Printable View
My quilts are far from perfect, and absolutely I am my worst critic!
Others will love and cherish them because YOU made them!
As many state in this forum, "Finished is BETTER than perfect!"
just dive on in! The water is fine!
Have some fun and do not look back!
I have made some hideous quilts and the recipient thinks they are beautiful! Its all in the eye of the beholder! Take a lookQuote:
Originally Posted by bhaggerty
As with most things, there is a big learning curve here. With each project, you will see improvement. Perhaps if you concentrated on a couple of smaller projects, as Sharyn mentioned, to get the basics down. You've got to learn to walk before you run...
I made a bunch of pot-holders when I started, to get the binding technique down. I would start with re-purposed fabric and cheap FQs until you get the basics down.
Heck, if you had 4 boys in 5 years and survived, you can do ANYTHING!
It is natural to be nervous of doing something new or that confounds you to begin with. I have had a struggle with those emotions on a recent quilt design my youngest wanted. Dread poured from my very skin. But after a wee bit of encouragement from the people here and some common sense, it all comes down to one simple thing.........I love my daughter and want to make something that is special to her. And I am too dang stubborn to give up.
Perfection is just another kind of fear (of failing at something or being something). Fear stops us from growing, from learning and mostly from living. Face it straight on, sit down at your sewing machine and just let the joy of being able to do something special for someone fill your mind and your heart. You CAN do it, you just have to want it bad enough to kick those negative thoughts to the curb.
Terri, my first quilt ever was a 100"by100" in size after taking a three hour quilting essential 101 class. After the class, with the teacher's help, i selected a pattern, chose material and off i went. She had more confidence in me than i did in myself. I didn't sandwich and quilt because I don't have a good sewing machine and was told it was too big to try. But it is done. My stitches are not that straight, my 1/4 inch isn't that exact, but I made the quilt for my daughter with love. She old me she loves knowing that she is wrapped in my love every night when she goes to sleep, she's only 11. So, go ahead and have fun making your quilt. Remember, most mistakes become a style or fashion. :)
My suggestion is that you don't get in such a hurry to give up. You threw your quilt away now you regret it. Maybe set it aside for a while. The next time you look at it you might see things in a different light. Also, look at each project as a learning experience. I have several quilts like that. This is the one where I learned about not cutting off points. The fabrics I chose for this one didn't work but now I know why. This was my first attempt at hand quilting. Mitered corners on this one. FMQ doesn't look so good here but it was my first try. I think of them the same way as the squiggly drawings I've saved from my kids and grandkids. It shows I'm making progress.
Thank you, each & every one for your support, encouragement & kind words. It's "funny"....I think I have told myself almost everything that each of you has told me, but it really helps coming from those who understand.
@ quilting Trish....I got all teary eyed reading your post. So very glad your sister is enjoying her quilt made with your love and sisterly concern. (I have two sisters myself.) I am not going to make quilts for show or for sale. Just my own enjoyment and small projects for prospective gifts.
@Jean....part of the reason I am getting back (starting) quilting again is that our church had a Prayer Quilt Ministry. The group of ladies makes small (lap size) very simple quilts. Someone can request a quilt for a person/friend/relative/co-worker that may be ill, going through a rough time or just really needs their spirits lifted. They hand tie the quilts and when ready, quilts are put in the auditorium on a quilt rack and members go by and tie a knot & say a prayer for the recipient.
@Sharyn.....although I did say I have purchased fabric for more than one project, believe me NONE of the said projects are more than crib size! And mostly squares, rectangles, half square triangles & quarter square triangles.......that's as brave as I am for now.
@Susan....love your outside the box thinking! I have a Janome DC3050 and it's been such a long time, that I have used anything beside my quarter inch foot, I don't remember what I have!! I know I have a walking foot, because I had to purchase that separately also an open toe foot (purchased separately). Probably have a button hold attachment too (somewhere lol)
Since my original post this morning, I have cut squares (that need to be further cut into triangles) for my next project....so I have made some progress! :-D Thanks so much ladies!
Perfectionism is a nasty curse!!! People who are struck by it tend to wait until the last minute to do things...because of the fear of it not being perfect. They use the pressure to perform. I suffered from it for many years, until I realized that "letting go" was a much better path to walk.
In my opinion( and many may not care or agree with it) quilting should be about creating something beautiful out of scraps and pieces of fabric. It should be relaxing, not stressful...if it is...then why would you do it?? EVERY quilt has a mistake in it!! The seams arent all perfectly 1/4 inch, a piece of fabric in the wrong spot, the quilting or stitch in a ditch, out of the ditch a bit...but that's what makes it PERFECT for the recipient...it was hand crafted!!
I encourage taking classes at the LQS....take as many as you can afford...that's where you figure out that its ok to make mistakes. Quilters with years of experience make mistakes. At my LQS they say...if you can't see the mistake while riding passed on a galloping horse...then let it go!!
Don't let the fear of perfectionism be a reason not to create a quilt...if you do...then you shouldn't be doing it.
***sorry, previous post should say our church "HAS" a prayer quilt ministry
I have discovered that you are the only one who see the mis-perfections in your work. Quilting isn't suppose to be perfect. It is suppose to be enjoyed. Relax and enjoy it!