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I am a perfectionist in some areas of my life because what I do for a living demands it, but I also recognize that I am human and humans aren't perfect. When I'm quilting, also because of where I am in my life right now, I'm in the have fun, get it done, make something of good quality someone can enjoy, and move on to the next project. For most of us, this is a hobby and something we do because we enjoy it. It definitely doesn't have to be perfect. Let go of the perfectionism if it's not an aspect that you enjoy.
Some people really enjoy getting perfect points and will rip out the seam and try again to get it perfect. I rarely ever rip unless it's something I really can't live with, like joining 2 rows and being off by an inch :D If I get a perfect point, yay me! If I don't, meh it'll quilt out anyway. No one is ever going to pick on you about whether or not your seams match or if your points are pointy unless you ask them to - like a judge in a quilt show. So, it's your hobby. Please enjoy it! Delight in it. Rub your face in the fabric - I know I do sometimes!! I definitely go pet some fabric when my tots are being monsters and they love to come in the guest/fabric room with me to pet fabric so everyone can calm down. Rejoice in those perfect points when you get them, and if the points really frustrate you - there are tons of quilts that don't require points :) Forgot to add: There is a really great book called The Improv Handbook for Modern Quilters (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/16...?ie=UTF8&psc=1) if this is more your style of quilting. I bought the book because I was inspired by this quilt: http://patchthegiraffe.blogspot.com/...t-score-9.html There is some great advice in the book about letting go and being free to cut and piece. It was a great read even if you never make any of the projects out of it. |
Does one need to be a perfectionist? Short answer - no.
But I am happier with my work when it turns out to be " good enough for me". |
If you think you have to make a perfect quilt then quilting is not for you because you will be disappointed over and over.
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Originally Posted by Onebyone
(Post 8239011)
An Amish person told me that was not true. No Amish would ever presume they could make something as perfect as God could so no deliberate mistake was needed. She had no idea how that myth got started but she has heard it all her life and no Amish wants to be perceived to others as they think they can be perfect.
Some of the best workmanship in quilts I have seen have been made by Japanese quilters. See now, with the story about the Amish/imperfection thing, I always thought it was a flattering thing, because their work is so good, fairly impeccable! Not that they *claimed* it, just that their reputation as craftspeople was worthy... Goodness knows I'm a zillion light-years from perfection myself. I think I've come to realize and accept the things I do will never be show-worthy let alone perfect. Nonetheless I like the *practice* of quilt making, as I'm always learning things. And in the end I end up with a perfectly serviceable object, right? |
The short answer to your questions is no! I would venture to say that even quilters who have won top prizes in top quilt shows have imperfections in their quilts. After the quilt is washed you will find that so many of the things you see as mistakes will just blend right in & not ever be noticed. When I first started quilting & gave a quilt away I would always point out my mistakes to the recipient. Finally I came to my senses & realized that most people don't even see the obvious mistakes that I make on quilts & more important than that, they don't care about mistakes...only about the fact that I made them something special. So my suggestion to you is don't ever apologize for a mistake on a quilt or point it out to others. You will feel much better & so will the one who receives it.
Just do what makes you happy & enjoy your new found hobby. |
Not at all, but if you want points to be pointy you need to be careful. I find that using the quarter inch foot and not worrying about it results in most being pointy. And if you press things so seams nest together that helps keep things matched up. There are lots of patterns without points or matching seams.
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I quilt because it is so relaxing and I enjoy it so much. I definitely am not a perfectionist but as I look back at some of my first projects I can see big improvement in my matching corners and making more exact blocks. I am sorry that you feel you need to be a perfectionist because I don't think that is why most people quilt. Just sew if you enjoy and your preference will be very rewarding to you.
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Since there is no such thing as perfection of course you do not have to be a perfectionist. I believe as long as you strive to do the best you can that is enough. You are the only one you need to please. Every quilt has some sort of ( blooper) enjoy the process, the creativity and the pleasure of making something- with practice workmanship gets better and better. And remember in nature- no two leaves are identical- the perfection is in the imperfections.
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How do you define “perfectionist”?
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Perfectionist means different things to different people or quilters.
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