A Clean Start

                                             

                                                          A Clean Start

                                         9" x 12"  Jan 10, 2026

for Project Quilting 17.1 : A Clean Slate

I've been participating in Project Quilting challenges for many years, in fact, it's the birth story for this Political Thread blog, because I needed a place to post my completed projects.  So here we are in a new year with a new season of challenges, this week's theme is "A Clean Slate." 

I considered the sense of a fresh start I'm feeling with the inauguration of Mamdani as mayor of New York City. But I just couldn't get off the ground. Part of the problem is that I have other projects on my cutting table and sewing machine, and I'm feeling the pressure of needing to wrap them up.  One of the projects, is actually organizing my sewing space, which is frankly, a mess. I know I'm not alone, so I post this next picture with only a little shame: 

Yes, that's the area beneath my sewing machine.  I can tell you which recent project each bit of scrap fell from, and I know I've been busy.  But it really needs some attention.  I know. I know.  

Rather than simply consider it all trash, I picked up a few of these pieces and laid them on a background, just as they had lain on the ground.  This section here: 

Next I quilted it all down to mimic the threads also laying on the ground.  

I'll leave the edges unfinished, because, honestly, this cleaning up project is unfinished.  But at least this small space beneath my machine is all cleaned up and ready to take on the rest of Project Quilting season 17, and those projects I REALLY have to finish soon. 

I hope you make time and space in your life to start new projects, and also finish up some things this year. 

Oh, and I hope Mamdani makes a difference in NYC, and for us all. 

Peace, 

Paula