Panchita

I have dry spells. Or I'll get distracted by something else that I think looks shiny, like embroidery or one of my other hobbies, and do that for a while instead. I think it is natural, and I don't think anyone should beat themselves up about it!

Hobbies should be fun - if it isn't fun, step away for a while and you'll come back when ready. :-)

emerald46

I've had a few long bouts of not sewing due to busy family and job, way back when. 7 years is probably the longest. I never stopped buying fabric or reading quilting magazines.

LindaM49

I have had long "dry spells" through all of my years of sewing too. I have said this several times here...when my mother lived with us...probably the last year of her life I got back to sewing. Hubby bought me the new sewing machine that I wanted and I was sewing clothes for myself and had a lot of plans including a quilt...I had never thought of quilting before. When she died I lost all interest and my machine sat idle for over 11 years.

I have a very small other type of business pouring candles and have been doing it for over 10 years. I haven't poured a candle since spring and have decided NOT to have my annual 2 day Christmas Open House this year. I have made a nice amount of money from it every year but this year for some reason I lost the desire. Once I get back up in my shop and start pouring it all will become exciting again...but for now I need a break. This isn't a hobby for me because it gives me my spending money but...when your heart and soul isn't in it it's hard to force yourself to do it...and of course that's when you always screw things up. Right now I've thrown myself into sewing/quilting and am loving it.

As someone else said...just stepping away for a while and don't feel guilty about it because...maybe it is just me...but the more I dwell on what I think I should be doing the longer I stay away from doing it. I hope that made sense...lol.

MoanaWahine

I am just getting over one of those times. I learned to sew from my mom when I was a young teenager. I did not do much in my late teens. I tried to pick it back up in my early 20's, but was unhappy with the selections that were available. I tried to get into quilting then, but that did not work. I then picked it back up in my early 30's when I started to have kids. By then, the selection of fabrics were more to my liking. I really enjoyed the process of quilting at this time also and the fact that I had these little babies that I could make quilts for. About three years ago, things slowed down and came to a stop. I would always look at mags and pick them up when there was something I liked. I looked at fabric and did the same, but that soon stopped. My family finally got back in one location about a year ago and my stuff still sat. I would venture into my sewing area, but nothing was happening. My boys and I went to MN (visit family) this past summer. While there, my Aunt, mom and I went to a Quilt Show. Always a fun thing. I also helped my mom pick out color choices for her GFG from her stash and she gave me some small kits she was not going to make. These events started my juices flowing again. When we got back, I was surfing the internet and ran across this site again. I had seen it earlier in the year, but just did not get that interested in it at the time. This time was different. Everybody on here and the support that I was seeing along with my vacation jump started me again. Since Mid July I have completed the tops for 2 table runners, 1 table topper, (gifts from mom) and 2 lap size tops (for my kids non the less). I have also completed 1 lap size quilt including the FMQ for a benifit for a friends little boy, 3 small Halloween wall hanging, a mug rug, and 3 mug cozies. I have 2 quilts that I am FMQ on and I call this my learning time. I also have two separate tops in various stages and trying to teach my 9 year old the fine art of sewing. All this on top of being a mom and wife. Needless to say, my juices are definitely flowing now and I am loving every minute of it. I think that there are times that a break is needed. For some people, the break can be longer than others. For me, it was a longer break but I am ready for more. So glad that you are able to get back into sewing again. I know that it is a big stress reliever for me.

grannyp70

I haven't been able to quilt (sew) for 4 months, due to a really bad back, just got home from surgery, so hopefully I will be back to sewing and quilting again in about 6 weeks or so. Sure do miss it to.

pjaco

I have also struggled with loss of interest in quilting. Having to take care of my parents, dealing with forms & paperwork, hospitals, nursing homes etc. I wanted to sew but just couldn't muster up the energy. God be with you all going through all of lives pains. It's so hard

littlehud

I have times where I don't feel like sewing. My kids usually push me to the sewing corner in the diningroom and get me started again. They know I am happier with a little sewing everyday.

AshleyR

10 years for me. I learned to quilt and loved it, but couldn't go to quilting bees anymore. But I had learned enough to try to make my own but lost interest in it when I moved. I never had space (but never threw a piece of clothes away that I thought I could use in a quilt!) until recently. Now I have come to the realization that I have no desire to make quilt tops and just want to quilt, quilt, quilt! So I can stop "wasting my time" with making tops and concentrate on quilting them!! I hope I never want to put the needle down again!

just_the_scraps_m'am

i was just thinking about that this morning...haven't really worked on projects recently. i made curtains a couple wks ago, but still not back to the projects staring at me! i guess when i get motivated i'll get back to it--i think there is just too much going on & i feel waaaaay overwhelmed...

annthreecats

I have gone years without doing any crafts. I just felt like I had too much to take care of to take the time to sit at a machine and sew. Wish I hadn't wasted all that time.