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Post by lyn on Dec 23, 2018 8:16:56 GMT
I received a newsletter from 'Hobbycraft' today that forecast trends for 2019. This may give us all something to think about in our textile work.
Quote: Wabi-sabi is a philosophy rooted in appreciating the beauty of imperfections, and the acknowledgement of three realities; that nothing lasts, nothing is finished, and nothing is perfect. Unquote.
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Post by MTRuth on Dec 23, 2018 15:48:52 GMT
I have read about wabi-sabi before. I like the concept. I also read somewhere that being a perfectionist is more about fear of failure than anything else. You keep trying to make it perfect because you are afraid to show it to anyone else and you're afraid of what their reaction will be.
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Post by lyn on Dec 23, 2018 16:19:47 GMT
I think that's about right Ruth. In my case it probably stems from trying to please my needlework teacher at school (over half a century ago) - she insisted that every stitch was perfect.
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Post by Shepherdess on Dec 23, 2018 21:38:36 GMT
One of our local yarn and fibre stores is called Wabi Sabi. Sometimes it's hard to decide it is good enough.
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Post by MTRuth on Dec 24, 2018 0:43:09 GMT
Mine was probably from my parents. They always expected perfection.
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Post by lindsay on Dec 24, 2018 8:46:21 GMT
An interesting philosophy. I might give it a try. I find when I’ve made something like a picture, if there’s one part I don’t like, it’s very hard not to focus only on that part whenever I look at it, however small. Not just that but I tend to point out the imperfection to other people!
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Post by lyn on Dec 24, 2018 9:44:16 GMT
An interesting philosophy. I might give it a try. I find when I’ve made something like a picture, if there’s one part I don’t like, it’s very hard not to focus only on that part whenever I look at it, however small. Not just that but I tend to point out the imperfection to other people! When my bathroom was re-tiled I overheard the builder and tiler talking. The builder pointed out that a tile or two had been put on the wall incorrectly - the tiler replied that he never showed his mistakes to customers and they never noticed! I just know that you're going to ask if I tackled the tiler about this ... no, I didn't. It was a mixture of cowardice and wanting the project finished as quickly as possible because the building work had been going on so long and the repair would have delayed things.
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Post by MTRuth on Dec 24, 2018 17:10:30 GMT
I do the same thing Lindsay. And I have a hard time letting something like that go.
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Post by Shepherdess on Dec 24, 2018 19:41:53 GMT
It is hard to let things go. It's taken me years to realise I am not a "realistic" artiest. I could probably learn but do not have the inclination to put the work in. I just have to be happy with what I do. If you wanted it to look real you would take a picture. Yes, my mother has a way of giving you a compliment that lets you know she is just being nice and she really doesn't like it. Lindsay it is a hard thing not to point them out. It takes a lot of willpower to just say thank you when someone compliments your work.
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Post by Pandagirl on Dec 25, 2018 4:59:46 GMT
It is what it is. Like it or not. Yah, Ann, Moms can be like that and I try hard not to be. My son is an artist and wouldn’t be if I had been critical. I may not understand what he does all the time, but I’m proud of him just the same.
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Post by lindsay on Dec 26, 2018 8:01:48 GMT
It is hard to let things go. It's taken me years to realise I am not a "realistic" artiest. I could probably learn but do not have the inclination to put the work in. I just have to be happy with what I do. If you wanted it to look real you would take a picture. Yes, my mother has a way of giving you a compliment that lets you know she is just being nice and she really doesn't like it. Lindsay it is a hard thing not to point them out. It takes a lot of willpower to just say thank you when someone compliments your work. I’m working on myself re taking a compliment - I realised how irritating it is when other people can’t graciously accept you like something so I’m much better now at just saying “thank you very much”. I have to put a word in for my mum here - she’s always been very encouraging though will give constructive suggestions if asked. On the other hand, she has a great ability to improve things by making a few tweaks to the extent that we have a family saying “mummy’s little improvements” which is said with humour and a mixture of annoyance and appreciation!
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Post by Antje on Dec 27, 2018 0:42:25 GMT
What interesting comments. If i’m Honest my children would probably have likened me to Lindsay’s mum in her post just above. It is a difficult position to be in as a parent - wanting to encourage progression with constructive critiques (but only when asked), somehow as a ‘class tutor’ it is more easily accepted. Happily my EPH (ever patient husband) seeks my observations very readily for his art works as he gets very locked-in sometimes. As a natural perfectionist (which suited my former working life), Wabi Sabi is something I have had to practice, practice, and practice in recent years. It helped knowing that true Persian carpets always have a mistake....their belief is that only God can be perfect! In my arty pursuits I always see and know my deviations from ‘perfection’ but that is a state that is in my head, my vision. Whilst someone with expertise might easily pick them up, remembering that most people viewing have very different areas of knowledge away from my field of interest, has helped me accept compliments. We must all be kind to ourselves....a resolution for 2019 perhaps!
Lyn - you have rekindled a memory for me. Working, age 14, on a complicated dress for my school sewing class I had enthusiastically done work at home including sewing on 12 press studs (= 24 pieces). I need to explain here that I grew up sitting next to a sewing machine and it is in my blood so to speak. My teacher (probably cheesed off that i’d done too much at home) made me unpick every single one....I hadn’t used the ‘twisted’ blanket stitch to sew them on....to this day I use twisted blanket stitch to attach any fastenings!
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Post by MTRuth on Dec 27, 2018 17:23:53 GMT
I don't think I have ever done twisted blanket stitch before Antje. What's the difference? Obviously the thread must get twisted in some way but can you explain. Or have a photo?
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Post by lyn on Dec 27, 2018 21:54:40 GMT
I'm intrigued too Antje - I've not heard of twisted blanket stitch.
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Post by Antje on Dec 28, 2018 9:39:08 GMT
Ok Ruth & Lyn, so your comments got me thinking and I had to Google ‘twisted blanket stitch’ I only knew it as that (or in my mind created this name as a child) and blindly continued it. It would seem others have similar thinking as I eventually found it and i’ve Learned something along the way....it is actually a ‘tailored buttonhole stitch’ . It is worked different to blanket stitch, in fact the needle is the opposite direction to blanket stitch which now explains why I have to really think and concentrate to do the latter. I found this site that explains it well www.nordicneedle.net/guides/stitchology/buttonhole-vs-blanket-stitch/Here is an extract - Tailors and seamstresses used the buttonhole stitch, which was the sturdiest stitch for hand-stitching buttonhole edges. This stitch is also referred to as the tailored buttonhole stitch. The way in which the stitch was created helped prevent fraying when the fabric was cut away. In addition, the knot formed at the top of the stitch made the thread less likely to unravel should it get broken. The same holds true today. How to make the stitch.... www.nordicneedle.net/2010/04/22/tailored-buttonhole/An extract - This stitch is worked with the needle going from the outside edge towards the inside. Insert the needle into the fabric and bring it out, but do not pull the needle through. Moving counter clockwise, loop the thread under the eye of the needle and around under the point of the needle and then pull it through. Pull the needle up and towards the edge to lock the stitch in place before proceeding to the next stitch. Wow this has been a researching informative start to the day....as I like to learn something new everyday, If I learn anything else i’ll be in credit! Thanks guys....Now on to mundane tasks.
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