I think learning that there really is no such thing as a perfect circle in the physical world sometime in my early adulthood helped me let go of “perfection.” I care a lot about precision and accuracy, but understand that there really is no such thing as perfection created by humans - not if you look close enough, measure small enough. This is particularly the case when talking about things where taste is a factor: color being the easiest example. For me an item of clothing or accessory could be just right in every way, but if it’s yellow it can’t be perfect - I look TERRIBLE in yellow and am generally just not attracted to most yellow things.
4 Likes
Haha, I feel the opposite of this in many ways. Perhaps it’s because I find striving for perfection stressful, so I love to embrace the wonky, imperfect, non-straight side of things. I know it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but it is quite freeing.
Also, I love certain shades of yellow (mustard, yellow-orange, neon lol), and wear it even though it definitely is not the most flattering for my complexion. 
I love the diversity with which we all approach our projects and styles. 
7 Likes
Maybe I didn’t explain well. I do not strive for perfection, because it’s truly, factually not possible. I do care about being careful and neat, but also really enjoy a bit of wonk! And I love distressed things and also asymmetry. I love outsider art, homespun textiles, all that. But that is different than something that is made deliberately carelessly, ya’ know? Slapdash is not for me, but I find a lot of beauty and even comfort in perceived imperfections.
I think “perfect” means utterly and universally w/o flaw. But because different people respond differently to each color, if something has a color it cannot be truly perfect, even though it can be perfect for someone.
6 Likes
You make excellent points! There is a huge difference in careless work and work that you do you best, but will never be “perfect”. I won’t frog anything if the “mistake” is something that does not affect the quality of the item. A dropped stitch is one thing, adding a stitch and then fixing it in the next row is another. But, hey, as long as we make stuff, we are doing a lot more than a lot of people. Flaws and all…we are makers and we enjoy trying new things all the time.
Yellow is about the only color I am not wild about, yet I find myself gravitating towards golds and certain shades of yellow in both my knitting and sewing.
5 Likes
When I made a Hobbes plushie for my friend’s son, I cut out fabric for two. Did all the machine-stitching on both, but then only finished the hand-assembly on one. At first, it was just the time constraints…the one had to be done before Halloween so ‘Calvin’ didn’t have to go trick-or-treating without his trusty tiger (who, years later, is still cherished). But, the other one languished, half-done, in a basket. It’s all the hand-stitching. After a while, it hurts my hands and eyes (black thread on black stripes), so I put it down again. To be honest, though, I often struggle with repeating projects. My brain is fueled by novelty and challenges. I’ve already made one tiger and conquered that project, why do it again? But, I want to finish it and my DS1 has requested the finished Hobbes. It’s a matter of just sitting down for a little while every day or two and just stitching… until it’s done.
6 Likes
I love this point of view!
I definitely strive to do what I do with excellent craftsmanship but I know that I’m self taught in most of my crafts and might not reach a professional level.
Also I read something about this universal perfection that you mentioned. And that each high quality oriental rug has a deliberately placed deviation from the pattern, because true perfection is not to be reached in this world.
My mom found this mistake on a large rug in my parents’ living room and was a bit confused because it was expensive. I then told her it’s actually a single of pretty good quality.
3 Likes
As part of working towards a smaller, better stash I decided that instead of taking on new crafts, I would work on learning more about and getting better the ones I already do. This also helps with time - if I take on a totally new craft, that’s less time for the ones I already love and have hopefully developed some skill at.
I have a hard time with experimenting for experimenting’s sake and I’m also trying to learn to do that. I pretty much CAN’T make something just because, something I admire in others. It’s got to fill a need or want, even if that is a gift and I can’t make myself give something to someone just to tick the box of giving a gift, I try to make it something they would want or need - with stuff I make or buy. I don’t always succeed, but I do try.
4 Likes
The Amish are amazing quilters They purposely make a mistake in every quilt. It is a humble reminder that we are all perfectly imperfect.
Lol I had to take a quick look at my expensive Turkish rug to see if I could find some flaws. Not sure as I don’t know what I am looking for.
3 Likes
Well my parents’ rug has a pattern with two birds looking towards each other with a branch or flower between them. They are repeated several times around the border and at one point the branch is missing and the birds are beak to break. It’s really cute and wonderfully made.
4 Likes
Both parts of this speak to me. I had to adapt the “done is better than good” adage to “done is better than perfect” because there are areas of my life where the work doesn’t need to be perfect, but it actually does still need to be good (accurate/precise).
And I’m totally writing that "look close enough, measure small enough quote down somewhere. Maybe on that wonky journal page that’s making me twitch…
5 Likes
This is what I was taught as a child, too! Only God is perfect. It’s bad luck to make a perfect thing because you’re competing with God. I’ve never had to include a mistake on purpose though, I already make plenty.
My UFOs / WIPs are often things that are a loooooot of work (like that handstitched hexie quilt) and I take breaks in between so it doesn’t get too boring or hard on the body (hand quilting and crochet). But they don’t feel like a burden really. I still enjoy doing them. And my style is quite stable, I still like a lot of the same things I liked 20 years ago.
4 Likes
I would say for me that “done is better than good” is… abhorant! 
If I’m not even aiming for good, why am I bothering? But there is A LOT of room between good and “perfect.”
4 Likes
yeah, the version my family used was “better is the enemy of good enough”– no implication that you should stop before it’s good, just that there’s a point where tinkering more is a waste of your time.
6 Likes
Oooo, good addtion.
1 Like
I was stressed out during the pandemic when our hospitals were begging for sewn masks for patients in nursing homes and hospital wards. Did my sewing get a little wonky? Yes. Was the elastic perfectly sewn? No. Did I make 100 masks or more? Yes. I think there are situations where done is better than good. They were functional but not up to my standards if I had more time. Of course, with my sewing experience they would never be considered bad or shoddy…but in my eyes, not good enough!
5 Likes
There are definitely times when “good enough” just means functional! It’s as sliding a scale as you want it to be. 
(or “good enough” as determined by the recipient…)
3 Likes
My Squirrel Rave postcard painting. I’ve had it sketched and waiting for ages. Other projects just keep getting prioritized instead. But maybe I can find some time tomorrow for a bit of painting!
4 Likes
I 100% identify with that!
3 Likes
Oh, yes! That said, producing massive amounts of things in an emergent situation to meet a desperate need is absolutely a whole different animal than most of the making I’m doing. In the case of masks, they just needed to work right.
3 Likes
02 - NEEDLE FELTING MUSHROOM KIT
After attending that Needle Felting workshop (last December) and feeling the need to start a new hobby/stash, I had this kit (among other supplies) shipped to me.
A quick project that allowed me to play around with technique. It may be gifted to a friend or hung up at camp.
8 Likes