When my back and arms ache, the stitching does what I tell it to do instead of what I want it to do, my frustration begins, and I get crabby! Best thing to do, in any weather, for me is to go outside. Just hike a bit, stop to enjoy the beauty of nature - although now its frozen - and relax. Then back to the sewing room, put on some pretty music, thank God for all your blessings and begin again.

I take a break when my eyes cross lol. If I have to unsew, when I'm done I take a break. If it's getting late in the evening, I quit if my bobbin runs out. Sometimes I quit if the phone rings, or the dog needs out, or a fav tv show comes on, or my coffee mug is empty. There always seems to be a handy excuse when it's time for a break.

I quit after the 1st mistake cause I know it will only go downhill from there!

So so familiar. Time to tidy up or come on this forum or have a cuppa etc.
Annie

When I get tired nothing looks right so I have to do something else. Yesterday it was sorting the scrap tub. It was a nice change and nothing had to match.

When fatigued or frustrated, walk away. Time spent stitching under duress generally proves counterproductive for me. I always have things to straighten or organize if I am not ready to leave the sewing room or else, I cut the light off and do something else. Sometimes you just need to mentally digest things to work them through. By giving yourself time and space to do so, you can return to the project with a fresh perspective and new found energy. After all, when it ceases to be enjoyable, why do it?

I know when it's time to stop, when I can't seem to get my seams to match. I am afraid I will get too frustrated

I've learned to stop when I start feeling rushed or that I need to hurry to finish. Sure sign I'm getting tired and it's not feeling like so much fun anymore. If I don't stop when I feel that way I'm sure to make a mistake that has to be ripped out!

I too just quit when I'm tired. Since I'm retired now I can just continue the next day.

When to quit? well that is an individual thing-usually I quit when I mess up !! LOL Then I leave it for a day or so then go back to it -even if the fabric seems wrong at that moment or if it truly is wrong -that goes into a box for future use and then I pull out something else to match it hopefully if not then future usage of that material.
My eyes are the first to tell me when to quit .. LOL they say enough is enough, walk away .. LOL