• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

NEW AURIFIL THREAD SET IS HERE!

  • Visit the online store →
carolyn friedlander

carolyn friedlander

fabric and pattern designer

  • Resources
    • Quilt Along
    • Tips + Techniques
    • Featured
  • Fabric
  • Projects

Unpaused, still listening.

June 8, 2020 by carolyn friedlander 5 Comments

Over the last week, I’ve taken a pause in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. The discussion we are having around social injustices here in the US is important and overdue. During this time I took a deliberate break in posting here and on social media. I wanted to give space to Black voices needing to be heard, and I made an effort to listen, educate and reflect more deeply on these important issues. I’ve been thinking a lot about what I can do both as a person and as a small business to effect the positive change that I want to see, and I’m working on it.

One change moving forward is that 100% of digital and 25% of wholesale proceeds from the sale of my Sunrise quilt pattern will be donated to causes fighting for social justice. I plan to support several causes over time, but first up will be the Social Justice Sewing Academy.

In thinking about what I could do, I kept coming back to this pattern. To me it’s always represented ideas of hope, as that is what a new day brings.

photo by Alexis Wharem

Creatively, it’s a design that can liberating in terms of color and expression. You can use yardage, scraps or whatever you have on hand in many colors or just a few. I’ve made many versions over the years, and each one has brought me creative joy.

I love how through a sewing project, we can not only support others through the donation, but we can support our creative selves as well–an important thing during challenging times.

Moving forward I will continue to listen, educate and support causes aiding in these efforts, and I’ll also use this platform to speak out and to share resources with you. I’m still exploring ways to give back on more of a local level. I have ideas, but I’ll just have to keep you posted on that.

Get the Sunrise pattern

Here are some resources that I shared in my newsletter last week that I hope might be helpful.

+ On Systemic Racism

+ Why Black lives (need to) matter

+ Resources on Anti-Racism

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Gayle says

    June 12, 2020 at 3:16 pm

    Since you’ve challenged us to share what we’re learning, here’s what I’m going to work on- “You don’t think your way into a new kind of living. You live your way into a new kind of thinking.” Henri Nouwen

    Reply
    • carolyn friedlander says

      June 12, 2020 at 5:02 pm

      That’s great, Gayle! I really like it, and I appreciate you sharing it. Thank you!

      Reply
  2. sparkynakashima says

    June 14, 2020 at 9:28 pm

    It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…(a tale of two cities) In the best, perhaps we as a species will rethink how we treat each other and the planet, and the worst? that it takes this much to have us give pause about our ways and beliefs.

    Reply
    • carolyn friedlander says

      June 15, 2020 at 9:13 am

      For sure.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Get New Posts via Email

Archives

Want to follow along?

ray quilt along . carolyn friedlander

On Creative Bug

Footer

About CF

Carolyn Friedlander creates quilt and sewing patterns for the modern maker. Find projects, inspiration and Carolyn’s fabric collections.

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube

Information

AboutStockistsWholesaleFAQShipping + ReturnsExhibits + AwardsWorkshops + EventsPressPartnershipsContact

Shop

PatternsTemplatesSuppliesBooksGift Cards

Join our newsletter

Sign up for my weekly-ish newsletter to stay updated on the newest projects, posts, products and other good stuff.

Sign Up Now

© 2021, Carolyn Friedlander | Privacy Policy | Terms
Website by Form & Flourish