What tips can you give to how you psych yourself up to get to the sewing machine or needle? I seem to have so many distractions including this computer) that my free time days just whizz by without getting projects worked upon.

I am going to be watching this and see because I am having the same problem I want to do it but just let everything else come first and do not know why it is just me and I can do what I want when I want and still do not do it LOL

cant start a new one til I have one of the three projects finished.

Bribery works for me. Deadlines and rewards for making those deadlines even if they are arbitrary. Rewards can be as simple as 1/2 hr bath soak or a York peppermint patty.

My problem with finishing a project is that I can't get anything else done, like dinner or housework.

Deadlines are very helpful, but not all projects have them. I'm stuck on a project now. Got all 35 blocks made for a QoV quilt, went to square up the blocks and some are too small! It's been sitting for a month as I am so bummed. I guess I'll need to rip out some squares or make new ones. I was being extra careful to cut and sew accurately. More practice is needed I guess.
I'll need to make myself a deadline! Maybe July 4th!

If you find out something really great, PM me! Maybe we could bottle and sell it. :lol:

I kind of feel like if I can't sew because of distractions, then sewing just isn't on the agenda, otherwise I wouldn't let things distract me. So take a break, eat some chocolate, and enjoy it!

Instead of thinking about finising the whole project, tackle it in small pieces. Give yourself 10-20 minutes to work on the project, then go on to something else. Or maybe plan on finishing one block per day. When I do this I find myself doing more than I planned. And even if I just do 10 minutes I congratulate myself that I got that much done. When you see that stack of blocks piling up it's incentive to keep going.

Having a sewing buddy motivates me.

That is me too! :thumbdown: :lol:

Hopefully of this year? :wink:

Can't help - I have the opposite problem! :oops:

I'd just add strips to each side of the too-small blocks and then cut them down to correct size. For me, that would be better than ripping or making new blocks!

I don't know the answer, but I do know that discovering this site a few weeks ago has made the situation worse! I want to read every topic and then usually want to read everything that everyone had to say on the topic. It's crazy but I love this site!

Schedule a time to sew...just like you schedule the rest of your day. And make it happen!
Good luck!

Ditto. This is one rule I try to follow (most of the time anyway) :-D

I have no trouble finishing tops it is the "rest of the story" that I slow down on. This year I did make a promise to myself to complete 3 lap quilts a month for our prayer ministry at church. Those I have no problem doing because I know how much they mean to the recipents.

will power.

Well, first I am grateful for the Board because it helps me get up from the sewing machine and stretch my mind and body. As to finishing...My projects get done when I am ready. Sometimes I have a schedule such as getting a baby quilt done before the baby arrives, but usually I work on a quilt till I get bored, if it isn't finished I will get back to it eventually. You can see one of these projects under Fancy Feathers. Haven't touched it for many months just got in the mood to work on it.

i probably am not using this site in the same way as most of you. i just don't understand how this site can take that much time. i look at the subjects, and only read what catches my eye. only comment sometimes. then i'm done. now when i am sewing a quilt, or quilting, that is when i get lost in time. i do have a few ufo's, but i'm obviously not in a hurry, that is why they are not done. doesn't bother me at all. i figure i'll work on it when the time is right. otherwise, i work on a quilt until it is done.

I have fractured flowers wall hanging waiting to be finished. While I was working on it I found I really didn't like my choice of fabric. I decided to put it away for a time so I could look at it with new eyes. I'm still waiting. :wink: Maybe I'll look at it tomorrow.

I work on one project at a time. And finish this project before starting on another. I sew early in the day before I get too tired to sew. I only sew Monday through Friday and have no problem going to my sewing room to work on my quilt top.
My sewing room is organized so clutter doesn't get in my way.

We all have our own motivations. For me, having a deadline is the most helpful. Since most of my quilts are gifts, the deadline is easy. When working under the deadline, having a small goal each day, even if it is sewing 10 minutes, helps to get the job done while working with all the other goals and deadlines of my life. The ones I have trouble with are the ones I have planned for myself.

I set goals for myself. Also I try to set a deadline. I currently have a QAYG project I started for my DDIL right after the first of the year. I am not that far from being done but am not happy with it, and set it aside. I just can't seem to get excited in resuming it. But since my long arm is at the repair shop I am going to try to get back to finishing the QAYG. I need to give myself a deadline for it, like early June before my DDIL goes to the beach, so she can take it with her. Also I try to not have too many UFO's at a time. I have some new ideas so that gets me excited.

I don't like deadlines. I make to many mistakes if I have deadlines. I am happy if I sew a lot in one day or very little as long as I am going forward.

Of course a deadline gets me hopping. Also a reason to finish a quilt - like to give it to a certain person or to add to the pile for a special camp nearby or just to get it off the pile of UFOs. Usually a UFO gets into my mind and I have to complete it to get it out of my head. There's one in my mind right now and, urrrr, I'll be away this weekend. That one it set for Monday!!!

Make a specific time each day/week where you stop doing anything else.

Some things that help-

I am a compulsive quilter
Regular times to sew
A set up area
Death lines for projects, like birthdays, baby shower
A sewing night
Sewing buddies

The greatest problem I have are projects for myself, getting the quilting done,
and projects without deathlines,
very large quilts

For Linda, I would like was said, add strips, if it were going for a contest, you would have to do it over. This way fix it and whoever gets it will still love it and you solved your problem. Good Luck - J

Deadlines certainly help. If there isn't one, then it's a bit more difficult. I seem to get the top pieced and then it sits for a month while I figure out what designs I'll use to fmq it. In the meantime, more projects to do, start to appear and I hunt thru my stash and then go buy more fabric for the next project. I usually have 2 - 3 going at the same time.

i hear ya!!!
recently i have begun to think that this place is BAD for my quilting fabric.. it's still sitting there... so many wonderful people, fabulous quilts and information.... add that to the fact that i'm a "babbeler" and always have to get in my 2cents worth... it's an addiction....(see photos.. i'm a slob when working,,, but can find it all and will mange to get it picked up at least 3 times a year ) today is like the rest... up early... get on the computer, check mail... then because QB sends.. watches.. i'm off and stuck... enjoying... hummmmmmmjust answered my own problem... "uncheck the watch" thingy.... LOL
Anywhoooooo i'm working on a quilt project for a special girl here and today i'm gonna get in there and get to it... DEADLINES..or commitments..... that's what usually gets me going!!!!
Good to know i'm not alone... i've met some wonderful and caring people here... have a good one...barbara

I use my sewing as an excuse to listen to books. I have always been an avid reader, but if I listen to a book, I can do something else (such as sewing) at the same time! 2 things I love doing at the same time! It doesn't get any better!

I set my sewing times. I do all my PC stuff: emails, Facebook, this board, bill paying, etc. in the early morning hours, 7-9 or if the board is really chatty, 10. From ten to one I make my quilts or work on them putting them together. From one to four, I hand quilt.
Of course there are days that I can't drag myself away from the computer, usually on Wed. I call that my mid week off day!
I do not sew on the weekends. That is DH's time and he's kind of stingy with it! LOL!

I never have this problem. My problem is that I never have enough time to do the sewing and quilting I want to do. I work full time and when I come home at night I am exhausted. I do have my current project laid out on my table so if I do find a few minutes here or there I can go out to my sewing room and sew a little.

I never have this problem. My problem is that I never have enough time to do the sewing and quilting I want to do. I work full time and when I come home at night I am exhausted. I do have my current project laid out on my table so if I do find a few minutes here or there I can go out to my sewing room and sew a little.

I'm doing embroidery on a double wedding ring quilt for my granddaughters June 11 wedding I have been working on this quilt for over a year and I'm soooo sick of it, I dont even like it anymore. But I'm sticking with it and I will have it done by her wedding, also have to finish the pillow shams that I made to go with the quilt. I do have to take a lot of breaks.

I take it an hour or half-hour at a time. But I MUST do three sewing things a day. I make myself do this. But today I watched "THE WEDDING". I was interested in the style of the dress so that counts as sewing time!

Welcome from Scotland!
I also find that I cannot motivate myself sometimes.
I just have to remind myself that finished items are better than piles of material everywhere.
Good Luck!

I only do one project at a time. I don't set a deadline but $$ and space to work are my limitations to doing multiple projects. I work at least an hour each night, taking a couple of evenings per week off. After I put my quilting away, I spend an hour or more on this site. It is so relaxing to read the posts and relfect on the beautiful creations that you all share. I've learned so much from readiing your posts. thanks