True for quilting too.
 

I had returned to my motel, after listening to a wonderful speaker at the Oshkosh Sew-in, slightly depressed about my quilting compared to her phenomenal work. She has published many books and has won countless awards. My pieces, compared to hers, look amateur and very un-prize worthy. Granted, she has been at it 33 years to my 6, but I don't think I could have produced anything near what she has even if I had been quilting that long.

I turned on my Ipad and immediately found a post from a friend on Facebook. The post was a letter Kurt Vonnegut wrote to high school writing students. The second paragraph moved me instantly and I saw my quilting in a new light. Here is what it said:

" Practice any art, singing, music, dancing, acting, drawing, painting, sculpting, poetry, essays, fiction, reportage, no matter how well or badly, not to get money or fame, but to experience becoming, to find out what's inside you, to make your soul grow."

Beautifully said, don't you think? Yes, I have made mistakes in quilting. But I continue to practice, go to workshops, meet wonderful people, and enjoy buying even more fabrics for my growing stash. What could be better than that?

Oh yes, I absolutely agree, and I'm still in year 1

I went to the Sewing and Quilting Expo in Atlanta yesterday. My husband said something that I know he truly feels; he doesn't want the perfect quilt. He wants the one that was planned, thought out, labored over , and was given with love, warts, and all.

I have been to many quilts shows and saw many different levels of quilts. I have a friend that enters her quilting in smaller shows/fairs/?? what ever, and she has 1st place ribbons on many of her quilts. However, she is on disability and has a lot of time to "practice." When I was out of work, I sewed almost every day. But I need to work, so when I found a job, it has gone from 8 hours a day to 10-12 hour days. I don't have the time or even the desire most days.
I don't believe this makes us terrible quilters. Your speaker is a full time quilter, as is my friend. They devote most of their time to practicing/working on their craft, and I cannot do that right now. I don't compare my work to others, because it is mine, good or bad. And if I and the person it is made for likes it, then that is all that matters.
Happy Quilting!
susan

It is the doing it and the living it that makes any undertaking an adventure. K. V. has always been one of my favs'. Thanks for the memory.
peace

Oh honey, I have been quilting since the mid 1970's, and I learn something new (about quilting) all the time.Quilting is constantly changing. Back when I first started it was templates and scissors, and we did it by hand. Also I had 3 little girls, 2 born in the same year 1974 ( not twins) so not a whole lot of time to devote to it. Now I have retired and spend almost every day in my sewing room, and I am still learning, and loving every minute of it!

This is a man who gets it. Hang on to him!!

YES, beautifully said.

Here's another....a line from Desiderata - "if you compare yourself to others, you may become vain or bitter - for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself"
Your Vonnegut quote was really inspiring......and i'll remember it when i am feeling a quilting low.
I try to look at it this way....I want my quilts to reflect the vision i had - if there is something i don't like - i do my best to fix it. But i also know that if i practiced every day all day for most of my life - i could never paint the Mona Lisa....Same with quilting...mine will always be the very best work i can do - but my best will probably be shabby next to someone else's best. I'm ok with that.

I enjoy making flimsy tops using different techniques and patterns.i make all my tops for me how I like it. After wrist surgery I began a reverse applique quilt for me by hand. Then when it wS together and needed more quilting was ready to use the machine, this thread has just made me panic. My friend asked for more quilts at the uttoxeter show staffordshire, it's going to be judged , it was never intended for that it was definately just for my pleAsure, what have I done.

This is a wonderful quote!

There are those of us who have been "practicing" for over 30 years with just this very idea in mind.
Personally, I don't really care how my quilts are "critiqued" by others; they're pretty much made for me, myself and I .... whether I give them away or not. :)

Jan in VA

For me, personal growth ( excluding weight gain!) Is important - even though I do have a competitive, perfectionist strreak when it comes to piecing.

I am always pleased with myself when I figure out how to do something new - or when I finally understand the WHY of a concept ( such as why +7/8 inch for HSTs)

I have always felt "Imperfection is perfectly ok. Therefore I am perfectly imperfect" Nuff said. The Good Lord made me that way.

Sometimes I think we just don't give ourselves credit. I have been at this 10 years and have seen quite an improvement, don't feel my quilts are show worthy, but I think they are closer than they were 10 years ago, and I hope in another 5 years for them to be show worthy.

I have won ribbons with some of my quilts and some I hear on lookers say well if this can hang in the show I know my can too! LOL. My Viewer's Choice ribbon means more to me then the Best in Show ribbon I won at the local quilt shows. The VC quilt had points cut off and mismatched seams. I almost didn't enter it.

My Quilts aren't perfect and never will be. However, every time I make a quilt I learn something! I put that in my brain.... or actually I write it down for further reference... and remember it next time. The next project is better. I look at Quilting as an evolving art. The more time you spend on it, the better your results will be. I always know I can do better so I strive for that. I do love the K.V. quote!
One other thought, I subscribed to a well known blog by a very well known quilter whom I admire very much. After a few weeks I actually felt defeated because this quilter's level is sew sew sewww far above anything I could possibly achieve at this stage of my quilting capabilities. I actually unsubscribed from the blog and am now concentrating on less intense, magnificent over the top, incredible works!! lol I know my quilting skills will continue to improve, when I am ready for more challenging projects I will check back in with that blog and be inspired instead of feeling defeated! JMHO

He must have had a great mother .....

I make quilts because i enjoy it.. I make them to be loved and use.. I make them to comfort a loved one during a difficult time.. I make them to snuggle under on a cold chilly day.. All of mine are NOT perfect, wonky,cut off points, seams not 1/4 in, mismatched of sorts but they ARE perfect for the loved one its intended for..

Dont be so hard on yourself.. Enjoy what you do, learn, grow, and have fun..

Absolutely I agree -- I've been quilting for 40 years, and those quilts will never be art quilts or something that will win a prize in a show. The best prize to me is the happy face of the recipient, and hearing (even many years later), "we still have your quilt on the back of our sofa to cuddle in when its cold." It's even better when I get a child's quilt back to replace a worn piece of binding or to restitch something, because it tells me the recipient is loving their quilt to the point where its wearing a bit. I get so much enjoyment out of the making of it, and giving, those gifts of love to others. Someday I'll actually get one made for ME! I've given away every one I've made so far, and it would number in the hundreds with baby quilts counted.

I love this quote and try to live by it. Comparing myself to anyone always results in a bad outcome, whether I come out favorably or not. Thanks for the reminder.

Many times I think my quilting isn't up to par but then I see the looks I get from those I gift them to and realize they are treasured and loved. To me that is what is the most important thing. We all have different tastes and skill levels -- that is ok -- we will continue to grow in our craft. Enjoy what you do.

Perfect words. I've been quilting for more than 30 years. At least 20 years ago I stopped sucking all the joy out of it by allowing myself to accept that I've done the very best I can on each project. I'll never be great at it and everyone loves what I make for them. I have definitely improved over the years but I'll never win any awards and that's just fine by me.

That's something I have to repeat to myself often.

I quilt for the satisfaction it gives me. If other people like it too that's a bonus. I love having hobbies I can put on hold when I need to and return with great appreciation of creating something. Mine will never win prizes but that's ok. I don't want to make my playtime into a drudgery.

Agree with all the posters. It's about the journey and not the destination. :) I definitely admire and aspire to reach such levels, but who knows if I'll ever achieve it. We do it because we love it!

When I fret over some mistake I think I've made in a quilt, my DH says,"You worry too much, it was made with love and no amount of perfection can replace that! Besides I don't see any mistakes!" I love that man!!

Too often we cripple ourselves with comparisons and negativity. There's enough people out there in the world to do that...you don't need any input from yourself. Wise words from KV and our fellow QB'ers. Quilt on....and be proud and happy with your work.

this is an inspiring topic as i have made my tumbling block quilt for a baby shower and spent 2 days almost crying because i couldnt get it perfect...after all the problems and the ripping out more than i care to mention..I am finished it is far from perfect but i created it and it is made from the heart..so i am better with it now

joyce888,
IMHO, you might need to keep him!

My thoughts exactly

My quilts have hung at the county fair, and local quilt shows. They don't go to juried quilt shows. Some have won ribbons, etc. But the best awards are the hugs and remarks from the grandkids when they hang on their beds. Just yesterday I gave a requested quilt to my 42 year old grandson and he said, "Grandma, this is SPECTACULAR!" He gave me a big hug and a kiss and that's the best award of all! No ribbon or amount of money could replace the love he expressed.

My feelings exactly. I absolutely do my best & so far all of the recepients are sew very grateful & that's the most important aspect for me.
I also have a very supportive & encouraging hubby who thinks my quilts are fantastic - how can you
beat that ???

2manyhobbies,

What a great quote! Thank you for sharing! This will continue to inspire me as I quilt down two paths. One is making "covers" for Project Linus mostly. I try for fun fabrics and easy patterns expecting these quilts to be used and abused with love. The other path (with FAR fewer quilts made) are quilts that are "pretty" but more challenging. They may be a Bonnie Hunter Mystery or the like just to stretch myself. These are done mostly for my DH who enables my fabric and other quilting purchases something terrible. I must say that I learn from both but I enjoy making the covers for the kids far more.

I prefer my quilts to be used - worn out even - and not kept for show. Yesterday I had to repair a scrap quilt I made in the 70's that my DH used to wrap a chair we bought. The wind damaged two corners but that was fine. This quilt has been "in service" and has earned its stripes!

About a month ago, I took my Easy Street to my son and one week later, their heating went out just ahead of a snow storm. They put Easy right to work and I was thrilled. Every quilt needs a job. For some it's to be seen and admired. I will never make these kinds of quilts but I so love to go visit them and be blown away and inspired when they are displayed. That also makes my soul grow.

Life is full of ups and downs just on an ongoing basis. Quilting is the one thing in my life that I can pretty much count on to restore peace and certainly contentment. I may tire of a single project, but, I never tire of the process and the challenge of doing my best work. I would like to enter a competition just for the fun and experience and I keep saying I am going to do it but never quite get the job done. Quilting is my therapy on many levels. I can't imagine not being able to do it. It is like the glue that holds the rest together. I strive for new accomplishment because I am an adventurer but I am happy with what I do. I give most of my work away because I like to share with others who have needs or just because I care about them. Our world is full of difficult things and I need a place of peace-in my sewing place.

I've copied some of these wonderful quotes in my quilting notebook: quotes from Kurt Vonnegut, Dessiderata, and the husband of Joyce888.
They will continue to give me inspiration and joy.

I agree. I try to improve with every quilt, but don't beat myself up over imperfections. I'm retired. Quilting is a hobby, so my main objective is to enjoy. If I can do that and end up with a pretty quilt, I'm satisfied.

Wonderful quote. My quilts are for me or people I love. Each one gives me more knowledge about quilting and keeps me out of trouble! I don't even share what I do with my guild. When I joined, they made sure that I knew there were several quilters who'd shown quilts in Paducah. Kudos to them, but I don't need their critiques to make my quilts okay. I do love to learn new things, and if I ask that's a whole 'nother thing than being told!

The only person you should compare yourself with is yourself. If you tell yourself you can't do something you are setting your self up for failure. Better to tell yourself I'll do that some day with plenty of practice, and even if I don't make it I'll enjoy the journey trying to get there.

Aim for the moon, even if you miss you'll end up among the stars.