My niece made me a present years ago. It hangs in my office and makes me feel good every day.
So, for her birthday, I wanted to make her something special. I was giving her money, since that’s what teenagers want, so I decided to make a little purse to put it in.
I didn’t start sewing until the morning of the party. My machine wasn’t sewing just right, but I didn’t take the time to fix it because I was in a hurry. The stitches around the zipper were crooked, but I didn’t rip them out because I didn’t have time. Eventually, I showed up late to the party: unshowered, empty-handed, and full of apologies.
I know better. I need to make mistakes as I go and have the time to fix them. My best work happens when I can enjoy the process and not just hurry to the finish.
I made this sign for my sewing room as a reminder to take time for creativity, and to have patience with myself as I learn and grow and improve.
Oh, and Gillian got a little package in the mail a few days later – with two purses.
jodie richelle 
Yay! Better late than never. But you are so right—haste makes waste. I so hate to hurry, especially as I get older.
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Thanks, Laurie. You surely know how much time creativity takes – is there anything more time consuming than writing & editing . . . and editing . . . and editing
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Excellent lesson learned. A shame, though, when you tried so hard.
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Thanks, Derrick – The good news is, I am an expert at those little purses now. – Christmas presents!
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When she gets a little older, she will certainly understand. And, I’m guessing she loved getting two purses to hold that money. 🙂 I’ve been working on a quilt blanket, and I swear I rip as many seams as I sew. My husband will walk by and say ‘gee it’s quiet in it.’ Yeah, it sure is because I’m ripping what I just sewed. 🙂 Ripping is sure part of the sewing process at least for me so I have to allow for double time any more. My Mom was a seamstress by profession, and I always think of her when I’m ripping away thinking that she most assuredly sewed more than she ripped. Gives me something to aspire to. 🙂
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That’s a great reply, Judy. I vacillate between ripping for perfection and leaving some mistakes for the handmade feel. I don’t know how I could be a professional, like your mom was. I’d never get anything done!
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What a valuable lesson. How wise of you to learn from it, and how kind of you to share it. I agree with the previous commenter that she will certainly understand as she grows older. Living and learning, it never ends. Thanks for the post and take care.
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Aaww, your kind response left me a bit teary eyed. I always try so hard to put the good out there – It is a hard thing when I feel I have failed. Thanks for your support, and you are right – she understands already that I did my best but it took a bit longer than anticipated.
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