Seeking Perfection

Blogging may not be my "thing." I completely forgot to enter anything yesterday, although I had planned to write all about the applique class I attended.

As a quilter, I want to learn it all, but applique is at the top of my list. My dream is to one day make a stunning Baltimore Album quilt...and I want that "one day" to be in the next two years. For those of you who do not know what a Baltimore Album quilt is, I would suggest you Google it and perhaps even make a suggestion as to which one I should do. I am leaning toward the Baltimore Christmas, which I am fairly certain is not actually from the Baltimore Album.

Getting back to the subject (are you beginning to see why blogging is maybe not my thing?), I took an applique class yesterday. My friend Sharon's 60th birthday is quickly approaching, and the two of us share a love of quilting, so I thought it would be fun to treat her to an applique class for her birthday and, of course, I would join her. OK, I admit it was a birthday present with an ulterior motive, but I could have taken the class myself, so there!

Having viewed many tutorials on appliquing, I believe I already knew much of what I learned. However, I wanted reassurance that I was doing it properly, and I did learn the following:

1. why it is advantageous to use the correct foot

2. how to tie the threads in back and why they should never be left untied

3. which stitch to use

4. that the stitch length and width look best when they are equal

5. to SLOW DOWN

The result of my "learning" piece is shown above.

The most difficult lesson for me, and one I am not sure I will EVER learn, is that it is okay if the applique is not perfect. The instructor assured us that practice would help us improve and that by using the same color thread as the piece being appliqued, mistakes will not even be noticed. I, of course, want my first appliqued quilt to be perfect, and anything less will be disappointing.

I am One of Those who seeks perfection in my creativity. Aghghgghghgh