When making mistakes when do you stop?
10-29-2019, 03:05 AM
#33
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Delaware
Posts: 946
I keep a couple of mindless projects going for those days when I want to sew but just can't seem to follow the directions. If I make a mistake twice, I put that project aside and pull out an ongoing string block or begin a new improv block. Fulfills my "need" to sew but keeps my main project safe until I can tackle whatever issue I am having. And, sort of, keeps me sane?
10-29-2019, 03:30 AM
#34
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: New England, USA
Posts: 2,956
When I have make two or three mistakes on the same project in one day I quit. Often I do not recognize the signs soon enough however - lol - and I tell my self it will be fine. That's when I continue and get even more frustrated!
10-29-2019, 05:36 AM
#35
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Grass Lake, MI and Bradenton, FL
Posts: 785
For individual seams I have a "3 times and your out" rule. If I've had to rip out the same seam twice, the third one stays even if not perfect. If the 3rd try is really unacceptable I'll put it aside and start another block. Sometimes at the end I'll have enough scraps leftover to replace that bad unfinished block.
There are days when nothing goes right. If I've had to rip out 3 different seams within 15 minutes I'll quit for awhile.
There are days when nothing goes right. If I've had to rip out 3 different seams within 15 minutes I'll quit for awhile.
10-29-2019, 05:51 AM
#36
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Grass Lake, MI and Bradenton, FL
Posts: 785
Originally Posted by Rose_P
If the undo process was very long and frustrating I know that I have to give it a rest before I redo because if I don't chances are pretty good that I'll make another mistake very soon down the road. I'm much more likely to mess up if I'm tired or distracted. The most frustrating thing for me is to sense a hint (Is that fabric upside down? Do I hear a funny sound from the machine? Is the tension still set for the last project?) and yet find myself just continuing to the end of the seam or whatever. Disregarding even the least little bit of an anomaly is almost always going to result in just that much more un-stitching, but I seem to have an almost irresistible urge to fight that gut instinct that tells me something is wrong and I need to stop - NOW! - and find out what it is before it gets worse. There's a little lying devil on my shoulder saying, "Shut up! It's fine!"
I think my machine was trying to warn me! It just didn't want to sew that seam!
Last edited by janjanq; 10-29-2019 at 06:00 AM.
10-29-2019, 11:10 AM
#37
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Upstate New York
Posts: 2,004
I have no center vision because of a stroke. If I make a mistake I rip it out right away. If I make another, I rip it out again. The third time, I bundle everything up and walk away. It may be an hour or a day. But I feel that I am doing a horrible job and can't let it go. It is basically up to you how much you can put up with. I know I crocheted an afghan after I lost my sight and after I finished noticed a mistake in the 6th row. Needless to say my husband saw my arm going up and down while I was ripping out. I'm not perfect, but if I know there is an error, I can't let it go even if I know no one else will notice it.
10-29-2019, 12:04 PM
#39
Super Member
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 4,688
I can handle my first mistake , but I usually quit if it happens again on the same project because the mistakes seem to multiply after that. For my break, I either get a snack/drink, iron, or start to straighten the mess in the sewing room (I always have at least one part of the room that needs work 
10-30-2019, 03:33 AM
#40
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Upstate New York
Posts: 2,004
Originally Posted by QuiltnLady1
I can handle my first mistake , but I usually quit if it happens again on the same project because the mistakes seem to multiply after that. For my break, I either get a snack/drink, iron, or start to straighten the mess in the sewing room (I always have at least one part of the room that needs work
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