accuracy--Am I too critical?
07-30-2014, 08:26 PM
#61
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 405
Originally Posted by Anne P
As others have said, Nope - not perfect, not by a looonng shot! But it is getting easier and better. I am currently working on a fall wall hanging that has 8 Maple Leaf blocks and 36 Flying Geese blocks. I've tried to be really, really careful each step of the way for all the blocks and it's paying off.
I'm convinced starch (or Best Press) is awesome, as is very accurate cutting, pressing, and sewing. I bought an 1/4" edge foot for my Bernina last winter and it's made a huge, huge difference for me.
As for ripping out seams, I do rip and re-do if a seam is more than a little off. I don't think I've had to do it more than twice, and that's really rare. I do use pins if I need to, and I sew very slowly, using my awl to feed the fabric through carefully.
I have been known to toss a block and make a new one from scratch, but haven't had to do that in a while. Be patient with yourself, relax, and enjoy the process. As they say, Rome wasn't build in a day!
I'm convinced starch (or Best Press) is awesome, as is very accurate cutting, pressing, and sewing. I bought an 1/4" edge foot for my Bernina last winter and it's made a huge, huge difference for me.
As for ripping out seams, I do rip and re-do if a seam is more than a little off. I don't think I've had to do it more than twice, and that's really rare. I do use pins if I need to, and I sew very slowly, using my awl to feed the fabric through carefully.
I have been known to toss a block and make a new one from scratch, but haven't had to do that in a while. Be patient with yourself, relax, and enjoy the process. As they say, Rome wasn't build in a day!
07-31-2014, 09:51 AM
#64
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: mesa, arizona
Posts: 418
Originally Posted by Kitty10628
I obsess over my seams lining up. Sometimes I rip the seam and try over and over and over!
Is your piecing perfect?
Is your piecing perfect?
07-31-2014, 10:36 AM
#65
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Portage, Michigan
Posts: 7,379
I am not a perfect person and my seams are not perfect either. I try, we all need a goal, but I also do not obsess over perfection. That would take away all of the joy of the project. This morning I did some ripping and resewing to make some corners match better. The emphasis is on better. Some did end up perfect and some were close enough. Guess I am a middle of road kind of gal.
07-31-2014, 03:10 PM
#66
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: The other Milwaukie, Oregon
Posts: 1,913
When I am ripping I try to ask myself, "Am I having fun?" If the answer is no then I find something else to do or let the imperfections be. After all, quilting's supposed to be fun not frustrating and stressful. If I have to be perfect at it, then its too stressful. I believe totally in the supposedly Amish mantra of only God makes perfect things.Relax and enjoy! No one will ever notice those slight errors after the quilt is quilted
07-31-2014, 05:20 PM
#67
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: North Fork Ca
Posts: 8,234
I try to be as accurate as possible, with cutting and seam allowances and still it doesn't always work out perfect. Only God is perfect, but when quilting, I try to get as close as I can. Takes a LOT of practice
07-31-2014, 06:11 PM
#68
Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 35
The original post could have been written by me . I enjoy the precision . I can buy quilts with mismatched seams at most retailers . I want my quilts to be the best that I can do . Sometimes I get stressed about the mistakes . I wish I could let mistakes go . I will be your friend in the precision lovers club .
08-11-2014, 10:45 PM
#70
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: N E OHIO
Posts: 343
Originally Posted by gshalom
Friend who started me on quilting said a rule of thumb is "If someone riding by on a horse can't see it, leave it alone.". I use this as a determinant if I should redo something.
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