When school starts I don’t have the energy to be creative, so I sew fabric scraps together. I randomly pull pieces out of a box of leftovers from other quilts, and chain sew. It feels productive. I enjoy remembering, and using up every last bit. I’m surprised by the chaos in this quilt—not my usual style, but I see a connection to stone walls in my neighborhood. Perhaps this was the spark.

“Old Friends” is the term my family uses for leftovers. It was always my favorite meal as a child. The meal the day after the holiday is still my favorite. I love not wasting anything. I love tasting all the flavors again. And the best way to enjoy a meal of leftovers is with old friends. When you are with old friends you don’t worry about formality. You’re relaxed. Points don’t match. Quilting lines are bigger in one place and smaller in another. Old friends feel comfortable.

Thinking about leftovers led me to thoughts of stuff. Every summer I haul paper grocery bags out to the resale store. It’s good stuff, but I don’t use it or don’t need it, and it feels great to clear it out. I’m trying to cut down on new purchases and just use what I have, but it’s a constant battle. I don’t think I’m alone. It’s a fight to not buy more.

But imagine living without leftovers; living with not enough to have leftovers. This is the way much of the world lives. Most people don’t have so many clothes they can’t decide what to wear, and don’t have enough food to be able to indulge and eat more than they should. When I look at this quilt I am resolved to buy less and give more.