I must admit, that I'm getting frustrated with perfection
#121
Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Montana
Posts: 265
My quilts are made with love not perfection. I will not make a quilt for show and if you want to critisize my work, go tell it to someone who cares. The people who receive my quilts and such do not look for perfection and if they complain they will never see another one. Give yourself a break and quilt for the pleasure it brings. Perfection is over-rated in my book.
#122
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 2,122
I didn't read the whole post so I don't know if anyone else wrote this. I heard that the Amish women intentionally put a mistake in their quilts because the only one who makes anything perfect is God. So far, I haven't had to worry about that!
#123
When I read and see on the TV all of the "correct" ways and expensive tools, I think of my Grannie. Sitting in her rocking chair with a gift box lid on her lap. In the box were her scissors, scraps of fabric and her cardboard pattern and she was in the process of making a quilt. Quilts were for warmth not show. In her day there were no "quilt police", no classes, no shows, no scant 1/4" seams. Patterns were published in the newspaper (I have some of hers) or in magazines like "Workbasket". If you had a sewing machine, you were well off. My quilts are on my bed for warmth. A bedspread goes over them. My galloping horse is a race horse.
I purchased a piece of pottery when visiting the Navajo Nation. The artist pointed out the "mistake", one of which is in every piece he makes. He told me it was a Navajo tradition because no one is perfect. Now when I make something for my one daughter, she always asks me where the mistake is. She loves the Native American traditions because she is 1/8 Cherokee.
I purchased a piece of pottery when visiting the Navajo Nation. The artist pointed out the "mistake", one of which is in every piece he makes. He told me it was a Navajo tradition because no one is perfect. Now when I make something for my one daughter, she always asks me where the mistake is. She loves the Native American traditions because she is 1/8 Cherokee.
#124
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Fort White, Fl
Posts: 2,689
Originally Posted by Jill
I quilt for fun. I gave up perfection years ago. I like my quilts to look nice, and I do rip out my share of seams, but my quilts will never be in a show, will never be in a museum, but they will be in my house and the houses of family and friends, and I will be proud of them when I'm done. I keep telling myself that perfection is impossible so why should I drive myself crazy trying to achieve something I can never do.
#125
Super Member
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Orchard Park, NY (near Buffalo, which is near Niagara Falls)
Posts: 3,884
If our kids were in sports, we would probably all tell them, "It isn't whether you win or lose, it's how you play the game."
And I think perhaps this should also apply to making music, and quilting.
And I think perhaps this should also apply to making music, and quilting.
#126
For me, it's not about perfection as much as it is about trying to become a little better each time. I will never make the perfect quilt, but I also love my craft enough to try to become better by reading a lot of books, taking classes, and studying the tutorials posted on this great board. A key component, however, is that it has to be fun. If quilting isn't fun, why bother to do it? As a teacher I stress enjoying the art, but I also impart ways that have helped me to become more accurate. If I taught my students that none of it really matters, then we are striving for mediocrity. My biggest frustration during my first 2 years of quilting was inaccurate piecing and incorrectly sized blocks. I took a lot of classes and now, although I don't make "perfect" quilts I am a happier quilter because what I do is perfect enough for me.
#127
It's true that seeing a quilt with perfect points, say in a mariner's compass, is a joy. However, when I see pictures of the old quilts and their points are not perfectly pointy, I realize that perfection is just not as charming.
#129
Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Clifton, Texas
Posts: 48
If I quilt to be perfect then I would not quilt. I started worrying that my stitches in my hand quilting were not small enough or as good as others and then I realized that I want quilting to be fun. I have enough stress in my life and I quilt because it is fun and relaxing. So if you want to judge my quilting, you won't be getting a quilt from me.
#130
I love quilting and the minor imperfections are proof it is a homemade gift from the heart. The quilt I am currently working on is going to have a few not perfect seams but I have discovered after it is put together and quilted they don't really stand out and usually only the maker zeroes in on them. Everybody else especially non-sewers are impressed and love the hard work and effort that goes into making a quilt.
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