Years ago I heard about a woman who had “completion headaches;” she would get a migraine as each project was nearing the end.
Last night as I was nearing the end of the current 25 Stitches Sampler, I found myself stitching more and more slowly. I often find this as I near the end of a project and have to scare up mental energy to finish.
There are basically three kinds of stitchers those who love beginnings, those who love finishing, and those who love the process.
Here’s a quick portrait of each.
Beginnings
The beginnings stitcher has many projects started. he loves the planning of the project, picking out threads, thinking of stitches, deciding on embellishments. Although most of the projects neatly packaged in project bags have had at least a few stitches put in them, many do not.
Often a project looks so good she’ll start working on it without a plan at all, just for the sheer joy of beginning something new.
When bored with a project, she will use almost any excuse to start something new.
Process
The process stitcher loves the act of stitching and seeing the progress of her work. Beginnings and endings are less interesting because it’s hard to see how much is getting done.
Process stitchers often take joy in larger projects or pieces with many separate parts because there’s plenty of stitching to do.
Planning the project and picking stitches are seen as part of the process.
Endings
The endings stitcher loves small projects because they are quickly accomplished. Planning a project and picking threads and stitches are hurdles for these stitches. She would rather get a project that has a stitch guide with all the threads and stitches planned so that she can get to work quickly.
These stitchers are often very goal-oriented, setting small goals for what she wants to accomplish at each stitching session.
These stitchers not only love small projects, they love projects with discrete areas for stitching. They also like Bargello because it goes so quickly.
Many of us are combinations of these stitchers. I’m mostly and endings stitcher with a strong dose of beginnings. I know I;m not much of a process stitcher because I will often abandon projects partially done.
What kind of stitcher are you?
About Janet M Perry
Janet Perry is the Internet's leading authority on needlepoint. She designs, teaches and writes, getting raves from her fans for her innovative techniques, extensive knowledge and generous teaching style. A leading writer of stitch guides, she blogs here and lives on an island in the northeast corner of the SF Bay with her family
Diane says
I’m a combination of beginnings and process. I usually have at least 3 projects going at one time, however, find that as one gets closer to completion I will work on it more often than the others until it’s 100% complete and then will at least get a new one started while I continue on the others.
Liz says
I agree with Diane. She describes me to a tee!