I've been afraid to quilt that stupid runner. Today, I sucked it up and started and you know, it ain't too shabby. It's absolutely nothing inspired - SID around the geese to start with then who knows? I made myself commit to an hour of sewing, and ended up spending two.
I've been a little stuck lately, and I think it's because I don't want to mess up. But we don't ever succeed if we don't allow ourselves the risk of some degree of failure. And this particular risk? STUPID! Miniscule! If I mess up quilting it, I tear it out and I do it again. Or I make it over. I have time, I have fabric, I have skills. I've told myself I had to quilt that string quilt myself, and I think that's where it started. It's HUGE. But it's not. It's nine little quilts that I'll sew together after they're quilted. I can do that! So what's the problem?
The problem is that I don't like being uncomfortable. And doing something unfamiliar is uncomfortable. But you know, if registered Republicans can help send a mother of five to the big chair in Congress, I can sit down in front of my sewing machine and push the little foot pedal. Nancy's job's WAY bigger than mine. Yeah? Oh yeah.
8 comments:
Ah, yes. Nancy Pelosi's already a role model for young women in America (you are still young, aren't ya?)! I love it.
My husband and I have been pretty darn smiley too since late Tuesday night--and it hasn't got a thing to do with romance.
Ain't it the truth?! Big smiles down here in Aussie-land, too. (I voted absentee before I left, hoping but not really anticipating). What a GREAT election!
And Dorothy, I know that paralysis when facing a quilt and fearing you'll "mess it up". But I know you'll do a wonderful job of it, and I'm looking forward to seeing the pics when you're finished. Sending good thoughts...
I know that paralysis too well - I have a nice small log cabin top that I'm afraid to ruin. Glad that you felt good after forcing yourself to dive in.
I had so much fun doing my election recap in class today!
Dorothy - good for you! Go for it! I think you'll do a fine job of quilting the runner. What's the worst that could happen? I can't imagine anyone coming to your house, picking it up off the table and examining it - and if they're critical, I know you'd slap a knot on their head!
Everyone feels that fear - I fear cutting into a beautiful piece of fabric, because I just know I'll regret using it, or it will be the wrong thing when the piece is put together...
Before you start quilting, you could print several copies of your picture of it, and draw your quilting lines on the pics to try out your design.
You'll never know what you can do until you try. ((hugs))
Ah, but that's the thing, Jeri, it isn't for me. Someone's paying me for it.
While my kids were playing at the park this morning, I reclined back in the driver's seat of the van (waiting for the Aleve to kick in) and practiced drawing the pattern for those white spaces on the roof with my finger. I think it'll be fine, and as I said, if it's awful, I can rip it out and start again!
Great idea about printing the photo, though - I can audition ideas before I commit to them.
Another smiling voter down here.
I know that fear, too. I have been wanting to make a quilt for Quilts of Valor, but I am afraid my best efforts will not be good enough.
I love Jeri's idea of drawing the design on the picture.
We are all paralyzed by that fear at one time and then again. But, as you so rightly said, there's nothing like just jumping in and doing it to get over it. I thikn the more you work at your quilts, the easier it gets to give yourself permission to slap that fear in the face and just do something creative. Sometimes the result is much better than you had planned anyway.
I too know that fear. But go for it. So what if it ain't perfect.
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