LGJARN52

Ladies....a few thought from the original poster of this thread. Some suggested that being organized was the key to it all. I'm so organized that it isn't even funny....all fabric is sorted by color, thread are on a wall rack and large spools are in a drawer. Main templates are in a slotted wall rack, and extra ones are also in a drawer. My machines are kept clean and are serviced when needed. Downloaded patterns are in a 3 ring binder and quilt books are in a bookcase with the binders. I can put my hands on anything in a moments notice....99.9% of the time.

So, what's my problem? Why do I feel like I have to finish a toddler/adolesent quilt each week or I've failed some child. No one but my husband and the Quilting Board knows what I do or who it's given to. Too much fabric that isn't moving like the speed of lightening...I'm not sewing fast enough and I have no idea why I'm feeling that way. But I've found a remedy.

To help aleviate my problem I've sold off yardage, layer cakes, and charm squares this week on a Facebook site. Honestly looking at everything and asking myself do I really think I'll use it, put a lot of it in the sell-off pile. I have breathing room now.
Kept my novelty childrens fabric, blenders, thread, and backings. I'll continue to do what I enjoy (piecing) and make myself take it slower so that it is enjoyed it again.

All your comments were read and thank you to everyone.

petthefabric

Someone made the statement "fabric stash feels like UFO's". I'm thinking on that-haven't decided.

I think I'm beginning to look at stash as my own personal LQS.

joe'smom

I don't look at stash as UFOs. If I have a group of fabric matched with a pattern, I consider that a planned project. If I have started preliminary work on a top and bagged it, that's a kit, which will likely be used as a leader/ender project.I regard as UFOs finished, unquilted tops, or unfinished tops that have a substantial amount of work done on them.

I agree with the idea that a stash works like an LQS.

Stitchnripper

I quilt for my own pleasure. That I end up with a quilt is a byproduct of the activity. My goal isn't quilts, it's quilting. I don't have a stash as such, just leftover pieces of fabric and a lot of scraps which I am working on. I only start one or two projects. I finish everything. This doesn't mean I am better than anyone. I am probably a nut case. None of my quilting friends are like me. they tease me good naturedly which I don't mind. I am not lured by pretty fabric without a purpose except for once and I did make that into a quilt.I donate few, give away few, and have them all in a closet as my collection or on a bed or on display on a railing. One day they will be donated since they are new and unused. don't go by me. I am the odd one.

cashs_mom

So true, bearisgray. I agree. My husband feels no urge to donate or get rid of his extensive gun collection or the 100+ vintage signs he has. Why should I feel that I have to donate fabric I haven't used in a few years? I can't tell you how many times I've pulled out some 20+ year old fabric and used it because it was perfect for the project I was working on. I also think that just the act of making a beautiful quilt is fine. I don't have to have a use for it. I don't have to even use it. Just making it is all that counts.

joe'smom

This actually sounds like a great frame of mind to me!

aashley333

It is a journey, not a destination! Although... finishes are the best!

crzypatcher

I'm in the "odd" camp category as well! I also look at my stash as my own personal fabric store. I have fortunate to be able to provide a friend with that one piece of fabric that finishes their quilt!

QuiltingPandaBear

I recently had to do a big sweep of my craft room and put away all the assorted in progress projects. I was getting this mounting stress week on week of feeling I wasn’t accomplishing enough and having X and Y that must be finished before I dusted off and started up Z again, and Z must be done before this specific event and I realized this was all coming from me. There is no external expectation of my sewing productivity.

I have a huge pile up of projects I want to do and am very excited about and a huge pile of WIPs/UFOs and my brain managed to whip me into a frenzy with life or death, fight or flight adrenaline levels of anxiety. Silly brain.

I cleaned up. I put away everything, even emptied my design wall. I found 13 different projects around the house in some state of progress. I made a list of all my current ideas not started, and updated the list of UFO/WIPs with a few discoveries. I pulled out the one project that I am very motivated to get a move on towards finishing that’s languished too long (years) and is a gift.

I’m on a weeklong break as I focus on some other priorities (work, garden, prepping for vacation) and go on vacation for a week after that and I hope when I come back my brain will have reset a bit a remembered this isn’t my job, I’m not being graded, this is my hobby and it’s fun.

QuiltingNinaSue

Any one else who has visual problems trying to acquire new password having problems with this wonderful site. I am still trying because I love to see what other quilters are doing...although I am not currently quilting. Nothing seems to work, in right now on temp new password.