Perfect Stitching Group

Time for the monthly SBQ from Lee:

Stitching is an activity that tends to be solitary. Sometimes I wonder if we choose stitching because we are more comfortable with pursuits that we do alone, or does our stitching cause us to be loners? So what do you think?

And you know that I can never stop with just one question or thing to think about, so here’s something else that’s been on my mind.

Since we’re stitching alone most of the time, it seems to me that we get great joy from coming together with other stitchers. It can be such a good feeling when we find a group of people who speak our language and understand our stitching excitement and passion. But since not all stitchers are perfect, not all groups can be perfect either. So…if you could create your own perfect stitching group, what characteristics would make it perfect?

Well, I take issue with the first part of the question. Crafting has generally been a group activity for me, and I rarely stitch alone. Now, I tend to stitch at night while DH and I are watching television or, in my case, listening to the TV while stitching. It's a way to keep my hands busy and away from the chips. :-)

But it is nice to get together with other stitchers, others who understand what you're doing and to some extent why you do it, although I think we each stitch for our own reasons. For a perfect group, you need people who could be friends beyond their stitching, people with whom you get along. And no one who feels she needs to be the center of attention or instruct the group in how to do things her way.

I've been fortunate to belong to both a crafting group and a book group in the recent past. The craft group started out as a Friday lunch thing at work and then moved to Sundays and has expanded to include other archivists and librarians. While we're all professional colleagues, it's our shared passion for creating that brings us together. The group is split between stitchers and knitters, with an occasional sewing project thrown into the mix.

The book group is sponsored by my college club. I actually helped start it with another librarian. What's really appealing about this group is that alumnae from the 1940s to the 2000s attend, bringing a wealth of diversity of perspective and experience. There's one woman who comes who drives me nuts. She's very friendly and means well, but I find her very grating. So I try not to sit near her.

I like being part of these groups. Now if I just had the time to attend more often than I do currently... I love my girls, but they do put a serious dent in my free time.