Monday, June 6, 2011

Slowing down, way down...

When I first learned to quilt at my local quilt shop back July of 2008, a new lady entered the class that fall just as we had one quilt complete and were moving on to the second quilt.  The difference between us, me and her, was she was an experienced sewer, I was not.   Having a bit of competiveness in me, I tried to match her pace and her enthusiasm for getting tasks completed as quick as possible.  I dislike finishing last.  I learned a bad habit.  Today I must unlearn the need for speed.  I need to slow down.  I need to take my time.  I need to enjoy the process.  

What I find when I speed through a project is it ends up sloppy(in my eyes) and unacceptable.  Shifted fabric, uneven straight sewn lines which leads to bad pressing and unintentional wonky blocks.  Getting the 1/4", not getting the 1/4".  One word... INCONSISTENCY.  Going fast may work for some, but it really is not my style.  I want my the process to be easier not harder.  Going faster than my comfort zone and SKILL LEVEL makes it harder.  Rip, Rip, Rip...No, No, NO.  Slow, Slower, even slower.  Yes, Yes, YES!

I am starting over.  I am doing it MY WAY.  I am relearning all the techniques that works for me to make my blocks acceptable.  I am slowing down and making sure I don't have to Rip, Rip, Rip.