I Am An Addict
 

I am in love with the idea of quilting. I love collecting fabrics, notions, tools, etc. I look at my beautiful fabric all nicely folded on comic book boards and find that I don't want to cut them. I have a dedicated craft room with three machines. I have even bought a quilting machine and a frame. I even have an Accuquilt Go. I probably have 50+ quilting magazines. I buy all the quilting classes on Craftsy and watch them all the way through. I find I understand the techniques and "think" I could compete the quilts they show but I have yet to do that. I have only completed one lap quilt and have another top on my design wall. What is wrong with me? I have the desire and all the tools but I can't make myself complete quilts. I believe it is the perfectionist in me. I'm afraid my quilts won't be "perfect". I think I need an intervention.

Linda

I know mine aren't perfect. I look within myself and find the joy that working on quilts gives me. That is why I quilt. Then I realize perfection isn't necessary. To look at something I have finished, even with the booboos, is wonderful. I find that my children, grandchildren, and other family members do not see my booboos. They only see the colorful, soft (to them) wonderful quilt I have created for them. By all means, Linda, start sewing. Have a great time and show us what you did. I applaud them all.

You need a little push into the water. Can you take a class at a local quilt shop, or maybe invite someone over to sew with you just to get the juices flowing?

Don't you know there is nothing "perfect" in this world? Go for it. People used to put a boo-boo in their quilts . I don't know why, but they did.

I feel the same way. I have everything ready to go, but need a nudge to get going again. I cut out everything for a French Braid and then closed my studio door. I've been in there since, but just to admire my fabric and new items. I can't get going again. I have about 10 new quilting magazines and a few new books and haven't even opened them yet. So, you aren't the only one. It will come to me soon. I kind of think it's the nice weather. I don't want to hole myself up in my studio, I think. At least, that's what I'm blaming it on.

I have the same perfectionist tendencies... I think a lot of us do. Here's something that always gets me going - pick a very easy pattern, and make a charity quilt from your stash. You'll get some wonderful "warm fuzzies" thinking about donating the quilt, and it will give you a jump-start. Give it a try!

Life is too short to waste any of expecting perfection. For me, the process is the fun, and giving things away to someone who loves what I make. I have a little quilt hanger on a kitchen wall and make wall hangings to change by the season or occasion. If points aren't perfect, oh well. My midsection is a bit lumpy, too, and age spots decorate my once nice complexion. Those who love me don't care and anyone who finds fault isn't worth bothering with. Live joy.

Think of it this way: all those beautiful fabrics on the shelf wrapped around the comic boards will look so much prettier in quilts or tablerunners. We all like to acquire quilt making supplies, but we need to enjoy creating with them and using those fabrics and objects.

We crawled before we walked. We had training wheels on our bicycle. Our mother stood over us when we were learning to bake/cook.

We all have made mistakes and had to un-sew, with quilting, like most things we learn by our mistake (and we pray that we don't have to many). Go for it you will do just fine.

If I lived near you I would bring my kids over and give you a good kick in the tush to get cutting and sewing. I have a bit of ocd when it comes to many many things that I try to control and find that quilting is one of them. I have to force myself to remember that its okay to not be perfect yet i am still learning and will get better with time. I have three quilts that I need to start but just don't want to cut into the fabric because I love these fabrics and don't want to make a mistake. Sometimes we just have to jump in with both feet and eyes closed.