Do you sew?

I would love to say that I do, but truth be told, I’ve only made one outfit . Ever.

My first experience with patterns and fabric was in a 4-H sewing club. We called ourselves The Darkroom Darners. Interesting name, isn’t it? I don’t believe darners do their best work in the dark, but when it comes to sewing, being in the dark pretty much sums it up for me.

My first pattern was a simple pant and matching vest. I can remember meticulously pinning the pattern to the fabric, a hideous gray that did nothing for my complexion. Of course, I was all of about twelve years old, and doubt that crossed my mind.

My garment almost complete, the final touch was sewing ruby-red piping onto the vest.  To my horror, the fabric began to unravel. My mom rescued my garment from an otherwise catastrophic end. By doubling up the piping, she was able to stop the unraveling, saving it from becoming a mere pile of threads without form. My pattern had become a wearable garment.

Pattern. What does it mean? According to Merriam-Webster:

something designed or used as a model for making things

a reliable sample of traits, acts, tendencies, or other observable characteristics of a person, group, or institution

How important is it in life to follow a pattern, and what or whose pattern exactly are we following?

Conforming to the pattern of this world can cause our lives to unravel, much like the material of my first ever attempt at fashion. And who wants to turn into a clump of frayed threads without form?

There are several references in the Bible about following a pattern.

God’s instruction to Moses in making the Tabernacle was one of them:

“Make this tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly like the pattern I will show you.” Exodus 25:9