The Beauty In Imperfection
I’m a Perfectionist. There! I’ve said it! 
You know, for a long time I thought there was NO WAY I was a Perfectionist. After all, I never did ANYTHING perfectly. So how could I be a perfectionist? I guess I kind of missed the point there for a while. 
Recently a few of you pointed out this tendency toward perfection when I moaned about the disaster my tea cosy turned out to be. And you were right. I wanted it to be perfect. I missed the point. If my swap partner wanted a “perfect” tea cosy they could have simply gone looking for something mass produced in the shops.
After all, we can find all kinds of perfect items in stores can’t we? Racks of jumpers all cut in the exact same shape. Mass produced tablecloths and prints for the wall, right down to almost identical looking pieces of fruit and vegetables.
I guess somewhere in our striving for perfection, we lost something.
Uniqueness.
Well, Cate now has herself a totally unique tea cosy and one with it’s very own history even before it’s first use (as one of you kindly pointed out to me).
Up until now, my craft of choice has been counted cross-stitch. Over time I’ve had a number of comments as to how I can be bothered. I didn’t really understand why people thought is was hard to do.
In my mind, it was the perfect craft for someone like me who is unable to stitch 2 stitches the same. It certainly satisfies the perfectionist within as every single stitch is a nice even identical size.
I’d been contemplated giving some hand-stitching a go. Seeing Rhonda Jeans creations was certainly putting a yearning in my heart to be able to do something like that. In fact, I’ve been wanting to stitch this pattern for some time now:
It’s exactly the type of thing I’d like to hang on a wall in my home. But of course, I procrastinated on that. Partly because I wasn’t sure where to start with it but mostly because I didn’t think I could stitch “good enough” to satisfy myself.
So it was interesting when Marita sent me this:
I felt excited and challenged all at once. In my hands I had all that I needed to actually give this type of stitching a go. I could no longer procrastinate on the grounds that I didn’t know *how* to do a stitchery. It came with instructions. In fact, it came with EVERYTHING I needed to get started.
So I pulled it all out and began.
My stitches were uneven.
My lines wobbly.
I looked at what I had done.
It looked just right.
It kind of hit me that it was MEANT to look uneven and a little wobbly. ANY machine can make a perfectly stitched picture.
What a machine can’t do is instil thoughts and emotions into a creation. A hand-stitched item will always be unique. You’ll never find 2 the same. Just as you’ll never find 2 finger prints the same.
As I stitched, the colour of my threads made the bleak and empty looking sketch come to life. It hit me that stitching could be the adult equivalent to colouring in!!!! Remember how cool it was to colour in as a kid??? Okay, remember last week when you were colouring in? 
It’s like that only way cooler!!!!
Into each stitch went the kindness of human touch, the caring of a human heart and the joy of seeing a creation emerge.
Much more than simply stitching, I felt myself grow and learn as I spent time with this creation. I began to really understand how essential colour is when it comes to beauty. How life without colour is rather lifeless. And how life that is uniform and perfect can be rather dull and boring and well, lacking in humanity.
I guess that’s what I mean when I say there is beauty in imperfection. It’s a truer reflection of our own humanity. The fact that our failings bring colour to our life just as much as our successes.
Well, I’m still a perfectionist. But I am TRYING to see the beauty in imperfection.
Oh, and the finished stitchery I promised you I’d show you…..
Oh yes, the perfectionist in me noticed that I should have ironed it before I took the photo!
Now I just need to decide how I want to finish this. I’d like to hang it in my kitchen as part of my Christmas decorating so need to work out whether to frame it or what would be best.
Any suggestions would be most welcome.
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I love it! So cute! I think it would look nice in a wooden frame, or maybe a red embroidery hoop. Great job, Lightening!
I was thinking on similar lines last night at my sewing lesson. My seams are wobbly, the pocket a bit crooked. The bottom of the bag was redone because it looked slightly ‘off’ but it is indeed ONE OF A KIND. And there is indeed a bit of beauty in the imperfect.
Now if only we could allow imperfect beauty into our work environments
You have done an amazing job. Well done!
I’m a bit of a perfectionist to which is why I’m still sticking mostly to Cross Stitch. Have done a couple of stitchery pieces and it amazes me how much faster they are to finish than cross stitch.
I hadn’t thought of an embroidery hoop. Thanks Jenn. That would keep it nice and taught without any sewing required.
Will keep my eyes open when I’m out and about near shops.
Maggie - That’s true. I think it’s a habit looking for the beauty in imperfection.
Marita - I noticed that! A LOT faster than cross-stitch and quite a bit easier too. Which is good for when my brain isn’t up to the cross-stitch. I was going to wait until my current 2 cross-stitch projects were finished before starting my next stitchery but perhaps I could have another one on the go at the same time. Seems that I’m the kind of person to have many projects going at once. As long as I manage to actually finish one occasionally, I don’t mind the variety.
Looks great! I can’t believe that you didn’t know you were a perfectionist!
What a crack up. I guess you are going to tell me next that you didn’t realise you were a blogging fanatic!
L, I reckon your stitchery would be perfect as a large applique on a tea towel - one of those really big ones you could then use as a food cover rather than for doing the dishes. Then all your rellies would be able to admire it’s perfection!
I’ve still been visiting, but not commenting too much anywhere lately. Apart from rhubarb cookery….I’ve been heavily involved in preparing some serious journal databases and online interactive stuffola for my uni classes. I’m setting up an exercise for them to do in class next week researching the available information about teen binge drinking - god it’s so depressing when you see what’s written in the medical & social literature! They have to find the information, then write news stories based on their findings. Anyway - you’re still one of the blogs I check in every day or two, I just don’t always stop long enough to put my two bobs worth in! How’s your diet going? My weight is the same as just after Christmas, but then I am sitting here eating chicken chips leftover from yesterday’s 4th birthday party…so it might not last long. Lisa x
HisPrincess - ?????? A blogging fanatic? Me? No, you must be thinking of someone else I’m sure!!!!
Lisa - Thanks for that idea. I wouldn’t have thought of something like that. As for not commenting. Well, I guess you’re allowed to have a life outside of my blog. Hang on a minute! No you’re not!!!!
Nice to know you still love me even when you don’t have time to comment. I do understand. Just wanted you to know I missed you. 
As for the weight…..I haven’t even been game to WEIGH myself since Christmas!!!! *sob*
Nice stitchery. I don’t have the patience to do stuff like this although in the past I have done a few small pieces of counted cross stitch, which I then used to make christmas cards. My mum was the crafty one and my daughter has inherited that from her.
I love doing stichery cos its fast and easy. I don’t have the patience for cross stitch! lol
I’d be inclined to pop it in a frame if it’s going in the kitchen to protect it from cooking vapours and the like.
Well done, it’s beautiful!
Sorry I didn’t update netball. Not much to update. Seriously considering having two coaches for F which has worked well in the past, one for the players and one for the trainers. Thats about it. Will know who the coach is after next wednesday.
Awww that’s cute
Well done!
How about incorporating it into a table runner or something to be used at Christmas. All you would need to do is some Christmas looking fabric either side of it to make it long enough.
Or perhaps a wall hanging. Is there enough room at the top to make a hem - or add some calico or something to the top to make a “hem” to slide some small dowel through and then hang it.
Oh and I meant to say it looks great. Well done. I have a cross stitch somewhere that I started before DS was born, almost 11 years ago. Ho hum, one day I will get it finished LOL
Years ago I heard/read somewhere it is the really messy, untidy people are actually the perfectionists in life. And when it was explained it made sense to me. No, seriously! You see, inside the chronically disorganised lives a perfectionist, but b/c s/he knows perfection can’t be achieved they don’t try.
Now I am very not tidy and organised so this idea sat really well with me and I tell people (esp. my husband) on a regular basis that at heart I am a perfectionist!
I love this and agree with the idea of putting it in a hoop. You could bind the hoop with a Christmas colour or maybe paint it. I like the idea that a perfertionist sits ionside a messy person, as that sounds like me`.
Completely unrelated question….
How come everyone else’s names are in bold except mine? *sob* aren’t I special?
Oh look!
Now its bold! Must have something to do with the way I’m logged in!
LOL His Princess. You are indeed very special.
Glad you figured it out. The last thing I would want anyone to feel is not special (says she who was feeling that way herself just yesterday - some days are just like that).
Sandra - thanks for your suggestion. It does seem to be VERY true about perfectionists being messy. Not all of them but there is a link there from what I’ve learnt.
Trashalou - that’s pretty much EXACTLY how Flylady puts it. She might grate on some people’s nerves but a lot of what she says makes sense and works.
Gemisht - a tablerunner might be beyond my sewing capabilities (wonder if I can make it using duct tape????) But the wallhanging was a thought I did have….not sure. You should get that cross-stitch out and post progress photo’s on your blog - that might keep you motivated!!!???
Kez - thanks
Sharon - that sounds good about the netball. There was some interesting conversation today (J.N’s birthday party) about how over-competitive people get about sport. Seems Basketball is having it’s issues too.
Bettina - thanks. I was amazed how fast it was!!!!
River - well it’s no good doing something if it doesn’t make you smile. We all have different things we enjoy doing.