I prefer sewing with a group, but I make too many mistakes. I found it more effective to only take simple tasks with me. My sister and I can sew together without a problem, but we aren't shy. If doing something difficult, I will tell her I have to have quiet for a minute or so to sort this out. Not a problem. Same with her. Now that she's officially given up making doll clothing to sell, our sewing days together are over. Sniff.

My answer would be "both"...sewing on my own I get distracted and do other things rather than sew. If I am sewing with a group, I actually get more done as it is usually "dedicated" sewing time. I am though a person that does like my own time, so after awhile, I would prefer to be home where it is quiet, and am always happy to get home again. Wish I would get more done at home and am working on that (I think I need to stay off the computer!)

I've been sewing so many years by myself that I don't think I could concentrate if I tried to sew in a group.

Love sewing with small group once a week. Also go to several retreats a year. No justifying. I worked most of my life and DH is not a neat freak, just needs clean clothes. Will eat takeout.

mltquilt

I love this!!! Seriously, it is my firm belief that kids need to become independent and self-sufficient and not dependent on their mother. I think I succeeded on that score. And now that they're gone, who cares if their bedrooms get vacuumed or the mantle gets dusted? There are quilts to be made and books to be read and music to be played. Martha Stewart I am not!

Back on topic - I definitely get more sewing done when I'm alone. Sewing groups have not worked for me. My sister and I do have occasional sewing days, but usually we are working on a project together and we divide the tasks and just get to it. But, generally, I prefer to sew alone. This month is hunting season here, so my dear darling husband will be gone a good part of the month. I have my projects all stacked up and ready to tackle. When he's gone I get to do midnight sewing....tee hee!!

While I enjoy sewing with a group, I get much, much more accomplished when I sew alone. My sewing room has everything I need in it and I keep it well organized. I have good lighting and a nice view out the window. Because working alone can get boring, I listen to an audio book on my iPad as I work.

I get a lot more done while sewing with friends. At home by myself there are too many things to distract me and don't get much sewing done. Friends inspire me and motivate me to work.

I don't get more done when I am with my friends working on quilts, but I do get more ideas regarding colors or things that I can't quite put my finger on. One of them will make a relevant comment and the others start brain storming and giving opinions. It's fantastic and well worth the time!

both, I like seeing everyone's projects coming along, and its fun to sit and chat, but I also like sewing alone, but I think I relax more in a group setting.

I love our quilting group, we talk, we sew, we share, we laugh and sometimes nothing gets accomplished. But, that's okay. The time we spend at group is always enjoyable even if it isn't productive. We get new ideas and new inspiration.
At home, my wife and I can be productive sitting side by side for hours sewing, tv in the background, neighbors cutting grass or 4 wheeling in the distance...our machines hum along getting the work out. I do wish we could sew more when we want and not in selective hours but thats our choice that we made by watching our 4 grandkids 5 days a week. I am as happy about being a part of thier lives as much as I am of my best quilts.

I am a school administrator that has to deal with 700 people day in and day out, so sewing quietly by myself is the ultimate.c although I will say I wish I had some friends here........

I fix breakfast, bucket lunch, and supper for my hubby every day. I keep the dishes and laundry done. I sweep up my threads and scraps every day. AND THE KIDS ARE GROWN! So, I knit, crochet, sew, read the QB...................

Ditto for me, Dunster. You took the words right out of my mouth.

go on a retreat! no housework!

My DD and I have just started a group we call Quilting Queens. It's ladies from her church and from my church. We had our first Queens meeting last month with 5 ladies. We'll meet the next time on Oct. 9 and expect some who couldn't make it last month. We all brought things we could do while "visiting". 2 of the ladies cut and pressed for their project, my DGD appliqued, my DD and I pieced. We have 2 sewing machines available, 2 cutting mats. iron & ironing board set up for those who need them. We are enjoying getting together with ladies we don't know and seeing what others are doing. Everyone enjoyed the first meeting and the others who have heard what a good time we had are anxious for the October meeting. So, I guess to answer the post, I enjoy working with others and I enjoy working alone. Both have great benefits for me.

Same with me.

It would be nice at times but the thought of packing up everything especially my sewing machine ( it is old ang metal making it very heavy) but I also think I would have the talking problem. My nick name is chatty Kathy lol

I enjoy the ideas shared when working with a group and the motivation I get when quilting with others especially when working on the same quilt pattern. It seems I always learn something from experienced quilters whether it's a cutting or piecing shortcut. However, as my projects grow in size, I have much more room at home to "spread out" and work comfortably at home. I just discovered that my LQS classroom was remodeled over summer and has doubled in size so there appears to be more table space and plenty of ironing boards set up. I'm looking forward to it!

Do I have to choose? I love both. For about the past 12 or so years, I have participated in two annual quilt retreats. One has more people, but essentially the same core group. The other consists of the same women each time. I love both--did I say that already? 8^)) I get lots of work done in both places, as much or almost as much as if I were alone. The benefits of group work is other opinions, learning new things (in all realms, not just quilting), show-and-tell, seeing others' experiments, and fabulous companionship. Sewing alone, I get to talk to myself, play with my fabric, and quilt not just piece or applique.

I go on Tuesdays and sew at a LQS with a couple of friends. I do get more done at home but it is nice to sew and visit with friends. We have lunch & catch up on our quilting. I bring easy projects to our Tuesday outings. I do get more done at home but friends are very special and so is our sewing. House work can wait because life is just too short.

I like being with a group, but get more done when I am alone.

I really do like to sew with a group. My guild meets twice a year for a two day retreat and I went for the first time this spring and I got huge amounts of work finished. Talk? well of course we did but, I also got so many ideas, tips and so much encouragement from others that I will do this again. We also have a once a month work day and I would not miss them. We problem solve for each other and really get to know one another and friendships bloom. I go to these "events" with materials ready to go and I whiz through some projects and seek the opinions of others. I learned to paper piece at one of these work days. I never would have tried it if another quilter had not been sitting across the room helping, reminding me with the steps to success and making sure I was on the right track. I love working together. In the end, it is all up to the individual. Sometimes it may just be better to work alone on some projects and plan on less for those good together time and enjoy the conversations.

Well said Peckish. But Ann63 I know where you are coming from also. Are you putting the guilt on yourself? If so STOP IT RIGHT NOW! If its coming from somewhere else try having a heart to heart talk. I love the retreats I attend. We all need "me" time. Lisa

I'm more of a 'loaner' so I sew best when alone. I do read these columns each day, and scan some websites for tips I haven't seen here....I just like my hobby being stress-free...seems when I did join a group, too much competition and stress surrounded my brain. Was too much to handle.

Prefer to sew at home alone!

Never really thought about it either way as I have done both .. Sewing for me is a sanity release, I create something and it turns out a nice creative piece whether it be a garment or a quilt.

I like both,however we recently moved and oh how I miss my quilting group.We did lots of sewing and helped out with any problems that came up with projects --- also with life in general ! Because I no longer drive I am finding it hard to find another group,I suppose I should make more effort.I go to a craft group within U.3.A but no one there does patchwork.If there is anyone out there near Blaydon Tyne & Wear U.K who would like to get together with me to sew,natter and share a good coffee perhaps they would let me know. Love Letty

My guild does a Charity quilting day once a month, we love getting together. A lot of talking goes on but we actually get things accomplished. It's a fun day for all. For myself, I prefer sewing alone, I get so much more done with no distractions.

I'm with you Scissor Queen.
And, I live alone so housework and cooking are done at my leisure, if at all.
I drive r/t 70 miles every Wednesday and many Thursdays to sit at my machine in a friend's quilt shop in Newport, NH
with 4-5 other quilters. We talk, share, learn and sew away.
Having just found a couple of quilters who want a local group, am starting a new Tuesday group here in Keene at the local library.
I get alot done sewing elsewhere with others.
At home I seem to find other things to do in my quilt room - sort or fondle fabric, look at quilt books, reorganize the room, cut squares in various sizes, count how many I have - apparently anything to avoid sewing.

I just took a Judy Niemeyer Class and I really loved it but have a hard time with parts of it. At the LQS she has Judy Niemeyer Wednedsay the 4th Wed. of the month from 1:00 - 7:00. If you are enrolled in a class you get to go there and sew for the afternoon for free. The lady that teaches these class is a Certified J.N. teacher and the shop is certified. If you are not in a class the charge is $10.00. Considering you get a lot of instruction and help that is a real bargin to me. I have found that I really enjoy going and getting the extra help. I have a lot of money tied up in this quilt and I plan to go as long as I need to, to accomplish my goal. There are lots of quilters that go. I have found that I really love sewing in a group. Everyone is so nice and willing to help. I live in Texas near Galveston and I really love that shop. It is my happy place because I am a widow and even though I work 8 hours a day this is so good for me. So yes I really love sewing in a group.

I go to a UFO Day once a week. There are usually only four of us who attend. We talk, but not all the time. We all are serious about our sewing and sharing ideas and assistance but not mindless chatter. We all get lots of sewing accomplished. It is great. I get all my major cutting accomplished during these days, which enables me to sew at home.

Hi Letty,

as you will see from my details I live very close to you, infact I used to live in Blaydon but after several moves around the country am now in Newcastle more or less on the opposite side of the Tyne to you. I go to quilting classes once a week and am about to join a quilting group that meet once a month to sew over in Shiremoor.

We don't have quite so much going on here in England for group sewing but most of the quilting shops do have quilting sessions. I see you no longer drive which will be a problem for you because most of the quilting places are "off the beaten track". pm me if you would like to have a chat.

Eileen

I love my groups monthly meetings and our annual retreat (coming up next week!!!) but if I am going to get a huge amount done I am better with my tools etc. close at hand in my sewing room. Each has its purpose and I would trade one minute of it with my friends because they teach me so much.

I enjoy sewing!!! I enjoy sewing at home alone, in front of the tv while talking to my husband, while having coffee with friends, and enjoy packing up my sewing things to talk/coffee/sew with other quilters. Have I mentioned I just love to sew?

Me Too !!!! Life is to short unless you enjoy doing housework and wanting a spotless house at all times (not me). It is not dirty but it is not spotless either but it makes me happy .

I enjoy both, sewing alone I get bored sometimes. With a group, sharing what we've made or working on is inspiring to me. Which I need sometimes.

I like sewing with my guild at workshops they set up - always learning something new from them

I'm the "cutter" for the small church quilting ministry that meets Monday nights. We're all learning together and sharing ideas, and have one LA member. Sewing at home? Not if I can help it, but there are times when I need to take a project home to consider how to deal with it next. Laying out a large quilt on my kitchen floor has its advantages, with the square foot floor tiles to keep things straight, but its nice to spread them out on the pushed-together tables at church. We have a great time together, and my church friends are also my local girl friends, since I moved here from out of state and knew nobody in the neighborhood.

I belong to a group that meets once a month for a 'show and tell' and coffee and dessert. It's fun to see what everyone else is working on and get inspired. I also meet with two or three others once a week for a couple hours in the afternoon during the fall, winter, and spring. We each bring some handwork we are working on and visit as we work. No coffee and dessert here, just a bottle of water. I have been working on a GFG type quilt for a couple years at this one and this project will last me a couple more years! Again, it is fun to get inspired by what the others are working on. To get a real project done I have to quilt by myself. There are four other ladies I have attended weekend retreats with and have gotten some things started but never have time to finish them. That's for when I am home alone.

I was just thinking about this last night. When I go to a retreat I can just concentrate on my sewing. I try to have my projects cut out ahead of time so when I get there I can just sew, sew, sew. When I am home there are too many distractions to have good quality sewing time. Plus at retreats the only meal I have to worry about is the one I am helping with. Can't wait for my retreat a week from today!