I made the pattern so there are no Y-seams. Not because I avoid Y-seams, but because I know some of my fellow quilters won't even consider them. So I figured out a method that worked without them. It was fun!
And of course I quilted it like a maniac. Also in the magazine is an article I wrote called "The Five Distinct Skills of Free-Motion Quilting". All well and good, but then I saw this (below) on the cover of the issue and just wanted to cry.
I would really love people to stop using the word "perfect" with the phrase "free-motion quilting". And I would extra love if that could not happen, say, to the things that I wrote! Less perfection and more snuggling quilts please. Less perfection and more people creating with joy and self acceptance.
Hoping you are getting some quilting fun lately! I'm going to be a part of Sam Hunter's Back to School Blog Hop so I'll be back soon with a tutorial on joining quilted pieces by machine. Looking forward to showing you my method!
14 comments:
I agree, "perfect" is not a word that should be used with Freemotion Quilting. Accepting our work, warts and all, is the best skill we can learn. I love your work and your attitude towards creating Christina.
You have such a great, positive attitude and it really enthuses people to try FMQ.... it comes across in your Craftsy classes so well, which I really enjoyed.... just having difficulty finding time to practice!! Christine x
The biggest "hurdle" I constantly encounter is the very same thing......getting past the "perfection" syndrome!!!!! How could anyone find enjoyment in the (almost obsessive) pursuit of creating the 'perfect' anything!?! I'm totally with ya on this one and so wish we/I would not see another mag cover sporting such a 'come-hither' title!!!!! If a body wants perfection(?), find a LA with a computerized system and go for it. The "human element" will have completely been eliminated from the finish! My clients & students find freedom and joy in the "hand-guided, FMQ" that I do and teach. You go girl...........I have your back...........hugs.............
I agree. Handmade is not perfect.
As we say in Saori weaving, the flaws create a unique beauty. Every flower is beautiful, even if a petal is missing.
That's a gorgeous quilt Christina! The colors you used combine in a way that just glows! It is also really cool that you did it scrappy! I'm very intrigued about how you avoided Y seams and am going to have to buy an issue! It is really a bummer that they added the word perfect to the cover. They must have gotten swept away with enthusiasm for your quilting. I'm completely in love with your wild and free quilting and can totally see how seeking perfection would be a hindrance to that kind of joyful design.
I was in Portland last week for the National Model Railroad convention. the ladies made about 30 quilts for Project Linus during the week while our husband were busy with trains. I was doing some FMQ on one of the quilts and talking with a lady who said she had tried it but was intimidated. I was telling her about your books and inspiration for me. when she left, she thanked me for the inspiration and said she was going to start spending a little time every week practicing so she could build her confidence.
You had me at "figured out a way to join without Y-seams" ha! Love that Super Star. So agree with the "perfect" does not belong in a sentence with FMQ. Think about cursive writing--that was, and still isn't today "perfect". That would be machine-generated, handwriitng font on a computer. As Angela Walters says, and I own a bracelet of hers, "Finished is better than perfect". Glad to have quilting gurus like you two around to inspire us. Hey! I used Bauble on my last finish! :-)
Lovely quilt! And I just have to say that the name Wild Quilting for a class is PERFECT! There's something very freeing about being able to just quilt!
I've always felt that perfection is highly over-rated - and boring!! Our mistakes give us freedom to create something unique and fun. Let's embrace that!! PS Love the quilt - must find the magazine!!
Love the Superstar quilt and the fun quilting you showed. Bet your students will have blast with the wild quilting class :)
I'm with you about "perfect" FMQ, or perfect anything, for that matter. Myself, I am far more intrigued with the concept of 5 skills to master to improve my FMQ than by a headline about 5 tips... Tips are too broad; skills give me something concrete, a progression of masteries to work toward.
Perfect is overrated and for me has held me back from trying something new. Yesterday I finally quilted a mini quilt adding stippling and straight lines as well. I remembered your tip to include onesies and twosies and that really helped me relax. A relaxed quilter is much better than a a perfect one, in my case. Thank you, Christina, for living in my quilting head with positive tips.
Yes, perfection is overrated! It is all the little wobbles and imperfections that make quilts special. I figure that as long as I am happy with what I've done, it is "perfect" for me!
Love the colours. Reminds me of pop art.
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