I just started a new quilt...which I wasn't crazy about to begin with...it is for a man. I usually make quilts for children, however my DB hinted I should make something more masculine so off I went to the fabric store and bought plaids and darker fabric. He picked out the pattern and so I started piecing. I've only made 4 blocks and already I am feeling discouraged. I know I have to finish it for the sake of my DB, but I dread every minute I work on it. Has this happened to anyone (dreading the quilt your working on) and do you have any words of encouragement?? :-( :-( :-(

Had that happen to me a couple of times. By the time I was half way through--I was already "through" with it. I kept my focus on how good it would make my brother feel--and less on whether or not I liked it. That actually worked--and the warmth my brother felt when he received it was worth the effort. The gift you are giving is warmth--in more ways than one.

Keep going it will grow on you and your DB will be so happy and proud of you when able to cuddle with the quilt. You can do it, then let us see a picture. Good luck

Been there. I have set a daily goal and just do it. Have a project that you like and use it for your reward:)

Could you possible use more sashing and bigger boarders to get finished quicker?

As you said, focusing on your brother rather than the quilt may be the way to go.

I'm doing one now?! It was really fun in the beginning but I kept on going though not feeling well - unfortunately my brain wasn't working either. I have patched and ripped to the point that I am ready to wad it up and stick it in a dark closet.....but then I get mad and determined that this quilt will not defeat me no matter what. Sort of funny because this is supposed to be "my" quilt; just hope I like it in the end.

I'm doing one now. I've never done a black background, but have admired other's quilts, so I chose black for this one. So far, it's too dark. Don't laugh. I know black is dark, but I expected the brights to do their thing. I've decided to wait until it's totally finished to pass judgment. Let's keep on keeping on together.

I started out making 1 lap quilt for someone in DH family. Then it became 6 lap quilts. Then 7 or she would have to give her's to her daughter. She paid me $600.00. (I did say it was for family.)_I was so tired by the time I got done, I swore I would only make quilts for people I want to make them for. The only way I could do that was to keep it to myself who I was making it for and not disclose it until it was finished. If I'm not doing it because I want to do it, my hearts not in it.

So do the best that you can do. Remember that this may be the last thing this person gets from you. Make it special. You only get once chance to do it first. Then, when you're done, make something that YOU want to do, for yourself.

Lol...It probably happens to us all. Just start something you like keep them side by side and bounce back and forth between them. Before you know it, you will have two quilts done! :-D

I'd enlarge the pattern and make bigger blocks with wide boarders to get it completed faster.

Keep thinking about your brother as you do it and keep reminding yourself that you love him and that's why you're making it for him. (Of course as you get discouraged all you're remember about DB is the time he pulled your hair or pushed you down or called you fat. But don't focus on that part....)

Do a super fast pattern and be done!

I second everything that's been said.

I'm working on a quilt for my DD, and I just don't like the fabrics she chose. But I focus on her and how much she wants and looks forward to receiving this quilt. That helps a LOT!

Been there. I made a golf quilt for my nephew and I detested every bit of it. But the up side is that I hated it so much I worked really quickly just to get it done and out of my sight. He loved it by the way.

I'm working on a quilt for my mother, and having a problem what to do with it, so I just work on it for a couple hours and change to something else so I don't get to bored with it....she keeps asking me if I'm done yet, I told her no, and I had to start over cause I didn't like it at all before, its growing on me a little at a time...good luck!

Can you post a pic of the completed blocks. All your sisters may have some good ideas to get you through this?

What pattern are you using?

When I do a quilt for someone and it is not really my style, I try setting the pattern on point and use a material that I like for the setting blocks. A quilt will go together real fast when set on point!

Hope this may help a little. Keep us posted!
peace :D

Rustyquilter, That is a great philosophy. Works on more than just quilting!

I've made two quilts that I just didn't like at all--didn't like the fabrics selected by someone else and disliked the pattern they wanted me to use. I just kept working as quickly as I could and was SO when they were finished and out the door, never to be seen again by me!

[quote=charity-crafter]I'd enlarge the pattern and make bigger blocks with wide boarders to get it completed faster.
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You could do it that way, or the way I saw on a quilt a lot of years ago. Now I suspect that was why the maker did it that way. She, or possibly he, had made a square of blocks, then around all of them put bigger blocks that covered one and a half of the smaller ones, then another row all around of even larger ones. That made it pretty good sized, and was surprisingly nice looking.

I think it was a log cabin pattern.

It's very hard for me to work on a quilt when I dislike the fabrics. However try to remember he will love it. If you must put it aside, do one small project you like. Then force yourself to work on the disliked quilt for as long as you can. Good luck.

Kat

Been there when my DIL wanted an orange quilt. Well orange is way at the bottom of my list when it comes to colors. But I just kept telling myself it was a gift for her and I finally got it finished. She hasn't seen it yet, I put it away as it is to be one of her Christmas gifts.

I always do 2 projects at the same time because I get bored easy and, if I'm struggling with a project, I can switch to the other project for a break. I find I always finish both too!

I've come to the conclusion that it's just not for me to make quilts that someone else dictates the style, fabrics, or pattern. I don't enjoy it, and often, the person who did all that picking is not all that thrilled by the end result either.

So now I make quilts that I like. If someone sees the end result and finds it appealing, chances are, I will give it to them. Occasionally I will make a quilt specifically for an individual, keeping in mind their general preferences or color scheme of their home. But my feeling is that if someone wants to design a quilt and micromanage the choices that go into the making -- they need to learn to quilt for themselves.

RST

Yes, it's happened to me too. The way I got through it was to make it an exercise in technique. I used it to practise some of the things I was weak on like scant 1/4" seams, and keeping my points pointy, and making seams match up. By not focusing on the fabric so much as practising technique, I got through!

Haven't started dreading a quilt I was working on piecing, but did get so tired of one color group that I gave the top to the "giftee" and asked her to find someone to quilt it!
On the other hand, I once became so enamoured of a quilt I was tying for a fundraiser auction that I made sure I was top bidder at the auction and now enjoy using it regularly!

I feel the same way every time I try to work with pastels (love 30s repros, don't like ice-creamy pastel baby colors). I try to avoid it when I can.

Can you post a picture of your blocks? If your used to using children's fabrics maybe you just need time to adjust. I really like the darker colors in a mans quilt. Use the time to learn and just know your brother will really like it in the end,

Vicky

I agree, it is hard when you don't like the fabrics or pattern. I made a quilt for my dh, and he said since it was his quilt, he should have imput, well he did and I wasn't in favor of it. Got it done and he is happy with it! Still not a favorite of mine, but then it IS his quilt! He was pleased and that is what counted to me!

This happened to me too for a quilt for my sister. She hadn't picked out the pattern or fabric though. I made a promise to myself if I will have fun quilting. Call your brother tell him the quilt just isn't working out for you and choose something else that will please him and you. You have to like what you are doing. He will love it all the same.

I know exactly what you mean....just think of how much you love your DH....and believe me, you will finish it with love. Doesn't seem possible now - but as you work with it, you'll feel the good come out....

This just happened to me! I was making a country squares quilt, 10 by 10 3/4 blocks, because I wanted to hand piece something and big blocks were easier. So the instructions said to pick a theme and just start pulling out fabrics that went with the theme whether they went together or not. So I did just that. I picked a country theme and pulled fabrics that said country to me. Then it said to cut the blocks and without laying anything out, sew them together. So I did, not exactly liking it at this point because I like to see what it will look like before I start sewing. Then sew 2 more blocks together and I must say, I didn't like the pieces I was sewing together and thinking, maybe I'll just give it away so I won't have to look at this, but once I sewed my strips together and I saw the finished top, I loved it! I'll include a picture, but just keep plugging away at it and it'll work out better than you think!

You can do it. Set the kitchen timer and walk away when it goes off. Then you can do something enjoyable (like cleaning the kitty litter box) You'll be done before you know it.

Just think. You won't have to live with it when it's done.

Something enjoyable like cleaning the kitty litter box??? LMAO!! I never heard it put quite like that. Love it. And,to think I believed by term for it was good --- to me, they're 'treasure boxes', and I go on a quest for buried treasure a few times a week!! Thanks for the laugh!!!

Keep telling yourself its for MY BROTHER, and he will love it. LOL Like the others have said ,just work on it a few minutes a day, and you will get it finished. Be sure to put on the label " Made with a LOT of LOVE"

Been there. Keep going it might grow on you.

That is exactly why I don't participate in challenges or block of the month etc. I hate spending time on something I don't enjoy.

I just finished a verry large quilt for daughter
and it took me forever!!! I was soooo bored with
it, but, to get it done I told myself that I could
not start any new quilts until this one is done.
That seemed to work for me.

I just finished a quilt requested by my grandson. It had a lot of camoflage (sp?) fabric in it. Really a dull quilt and as I was sewing I kept praying that there are no more wars by the time he is 18, he is 12 now, as he would sign up as soon as he turned 18. Well, he was so delighted and I got the biggest hug and the most beautiful smile. But, whenever I see that quilt at his house I still hate it.

Think of it as a learning experience.

I think that is why I do not want to make quilts for people who have the need or want to pick out their own fabric. My quilting time is too valuable to spend making something I do not want to make or like. I will take suggestions from family, but if they are too picky, they do not get one. As a matter of fact, I have never asked any of them what they want. If they want one of my quilts they take what I make. None of them are made with a price attached. I only make what I want to give away. I have found that if I make things to sell, it becomes a job and I already have a job. I do quilting for pleasure.

I once traded fabric with 23 other ladies. We each supplied 2 of 2 different pieces a certain size and then exchanged them at a luncheon. Shortly after, we met for a weekend quilting retreat and started making a quilt, all using the same pattern. I had brown fabric with turqoise polka dots, orange fabric, blue, burgundy, etc. etc. Amazingly, none of the fabrics duplicated. I hated the quilt the whole time I was putting it together, but was determined to finish it. Today, it is one of my very favorite quilts. Keep at it. If you're giving it away, you won't have to look at it long and you, too, may fall in love with it in the end.

Look upon it as a challenge to your skills. And remember how happy your DB will be when he receives it. I made a t-shirt quilt for someone two years ago and hated every minute of it. It was DULL! I worked hard to make it interesting and the person who received it was amazed, as well as happy. It went way beyond her expectation. It was worth the aggrevation to make her happy, but I live in fear she'll ask me to make another t-shirt quilt for her other child!