To Be A Perfectionist



In the last few months I have been trying to conquer my overwhelming perfectionism. It really kills my sewing mojo at times. Let me explain.

There is nothing I really love more than nice neat straight stitches. A well put together garment is delightful. And I really really love the part where people comment, "you made that? It looks store bought!"

I am also guilty of looking at others terrible garments, and lamenting that they are so terrible. Heh, I cant believe I just owned up to that.

So while pushing myself constantly to achieve perfection I slowly became exhausted, and my motivation to sew was lost. I have enough going on in my life that if I don't enjoy sewing, I don't sew. So my lovely readers, perfectionism must go.

You know what? All those people with terrible garments, wonky top stitching and a terrible fit,

they are all still sewing!


And I guarantee they are enjoying it. Putting fabrics together and having fun, seeing their garments worn and loved. I want to be one of them. So these are the specific things I am going to work on.

  • Overlocking is my friend.
  • Backstitch and trim is fine.
  • If something fits a little bit wonky, too bad. Seriously, I never try clothes on my children at the store and I NEVER care about the fit of that garment when I get home.
  • Absolutely no one but me notices wonky top stitching, and I do not have to photograph it for you readers ;)

There are plenty of other points I need to work on so may update you guys in future.

I really want to get back into the sewing room! :) Can you think of anything else I can add to the list?

18 comments:

  1. I love the last point! No one needs to see if there is a wonky stitch - just photograph the good ones ;-)

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  2. Pam@Threading My WayFebruary 02, 2014 10:49 am

    You hit the nail on the head... no one will notice your wonky stitching, other than you.

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  3. Alisa @ A Stitch in BetweenFebruary 02, 2014 11:28 am

    You go girl! Kick that perfectionism out the window! Wonky stitches unite!

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  4. Haha thanks I'm glad that its totally okay to do so! :)

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  5. SO many people have told me not to worry so I need to listen to their advice!!

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  6. Hahaa LOL woo! Yay for wonky stitches!

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  7. Speaking as someone who loves to finish a project, no matter how messy or wonky, I must say I love seeing the finishing that you do. There are details there that I'm too lazy to bother with ;) I think a mix of both perfectionism and um...unperfectionism (I think I just made that word up) is good!

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  8. Yeah a mix is what I am aiming for, I am my own worst sewing enemy. :)

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  9. Natalie @sewoutnumberedFebruary 03, 2014 2:06 pm

    haha :) You make me laugh because I'm so similar!! Maybe not quite to the same extent but there's nothing more satisfying than a beautiful straight line of stitching :) And I totally agree about the store bought stuff. Since I've started sewing more for my kids I realise how badly made some of that stuff is - and its not always the cheap stuff either!!

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  10. I agree! I am shocked when I look inside expensive garments at times. But you know, no one cares so the manufacturers don't care. That's why we have to try and be balanced about our own creations huh.

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  11. Oh Abby I used to have only one colour of pegs and would hang my washing in a very precise method, but I am working on that too. Also my dishes had to be done in a certain order... OCD tendencies! But alas it is not worth the pain I put myself through haha. :) Glad you understand where I am coming from.

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  12. Natalie @sewoutnumberedFebruary 05, 2014 12:19 pm

    I think we need to start an OCD tendencies anonymous group - I do my dishes in a certain order too! haha :) Not quite to the extent of colour coordinating pegs though - you ladies could be a bad influence :/

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  13. I'm sure it would be a very popular group.

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  14. LOL at times I probably need a support group.

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  15. Hayley@Come to the Mouse HouseFebruary 07, 2014 1:54 pm

    This is SOOOO true, I can't even stand it! I can't tell you how many times I sat there and criticized my own work and it stalled me from finishing. It caused me to go mad! Great post

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  16. Oh no! Haha your sewing is beautiful Hayley. :) Glad I came out with my secret then, seems I'm not alone!

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  17. Oh I know how that goes :) you need to sign up for something to kick you into gear ;)

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  18. Oh Olga lol I think there is a few of us :) I just want to sew more I guess instead of worrying about it!

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