I have been thinking about a line that Sophie wrote on her blog Sophie Junction this week. She said: "I embraced the attitude that every quilt is practice for those follow."
Life and quilting is all about learning, and relearning. And then remembering what you learned before that you had already forgotten!
I am thinking about that this week because my "Always Home" project is out again getting more quilting. It was unearthed and I had to really think about why it didn't get finished. The reason was that I couldn't decided on the quilting design. I have learned that it is one of the decision points that causes UFOs for me. I have too many ideas, and can't pick the "right" one. 
I have also learned there is not "one right way". I have to just start and if I like it, great. If I don't, figure out what I don't like, unstitch and either modify or start over. That's the great thing about working with fabric and thread - there are always "do-overs".I wasn't liking the swirls but didn't know what else I would like better. Now I know that I would like a finished quilt better!
What are you hand stitching today? Share your slow stitching with us and link up to your blogpost below:
15 comments:
Thanks for the reminder that each quilt is a learning process. I've been quilting for 30 years ("full time" for the last 5) and I'm still learning - and I'm learning a LOT with my current quilt. Better late than never, right?
So true. My UFOs are caused by too many ideas and too much impatience. I would love to say that I have been doing some slow stitching tonight, but I have been running around like a mad thing ironing the things I want to take on the trip with me, and remembering a thousand thins that still need doing. For every thing I cross off the list, I add two more. Oh well. It'll all be too late soon.
BTW I love your little houses. Too cute.
I agree we grow our skills with each quilt. Love your stitching on this quilt by the way!
This is an interesting post Kathy and something I have been thinking about as I finish up the Swoon Quilt. There are things about it that I don't like (we really do get up close and personal with our quilts when we are machine and hand stitching the binding). But after fretting over it for a while I realized that in the end I came to the conclusion that working on each quilt is a learning process for me ( basically practice for the ones to follow).Thanks for sharing this. I'll check out Sophie's post.
I learn something new with each project I do...that is part of the fun! No slow stitching for me today...company coming!
each quilt is a learning process isn't it - the project I show is EPP something I have never done and I'm learning - well I continue or not LOL
I like the swirls so keep going. In no time, you will have another finish.
Later today, I plan on doing some applique stitching. I am very close to having a block done.
That's the truth! I always figured that "one day" I would know everything I needed to know about quilting and then the "perfect quilt" would come from my hands.... well... let's just say that with each quilt there really is something new to learn... and that "finished is better than perfect"! Enjoy the process! :-)
I have the same hang-up. I never know what is the best way to quilt my tops. I think just jumping in is sometimes the best--better done than not done!
I don't have any special enlightenment to add to the comments. I have never made a quilt that I was completely satisfied with. There has always been something I wish I would have done differently. But I've decided that I'm tired of that attitude and just to get on with it. "Finished is better than perfect", as moosecraft said, describes it perfectly.
I was waiting for inspiration to strike on my CS quilt... but your post a couple weeks ago to 'just do it' inspired me and it is nearly done. Thanks for all your inspiration through the year. Have a Happy Easter Kathy.
Quilting design is the part that hangs my projects too! I call the usual investigative stitching and ripping "ITIS" in my sewing room, an acronym for "I'll Try It & See".
Learning is the joy of life, surely :) I totally agree with you Kathy that the best way to make a decision is to just jump in and get going, though it's a pretty scary thing to do some of the time. I love your 'swirls' they're like smoke from home fires burning - it adds another cosy dimension to your lovely quilt.
Funny, I looked at the photo before reading the post and my first thought was, "I really like the way she put in those swirls." : )
Yea! I finally got to enter your linky.
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