I’ve unraveled stitches more times than I can count. I’ve abandoned projects because they weren’t turning out “right.” I’m not a perfectionist and I care more about process than product but still sometimes that perfectionist bug bites me.
I know many people who have say there, staring at materials, unable to start because they wanted whatever they made to be perfect.
Sound familiar?
Perfectionism sneaks into creativity so easily that we don’t even recognize it at first. It disguises itself as “high standards” or “wanting to do our best.” But in reality, it often holds us back—from experimenting, from finishing, from even starting.
And worst of all? It sucks the joy out of making.
That’s why, in Craft to Heal, we work on overcoming creative fear and embracing imperfection in art—because creativity thrives in freedom, not in rigid expectations. If you’ve ever struggled with perfectionism in your craft, keep reading. Let’s talk about why it happens, how it blocks creativity, and what we can do to finally let it go.
Explore this in more depth by joining my Craft to Heal workshop.
How Perfectionism Blocks Creativity
Perfectionism doesn’t make us better artists, crafters, or creators. It does the opposite—it keeps us stuck. Here’s how:
🧶 It Keeps You from Starting
You tell yourself, “I’ll start when I have the perfect idea.” Or “I need to learn more first.” But what happens? You never start. The fear of doing something “wrong” stops you before you even begin.
🧵 It Makes You Afraid to Try New Things
Ever avoided a new technique because you didn’t think you’d be good at it? Perfectionism makes creativity feel like a test you have to pass, rather than an experiment you get to enjoy.
🪡 It Turns Creativity Into Stress Instead of Joy
When you’re focused on getting everything “just right”, crafting stops being fun. Every mistake feels like failure. Every misstep feels like proof that you’re not “good enough.”
🧷 It Stops You from Finishing Projects
How many times have you given up on something because it wasn’t looking how you imagined? Perfectionism makes us quit rather than embrace the imperfections that make handmade work special.
🖌 It Keeps You Comparing Instead of Creating
Scrolling through Instagram, seeing flawless stitches and perfect quilts, it’s easy to think, “Mine will never look that good.” But what you don’t see are the mistakes, the re-dos, the learning curves behind every finished piece.
Sound familiar? If so, it’s time to shift the way you approach creativity. Because perfectionism isn’t protecting your creativity—it’s blocking it.
How to Let Go of Perfectionism and Reclaim Creative Joy
The good news? You don’t have to be trapped by perfectionism forever. Here are a few ways to loosen its grip and start enjoying your craft again.
1. Start a Project Where Mistakes Are the Goal
Instead of avoiding mistakes, make them on purpose.
🧶 If you crochet or knit, make a “mistake swatch” where you intentionally add random stitches or uneven tension.
🧵 If you quilt or sew, create a project with mismatched scraps, no measuring, just instinct.
🖌 If you embroider, stitch freely without a pattern—let your needle wander.
The goal is to see mistakes not as failures, but as creative marks that make your work unique.
📌 In Craft to Heal, we do an entire session on releasing perfectionism through playful, no-pressure creative exercises.
2. Focus on the Process, Not the End Product
What if you crafted only for the experience of making? No expectations, no pressure to “finish,” just enjoying the movement, the rhythm, the textures?
Try this:
✔ Set a timer for 10 minutes. Craft without thinking about the outcome.
✔ Notice the feel of the materials in your hands.
✔ Pay attention to the repetitive motions, the sound of the needle, the pull of the thread.
The moment you focus on experiencing creativity instead of producing something perfect, the process becomes meditative, enjoyable—exactly what craft is meant to be.
📌 In our first Craft to Heal workshop, we’ll do a 60-second observation exercise to bring more mindfulness into our making.
3. Change How You Talk to Yourself About Mistakes
What do you say to yourself when you mess up?
🛑 “I always ruin things.”
🛑 “This looks awful.”
🛑 “I should just start over.”
Now, reframe those thoughts:
✅ “This is part of the process.”
✅ “Handmade means imperfect. That’s what makes it special.”
✅ “I am learning and growing with every stitch.”
If you wouldn’t say it to a friend, don’t say it to yourself. Your craft deserves kindness.
📌 One of the themes in Craft to Heal is learning to approach creativity with self-compassion rather than self-criticism.
4. Finish Something—Even If It’s Not Perfect
One of the best ways to break free from perfectionism? Let something be “good enough” and call it done.
- If you tend to abandon projects when they don’t turn out perfectly, challenge yourself to finish one anyway.
- Instead of trying to fix every mistake, leave one in as a reminder that imperfection is part of art.
- Keep a piece that feels unfinished, messy, or imperfect—display it proudly as proof that done is better than perfect.
📌 In Craft to Heal, we’ll talk about how to build creative confidence by finishing what we start, no matter how imperfect it is.
5. Surround Yourself with Creative Encouragement
Creativity is easier when you’re surrounded by people who remind you:
🧶 Your work is valuable, even if it’s not perfect.
🧵 Mistakes are part of the process.
🪡 Creativity is about exploration, not perfection.
That’s exactly why I created Craft to Heal—because it’s easier to embrace imperfection when you have a supportive creative community.
If you want to explore:
✔ How to let go of perfectionism and craft with more ease
✔ Mindfulness practices to bring more joy into your making
✔ Creative exercises that help release fear and self-doubt
✔ A community of makers who get it
You’re in the right place.
🧶 Want to learn more? Click here to join Craft to Heal.
Imperfect Is Beautiful
If you’re waiting until you feel “good enough” to create freely, let this be your sign:
💛 You are already good enough.
💛 Your work is already worthy.
💛 Your creativity is already valuable—because it comes from you.
So go make something messy. Something imperfect. Something that brings you joy.
And if you need support along the way, Craft to Heal is here for you.
Because creativity isn’t about making things perfect. It’s about making things, period.