I think I worried more about "doing it right" when I started than I do now.

With experience and seeing what other people have done, I've come to this major conclusion. If the maker is happy with it and it serves the purpose for which it was made, all is well.

When I see what people created when they had to "make do" - WOW!

It may or may not suit my taste, but that's not really the point.

Yes, there will be those "learning projects" - but think of all the homework we did when we were in grade school. How much of that do we still keep? And how hard do we kick ourselves that we weren't perfect in first grade?
Sometimes a project just isn't worth the effort of trying to salvage. It served a purpose - one learned something in the process.

Agreed!!

Kyia

Same here.

Agree :!: :!: Good point.

I agree, otherwise I would give up. You said it all just right :D

Amen!!!

Some people are so good with words. I agree with your comments...if I like it that is all that matters.
And now I know where all those UFO's (learning projects) of mine come from!

Does this mean that I won't have to finish my UFO's. Yeah! I like the thought that it doesn't always turn out according to hoyle and it is what it is.

Yes, I learned this lesson from my niece who recently got me started quilting again. I think that was one of my problems, looking for perfection. My niece's quilts were gorgeous. As she showed them to me she pointed out a few OOPs spots that I wouldn't have noticed, but mentioned that they didn't bother, she just keeps going. And she's ending up with gorgeous completed quilts. So now I've adopted that policy and I'm getting lots more accomplished.

I have a sign that I think sums it all up. "Remember only God is perfect, our quilts don't need to be." javascript:emoticon(':wink:');
javascript:emoticon(':wink:'); Also, forgive me if I'm long windedjavascript:emoticon(':oops:');
javascript:emoticon(':oops:');, here is something else I saw that I like very much, could be my epithaph. Sewing is to me: ...a gift from my Mom. ...a decorating tool for my home. ...a necessity with growing children. ...a comfort as a family grows. ...a hobby as a family goes. ...a friend as I age. ...and a gift to pass along to my children.

I'm sure you could stick 20 of us in a room and give us the same project and we'd come up with 20 different routes to get there.

Really don't think there's a right way/wrong way or even an easier way over another. Thinks it's YOUR preferred method. It makes sense to you and it's easy for you to do.

I think that is called created--activity..!!!! We each have an idea and that makes items unique.
I have seen people in this group GROW with the help of others. And look at all the ideas that come up when one of us hits a bump in our project.

I agree. Every quilt I've made is a learning process and I've learned with each and every one. I don't worry too much about the little "boo, boos" that we all make but just focus on enjoying the process and learning experience!

I was told by a gifted art teacher
"There are no mistakes in art , only opportunites to show YOUR creativity"
I have to remind myself that with quilting......I am NOT happy with my first block but David thinks its awesome.

I like this. Think we all need to keep that in mind.

I agree. I am finally coming to the conclusion that I don't have to keep ripping to get the "perfect" block. The guest speaker at our guild meeting said their is no such thing as a "perfect" quilt. So as long as I like it and am satisfied that's all that matters.

I agree 100%, one of the quilts I'm making for Christmas I didn't cut the fabric quite right for the block I was making, so I sewed it together anyway, and then cut it down a bit, and while it's different from the "original block" I think it's more beautiful for my "hidden" flubs. Completely one of a a kind. ;)

I'm not entering it in a contest or anything like that, and the person to whom I'm giving it doesn't know anything about quilts. The sewing part is all good straight seams, everything is sewn in well, but I left the pattern in the dust. :)

When I started working on it, I kept telling myself "I'm not perfect and this is proof, that I don't pretend otherwise", but you can't tell that from the quilt... [img]http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_q_ISANhSeT...lyboflismy.jpg[/img] [img]http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_q_ISANhSeT...bosideflim.jpg[/img]

Pretty quilt.

My mom - who was a very wise woman - and I miss her - too bad we only start appreciating people like her when we are older -

said: "Perfection is impossible. Excellence is possible."

Had another person I worked with that said: "Sometimes 'good enough' IS
good enough"

Sometimes the clay pot is much more useful than the big fancy imported antique enameled vase.