Thread: Struggling

Just dig in and get it done. Try to stop telling yourself how uninspired you are. Put on some music you love or a favorite old movie and just go to work. It will be done before you know it. Unfortunately, if you are going to make 'requested' quilts you are occasionally going to be making quilts that do not inspire you.

I just finished 2quilts for brothers that were black, gray and a bit of red. Even though I like these colors, I found it almost depressing to sew these together.I would work on 3 blocks then skip a day and work on 3 more. On the off days I would work on a small project that I had started that I was using bright, happy colors. It helped even my mood out. :-D lol

Set aside an amount of time every day to work on it; for instance, a half hour, 45 minutes. When that time is up, stop and go on to something else. Do this every day, and it helps a lot getting through quilts you don't really like or anything else for that matter.

Making something you really don't like is just a chore. Just grin and bear it. I just finished one, so glad it is done but proud I got through it. You are a good person for doing that.

I have made many requested quilts from family.Right now I am doing another tee shirt quilt. Which I totally hate making.
Many have been colors I dislike.I drag my feet starting them every time..But once I start.Which I make myself do..I know I have to finish..I think about the person not the quilt..some of the quilts have turn out great..not my taste or style..but doesn't have to be to be nice..just finish a wedding quilt ..the colors were deep purple and turquoise..far out of my color range..but when done was beautiful..the groom comment was to the bride..I don't even like our colors..but this is beautiful..the comment was relayed back to me..had another ..not my colors..that ended up in all the wedding pictures..they like it so well..so my advise is think of your friend..fun times with her..do a few hours here and there..until u see it start to grow into a quilt..u may be surprised at what happens..if u keep negative feelings..u will end up fighting the quilt ..all the time u work on it..

The hardest part for me when I work with colors I dont't like is to make the right choice. For exemple, when layering my blocks to find the correct placement, nothing seems right! Last time, I took some pictures of several possibilities at different stage and sent it to the recipient, asking her what she prefered. Her enthousiasm helped me to keep motivation.

I guess great minds think alike. I was going to suggest three things:

1) set a timer for 30 minutes to work on it
2) think about your friend and what you value about her and how happy and honored she will feel that you did this for her loved one. Try to forget the colorway. It's "immaterial" --pun intended-- to your friendship.
3) reward yourself when the timer goes off with something

Madquilter that is some really great advice for cminor as well as any of us working on those sorts of projects for others and a great way to reach out side of your self to grow your own creativity.