Can anyone relate to this????

Sometimes, I think having the 4 boys in 5 yrs was easier!! lol But then I was young and naïve then.....married 2 wks after I turned 19, first son 14 months later, next son exactly one year to the day after #1, son #3 born 1 yr 5 days after son #2!! Yes, a newborn...one yr old and two old all at the same time!!! There is 2yrs 8 mo between #3 & #4. Today they are 31, 30, 29 and 27 (next month). And yes, I am still married to the same wonderful man....33 yrs in October! :-)

Question....when making pot holders, did you use a certain kind of heat resistant material? Or just the usual material & batting? Pot holders...a great Christmas gift idea!! Thanks!

Hi Terri, There is one other rule that I don't think has been mentioned yet............the galloping horse rule. It has been mentioned several times during the last couple of years by different forum members......and it is a good one! The rule is.........if you can't see the mistake riding by the quilt on a galloping horse.......then is doesn't matter. :D Here is the link to a post about my first FMQ attempt last year. Also remember that you know where your mistakes are........so you look right at them.........no one else will see them. Keep on quilting............

http://forum.missouriquiltco.com/gen...ed-gallop.html

Hi Terri :)
I say just hop in and try your best and enjoy the process.
As far as stitch in the ditch - does your machine have a serpentine stitch? It looks like an s on it's side. That is the stitch I have been using when I stitch in the ditch with my walking foot. It looks so much better than a straight stitch. Just try and guide it on the line and it looks great every time. I am practicing on my free motion quilting, but that serpentine stitch rocks!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Terri

Sometimes, I think having the 4 boys in 5 yrs was easier!! lol But then I was young and naïve then.....married 2 wks after I turned 19, first son 14 months later, next son exactly one year to the day after #1, son #3 born 1 yr 5 days after son #2!! Yes, a newborn...one yr old and two old all at the same time!!! There is 2yrs 8 mo between #3 & #4. Today they are 31, 30, 29 and 27 (next month). And yes, I am still married to the same wonderful man....33 yrs in October! :-)

Question....when making pot holders, did you use a certain kind of heat resistant material? Or just the usual material & batting? Pot holders...a great Christmas gift idea!! Thanks!

---

Terri, look for Insul-Brite. It is a heat resistant batting, and have FUN! I got into a bit of a funk last winter, and making pinnies got me out of it! Small projects are a GOOD thing!

@pcbatiks.....love the galloping horse rule!! lol Should also post that near my sewing machine.

@marebear.....I haven't checked yet, but I am relatively sure that my machine has a serpentine stitch....it's got bunches! :-D

@NewYorkSue....thanks will have to write that down on my gotta get list!

I have only recently started quilting because I have 3 Granddaughters and really wanted to make them each something that would last for a long time. I watched lots of videos and decided on an easy pattern (using pre cuts) then I bought my very first sewing machine and got started.
I have learnt from each one I have made, I've done 2 already and my 3rd is almost complete.
Are they perfect? NO - Do I know where the mistakes are YES I do but I have enjoyed making them and I think that is all that matters.
When my Granddaughters are given them at Christmas they wont see the mistakes just the colours and the little motifs I have put on each of them.
Just go for it and sew away - enjoy the experience.

I don't worry so much about perfection, because only God does perfect. I believe the little imperfections make them uniquely ours. Just do it, and don't worry so much.

Here is another good one to remember: Sometimes DONE is way better than PERFECT. I think we are being a bit silly when we expect to produce a show-stopping product straight out of the gate. Any job that has an apprenticeship program takes YEARS OF PRACTICE for the apprentice to LEARN individual steps, often under supervision until they can do that step perfectly. If you really want to be perfect, then I suggest you start practicing.

I've been doing this quilty thing for a while now. I do practice a lot and I have seen vast improvement but guess what: perfection eludes me. At this point, I shoot for "pretty darn good" or "hey I'm happy with it" - I also try new patterns, harder patterns, curves, and bias bits - all with their own set of issues.

I revel in the fun of the process - the learning of it all. If I were perfect, I'd have to find a new hobby.

Good luck and don't be so hard on yourself.

I had never touched a sewing machine until Oct 2012... My lines are crooked, my 1/4 in seams arent consistent...but I am having fun and learning ...My stuff may not be ace but the love that I put in can only be matched by another quilter...

Terri, I know how you feel this happens when I want to paint. My mom told me that each "mistake" is what makes the painting or in your case the quilt uniquely yours when you make these little mistakes take a minute to say a little pray for some one or some thing, so when you see the mistake (most times only you can see the mistake) you will remember your pray. I how this helps it did for me.