Today’s “Stitching Blogger’s Question” was suggested by Kimberly and Lili and is:
How do you feel about staying totally true to a pattern? Do you feel that you have to rip out stitches to fix a mistake or do you feel it’s acceptable to incorporate a mistake into the design?
What a fun question, thanks gals! As a model stitcher, obviously I have two points of view on this question, depending on whether I’m stitching a model or a personal piece. If it’s a model, I cannot make a mistake. The designer is counting on me to accurately and perfectly represent the design that they have created so that they can market it. Imperfections are unacceptable.
In personal stitching, though, I’ve made a conscious effort to take a more relaxed approach. If I make a mistake and it’s something no one will ever notice or care about, then I leave it in. For example, my Christmas Hearts Bellpull has a mistake in it – one stray cross stitch in the wrong spot. I found it after I had finished confetti-like stitching of that color through an entire stitching and had moved on to another color. It didn’t affect the design at all, so I just let the error lie and no one knows but me. I have also modified designs pretty much since I started stitching. Color changes, minor changes to the design, personalization, etc. I suppose some designers might have a problem with this, but I haven’t actually heard one state such a position to date. I think a little bit of variety and personalization of a design is a compliment (and complement) to the designer and the design itself. Besides, it makes the world interesting. Not allowing any changes to a design would be like not allowing stitchers to pick any fabric they wanted on which to stitch the design. I think most designers are about creativity and freedom of expression, as long as the chart is properly paid for and credit given where credit is due.
Besides, I have enough stress in my life as it is. If every single thing that I stitched had to be absolutely perfect, I would probably stop stitching because it would no longer be relaxing for me. 🙂
I’m horrible. I’ll change anything and everything. I would drive designers crazy if they knew the liberties I take!
Excellent Answer. I buy patterns because there is something about ‘it’ that I like. When it gets down to the stitching …. anything goes.
And I cannot agree more, as long as the chart is paid for & credit given — everything else is a matter of interpretation ; )
We all have our personal favorite things to stitch & at times, I add a rabbit, cat, bird or something. Even when the pattern doesn’t call for it — I add a critter or an acorn. And I usually add some gold or yellow into most projects. Why? Because I like yellow.
Whatever. I know I’m a fossil nerd…. lol