The essay below on geese had been in my quilt journal for well over 18 months and my desire to create a flying geese quilt had been gestating for at least that long.
In the early spring of 2006, I finally settled on a strippy geese pattern named “String Theory.” I spent several days cutting the scrappy pieces from my stash of batiks. I found a batik in soft sunset colors to use for the “sky” (‘angel wings’). But, almost as soon as I put the first row up on the design wall, I knew this concept wasn’t ‘right.’
Since that realization, I lost count of how many times the quilt changed. It eventually transformed from the long vertical strips of “String Theory” to 12” blocks loosely based on a traditional Flying Dutchmen layout and to an on-point setting (my first attempt).
Even after all this, I continued to struggle with my desire to feature the scrappy piano key border and binding assembled and hanging on the design wall (I often work on the parts out-of-order). The gestation and pondering continued for several more weeks.
And then, we went west to Santa Fe for Eric and Lauren’s wedding. The rich, vibrant colors of the Southwest encouraged me to move beyond “safe” with this quilt.
When Chris and I made a day trip to Cherry Lane (now closed) in Jackson a few days after the wedding, I went hoping to find a batik that would work for the setting triangles. After staring at the 100+ bolts of batiks for over an hour; pulling out, considering, and rejecting probably 40 or more of them, I pulled a warm, limey-green with soft brown, turquoise, and lavender swirls. I had found “the” missing fabric.
Only two days later, the top was completed and, while some may not understand the apparently confused geese and/or the choice of the receding sky/angel wing fabric, the results speaks volumes to me: Trust my instincts, listen to my heart, take a chance, and let the thought evolve instead of trying to force it to happen.
Once again, my quilts are trying to teach me about myself.
Lessons from Geese
Fact 1: As each goose flaps its wings it creates an "uplift" for the birds that follow. By flying in a "V" formation, the whole flock adds 71% greater flying range than if each bird flew alone.
Lesson 1: People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going quicker and easier because they are traveling on the thrust of one another.
Fact 2: When a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of flying alone. It quickly moves back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird in front of it.
Lesson 2: If we have as much common sense as a goose, we stay in formation with those headed where we want to go. We are willing to accept their help and give our help to others.
Fact 3: When the lead goose tires, it rotates back into the formation and another goose flies to the point position.
Lesson 3: It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks and sharing leadership. As with geese, people are interdependent on each others' skills, capabilities, and unique arrangements of gifts, talents, or resources.
Fact 4: Geese flying in formation honk to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.
Lesson 4: We need to make sure our honking is encouraging. In groups where there is encouragement, the production is much greater. The power of encouragement (to stand by one's heart or core values and encourage the heart and core of others) is the quality of honking we seek.
Fact 5: When a goose gets sick, wounded, or shot down, two geese drop out of formation and follow it down to help protect it. They stay with it until it dies or is able to fly again. Then, they launch out with another formation or catch up with the flock.
Lesson 5: If we have as much sense as geese, we will stand by each other in difficult times as well as when we are strong.
Size:
Machine Quilted by Chris Ballard
