Anyone else ok with "good enough"
10-23-2010, 06:12 AM
#211
Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Tennesse
Posts: 117
Some like it perfect and some don't.. I think it should be about you.. Your creation, Your happiness... Do what you like and enjoy.. Most of the time if you stress over the "Perfect", your the only one that notices it is not.. Let quilting be a joy : )
10-23-2010, 06:22 AM
#213
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Springfield,Or.
Posts: 491
Mattee
I'm with you. I only get fussy when I'm interning a contest, I do try to match seams otherwise,however I do not stress over perfect corners. Please remember GOD is the only one that is truly perfect.
:P
I'm with you. I only get fussy when I'm interning a contest, I do try to match seams otherwise,however I do not stress over perfect corners. Please remember GOD is the only one that is truly perfect.
:P
10-23-2010, 06:23 AM
#214
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Lewiston, Maine
Posts: 529
Originally Posted by cherylynne
People used to intentionally leave a mistake in their quilts. they called it a humility block. I try to get things as perfect as possible, but sometimes you can do more harm than good by ripping it out.
What a handsome little dude in your avatar!
10-23-2010, 07:25 AM
#215
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: East TN
Posts: 2,729
I'm only up to page 3 reading the replies, but I can't read the other 12 right now. But I wanted to reply, because I think there is a lot of wisdom in this thread.
My wife and I have been quilting for a couple of years, and have finished a few. We have struggled with the "doing our best vs. it doesn't have to be perfect" question several times. We have certainly improved as we tried different techniques and patterns. I think thing that has sealed the answer for me is when we give a quilt. The recipient (or the parents) are just in awe that we can even make a quilt. They look at all the pieces - even if it's just a simple 9-patch - and start to get an idea of what went into the quilt. They don't notice all the small errors that jump out at us because we know where they are. If we had a major error like a block out of place or turned wrong, we would definitely take it out and replace it, but the small stuff just isn't worth it. Finished is better than perfect.
Another thing we try to remember is that if we have done our jobs, this quilt will be falling apart in a few years because it has been used, washed, dragged around, and LOVED so much. I would rather the recipients love an imperfect quilt to death and ask for another one than to admire a nearly perfect one and not use it at all.
Darren
My wife and I have been quilting for a couple of years, and have finished a few. We have struggled with the "doing our best vs. it doesn't have to be perfect" question several times. We have certainly improved as we tried different techniques and patterns. I think thing that has sealed the answer for me is when we give a quilt. The recipient (or the parents) are just in awe that we can even make a quilt. They look at all the pieces - even if it's just a simple 9-patch - and start to get an idea of what went into the quilt. They don't notice all the small errors that jump out at us because we know where they are. If we had a major error like a block out of place or turned wrong, we would definitely take it out and replace it, but the small stuff just isn't worth it. Finished is better than perfect.
Another thing we try to remember is that if we have done our jobs, this quilt will be falling apart in a few years because it has been used, washed, dragged around, and LOVED so much. I would rather the recipients love an imperfect quilt to death and ask for another one than to admire a nearly perfect one and not use it at all.
Darren
10-23-2010, 07:50 AM
#216
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: northern, CA
Posts: 708
I just do "THE BEST I CAN" at that time. I always strive to be perfect, but the truth is I'm not perfect so I may never do a perfect quilt. But the joy others get when they recieve a quilt is perfect. It is a wonderful way to express your artistic ability and relax.
10-23-2010, 09:11 AM
#217
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: northeast Georgia
Posts: 662
I am a longarm quilter and I have that perspective. There are different degrees of "good enough." One person's "good enough" might be "unacceptable" to another person. Believe me, in my profession, I see a full range! I don't require a perfect quilt top in order to quilt it, but if the top is too lumpy or too not-square, it is impossible to quilt it. As for my own quilts, I want my work to reflect my skill and expertise, but I am not a fanatic. As in everything else, BALANCE is what we should strive for.
10-23-2010, 09:11 AM
#218
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Middle America
Posts: 707
Mattee, while I have just jumped into this thread and not read every page, I must say thank you for all the laughs it is delivering!
I tend to live by what I believe Eleanor Burns once said, "My points are all there, they just may be tucked where you cannot see them." Although I will admit I do grab the seam ripper on a few super bad goofs because I know my Mother is watching and hinting from Heaven that perhaps that could be a bit better. LOL
But going back a few pages on this thread, there was a post of guild members pointing out an error upon a show-n-tell quilt when the 93 year old sister of the quilt police stood up and said.."GLADYS, IF YOU CAN NOT SEE IT HANGING FROM THE BROOKLYN BRIDGE WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE?!?"
That comment just made my day! Now should anyone ever point out a misstep in my quilt, I may just stand up and quote that wise lady.
Mattee, please continue to enjoy quilting and stitching. I look forward to your posting a quilt photo soon.
I tend to live by what I believe Eleanor Burns once said, "My points are all there, they just may be tucked where you cannot see them." Although I will admit I do grab the seam ripper on a few super bad goofs because I know my Mother is watching and hinting from Heaven that perhaps that could be a bit better. LOL
But going back a few pages on this thread, there was a post of guild members pointing out an error upon a show-n-tell quilt when the 93 year old sister of the quilt police stood up and said.."GLADYS, IF YOU CAN NOT SEE IT HANGING FROM THE BROOKLYN BRIDGE WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE?!?"
That comment just made my day! Now should anyone ever point out a misstep in my quilt, I may just stand up and quote that wise lady.
Mattee, please continue to enjoy quilting and stitching. I look forward to your posting a quilt photo soon.
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