Do you prefer to sew with a group or alone?
 

I never seem to get a of lot sewing done with a group because I like to talk too much. It's awkard for me to be with others and not talk. I do my best sewing when I am alone and can concentrate on what I am sewing. Even when I am cooking or doing laundry, I still seem to get more sewing done. Sewing is a hobby so I justify it by doing things at home while sewing. How do you justify sewing for hours with others when so much needs to be done at home such as cooking, cleaning and transporting kids to different activites?

I prefer doing brain numbing sewing within a group, but intricate cutting, piecing and quilting needs to be done while I'm alone. I get distracted and make mistakes.

If I have to concentrate on something, I do better alone. I "justify" my sewing, by staying out of trouble! :D

I enjoy sewing with friends but do agree that I get more done on my own. If I am sewing with others, I try to have everything cut and try to take more of the brainless work. Anymore I don't feel guilty about the housework, if it is there when I leave it will be there when I get back.

I seem to get in a rut and don't sew for a while..then I go to a sewing group and I get started again. I think I do my best work alone or with just one or two other avid quilters!

I've never sewed in a group unless I was taking a class but I can see where it would be a problem with the talking thing. I'd probably have that issue

I don't justify anything that I want to do. It's like when I either spend time with the kids or clean; the kids will always come first because the cleaning, cooking, etc will always be there to get done or redone. If I need to stop and start the meal I'll do it or if something is bothering me I'll stop and clean that. Like this weekend I set the embroidery machine up in the living room so that I could hear when it needed thread changes or bobbins and cleaned my upstairs and kitchen. I normally always multi task anyways because it's so easy for me to get distracted. I go to work, pay the bills and the rest I do on my terms most of the time.

I get a whole lot more done when I load my stuff up in the car and go sew with my friends. I don't feel the need to "justify" anything I do or don't do. Nor do I feel guilt if some house task isn't done. I'm not a housemaid whose entire existence is cleaning, cooking and laundry. In my world if you're not capable of cooking yourself a meal and doing a load of laundry by the time you're 12 you can go naked and starve.

I prefer to sew at home, but it's not really because of the talking in a group sewing situation. At home I have everything handy, my sewing machine is at the correct height for me and recessed into a table, the cutting table is large and at the right height, the lighting is good, my chair is ergonomic, and I can either listen to a book on CD or turn it off if I need to concentrate. If I get tired of sewing I can leave it for a few minutes or a few hours and it will be just where I left it when I come back. If I go out to sew I have to lug all my things, run the risk of forgetting something, have to deal with uncomfortable chairs and cutting tables, and I don't get much done. I love chatting with other quilters, but I'd rather not sew with a group.

I only sew with others at quilt camp or as others call them retreats. I find a lot of these ladies just want to get down to sewing and save the chatting for meals or during breaks. It was hard at first for me. But now I relax and get done what I can and savor the experience. I'm off to another camp in the begining of November. I like the mini lessons they have and the chance to shop at different vendors as well as seeing the great group of women who attend. The free gifts are wonderful too!

Because these things will ALWAYS need to be done, and I need to take care of ME too, not just my family and my home. Cooking and cleaning can be put off a day or two, and my kids have another parent (Dad) who can transport them.

One of the things we need to remember as wives and mothers is we are human, not superhuman. To better serve our families, we need to nurture ourselves just as we nurture them. If that nurturing takes form in a quilt retreat once a year, then I don't have ANY problem in justifying it. I don't feel guilty; I feel energized and reinvigorated, which helps me to get back to my daily routine with enthusiasm.

Definitely alone. I would feel so self conscious in a group!

I enjoy going to my quilting group, but find that I get much more accomplished when I'm home alone. It's fun to chat and see what everyone is working on, or ohh and ahh over completed projects, but I like the quiet and familiarity of my own sewing room. My DH works 4 days a week from 1pm til 11 pm. That is the time I get most of my sewing done. I don't have to justify my time to anyone for anything I do. I put in the years and am now reaping the benefits. :-)

Exactly!! Life is short, cleaning will always be here, even if you aren't!!

I get so much more done sewing alone. I my own sewing room. All my resources/tools etc are here, no one asking what I am working on... No packing anything to go anywhere.
I never quite "got" the sewing retreat for getting things done. Maybe for the social aspect .. but for production ... leave me alone in my room.

I prefer to quilt alone or with just one other person. I tend to talk too much in group situations, but I enjoy having at least one person to chat with or go to for some help since I am an intermediate quilter.

I always sew alone.I justify my sewing time 1-I am an adult 2-me time 3-I make a little money doing it.4-I catch up the house work and sew sew sew.

I like to do both. I especially like group sew day when I am trying to finish something. It gets mighty quiet at group sometimes when we are all working hard. Most of the time we are putting the finishing touches on a quilt and spray basting the layers. We have lots of room to do that. Starting a new project, reading a pattern and cutting pieces, I would rather do at home.

I do alot of sewing alone and it's fun BUT I do enjoy quilting in the right group. Just home from a 2 day retreat where everyone was so happy & upbeat, I really got refreshed & inspired. My DH and I don't have to "justify" anything, we are so happy for each other to be able to enjoy interests & friends.

I do love sewing with my quilting bee but I have found that the best thing for me to do is just the chain piecing. That way, I don't make mistakes and I can get through a great deal of work. I have about 10 quilts in progress right now so it is really easy to pick out a quilt to take with me. When I had children at home, I did not quilt. I did my crocheting in the evening while watching TV with them. I was brought up that the housework, cooking etc always came first. I was not brought up to entertain children, they had their own games etc. So I worked during the day and did laundry etc after cooking a huge meal and doing the dishes. Life was very different in those days. We never had McDonalds or whatever. Young women of today are different from what I was taught to be. Go ahead and do some quilting, it is good for your children to see you are doing something you like. And hopefully they might like to sew with you !

Buy a cheap baby monitor. I put it near the embroidery machine and the other whatever place I'm doing something else. Then I can hear what's going on. Makes it simple for me :)

I sew alone, with nobody else.

Point well taken Peggi! We should never have to apologize for taking a little time for ourselves, even if it's only 30 minutes a day.

I worked with the general public almost my entire career. Although I enjoy the company of others, I am truly a lone wolf when it comes to sewing. I need the peace and quiet to truly concentrate on the project at hand.

I love the idea of a group but I have a tendency to sew alone.I joined a guild but hardly go there anymore. They didn't do any sewing and just talked at you about what you should do for them. Maybe that's what they do, I don't know.They had a trunk show which I liked. Just realized I found myself doing other things instead of going.

I like sewing alone or with 1 or 2 others, more than that and all we do is yak!

that sums it up for me.

Lol you know when I sew alone, I prefer to be by myself!

(George Thorogood)

Whilst I love the *idea* of belonging to a quilting group, in reality I would get absolutely nothing done. And that nothing would be wrong and need unpicking. LOL I am far too easily distracted. I can't shop with company either.

I have never fancied the idea of doing a class. I have a problem with being told what to do - won't follow patterns, want to tweak things as I want them...

So I guess from that point of view I am an anti-social quilter, although I can talk quilting and admire the work of others until the cows come home!!

I'm also firmly of the view that if he gets 'him-time' then I should get 'me-time'!!!

I love this board!!! You are all wonderful.

I don't usually even have music. I have a radio in the shed and a few CD's for my laptop, but seldom use them. I have always concentrated better when things were quiet. When I was in college years ago a lot of the girls had to have something to listen to while studying and I never could understand that, because I would end up listening to the music instead of studying. We have a hometown retreat once a month and get together on a Saturday and sew and have lunch together. I love to go and talk and be inspired by other projects, but like others, I take the "mindless" chores to do.

I try to plan my quilting around household and farm chores. I don't feel guilty taking the time if I know I've allotted time for the housework. I try to spend evenings with my DH. I don't let my dog into the shed, either. She's a Sheltie, and would demand my attention. We both play with her in the evening....and she looks forward to that time. She has a large pen and LOVES being outside where she can bark at the cows and warn us if anyone pulls into the driveway. DH takes her out in the pasture with him when he checks the cattle each day.

We built the shed when I retired. I worked for 30 years and have looked forward to the time when I could spend time quilting. So I certainly don't feel guilty about making good use of it....and DH agrees!

I sew alone. Just me, the TV and my dogs.

this is me as well

Now, I sew/quilt alone because I am usually multitasking. When I was teaching quilting, I always enjoyed working with the group of ladies.
I am looking forward to a day at a retreat in a couple of weeks. On the Oregon Coast.
A great advantage of a retreat is all the food and CHOCOLATE, of course.

I'm a totally solo quilter. Not sure I'd even know what to do with others around since I've never tried it. As far as 'justifying' the time spent quilting, forget it. Hearing my heart sing is justification enough. :)

I prefer sewing at home. For some reason sewing with a group doesn't interest me. Maybe I'll try it one day and find I like the group.

Funny thing is I would say I'm more productive alone for sure, that and I put too much pressure on myself in groups. I do however cherish the memories of sewing with friends and family that are sewing in heaven now. So even when I'm sewing alone I am usually thinking of special people and don't feel alone at all.

I was wondering if someone would catch that.

We went to see him this past Saturday night. Omg!! What a show!!! He sure is something else.

He said, he would lick the Lady's legs in the audience like a puppy dog......LOL

I only sew by myself. I am a loner, Husband can be there but, he is working outside or watching TV or napping.

I enjoy quilting with others because of the fellowship. I also have everything already cut and make sure it is something that does not require total attention. I think it is important (especially if you are retired) to have that time with other women. I do not feel bad about housework or leaving my husband for hours or days. I think it makes me a happier person to be with. I love "ME" time.

If its something that does not require much I enjoy sewing in groups. But if it something difficult I prefer to sew alone :)

I enjoy both, depending on my mood that day!