Go Back  Quiltingboard Forums >
  • Main
  • I must admit, that I'm getting frustrated with perfection >
  • I must admit, that I'm getting frustrated with perfection

  • I must admit, that I'm getting frustrated with perfection

    Thread Tools
     
    Old 02-03-2011, 04:53 PM
      #201  
    Junior Member
    Thread Starter
     
    Becky13's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Nov 2010
    Location: Montana
    Posts: 250
    Default

    Originally Posted by samifel
    Becky, I have been quilting for more years than I like to remember. My seams are not even 1/4 inch, because the foot under my machine is wider. My seams are more like 1/3 inch. My binding is put on completely different. I use 3 inch binding, I don't fold it in half and my corners are never mitered. I donate many of my quilts for worthy causes. Many make $1000 for the group. Do I like quilting...yes....are they perfect NO!!!!....are they warm and nice...yes. Don't worry about perfection, it's not to be had. Enjoy how you feel when you have completed a quilt and if it is given how much the person recieving it appreciates it. Keep quilting and be happy!!!!!
    Oh, I know my quilts aren't perfect in construction and I don't care about that. But they are perfect for whatever purpose I have made them. I got to thinking about the concept of perfection after watching a tutorial online and the instructor was soooo into perfection, I thought that some of this stuff has just gotten out of hand. Know what I mean? Good grief!
    Becky13 is offline  
    Old 02-03-2011, 04:56 PM
      #202  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: May 2010
    Location: Round Rock,Texas
    Posts: 6,135
    Default

    When I get stressed about my lack of perfection in my quilts, I make crumb blocks ala Bonnie Hunter. My points are usually all there, sometimes not. I love to make quilts, most of them go to either children or Quilts of Valor; they don't care if they are perfect, only comforting.
    Sharon W.
    purplefiend is offline  
    Old 02-03-2011, 05:00 PM
      #203  
    Junior Member
     
    76 and counting's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Oct 2009
    Location: Washougal Wa.
    Posts: 163
    Default

    My feeling is the quilts I make for my family are made for something to remember me by. I don't make heirlooms.


    76 and counting
    76 and counting is offline  
    Old 02-03-2011, 05:13 PM
      #204  
    Senior Member
     
    Busy Bee's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Nov 2009
    Location: Utah
    Posts: 301
    Default

    I quilt for fun and a since of accomplishment. I see all my imperfections and wonder if my quilt will be good enough to give away. Then when it is done and I step back all the imperfections disappear. I know that I will never be famous but my family loves them and I have helped out our church with all the ones I have made for them to auction or raffle off.
    Busy Bee is offline  
    Old 02-03-2011, 05:15 PM
      #205  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Jul 2010
    Location: Central Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA
    Posts: 7,695
    Default

    If and when you hit perfection, you'd best be prepared to hide. A lot of hiding. God doesn't take competition very well.....lol!
    madamekelly is offline  
    Old 02-03-2011, 05:33 PM
      #206  
    Senior Member
     
    Join Date: Jul 2009
    Posts: 935
    Default

    Very good points. Perfection just doesn't happen for me, and I've long since stopped trying to achieve it. It is a process, an outlet...in other words, a hobby. A hobby is meant to be enjoyed, not lose sleep over. IMHO, a quilter with a dusty seam ripper that is hidden beneath layers of cobwebs is a happy quilter!!
    meemersmom is offline  
    Old 02-03-2011, 05:36 PM
      #207  
    Super Member
     
    Lyncat's Avatar
     
    Join Date: May 2010
    Location: Sun City West, AZ
    Posts: 1,266
    Default

    Rosy, You are a wise woman who has a way with words.
    Lyncat is offline  
    Old 02-03-2011, 05:47 PM
      #208  
    Super Member
     
    spartan quilter's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Feb 2011
    Location: central North Dakota
    Posts: 1,398
    Default

    I have never made a perfect quilt, but I can say that every quilt I have made is unique, because no one else can put it together with the same boo-boos that I have. And no one has ever returned one of them, because they found a boo-boo in it. Just enjoy the creation.
    spartan quilter is offline  
    Old 02-03-2011, 05:50 PM
      #209  
    Junior Member
     
    Join Date: Sep 2010
    Posts: 108
    Default

    Originally Posted by Becky13
    Don't get me wrong, I LOVE quilting, but am frustrated at the sense that everything I do has to be perfect. Reading about the latest gadget that we can buy to make SURE that we get that 1/4" (minus two threads), just makes me sigh... And how we scurry to take out a seam when our blocks are off 3 threads. All the talk about being sure that everything is "exact". Are we quilting because it's fun? We're making a loving gift? Or is perfection the goal?
    Oh my, perfection, not in a million years. I once made a quilt that just would not square up but I finished it anyway. I lovingly gave it to my three dogs for a bed and that old quilt is now ten years old and the dogs take very good care of it. So-----------------perfection, no, but my little dogs didn't mind one little bit. I look at this old quilt every time I start a new top and give myself permission to just enjoy what I am doing and making sure I am pleased when it is finished.
    My sister has a hissy fit every time she visits me because she sees the dogs laying on a hand made quilt. I never saw the need to tell her why my little dogs have such a lovely bed. I do however, agree with one of the quilters who said she had to teach you in the best possible fashion and that means perfect 1/4 seams, less a thread or two. I would be very disappointed to take a quilting class and not be taught by a really good teacher. (Very good my teachers don't come home with me, huh?)
    Marvlin is offline  
    Old 02-03-2011, 05:53 PM
      #210  
    Power Poster
     
    Join Date: Nov 2009
    Location: West Roxbury, Ma
    Posts: 10,353
    Default

    You should quilt for fun and enjoyment while trying to cut things properly, sew a 1/4 inch seam, piece your block together as best you can, pick a good backing, sandwich it as best you can and quilt it to your desire. Wow that is a lot of work to worry whether it is perfect or not. Do the best you can and enjoy what you are doing.
    Annz is offline  
    Related Topics
    Thread
    Thread Starter
    Forum
    Replies
    Last Post
    american homestead
    Tutorials
    64
    10-31-2011 09:54 AM
    Snorky Lvs2Quilt
    Main
    16
    04-21-2011 09:57 PM
    sushi
    Main
    8
    11-19-2010 06:45 PM
    Lady Shivesa
    General Chit-Chat (non-quilting talk)
    9
    10-02-2010 05:55 PM
    sondray
    Links and Resources
    0
    08-07-2008 05:53 AM

    Posting Rules
    You may not post new threads
    You may not post replies
    You may not post attachments
    You may not edit your posts

    BB code is On
    Smilies are On
    [IMG] code is On
    HTML code is On
    Trackbacks are Off
    Pingbacks are Off
    Refbacks are Off



    FREE Quilting Newsletter