Knit Like a Man

A few words about Satya’s Pirate Quilt.

August 13th, 2007

Even though Satya’s expression probably says enough about the Pirate Quilt, I should probably add some brief notes about the quilt and my experience with it.

First, I am now completely over my well-documented fear of sewing. I have replaced it with new fears, fears of the seam ripper and the rotary cutter. And of math. Don’t forget the math.

Second, this was absolutely the easiest pattern I could possibly have used, and the result was unique and sophisticated–especially since it was going to be a gift to a six-year-old. So any thoughts you might have had about how your first quilt would have to be this pattern or that pattern or made of this many pieces or using that many fat quarters–forget it. You can start with something small and simple and dead easy and still get a beautiful piece in the end.

Also, as it was a child’s drag-around-the-house, picnic-on-the-grass, drool-all-over-while-sleeping quilt, I ignored every caution about machine-sewing the binding and went right ahead, zipping over it with a bold zigzag stitch in a nice bright orange. It was not straight, it was not even, it was not perfect, but it was very much in keeping with the style and tone of the quilt. And it will stand up, I think, to whatever kind of punishment young Satya metes out.

Finally, even though Satya is far too young to watch any of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, he certainly has a very clear image of pirates and their ships and parrots and treasure. I’m not sure that quilts are part of the pirate canon (there’s a pun that came out of nowhere), but Satya accepted it as legitimate without any question. I would have been especially snotty at his age, I’m sure, and would have declared that “Pirates don’t have quilts!” On the other hand, Satya seems convinced that Captain Jack Sparrow would give pride of place in his cot to such a priceless handmade heirloom, and that’s just fine with me.

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