Need Help with Decision Making
10-10-2020, 02:37 PM
#21
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: South Dakota
Posts: 8,122
When I have a hard time deciding, I go grab one of my "in progress" totes at random and start working on it. If I stay engaged, it might get done, and if not it gets put back in the tote and back on the shelf. Sometimes by then, an idea has come to the top and I'm motivated to start on that, and if not I grab something else.
If I spend too much time looking at the different projects, I can do that for days before I start sewing, so I don't do that. I don't let it bother me that I've got a lot in progress, because that means I've got a lot to keep me busy if the time comes when I can't afford to buy the new stuff.
If I spend too much time looking at the different projects, I can do that for days before I start sewing, so I don't do that. I don't let it bother me that I've got a lot in progress, because that means I've got a lot to keep me busy if the time comes when I can't afford to buy the new stuff.
10-11-2020, 04:30 AM
#22
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Southern Minnesota
Posts: 4,362
When I was ready to start learning to quilt, a wise mentor told me that most quilters never finish a quilt. Never. I was dazed a little by that fact. That does not mean they are not organized, motivated, talented. Does not mean they have a disorder label. A quilt is a big deal, big time, big money commitment. It's not a hobby for someone who only wants to start to finish a project in a very short time frame. (At least not most quilters I know.).
Don't be too hard on yourself. You might just be in a stage of life that's keeping you from making a decision and following through. You'll get through this!
Don't be too hard on yourself. You might just be in a stage of life that's keeping you from making a decision and following through. You'll get through this!
10-11-2020, 06:02 PM
#23
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: kansas
Posts: 6,407
I always have several projects in the works--and don't worry that any particular one has to be finished before starting another one. Some days I will work on one project, some days I piddle around with several.
10-11-2020, 07:36 PM
#24
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Myrtle Beach, SC
Posts: 8,095
Usually, When I experience indecision it is usually because I have reached a point of messiness in my space where I can't stand to be in it. So, much as I hate to, I start pick-up/clean-up. It takes a couple of days, but by the time I'm done, it feels like there is room for me and sparks my creative ''genius".
However, this is how I am about everything. Great at taking things out, not so great at putting them away. When I worked, I used to go in on a Saturday morning (unpaid!) and clean my desk up. No people around, no phones ringing, no email to respond to. Relaxing, and everything was in order with about 2 hours work. Monday the cycle would start over.
However, this is how I am about everything. Great at taking things out, not so great at putting them away. When I worked, I used to go in on a Saturday morning (unpaid!) and clean my desk up. No people around, no phones ringing, no email to respond to. Relaxing, and everything was in order with about 2 hours work. Monday the cycle would start over.
10-11-2020, 09:40 PM
#25
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Sisters, OR
Posts: 30
omg thank you, Rhonda. I am over-thinking the whole thing.
Originally Posted by Rhonda K
Many quilters join you in the in-decision dilemma. I've learned it's a common issue with our local guild members too.
Right now my sewing table is underneath projects and recent fabric purchases. I work on things depending on my mood, piecing, quilting, or embroidery machine. It is nice to have choices. There is no pressure, guilt, or deadlines allowed in my sewing room.
I will recommend the concept of working on something for just 15 minutes. If you decide to continue for a longer period, that is ok. The idea of perfection can block the creative process. Give yourself permission to play and see what happens. Quilt hugs to you!
Right now my sewing table is underneath projects and recent fabric purchases. I work on things depending on my mood, piecing, quilting, or embroidery machine. It is nice to have choices. There is no pressure, guilt, or deadlines allowed in my sewing room.
I will recommend the concept of working on something for just 15 minutes. If you decide to continue for a longer period, that is ok. The idea of perfection can block the creative process. Give yourself permission to play and see what happens. Quilt hugs to you!
10-11-2020, 09:41 PM
#26
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Sisters, OR
Posts: 30
This is so helpful. Thank you!!
Originally Posted by Macybaby
When I have a hard time deciding, I go grab one of my "in progress" totes at random and start working on it. If I stay engaged, it might get done, and if not it gets put back in the tote and back on the shelf. Sometimes by then, an idea has come to the top and I'm motivated to start on that, and if not I grab something else.
If I spend too much time looking at the different projects, I can do that for days before I start sewing, so I don't do that. I don't let it bother me that I've got a lot in progress, because that means I've got a lot to keep me busy if the time comes when I can't afford to buy the new stuff.
If I spend too much time looking at the different projects, I can do that for days before I start sewing, so I don't do that. I don't let it bother me that I've got a lot in progress, because that means I've got a lot to keep me busy if the time comes when I can't afford to buy the new stuff.
10-11-2020, 09:43 PM
#27
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Sisters, OR
Posts: 30
I had not thought about it like this.Thank you. So many helpful and insightful replies. Wow.
Originally Posted by liking quilting
When I was ready to start learning to quilt, a wise mentor told me that most quilters never finish a quilt. Never. I was dazed a little by that fact. That does not mean they are not organized, motivated, talented. Does not mean they have a disorder label. A quilt is a big deal, big time, big money commitment. It's not a hobby for someone who only wants to start to finish a project in a very short time frame. (At least not most quilters I know.).
Don't be too hard on yourself. You might just be in a stage of life that's keeping you from making a decision and following through. You'll get through this!
Don't be too hard on yourself. You might just be in a stage of life that's keeping you from making a decision and following through. You'll get through this!
10-11-2020, 09:47 PM
#29
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Sisters, OR
Posts: 30
OK! I love this. This is so interesting. Thank you for sharing how you think about this and what you're doing.
Originally Posted by entangled
Make em all, Janet! Like Rhonda said, give a project 15 minutes, then you can set it aside -- and start another if you want! It's your hobby and there's no one right way to do it.
When indecision grips me, I look for baby steps. I have 14 quilts in progress and none are inspiring me right now. I really want a new one but am trying to whittle down the pile before I start more.
So last night I marked a medallion for ruler work (baby step), sewed up scraps for the Irish Chain because they were left out and in my way (baby step). And then ripped apart several project bins when I realized these were quilts in the fabric pull stage that I was no longer interested in. That last bit felt so good.
I might just do fabric pulls for quilts I'm dreaming about to take the edge off my desire to start new quilts. Or break my vow and just make a new top because there are no rules!
When indecision grips me, I look for baby steps. I have 14 quilts in progress and none are inspiring me right now. I really want a new one but am trying to whittle down the pile before I start more.
So last night I marked a medallion for ruler work (baby step), sewed up scraps for the Irish Chain because they were left out and in my way (baby step). And then ripped apart several project bins when I realized these were quilts in the fabric pull stage that I was no longer interested in. That last bit felt so good.
I might just do fabric pulls for quilts I'm dreaming about to take the edge off my desire to start new quilts. Or break my vow and just make a new top because there are no rules!
10-11-2020, 09:52 PM
#30
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Sisters, OR
Posts: 30
Would love to be your quilting buddy! Thank you for sharing your story. It helps open me up to stop worrying about not deciding. LOL Congratulations on your upcoming grandchild!! Now that is exciting!
Originally Posted by quiltingcandy
Not sure if I have any words of wisdom - I can certainly relate to your dilemma. My sewing room is the proof. Since March I have been making masks and believe me I am tired of it. So I decided to work on my English Paper Piecing hexies by hand - cut out a bunch, put them on the little papers, then made more masks, watched a MSQC video on making a larger version - so I wanted to do that too. Ordered the dies from Accuquilt,, because that is so much easier that using a template and I have the Accuquilt Go, and I ordered the batting. pieces from MSQC because I wasn't sure if the dies would cut batting (which it will just FYI), and then my DD is having a baby in January and I want to make a baby quilt - but which one - I have enough fabric to make about 20. And I have down loaded enough patterns to keep me busy for years. And I want to make Christmas stockings for my DD and her fiancé, the fabric is here. Oh, and then there are the UFO's for 2 Christmas quilts and a baby quilt for our friends in Germany.
When I was able to go to my friend's house in Phoenix, we would have a personal quilting retreats. We would focus on one project and if it was finished during my visit I would work on a second one. No dithering, just getting up, eat a quick breakfast, then working from breakfast to lunch - we would go to a quilt shop or place to buy supplies we would need and then back home to quilt until about 9 to 10 at night. Her husband usually cooked us dinner or we would have a simple casserole. This would go for about 4 to 5 days and I would return to CA. We started doing this in Las Vegas - we would check into our time share for a week and sewed. Then her DH got sick and so we started doing the same thing at her home. Her DH doesn't care that we set up the dining room and leave it a mess for my entire visit. (My DH would go nuts - he hates a mess.)
My mother always said I was a true Gemini - I can't do just one thing. I will even read a book while watching TV. So it's not severe but I am sure now it was ADD. So keeping focus can be hard for me. Too bad you don't live in San Diego area - we could be quilt buddies and keep each other focused.
When I was able to go to my friend's house in Phoenix, we would have a personal quilting retreats. We would focus on one project and if it was finished during my visit I would work on a second one. No dithering, just getting up, eat a quick breakfast, then working from breakfast to lunch - we would go to a quilt shop or place to buy supplies we would need and then back home to quilt until about 9 to 10 at night. Her husband usually cooked us dinner or we would have a simple casserole. This would go for about 4 to 5 days and I would return to CA. We started doing this in Las Vegas - we would check into our time share for a week and sewed. Then her DH got sick and so we started doing the same thing at her home. Her DH doesn't care that we set up the dining room and leave it a mess for my entire visit. (My DH would go nuts - he hates a mess.)
My mother always said I was a true Gemini - I can't do just one thing. I will even read a book while watching TV. So it's not severe but I am sure now it was ADD. So keeping focus can be hard for me. Too bad you don't live in San Diego area - we could be quilt buddies and keep each other focused.
