Butterfli19

I've been looking at the pictures and the fabrics and patterns you choose and am wondering where do you find them? Where do you shop for fabrics?

I'm kind of in a sewing s l u m p and need something new and exciting to work on. I was making cloth dolls and still
like them but even those are not so much fun for me anymore.

Any ideas on how I can get that excitement back? What is your absolute favorite thing to make?

Julienm1

I know about slumps and think all creative people fall into one every once in a while.

For me if I'm in a slump, I think of someone I want to a make a quilt for and that helps. Right now Project Linus has my heart, patterns, fabric, and batting. I feel lucky, having children, later than most, who are still healthy.

juliasb

I went into a quilting slump a few years back ago and that lasted more than 3 years where I didn't even turn on my sewing machine. So that part I understand. Of course the obvious for me is to look at magazines for good quilt patterns. Most of the time now I am making quilts with my Accuquilt and don't have to 'think' about choosing a pattern. I am able to make beautiful quilts and have enough new dies to last a couple years sewing everyday to make quilts that are all different.
As far as fabric, I am doing my best to work from my large stash. I only buy now if I ran out of quilt backing or WoW that I use so much of for background for blocks. I buy the majority of my fabrics from www.fabric.com . There are a number of great sites online to get quality fabrics. Most quilters have their favorite places to buy from.
Being with my sister who is also a quilter has been a big help when I was in the slump. Then I went to the Quilting Expo and I had to turn on my machine and start sewing. Joining my quilt guild turned out to be an exciting advancement in my quilting endeavors. All of this rolled into one got me sewing again. Being here daily is also a huge help in motivating me. When I am making a block or putting together a quilt I am at my machine. In between I come to the computer and post here. Then I go back to the sewing machine and am inspired to keep going.

Butterfli19

It seems like I only enjoy sewing when it's for a purpose. I have made a few masks and recently some curtains for my den
and son's bedroom, but now that I have no one to sew for, I feel like...why bother?

One thing that's been in my mind for quite a few years now, and a reason I started making small cloth dolls again, was to sew them and some cloth stuffed animals for those in the nursing home. I feel that so many things are geared towards children and the younger generation, and the older ones are sort of forgotten. Being a bit over 60 myself, I'm beginning to see that we are left out of many things, especially now that I'm raising my grandson who is 10, and all his friends parents are half my age. I probably didn't want to hang out with an over-60 person when I was in my 30's either, but we are still here and can function pretty well

My plan was to make dolls and their quilts, and stuffed animals (using McCalls 6485) and their quilted pet beds. I think it's a cute idea and maybe they would feel like they had a friend to keep them company.

I guess I need someone to tell me it would be a good idea, or at least to try it. I also plan on retiring in a few years and want to have a plan on what to do then, because going into retirement with nothing to look forward isn't very appealing.

LAF2019

I love your idea of making things for the older generation. Look into fidget quilts (often used for people with dementia or autism). you may find some purposeful yet fun inspiration in those!

Synnove

Nancy, your idea of making cloth dolls for nursing homes is absolutely lovely! My father is in a nursing home and I have seen how the ladies with dementia love to carry around a doll with them. One lady in particular carries her "baby" with her, and the other ladies gather around her in their wheelchairs and take turns holding the baby. It's a sweet social time for them, and they enjoy it so much. By doing this you would give comfort to those who have had so much taken away from them.

Tartan

I can’t help since I have been in a slump since the great scrub cap and mask marathon. I am not stressing and I will get to sewing when the moods strikes,

pocoellie

I'm trying not to buy any more fabric, but sometimes it just happens, LOL, like last Thursday, there's a thrift store run by a religious group, anyway, I bought quilt shop quality fabrics for $2.50 a yard. I mean, how could I possibly pass that up. LOL I like Marshall's Dry Goods, Quilted Twins, Thousands of Bolts, Jhittle, I'm sure there's more but can't think of any right now. As for your slump, I've read/heard that if you set a timer to do something in your sewing room for 15 minutes, then when it goes off, go do something else, they say that pretty soon your mojo will come back.

Peckish

For all of it's drawbacks, social media (Pinterest, Instagram) has exposed me to a lot of beautiful designs and fabrics, and is usually my go-to for inspiration and motivation.

Teen

Maybe challenge yourself with a new to you craft project....instead of a quilt, make a bag. or some fun pincushions or tiny pillows and fill a bowl full.....something small so you get the satisfaction of completing something quick but also challenges you to try something mew. Organizing my sewing space is great inspiration for me. Sometimes, I will buy a new pattern book that offers multiple type projects...not just quilts. One final suggestion is to join a free BOM. Just doing one block in a month or a week is just enough to dip your toe back in the water...

Here are a couple of pattern books for alternative projects:

Bowl Me Over, by Debbie Busby
Farmhouse Fresh, by Jenelle Kent (projects using toweling...which you can buy by the yard from Miller Dry Goods on-line.

And, to answer your other question, I love making anything....lol...but I make a lot of small projects in between large quilt projects to keep me inspired and break it up a little.