I have a quilt to finish for a friend for her daughter for Christmas. I don't like the colors she chose or pattern - even though I designed it. My motivation is supposed to be I'm not allowing myself to start another project until it is done. I haven't started anything, but I sure spend a lot of time staring wistfully at my stash and shopping for more stash instead of finishing it. I've even tried to talk myself into doing one thing to it every day - kind of like eating a whole elephant - one bite at a time.

I'll get it done because I keep my word, but it sure is putting a damper on my happy! After this quilt is out of my room I am not taking on anymore mending, alterations, quilt requests or any other things people can come up with to fill my time. I should have had a whole passel of kids; maybe people would think I'm too busy to do their mending.

What do you do when you get stuck?

Set the oven timer and quit as soon as it goes off. :)

I know how you feel!! I have never enjoyed the pressure of doing sewing projects for other people, just can let it hang over my head even when it is a simple job! But it has to be done, right? So-I guess you just have to get started and maybe it will start to interest you! Best of luck.

I somehow said I'd make a quilt for a friend of a friend whose DH died and she kept his favorite shirts..... What a horrible experience. I disliked the shirt colors and prints, I didn't like the pattern but it was the only one that would work with what I had. I couldn't make myself work on it and felt bad sewing on something else because I said I would. Just like you. One morning I got up and went straight to my sewing room and sewed on the quilt all day. By the end of the day I had it completed enough to know it would be a joy to finish just to get it out of my sight. I had it finished in a few days. I learned my lesson and will never put myself in that miserable feeling again. I love to make quilts for others but only when I want to or none expected.

This is a tough situation. I understand how you feel. If anybody knows you have a sewing machine watch out for the ,"could you hem these pants for me"? How about making my daughter her Easter outfit for me? They don't understand that we can find plenty to do with our time. I will sew anything for my family gladly. It makes it really tough when you just can't get motivated! It must be like "writer's block"! I hope you wake up "inspired" one morning soon! :thumbup:

Set a schedule...one hour a day, etc...put in an audio book and listen to a story I enjoy while I work on it...makes the time go by more quickly...

When I have something to do that I really don't want to do, I make a deal with myself. No quiltingboard till I spend at least 10 minutes on the dreaded project. Usually time gets away from me and I end up spending more than 10 minutes. Good luck with your project.

I like to do a reward system when I have something to do that I hate. Tell yourself, "I'm going to work on this __hrs. and then have a little treat planned. Maybe a little sewing project like a pot holder or tablerunner. Maybe an hour on the quilt...an hour on the quiltingboard? Do whatever you have to to get her done. You'll feel sooo much better when it's out the door. Remember a job started, is a job half done!

Does she love it at the point it's at or does she see it the same way. No point struggling to finish it if she sees is the same way you do. Is there anything that can be done to change it before you close it up?
I can't finish something I just hate. I will talk them into making whatever changes it needs for me to be able to put my name on it (even if it's not actually going on it).

OH Bellaboo I am in that very same situation! I do not like any of the shirts she gave me and I hate the colors!! It's been a year and I'm making myself work on it for an hour each day...YUCK!