When it comes to quilting are you a perfectionist? If so, let me tell you, friend, perfectionism steals your joy. During my years of teaching, I saw so many quilters get frustrated because everything didn’t turn out perfectly. Points don’t always match, seams won’t always align, and blocks don’t turn out precisely the size they should. It seems that some days everything is spot on and then the next day, nothing goes right. Who knows why that happens, but it does. Maybe you are sitting at a slightly different angle at your machine. Maybe you are pressing seams a little differently or perhaps your fabric is a little stiffer or softer or a different brand. It could be your thread is a little thicker or maybe you are more tired or more energetic or maybe this or that or whatever. There are so many factors that go into piecing it is hard to get it right every time.
Focusing on perfection sucks the fun out of the process. It is discouraging to rip out seams and even more discouraging when you sew the seam again, it is still not perfect. Unless you plan to enter your quilt into a major show, don’t worry about perfection and find joy in the process.
It is always my hope that my quilts end up being used and loved to death. I have given away hundreds of quilts and no one has ever come back to me and questioned the construction. Most people don’t even realize that triangle tips are supposed to be pointy and seams should lie nice and flat. They don’t care about these things and just want a quilt to warm them on a cold day or to see a splash of color on the back of the couch.
One thing I know for sure, though, is the more you quilt, the better you get. I always joke that I’ve sewed so much on my Juki that I could get an accurate quarter-inch seam with my eyes closed. I’ve never tried it, but I bet I could come pretty darn close! Quilting is like anything else; you have to practice to get better. If something isn’t turning out exactly like you want, just keep going. Finish it the best you can and move on to the next quilt. Don’t let perfectionism keep you on the same project and prevent you from getting better. There is someone out there who would love to wrap up in your less-than-perfect quilt! Don’t deprive them of that joy.
Goals for the week of February 15, 2021
How did you do with last week’s to-do list? I always set high goals and rarely finish everything on my list (just like my housework list, haha!). What the list does, though, is keep me focused. If I am not actively trying to cross things off my list, I can easily start something new or get sidetracked into another project I happen to find.
This week, I came so, so close to falling down that rabbit hole with The Violet Quilt A Long. While piecing the blocks, I started thinking to myself, “I bet this quilt would be great for using up that bin of 5-inch strips I have cut.” Then a few minutes later, I thought, “You know what? I bet you could use charm squares and use color families for the pluses instead of the same fabric.” Before you know it, I had stacks of fabric pulled out.
As I looked for 5″ strips I found some that went together and then looked through the cupboards to find other pieces that would coordinate.
I came up with this palette–black, red, and pink. Don’t you think these fabrics would make a pretty quilt?
These charm packs of primary colors would make a nice quilt. Paired with the deep purple accent? Yes, please!
There is just too much beautiful fabric waiting to be used. Alas, both stacks of fabric are still stacks. I stayed with my list and except for the little bit of piecing I did for Violet, I ONLY worked on those projects.
Last week’s list and what I accomplished:
Finish quilting ombre stars- Finish blue floral UFO
- Piece tumbler top
Finish piecing blue starsPiece Rectangle Wrangle top
I’m happy with that progress. The blue stars were way more time consuming than I thought they would. I’m glad they are finished. I’m not 100% sure I’m happy with the quilting on Ombre Stars, but it’s finished and I will always take finished over perfection! Rectangle Wrangle will turn into two quilts because the original pattern is for a quilt larger than donation size. Most of those I like to make around 60″ x 80″ and I have enough blocks for a queen. I’m excited to get this one finished so will add it to next week’s list.
My list for the Week of February 15:
- Finish blue floral UFO
- Piece tumbler top
- Quilt Rectangle Wrangle
- Piece Violet blocks
- Binding Ombre Stars
I encourage you to make a list of things you want to accomplish in the next week. Don’t worry about getting everything perfect. Getting them finished will bring you joy!
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