Quilty Habit #4: Rushing through the Quilting Process

Maybe it's because I grew up in and live in the northeast of the U.S. - notoriously affectionately known for our fast pace - or maybe it's because I'm an impatient person by nature, but every time I start a sewing project, I rush to get certain things done. Like, free motion quilting. It's really really really (really) hard for me to keep a steady, slow pace, which always makes my stitches uneven. I'm getting better though. I also tend to rush through the cutting process at times, which has unfortunately resorted in several finger/hand cuts (one especially serious one that I probably should have gotten stitches for) (never fear, I'm much more careful after that incident last summer).

I sound like a real fun person to be around, don't I? ;)

The point is, I rush. Especially to get a project done. When I'm more than excited to see the final outcome.

But really - today was a day to rush. I was trying to finish a bunch of lanyards and key fobs for a craft fair tomorrow. I was taking the stitches out of a key fob because I messed up slightly (probably by going too fast) (even though I was trying to go slow because I care so much about how it looks to the customer), and I was ripping stitches pretty fast.

I was pretty proud of myself, being so successful and singing along to the Backstreet Boys - who recently have been my #1 choice of background music. And then, this happened.

I broke my seam ripper... because I was going too fast... it looks just like a broken machine needle...

I was so mad! I need a seam ripper, because not only is it my best friend and we are in contact more often than I actually sew, but because I had many more things to sew, and there was NO WAY that I wouldn't have something else to rip :)

Luckily, I found my little seam ripper. It'll do for now until I get to the store tomorrow.

Anyway, *sigh*. I really do have confidence in my sewing abilities but sometimes you've just gotta get stuff done, for lack of a better phrase!

Do you rush through the sewing/quilting process, too?