After reading Amy's post last month, I brought it out again and forced myself to work through this challenge. And one of the things I've noticed over time, is my increasing ability to say "that's good enough". So what if the math didn't quite work out, and the angles on the squares are often not 90 degrees, and there are a few issues in the quilting at the cornerstones (ie they are all different!)... it's all okay.
I give credit for the improvement in my healthier thinking to Angela Walters. Although I am not usually much of a perfectionist in any realm of my life, I have noticed a change in my quilting this year in terms of expecting even less perfectionism of myself. I notice less use of the seam ripper, less posting photos of my mistakes on the blog, and more acceptance of the "design opportunities" (formerly known as mistakes) as they occur.
 |
| perfect binding fabric |
Yep, turns out that I can!
The machine quilting is now done (imperfectly) and I found the perfect fabric for a Rainbow Scrap Challenge quilt binding. The binding is sewn on and you know what that means... a finish is soon to come! So excited!
24 comments:
I also have perfectionist tendencies. I have been working on letting this go and just enjoying the process . I am making quilts for enjoyment, not to win a contest. You found the perfect binding!
Finished IS definitely better than perfect. Only God can make a perfect quilt.
I agree, this is supposed to give us pleasure, not angst 😊😊
I don't do my own quilting, but it does matter. But I'm finding once projects are washed a lot of "sins" disappear. But boy it's hard when you've spent so much time on a project, you do want it to be just so. Good luck with further developing your healthy attitude.
I have not watched her shows yet sounds like I need too :)
I have a hard time with this as well! Angela is a big help! I'm proud that we can relax the bar a little!
-Jean 💟
Woohoo for working through your dilemma of how to quilt it. Onward to the binding..love that striped fabric...
It's easy to get bogged down like that. I'm glad you picked it up again and finished it - perfect or not. You will probably be the only one who notices. Love that binding on it too.
I wrestle with that perfectionist thing all the time. I want to think I'm getting better at overlooking imperfections and then, wham, I'm taking apart ablock because it's just not right. I love the Midnight Quilter and I want to believe Angela means it when she says not to sweat the small stuff, but her quilting looks pretty perfect to me. I like the knot quilt and I'm glad you're finishing it up.
Pat
I think Angela has empowered a lot of quilters to let go of being perfect - save that stuff for show quilts. It's much better to have a quilt finished and enjoyed, than sitting unquilted on a shelf!
I too am learning that for what ever reason--my stitching is often off--like the kite blocks--mine come out at 91/4" square, which is an odd size--but--they are all coming out to that--sooo--it will work out somehow!!
Glad you are learning to let go--it is good for us!!
enjoy, di
I definitely needed to read this post. It is my problem! Now for some studying from the posts you mentioned, Kathy. Thank you.
I am a definite convert to the perfectionism doesn't make and mistakes don't break a quilt! I'll never be a show quilter. I don't have it in me to be that precise. Where did you find that binding fabric? It's PERFECT! I want some!
Very interesting pattern. I blew it up and it is not a difficult pattern, but the way you used the different blues, etc in placement really makes the quilt!
I love that rainbow stripe for the binding and have a little scrap of it that I'm hoarding, ha! I'm glad to hear that you're enjoying the hobby more by stressing about perfectionism less. It's so easy to get caught up in comparing our own worst examples to everyone else's best work. As Angela says, "Finished is better than perfect!" :)
I am also one of those quilters that Angela has helped! I am learning to relax better about my mistakes. Sewing is supposed to be my stress reliever from a difficult job, so I need to make choices that allow me to chill out!
Love your choice of binding for this project!
We all love finishes! And I'm certainly no perfectionist myself, will never win any prizes in a show. Near enough is good enough together with finished is beter than perfect seems to fit me best. Oh dear, after reading that last statement perhaps I should hang my head in shame.
I watch Midnight Quilt Show too! Learning with humor (and fabric) is always a fun time! :-) I look at it this way.... it's what you plan on doing with your finished quilt that makes the difference...if your going to take it to ball games, picnics and fireworks...and perhaps maybe even use it to keep warm and cozy for a nap....then stitch it the best you can and enjoy the process! :-)
Leave the agony of attempting perfectionism to the folks that want to enter (and win) competitions... lol! ;-)
I watch Angela too. Glad you have a near finish on your rainbow quilt.
It's a busy month for me. Have fun binding.
Good for you, Kathy! Sounds like I need to take quilting lessons from you and Angela, so I am less uptight about it.
Wonderful binding fabric!
Congrats on the finish and I checked the link out to watch on You Tube later :)
Kathy, Much like you, I love mystery quilts. I am trying to remember from which blog you got the mystery quilt pattern that you used your shweshwe fabrics in. Sorry for the dangling participle! However, I remember the quilt being not too large and I thought that I might try their next mystery quilt if I can link up with them. Thanks in advance, Jan. Janice.snell@gmail.com
LOVE your binding choice! Need to buy more, and cut the next one on bias, that is what i'd want to do.
Great to see that quilt dobd and perfect binding!!
Post a Comment