My newest project is recreating a set of Christmas decorations that my grandmother made. I did a bit of research and my best guess is that she made them from a pattern out of a McCall’s magazine from the 60’s or 70’s. She would sell them at church craft bazaars. I have the mouse sleeping in a hammock, and it’s my favorite ornament. I made several different mice from “How to Sew Little Felt Animals” by Sue Quinn. Instead of enlarging the pattern I used the original size from the book, which seems close to the original.
Then I pulled my treasured ornament out of storage. It was a bit of a revelation. I think there’s a lesson in here somewhere. I had carefully sewn my recreation, using closed seams, straight edges, and a channel for the ribbon to go through. The original was hot-glued. The mouse doesn’t have arms or legs, and its ears are two circles on each side of the head, not sewn together. Even with this clinical examination, revealing a quality of craftsmanship I wouldn’t accept in myself, I still love it. It holds so many memories of playing with it, putting it up on the tree, pretending the little mouse was having a peaceful nap under the glow and sparkle of the lights.
That’s the lesson. It doesn’t have to be perfect. Take a step back from trying to make everything perfect. Yes, you can keep working on improving your craft, but forgive your flaws. Especially if it’s just for you or your family. Food doesn’t have to be pretty or made from scratch to taste good. Your house doesn’t need to look like it’s from a magazine. The sweater you made can have the cabling screwed up in a few rows. Take pictures of yourself with your family, even if all you can see is wrinkles or a double chin- that’s not what your family sees or remembers. Life is a beautiful messy business and it’s meant to be worn until ragged and “distressed”. Give yourself a break from perfect, and think about all the things you love that aren’t symmetrical or tidy or ready for a competition. Aim for cozy and comfortable and interesting, not exact or glamorous.
