumbent joys.

Cutting and stitching, there is a powerful rebirthing of a time gone by - the smell of honeysuckle on a fence, the clang of cow bells heard from the field, watermelon juice circling the curve of a sticky, ashy elbow.

I am convinced that if today's youth were taught to occupy their hands with more than buttons on a video game, they would learn patience, pride, and develop confidence. And just maybe, we would have fewer troubled youth today. As Grandma used to say, "Idle hands beget the devil's work."

At nine, you don't relate to that sentiment. But as I designed, cut, and sewed, the hours zoomed by. I felt as if I was lost in a good book, only I decided the characters, the plot, the ending.

Now that Zola (my sewing machine) has unleashed her magical powers, she refuses to occupy her once familiar place in the bottom of my old college trunk. She sits atop her new surroundings proudly, beckoning me, as if to admonish my idle hands.

There are days when I tell Zola to leave me alone, but in no time at all the fabrics in all their fanciful colors and patterns beckon, and we are one again, creating in unison, literally sewing the seeds of our destiny.

This article courtesy of http://www.timelessquilting.com. You may freely reprint this article on your website or in your newsletter provided this courtesy notice and the author name and URL remain intact.

Yuwanda & Cassandra Black are the owners of EthnicHomeDecor.com. Ethnic Home Decor offers soft home furnishings with ethnic themes at affordable prices.

Related News

Junior Library Member Photo Prizewinners - Newton News Junior Library Member Photo Prizewinners Newton News, UK -Sep 4, 2008 Other hobbies are art, crafts and history. Joint 2nd prize: Abigail Mullen, aged 9, attends Byerley Park School. The Nature Reserve is her favourite place, ... How To Design Patterns For Hobbies Crafts For Money - Corsavoo.com How To Design Patterns For Hobbies Crafts For Money Corsavoo.com, France -Aug 28, 2008 But patterns for hobbies mildew removal are always at the mercy of the public. Look at eBay at the prices for tapestry pictures. You’ll probably find that ... Tablers boost for craft workshop - Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser Tablers boost for craft workshop Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser, UK -Sep 4, 2008 It also has a crafts and hobbies group which meets on a Wednesday evening. Pictured, from left to right, are both members of Airdrie & District Round Table ... Hobby Lobby moving into old Chase-Pitkin in Webster - MPNnow.com Hobby Lobby moving into old Chase-Pitkin in Webster MPNnow.com, NY -Sep 2, 2008 Hobby Lobby is an arts and crafts store with departments ranging from crafts, hobbies, picture framing, jewelry making, fashion fabrics, floral, ... Building a perfect world - in miniature - San Francisco Chronicle Building a perfect world - in miniature San Francisco Chronicle,  USA -Aug 29, 2008 ... and crafts, eventually focusing on miniatures. "They encompass all the full-size hobbies - from sewing to woodworking to stained glass - into one tiny, ... Search for one-of-a-kind gifts begins at craft fairs - El Paso Times Search for one-of-a-kind gifts begins at craft fairs El Paso Times, TX -Aug 30, 2008 Personalized ornaments that reflect the recipient's hobbies or tastes. But really, who has the time to break out the flour and baking tins or make jelly? ... Interfaith calendar - Indianapolis Star Interfaith calendar Indianapolis Star, United States -Sep 5, 2008 Families will join one of the 12 Tribes of Israel and experience how they lived, including school, crafts, hobbies, foods and fun. ... Christian soldiers at war - Sydney Morning Herald Sydney Morning Herald Christian soldiers at war Sydney Morning Herald, Australia -Sep 6, 2008 "He has no interest in sports, crafts, hobbies or garden; is accountable to no Christian support group or prayer group; and he never laughs. ... UNIQUE PAINTINGS BY AYCLIFFE ARTIST - Newton News UNIQUE PAINTINGS BY AYCLIFFE ARTIST Newton News, UK -Aug 29, 2008 The work of town artist Suzi were exhibited at this year’s Aycliffe Show in the Crafts and Hobbies tent as part of the Craft Carousel. ... Bees and alpaca highlight this year's Fall Festival - Nashoba Publishing Bees and alpaca highlight this year's Fall Festival Nashoba Publishing, MA -Sep 5, 2008 ... Fall Festival and Craft Fair will include an extended roster of crafters and hobbyists showcasing an eclectic array of crafts, skills, hobbies and wares ...