Afraid to Start Next Quilt
 

Hi Everyone! Just wondering if I am alone in being afraid to start my next quilt. I seem to feel this every time I start a quilt especially if it is going to be a gift. It is a baby quilt (no big deal right?). The parents theme is "woods and woodland creatures, like birch trees, baby foxes, deer, owls". I found some wildlife panels in blues and creams and designed a curved log cabin block around the center panel. I'm not able to upload the design document as it is much to large. The log cabin block will only be 5.75" wide, which is quite small and I need to make 48 blocks (6 x 8 blocks). Just need to suck it up and start cutting fabric.

I don't seem to have an issue with starting a new project. I usually look forward to it. Your next quilt sounds nice. I'm sure you'll zip back into the swing of things once you do start it though! Good luck and have fun!

That sounds adorable!
I find if I clean up my sewing room before I start a new project, it always helps me get mentally ready to begin.

Watson

I get a little nervous on some projects. I just started a DWR that will be a wedding gift and I was pretty nervous about starting. Its a big commitment and alot of money so I was nervous. But I just jumped in and started.. once I got one test block put together I felt much better

You are not alone. I also am afraid to start the next quilt. I guess it is because I want to really like it when I am done, and I have no real confidence in my ability to select fabric and patterns. Normally I end up liking what I have made, but not always. So, yes, I get a bit cautious about starting a new quilt. You are not alone at all.

However, your quilt plan sounds wonderful. I think that once you get one of those log cabin blocks done, you will be ready. Maybe that would help...just cut out enough fabric for a few blocks, make those, and then you will be hooked.

Good luck to you.

Dina

Thank you for your encouraging words. Here is my design.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]541096[/ATTACH]

That is going to be beautiful. I can't wait to see it done. No need to have nerves on this project 😊

That's going to be a really cool quilt. I love to start projects. I have more problems finishing before going to something else.

My problem is not starting a quilt, but going back to it if I've set it aside for something else, especially if I've had any problems with it originally. My DD's storm at sea is an example. I have several quilts to tackle in the next couple of months, but am making myself block my calendar off for it this summer--so it's done by her 2nd anniversary!

Your quilt is going to be awesome.

Ooooooo I think that's going to be a terrific quilt! I enjoy the piecing...but get the jitters when puttng the blocks together. Takes me a good couple of "sits" before I feel comfy in the task.

Try to think of the quilt in steps--not as the whole. Maybe just cut strips one day. Next day, just sew four blocks to make a unit. Break it down so you are not overwhelmed. Soon you will be ready to put it all together. Lovely pattern!

Oooh, that looks really neat! With the LC blocks being so small, you should see progress really quickly! Don't forget to post a pic when it's done!

I always enjoy starting a new quilt. I think that EQ7 helps me especially when I scan the fabric I am using into the program. It is amazing how accurate the quilt looks when it is finished.

Sprice! This is just the advice I needed. One of those "why didn't I think of that moments". Thank you.

This is my problem, too

Have you got your fabrics yet? http://www.honeybegood.com/ has just the motifs that you mentioned. Really sweet fabrics, perfect for babies, although, it probably would not work well with the pattern you have planned.

~ C

I don't have problems starting the quilt project but its when I get to the quilting of it. I'll even have the quilting layout all figured out and I will still procrastinate. Once I get started though I'm good to go. Now I'm on a roll as I've finished quilting 1 over sized lap, 1 over sized full size, 1 oversized queen and now working on a king size quilt all in the past 4 weeks. I only quilt for appr. 3-4 hrs a day. The quilt I'm working now is custom all the way with 288 s.75 x 3.0 triangles surrounding it in 2 thread colors, 2 .75 sashings between the triangles, 1 large border with the individual patterns in mirror image, 4 cornerstones and 64 - 9.0 blocks. Tedious but rewarding as its coming out better than I hoped.

Also working on Bonnie Hunter's mystery..........finally and a BOM at my local fabric store plus getting ready to start one of the projects on my shelf for this year. Once I'm on a roll I'm good but its just getting me to start that's the hard part especially when winter hits. I get the "winter time blues". 2014 I only made 1 quilt the entire year.

Ah yes. I have this fear of finishing quilts.

I like the idea of doing it in stages but I would make one block first before spending a day cutting. That one block has frequently taught me a thing or two about how the rest of the project is going to go. The one time I didn't... I have a whole lot of expensive fabric cut up to make bear claw blocks that will never be used. Just didn't think it through and those pieces will never make two bear claw blocks that look the same. C'est le Vi.
tim in san jose

Your quilt is going to be wonderful!! I love it.

Dina

I love starting new quilts. What I dislike is measuring out the backing and batting - no space to adequately lay things out.

oh yes, a lesson I've learned several times, but just don't seem to remember!

My new challenge is a girl baby quilt for Oakland Raider fans.

[QUOTE=KwiltyKahy;7446118]This is my problem, too[/QUOTE

i love beginning a new project. Ditto above leave old project unfinished.

No problems starting a quilt... it's refraining from starting more than one. It sounds like you already have a good idea of what you are going to do so you'll be fine. I like what Watson suggested... that cleaning your space or sewing room sometimes gets your groove going...

Wow, that's going to be a beautiful quilt... lots of work, though. I might baulk at that, too. I love starting projects, but usually stall out when it's time to make the back, and quilt it. In fact, I started 3 new projects this week. (I already have enough quilts waiting in the quilting queue to make me edgy, but I started 2 QAL's anyway.

I really like your design and the key word in this situation is START. I hope you will do so soon because your design is begging to be 'birthed'. I am finding that making a 'quilting calendar' helps me keep going on projects and helps me not get side tracked. It is like an appointment calendar.

Amazing quilt. Every quilt project is a journey to me. Take one day at a time and enjoy the process. I like the layout. It sure helps to see the quilt as you have shown it. Ready, Get set..go and sew! :))

I'm trying to come up with a suggestion for you, but I'm speechless...LOL. I'm curious how you're going to handle this one. :)

~ C

It is really cute.

My problem is that, I don't have a problem starting a new project. The fact that you can't see my design wall because of ALL the UFO's on it, proves that. 😀

Try thinking about the blocks and not the whole quilt. Sometimes the whole project can seem like a big undertaking. Once you have a few blocks made, it should get your juices flowing and make the big project feel less daunting.

I don't have a problem embarking on a new quilt project, however, I do still have some UFO's but trying to finish them as well. Right now I'm making a set of baby quilts for twins, boy and girl, and she wanted whale fabric. I did find 2 different prints, as whales don't exactly come in pink, but as long as I haven't screwed up my measurements, I should have 2 great baby quilts, as well as 2 more baby quilts in progress, one with my go-to pattern of 9-patch and plain square of the print fabric, did the whale quilts in this pattern to. However, I'm delighted that I have managed to have 3 very different looking quilts, and I think the new mother of twins will be happy, at least I hope so, but she is getting her whales for the nursery.

Love your design! Be sure and show us your finished quilt!

This is one you do not want to delay on... finish it before they become the L.A. Raiders or the San Diego Raiders, or the San Antonio Raiders.

tim in san jose

Thank you to all of you Board Members who responded to my post. I took Sprice's advice and started thinking of one part of the quilt at a time. I decided to change the center panel and then I made 12 blocks. this is how it looks so far. BTW, this is my first log cabin and I am now in love with the block. Also, overcame my fear of "small pieces". I'm 77-years old and I, apparently, still need my mom. Thanks for helping me.

It's looking just lovely! You are moving right along with it.

I have a hard time starting a project. I need to find something that really sparks my interest. If I can't find that special something then I try out a block from this or that and see if it gets me going. I love that feeling when a project excites me and carries me away though. Those are the projects that practically sew themselves.

Are you a perfectionist? sometimes that enters the picture. You want it perfect, but not knowing how it will look makes us this way. Just dig in. That's all you can do.

It is beautiful!!!!

Dina

Tula Pink had a really cute line of woodsy animals a couple of years ago.