Bit off more than I can chew?!?
 

So my hubby is away, and I have all the time in the word to quilt, and yet I find myself so unmotivated. What gives?!? It doesn't help that I've decided to tackle a big project (a QAYG king sized warm wishes quilt). I love the fabrics. It all seems easy enough. After starching & ironing my fabric a few days ago (boy I forgot how long that takes alone) and returning to the store to buy a bigger cutting mat for my 12" squares (this morning), I finally started cutting tonight. So . . . 18 squares later, and I'm pooped. Not to mention, I remeasured the remaining fabric and now realize I will come up short and will need to return for more fabric. Oh well! I guess, I'll buy enough to make pillowcases too! Seriously, what is wrong with me? This was supposed to go quick . . . ha ha! I'm nowhere near even getting close to my sewing machine at this rate. Does anyone else ever feel like this or am I just slow?

Nope...'tis the rule for such times:) If your husband was home and you were snowed under with other tasks you would be itching to quilt! Besides all that ironing and cutting for such a big project is a bit tiring....you will be flying once you get through that bit.

I'm there with ya ...I love quilting but as soon as I give myself a deadline I can't seem to get all my ducks in a row...I try to not worry about time..mother of 5..4 at home if I'm given time I really don't know what to with it! 10 years quilting and I still haven't made a quilt just for me, in the works tho! Good luck and happy quilting

I'm always amazed at how impatient I get at the prep work. I think I get amnesia each time when it hits me that this phase takes so darn long! I'm itching to do the sewing, but can't get past the initial stuff. I poop out too when I should press on. (oops - no pun intended)

However, if I set up right the construction goes so easy. Also, a lot of times I am writing instructions for the classes I teach so I have to be orderly and clear so I can explain what to do for others.

before I was a quilter, i always maintained the same thing about sewing garments... it takes longer to plan, pin the pattern, and cut out the pieces than it does to do the sewing. i actually enjoy the prep work in quilting. knowing that the fabric is clean and free of chemicals, and the fabric is smooth from ironing and has that nice smell.... love it! But I actually do that part as soon as the fabric comes into the house. So all the fabric in my stash is ready to go.

i never give my self a deadline. maybe i should every time i say i will
finish a quilt i end up starting another. go figure. lol

Im a newbie quilter and am shocked at how long things are taking me to do! What seems in mt head will take a few hours takes a few days. I am ok with that I just have to plan for it:). I take a lot of breaks which is probably why it takes so long:D but also helps break up the ironing and cutting.

I've always been one to want to be on the "next" step instead of the one I'm on. I've been working on a scrappy quilt and one night I was wishing the same wish when I felt God speak to me. His message was to enjoy the process. I just kept feeling that over and over. My hubby and I are separated and have been for a year now. I'm not a patient person and feel God was speaking to me about more than just the quilt. :)


Anyway...learn to enjoy the process don't rush the project whatever it may be...
Diannia

I've always been one to want to be on the "next" step instead of the one I'm on. I've been working on a scrappy quilt and one night I was wishing the same wish when I felt God speak to me. His message was to enjoy the process. I just kept feeling that over and over. My hubby and I are separated and have been for a year now. I'm not a patient person and feel God was speaking to me about more than just the quilt. :)


Anyway...learn to enjoy the process don't rush the project whatever it may be...
Diannia

Well to those of you and me, who want to be on the next step, We're not supposed to worry about tomorrow, tomorrow will take care of itself, remember?

I had the same thing happen to me last week when my DH was out of town. I couldn't get in the mood so I worked on other things instead. Clean the kitchen pantry, emptied dead plants from hanging baskets on the deck, cleaned the refrigerator, gathered things for Goodwill. No sewing done but at least when he returned I didn't feel like I had wasted the days.

When ever I "set myself up" ineviatably , I will lack the final drive to actually do the work. Do what you want in this time.

Making a quilt is not a speed contest. Relax and enjoy the process.

My desire to see how the quilt will look inspires me to forge ahead with the cutting. Following a pattern makes it go faster as someone has all the fabric requirements listed. Making up my own pattern slows me down.
Just hang in there and you will be sewing before you know it.

I feel the same way sometimes, especially when something goes wrong like not having enough fabric. It's like hitting a stone wall for me!! LOL Hope inspiration hits you very soon!!

Rachel

I know what you mean. When you don't have time to sew you think of all kinds of things you want to do if you only had the time, but when you do have the chance to sit down at you machine it seems your motivation to get started has disappeared and I'm slow too so when I do start a project seems like I'll never finish. It doesn't sound like it but I do really love to sew.

Just enjoy the process. Your brain is working on other problems while you are happily getting the quilt ready to put together. That's why quilting is so much fun. Don't worry about the "gotta have it done by so-and so."

Your dilemma reminds me of a few years ago when I was trying to teach our great granddaughter to sew. We were working on an apron for her mother. But she said she wanted to learn to make some clothes for herself. So we were going through the steps of using a pattern. After we got the pattern ready to use she looked at me and said, "When does the fun start?" Everything has to be fun nowadays.

This is exactly the way I work.....I press and cut some, I sew some.....I go back and cut. At one time, the girl in charge of our quilt ministry wanted me to test the patterns she was giving out....you know, how much of this, how much of that. I tried it but found out I was "not going into my quilt studio" because it became so tedious to me. I gave the job back to her. She asked how I know when I have enough cut.....and I told her that when the size of my quilt tells me to stop, I stop....of course it helps that I'm a scrappy quilter so I don't worry so much about all the fabric matching.

This is exactly the way I work.....I press and cut some, I sew some.....I go back and cut. At one time, the girl in charge of our quilt ministry wanted me to test the patterns she was giving out....you know, how much of this, how much of that. I tried it but found out I was "not going into my quilt studio" because it became so tedious to me. I gave the job back to her. She asked how I know when I have enough cut.....and I told her that when the size of my quilt tells me to stop, I stop....of course it helps that I'm a scrappy quilter so I don't worry so much about all the fabric matching.

No, i'm in that spot right now and im only making a beach quilt that will be 50"x50".
I've cut out the applique' peices, finally ironed the fabrics for the 9patch squares but cannot bring myself to get in there and cut the fabric. The prep work is one long process.
I just need to lock myself in my sewing room and do it. Since I only make quilts for my pleasure I don't have a deadline so that helps and I sometimes just need to be in the mood.
Good luck and good quilting.

I know the feeling. Hubby has been gone for 2 weeks and I spent the first week just staring at my stash; the first half of this week staring at patterns. Finally found THE pattern and got the motivation to start cutting.... he is due back tomorrow.

Gee, I thought I was alone! I have so little energy that a big project takes forever. So I will grab a few scraps and do a couple of scrappy blocks just so I feel like I've done something.

My husband has been retired for almost 20 years. I have been retired for 12. I find that when he goes on his golfing weeks, I get little done because I just enjoy having the house to my self. No meals on time...no laundry to pick up..pizza for breakfast if I want....complete control of the remote control. The time flies and then he is home again and I really haven't accomplished all the things I planned...but I did enjoy the peace and quiet.

Cutting and ironing often makes me think, uh when starting a quilt. But once I get to getting down with sewing and start seeing results, watch out the fun really begins for me. I like seeing it all come together, it's like A BEAUTIFUL PUZZLE. Hang in there you'll get your MOJO back. LOL

still pretty new to this addiction of mine... but I am slow. Have two pieces of fabric I found at the thrift store today in the dryer. I have to iron in shifts as low back arthritis keeps me from standing there too long. I just do what i can and eventually I have this lovely quilt. Hang in there............it is worth it.....

With husband gone, you've been thrown off "your game". Same thing happened when mine disappeared for an out of state deer hunt in November. Had all these great aspirations of finishing Christmas gifts and instead, I spent my time on QB and hanging out in my sweats in front of the tv eating cereal for supper. You have all this time and no excuses and yet, it just doesn't feel right. Your quilt will come together when the time is right. Believe we are all so caught up in life that we sometimes just can't enjoy the present as much as we should.

Sorry you feel out of sync with your quilting. I am one of those lucky people who can usually just go with the flow of what ever happens in the studio unless it interupts the current disaster I am working through. Just don't stop me from sewing and I'll be alright! Over the years I have learned so much through quilting. I am more patient, take my time, double check everything before I start anything and always expect to be interupted. What can ya do!

EDIT: I did notice in a few replys that women think they have to be doing something all the time, every waking second. You Don't. Time is time no matter if you are sitting and staring out the window, just relax and enjoy the time no matter what. Living shoud not be a hassle.
peace

EDIT: I did notice in a few replys that women think they have to be doing something all the time, every waking second. You Don't. Time is time no matter if you are sitting and staring out the window, just relax and enjoy the time no matter what. Living shoud not be a hassle.
peace[/QUOTE]

This is so true! I think this must be "learned" behaviour....my mother, my sister and me....all the same, sit down for five minutes and we get a major guilt trip.

EDIT: I did notice in a few replys that women think they have to be doing something all the time, every waking second. You Don't. Time is time no matter if you are sitting and staring out the window, just relax and enjoy the time no matter what. Living shoud not be a hassle.
peace[/QUOTE]

This is so true! I think this must be "learned" behaviour....my mother, my sister and me....all the same, sit down for five minutes and we get a major guilt trip.

Well, I thought I was the only one in this shape. I've been procrastinating like crazy on my stuff. It disappoints me.

Anything worth doing needs good prep work.
I was wondering why I hadn't made so many quilts last year but then remembered I had made at least a dozen Bow Tucks Bags. I'm one of those who needs to be doing something all the time and suffers guilt if I waste time. Doesn't mean I don't but need to tell myself it's okay. Funny lot aren't we.

Tell you hubby thanks for serving. I also want to thank you for the sacrifice you make in being away from family and friends to support your man.

May God Bless you and your's. Have a Blessed weekend and a safe one. Dawn Marie Odya

I wrote something for you but it showed up on page four.Im Dawn Marie Odya

I had 5 yards of one fabric and 3 of another.After unpacking it from moving across the united states with it I took it to the dry cleaners to iron it for me.I didnt mind the cost because my time is also worth somethig to me and I was able to do other things besides standing at an ironing board and it saved my right hand a lot of pain.It is on the hanger waiting for me to cut it up when i need it.It was all white with little patterns through out,roses,cars and trucks,hearts.I use this when I need some white here and there in the quilt.

Dry Cleaners press yards of fabrics? Do they do a decent job? Do they hand press it, or run it through a mangle? This could be newsworthy! When I have a bunch of fabric to press, and it's going to take me hours, I'd be willing to pay a Dry Cleaners to run it through a mangle! (I used to run a mangle in my much younger years, and think it would be perfect for pressing quilting fabric.) I'm going to check this out.

I just bought out fabrics from an estate, a ton of them, with lots of small pieces (like about a yard) up to several yards. I have been washing and pressing non stop. Had to press the smaller stuff, otherwise I couldn't get it to lie flat and neatly folded for my stash. Larger stuff I could fold without pressing. I was urged on by the fact that I had agreed to an exchange of 2" patches with a gal who is making a postage stamp quilt. She wanted all singles. In return, she is sending me strips from which I can cut 8 - 2 1/2" squares --- you know, sew a light and a dark strip together, then cut out my double patches, rearrange, and sew into a 16 patch block, which is what I want. I'm copying my Great Grandmother's quilt, and that's how she did it.

Anyway, because this other gal was so excited to get patches, it kept me going through all the boredom or washing, pressing and cutting. I ended up sending her 438 patches! That was because of the fabric from the estate sale, because prior to that, I certainly didn't have that many fabrics in my stash!

It's a good thing I like scrappy quilts!

But right now, I have to take a break from everything quilting, and just do something else. This won't last long. But everyone needs a break from tedium!

Happy Days!

I know what you mean. Sometimes it takes me all day to get motivated to go in the sewing room and get started on anything to do with sewing. My present project is a quilt for my first great grandchild. Will post it when I get it done.
Dorothy

I am working on my PHD in Quilting (Projects Half-Done)! LOL