I Could Be Wrong: How to Live and Sew Better

Recently I read that to improve relationships, it would be wise to preface advice or opinion with, “I could be wrong.” If we don’t say it aloud, we should at least say it silently to ourselves. Consider it an exercise in intellectual humility.

I Could Be Wrong, So Check My Work

I have a little self-imposed rule: No playing with sharp objects after 8:00 p.m. Put away kitchen knives, scissors, rotary cutters, needles, and pins. When I follow the rule, I’m less likely to make mistakes and avoid accidental pokes and cuts. But who likes to follow rules all the time?

I saw a pineapple pillow pattern in Quilts and More magazine that I loved. I was pretty sure that I had just enough fabric leftover from my Layer Cake Lollies quilt. And if I put my mind to it, I could make it in a day, sewing a bit between chores and errands. I came so close to meeting my goal! I finished at 9 p.m. and beamed with satisfaction until I really looked at what I was doing. Ack! I orientated two strips of blocks in the wrong direction. If I would have stopped to check my work instead of confidently pressing forward, I wouldn’t have goofed up.

Check the Facts

This time my mistake only cost me several hours of time, a handful of scraps, and a zipper. Actually, my mistake makes me laugh; it’s not a big deal. However, there are many other times I wish I would have prefaced my words or thoughts with, “I could be wrong.” For example, I hired a painter to freshen up our basement with a new color. When he asked what paint color to order, I answered assuredly (without consulting a paint chip), “Silver Mist.” At the end of the day, when the painter left and we arrived home, I discovered blue paint on the walls rather than the khaki green I expected. Silver Mist was definitely the wrong color!

I love to conduct research and check out facts but I don’t always have the time to ensure accuracy. When I was selecting paint for our media room, I didn’t think I had 45 minutes to drive to Sherwin Williams, scan paint chips, and then compare it to the color on my other walls. In retrospect, I would have saved hundreds of dollars by taking the time.

Facts aren’t always easily available. And sometimes there’s not a single right answer – there’s more than one right way to do something. There may be other options or nuances to consider. So when I look at my pineapple pillow, I’ll remember to at least think to myself before answering a question or offering my opinion, “I could be wrong.”