discouraged
 

The sure cure for discouragement is to get around other quilters that are quilting or go to a class. You need a guild or a mini-group to get together with regularly. Works for me! I think discouragement is the devil's tool to keep us from accomplishing what we were meant to do! Don't let him do that to you!

I get discouraged frequently. I have found walking away and coming back later helps...A LOT!! I can reread a pattern a dozen times and it not make sense. Once I walk away and come back to reread it it makes sense.

Know you are not alone.

So thank each and every one of you for your entries. I've been just sick and disgusted since Christmas because I'm feeling so bad about not being "in the mood" to quilt. I'm new at this and don't really have much of a clue what I'm doing, even though I did take lessons last spring. I've completed 3 tops and have one pinned/basted to hand quilt, but haven't. I feel as though I've got so much money invested in my stash that I need to be in there producing !

Decided this a.m. in the wee hours, like 3 a.m. wee hour, that TODAY is the day I'll get in the "sewing room" rearrange stuff and start doing something ! It is going to be rainy here in West GA for the next few days which will keep me inside. I was going into Atlanta tomorrow for lunch and shopping but don't like to drive in the rain but have backed out and feeling a bit depressed.

I've tried knitting since Christmas to keep my hands busy and hopefully get over the quilting lull ! Misery loves company and I was a bit excited to see that I'm not the only one not quilting ! Thank each of you !

Please don't give up. I sometimes feel like you do so I put the larger projects away for awhile and do some easy scrapy blocks or something that comes out nice with out the pressure of a big quilt.

If it is the patterns that "discourage" you, and are having trouble reading them or figuring them out, take some time and go to the LQS where you shop and ask for help. Spend a day there just working on your project to get thru it. Also, since you have not been quilting a "long" time, then be sure not to be working on a more intermediate/experience rated pattern. I know when I was beginning quilting, my projects were not perfect nor were they complicated, but as time went on, I have gotten into more difficult patterns and still run into issue with those. Keep at it. You will be fine. Giving up is not an option to me either.

I have come and gone with quilting. I love it but in the past I did not have the time. I made quilts for other people and with that in mind, I never took a picture or kept one for myself. In the back of my mind it was...oh I will get to that when the kids are grown or I retire and have oodles of time. so over the last 35 years I have made some quilts for family member and let me tell you......I never belonged to a guild or had a group like this on the internet. So to be honest I think that my quilts were probably lucky to have made it finished. Because I made them for specific people, I never had any UFO's. So now I am retired and the kids are sort of all gone (some have moved back in due to the economy...they are refugees of the economy) I have the time to go to quilt classes and to join a group
of other quilters. Plus this group here. I have learned more about quilting that I had no idea about and that makes me wonder how on earth I ever quilted before. My last quilt was the wedding ring for my daughter which was 9 years ago. Then I had a friend who got me interested about 7 years ago and I started a cat quilt which I never finished. I lost interest because I got to a point that I don't know how to finish it. I didn't like any of the ideas I tried, so it is sitting waiting for me to get to it. So now that I am back into quilting......My enthusiasm is totally high. But I can also attest that I know that my interest will go through some down times where I won't want to quilt and I know that is fine. I have enough other crafts to play with. And that is the whole idea........Go play. Oh yeah that cat quilt.........I have an idea of how I want to finish it now. Don't despair......do something else and it will come back.

Why not re-start "quilting"? Go take some beginner classes again and then migrate to an Intermediate class, etc... another solution: If you can find a friend to sew with maybe once a week to start for awhile and then every 2 weeks than once a month might help. Two brains are better than one!!!

Good Luck!!

Its normal to get "discouraged" or in the "dumps" about quilting. But it will pass and soon you'll be right back at it. If the quilt you are working on isn't working out, put it away and maybe in 6 or 7 years, you'll want to get it out and finish it. I'm doing that now with my Dear Jane quilt that I started probably a good 7 years ago. I'm finding it fun to put the blocks together and make my "masterpiece". A lot of the advice in this thread is excellent for restarting your sewing urges. Go to a quilt show as well. That is always inspirational.

Some ideas: take a class at a LQS, have a "quilting bee" with friends, join a group that does charity quilting. At my LQS I hold a once-a-month session where people can bring in UFOs that they need time or help to finish. Ask around and see if your LQS offers this. If they don't, maybe they could start a group.

Agree with all the suggestions but my first thought was what Sue said, speak with your doctor. Can be something very simple. If my diet consists of too much sugar (maybe chocolate :-) ) or not well balanced, my mind and body doesn't function like it should. Stress can be a factor also, but sometimes it just gives me more determination to do something. Sometimes just getting out for a walk helps too. Whatever, don't give up!

When I get that way I step back and leave the project alone for however long it takes. I may do something else inbetween, baby quilt, table runners, christmas stockings to give away, embroider. Generally when I go back to the project it's because in my heart it's ok and I have a new prospective about it. Do something you enjoy, after all, what is it going to matter in 5 years whether you got that project finished or not. I have also found that if I "promise" something, that there ends up being mega pressure and I do not enjoy the project. It stops being a labor of love at that point....

Yes I am discouraged also. Because I sat and sewed for to long - 5 to 10 hrs at a time, I got a blood clot which 90 percent of the time starts in your legs. Now I am off the blood thinner and have to set a timer in my sewing room and get up and walk around every hour. I am going to the Gym 3 to 4 times a week but I still have to do this also when I go on a road trip, stop and walk around. The Doctor also told me to wear support stockings when I sew. I am not doing that part. I am real down about all this. I have been sewing for 57 years. Thanks for listening.

One thing to help with figuring out patterns is to start small and easy. Also it was really helpful to me to take quilting classes. You can ask questions and will learn a lot. Also go at your own pace. Some people sew many many quilts and some sew a few. Some love the complicated patterns and some love the quick ones. Also you can ask questions here and get help. I am still learning a lot too.

Perhaps its the kind of quilt patterns you are choosing. Are you trying to do something that takes precise cutting or intricate detail? Why not pick one the Board tutorials where you have good pictures and instruction PLUS the instructor at your fingertips! Don't give up! But don't feel like you have to do something you don't like because you spent money and then you wind up miserable and make mistakes.

Ditto everything everyone has said!!! I had been on a quilting hiatus for the past 5 or 6 years. And now - I am fully engaged, so excited! But I know that some day it will swing again the other way - but I am not going to let that bother me - there are so many good suggestions here of what to do when that happens. I also have difficulty deciphering patterns. I decided that this year is the year for me to bump up my skills a notch - and to take a paper piecing class. Also, I decided to quit having preconceived notions of what I would or wouldn't do (those colors don't match my house - so they are off limits though they are so pretty; or - that pattern seems a little more country and while I like it - it doesn't fit my decorating scheme). I decided I wanted to open up all avenues to explore! You will find your way back...

OH OH OH, instead of the Goodwill pile, won't you consider using those unwanted UFOs as PIFs here on the board? Or you could even sell them to us for a low price just to get them out of your sight. So many of us struggle financially and would love to take an unloved project and give it a new home.

OH YES. When my seams aren't straight or no matter how hard I try its just not neat enough. I have thought about stopping altogether. But like you I have a loft full of fabric and a lovely sewing machine (well a few actually). What i do is stop. I might put it all away for a day or two.

I think about why I sew and what I enjoy about it. Sometimes its just working in fabric and making things for others, sometimes its to challenge myself that I can do this.

all I can say is ask someone to show you or help you. If you can post some pictures and ask for advice on QB. I have found this site so helpful. If we don't challenge ourselves with something hard we will never improve and advance our skills. And remember this is a hobby if you are not enjoying what you are doing stop that project. do something else and you might come back to the original one - you might not - it does not matter. Just enjoy what you are doing and do what you enjoy. Please don't give up

About feeling discouraged, I certainly understand how you feel. With fibromyalgia there comes a brainnumbing thing called fibrofog, which causes us to do things that seem perfectly right at the time but are in fact not. For example the other day I was doing the math to add borders to tshirt blocks so they all come out the same size. Now I know how to do this, have done it many times. But this time, for about half the blocks, I added the half inch seam allowance before I divided by 2 instead of after. So of course, all the blocks where I did that came out half an inch too small. Sometimes I only did it on one set of sides. LOL... when all were cut, sewn, pressed and on the design wall, DH says to me, why aren't they all the same size. Of course they are!! OMG, no they aren't!! Why aren't they? So as I sat and frogged all the ones that were too small, I tried to figure out what went wrong. Went over and over the formula, the steps, etc. No, I had it right, so frustrated, so discouraged. Then somewhere in there it occurred to me what I must have done.

I loveeee those beautiful paperpieced stars and quilts with the sunbursts and all that, but I know I won't ever be making one because I would get lost in the fog and never be able to follow a pattern that complex. I have made peace with that, and am happy and content to stick with simpler patterns and designs. I get my challenge in trying to design a few patterns of my own now and then. And in trying to do basic math correctly. LOLOL
Hugggs and smiles for you, always know you are not alone in your frustration and that many of us are out here who understand what you are dealing with. You are welcome to send me a PM any time you feel the need to vent!!

So far I have not gotten out of the mood to sew. I always look forward to finishing a quilt so I can start another. With all the fabrc I have and all my oldest Daughter has, she sure hopes I never get out of the mood to sew.

Walk away for a few days and let it be, don't walk away forever. I know how you feel, I have been there. Probably everyone who is on this board has been there. Maybe you need to just work on something else to get a new perspective on whatever is giving you so much trouble.
When I have one pattern that is giving me fits, I put it away and go back to it later when I feel up to giving it another try. I'm about ready to do that again with one I can't seem to get right. I just don't like the way it is coming together.

Good luck it will get better. Try and remember why you started quilting in the first place and how amazing it felt to finish that first quilt you ever did.

I too have problems letting the pattern soak into my head sometimes. While I quilt to free my mind and let go of the days stresses, sometimes they stay there right at the back of my conscious and refuse to let me fully concentrate on what I want to do.When that happens I just give up for the day or longer. I may go two weeks and never even think about it, just because life gets in the way. I have been an artist all my life, and I learned long ago that if the creative juices are not flowing, I have to walk away until I can get my mind clear enough to try again. Creativity is something that happens only when you have cleared the mind of all else and are completely in the moment. Sometimes my life is so crazy that it is months before I can clear my head and create! it sounds like everyone here has been there at some point or another. Just hang in there and you will know when everything lines up just right!

I get frustrated and discouraged at times too. But, I do enjoy quilting and sewing so I know I won't give it up. I just step back and do a small project (small wall hanging, tote, purse, accessories, whatever) till I get my quilting mojo going again.

As for discouraged about figuring the patterns out, I have the same problem. So, when I can't understand a pattern, I do my best to follow along but usually end up adapting to my own version of the pattern. My quilting buddy says I always have to "make it a little different" to make it my own.....where in reality it's just that I don't understand the instructions.

When I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, my doctor said my brain doesn't process information the same way anymore so I've learned to adapt.

If you need help "figuring" out a pattern, feel free to email me off-list and I'll try to help out. Not being able to follow patterns is very frustrating so I feel your discouragement and want to help.

Hang in there !!!

Craftsy has a free class on Block of the Month, easy ones, start again and enjoy. You don't have to do difficult patterns, enjoy the more simple ones till you get your confidence. Don't give up, just look at it differently.

Do you belong to a Guild or a Bee? I would never have completed the projects or enjoyed myself so much if it weren't for my wonderful Bee. The ladies are supportive and encouraging. I am fairly new to quilting and being part of the Guild attending monthly meetings to see what others are doing and listening to speakers who are enthusiastic about the craft just adds to my confidence. The ladies in the Bee meet weekly and we plan monthly trips usually a shop-hop with a nice lunch. There are also Bees that meet evenings and Saturdays. Every Bee has it's own personality and the most important thing, is that they all love quilting and want to share thier enthusiasm. good luck!

I haven't been brave enough to give a UFO to the good will, but you are so right, Life is too short - do what you like. About quilting "blues", we all get them in varying stages and for me they last different lengths of time. Just recently I have decided to have 3 or 4 or 5 different works in progress (wip), and it helps keep me interested. Some times the quilting blues keep me away for a month or so, but recently with so many projects going that I really like each day is different. I still haven't gotten to "like" pressing, so I do it in bulk, all the projects get pressed at the same time. I know I should sew and press, but gee, I really Hate pressing.

Maybe just shut the door (if you have a sewing room) or pack it all away out of sight--Take a Break!! Do something unrelated to quilting for a week or two then come back with a new outlook on quilting. I've been in a rut once or twice and found taking the pressure off works well for me. Hope this helps you.
I also find if I'm not fond of the piece I'm working on it's hard to be motivated and I will make mistakes.

When I first started quilting, I was over 50 years old, no, maybe I was almost 60 years old. I had sewed clothes and everything else, but not pieced a quilt. I just could not cut the darn fabric and could not sew that 'scant 1/4 inch'. Every strip I cut had that darn 'V' in it and I ripped constantly because the blocks were wonky and not the right size. It was very discouraging to me and I was really embarrassed that I couldn't do such a simple thing. I would suggest you take the quilt pattern to someone to help you figure it out. I have had many problems with reading a quilt pattern or any pattern and have to ask for help. There is nothing wrong with that, sometimes the quilt directions are wrong ! Ask how many people have had problems making the bo-tuck purse that so many here on the board have made and you will be shocked. I never did get the directions about putting in the pockets, my DH and I swear the directions are wrong, they don't add up. You are not alone with having problems time to time. Hang in there !

Maybe this will help you:
End of November I was not discouraged, but my brain was tired, stresses from dealing with challenging designs.
So I stepped back for a rest and did fun creative things that sprang from my own mind, using the skills I already had conquered. So I kept quilting, but on a simpler level. It has helped, as my brain is now ready for action!

Thanks for the ideas

I have never been discouraged with it. However, I do interject it with other craft activities. I have made the coilbowls, and now I am working on the bowls that Nancy Zieman had on her show which were cut froma template. I have made a quilted jacket and now working on my second. This variety of activities keeps me interested and I learn a trick or two from each. Perhaps you will be less discouraged if you try a variety? You don't sound like you have given it up yet, so see if this revitalises the spark. All the best.

When this happens to me, I just start working on some short projects like Mug Rugs, pot holders, cosmetic bags, and table toppers. Have you thought about locating someone else that does quilting? To me, having a "quilting buddy" has been a life saver. Or, joining a quilt guild where you can ask for help if you need it. Don't quit, it can be so rewarding.

Take a break and then try again. I am left-handed and dyslexic so patterns give me fits. I tend to go with simpler patterns, but even then I have trouble sometimes. I know which patterns I cannot do, so I don't even attempt them. Finally, sometimes a light bulb will go on in my head and I know what I am doing wrong. It helps to have someone to share your thoughts/frustrations with. Hope you have such a person in your life.

i have been in a rut like that and you need to take a break browse thru some quilt patterns till you find one that excites you and then go for it

I know why I get discouraged, DH is after me all the time to get going on my fabric. I am a person that has to step back and look at every thing 4 times before I start.LOL

When ever you have this problem send it my way for charity. I love finishing quilts and then giving them to charity. A good way to finish a UFO.

NOT having problems with quilt patterns, but somehow over the years I've lost my ability to figure out logic puzzles. I never was an expert, but in the past, given time I could figure out most. Somewhere along the line my brain fuse has blown that let me read between the lines which is vital to logic puzzles.

Age I guess. No other easy to see change.

Oh, I do know how you feel! I have several "addictions" (quilting/reading/knitting/etc.) I used to think this was a bad thing, but now I'm grateful for it. If I get stuck or bored with one, I switch up and do something else. This gives your creative spirit a chace to "breathe" and one day you'll suddenly be moved to return to the project. What is it they say..."Life is short, eat dessert first!".

STOP!!!!! Take a breath!!!! Now do something NICE fo YOU!!! Have a cup of tea with an old friend, meet for lunch with the girls, but just make it FUN time. When you feel under controll, then pice out an EASY FAST pattern to sew (doesn't have to be a quilt, could be a dress, mug rug, etc.....). Remember you are doing it for fun. I have been known to put my quilting down for a couple of months. Then when I come back to it every thing is fresh and new with my new eyes, mind and heart. Also remember WE are here for you.

I put my quilting stuff away and start knitting. I love to knit. Right now, I'm at the disgusted phase with UFO's and too much "stuff" around. And I don't have a large stash. I just don't like clutter and it really pressures me. I have put my kitted up projects in a bin and taken them to the basement for a while. I'll haul them out again when the spirit moves me. I have one UFO up here to finish...I'll concentrate on that for now. I hate feeling overwhelmed!

Every so often I get what I called "quilted out" and swear off quilting or fabrics or anything to do with the sewing room a for several weeks or more. I work in the garden or write for my writer's group or paint pictures for awhile and regain the desire to quilt. It has always returned eventually. Then when I enjoy it that's fine. Remember it's not a job we have to do. It is a hobby for fun.