A Quilted Reflection on Growth

This block holds a special story. The fabrics were treasures I picked up during my birthday trip through Amsterdam, Luxembourg, and Paris—each piece carrying a memory. Usually, my quilting style is intuitive: I wander with the stitching, letting the spirit guide me. The result is often a one-of-a-kind block that can’t be recreated.

This time, I took a different approach. I decided to follow the pattern from my Mrs. Quilty Box, using it as an opportunity to refine my technique. Now that I’m more comfortable with my sewing machine, stitching, and color matching, I’ve realized that refinement—much like in my academic journey—comes after finding your rhythm. Once you’ve developed a style, there’s value in pausing to fine-tune your skills.

This “cozy mosaic” block represents my growing ability to make crisp corners on half-square triangles and precise seams. It’s also a reminder that joy can be found both in free-spirited exploration and in following a clear plan to completion.

“Growth is found in the dance between wandering freely and walking with intention.”

Just as I aim to avoid filling my queue with unfinished projects (or “UFOs” in quilting terms), I’m learning to balance wandering creativity with the satisfaction of finishing well. The milestones along the way are just as important as the destination.