How do all of you stay so focused on quiliting and sewing to get so much done?

I have a head full of ideas, a room full of fabric and plenty of time LOL but I find that there is always something else to be done.

For instance, I just finished cleaning the house and dinner is in the crock pot. I am now sitting out on the deck cause it is gorgeous out and I dont' want to be in the house. Not bringing my machine outside, it's too big and I am sure I would be jumping up and down a million times to run back in for all the things I need.

I really would like to know the secret :)

robin

Been too hot for me to go out so I quilt or find something to do here on the site...maybe screen in your deck make an outdoorsy type of small area to either cut fabrics or if you embroidery maybe do that on the deck?

On beautiful days like today, I throw open the windows and let the outside come to me ;). I also try to space out my sewing throughout the day so I don't feel too unproductive :D

I'd enjoy the day outside and wait until it's too hot, too rainy, too cold or too windy to start quilting.

see I'm not one of those mass producing quilters. :(

As I get older, and sure am getting there, I find it harder to stay focused. I start 4-5 things each morning, then sit down to sew, I remember I need coffee, start to make coffee, the dog wants to go out, let her out and remember I have a load of laundry ready to come out, Oh, have mail a letter - try finding a env., I guess I should get out of my pjs, etc. Finally sit down to sew and need coffee, start all over again.

its my source of income so monday-friday i treat it like a job because it is one.

i work 4-6 hours a day 5 days a week regardless of the weather or what chores need to be done around the house.

if i don't sew i can't pay the mortgage or buy food for my family and thats the best motivation of all.

Who stays focused? LOL I come and go in spurts. I hardly saw my sewing room all spring long. It's too hot outside now to do much other than in the early morning... so now I have time to sew!

Focused?

I sew when I feel inspired to do it. Or sometimes I sew because I want to shut out the rest of the world. Sometimes I will sew for days and do nothing in between. Fast food and leftovers for meals unless DH cooks. If it is nice outside, every window and door is open so I feel like I am outside. Other times, I don't pick up anything in my sewing room for a week or two. If I ever feel like I "have to do it.....stay focused" I would probably find a new hobby or pastime.

Sometimes it's hard to get motivated to start quilting.

Focused? .......... that's why we have WIP, UFOs and PhDs!!!!!!! :)

Sometimes I just declare it's a "me" day .... or weekend ... or days! And nothing beyond the absolute must-do's are done. And like you, my crockpot is a great friend at that time ... or one pot oven meals (in the winter).

And ..... not every day is for sewing .... today is a beautiful day here and I should be outside. Though now that I am finished my office work (the paying stuff), laundry is caught up, supper planned and have done some playing here with you lovelies .... I am now "gifting" myself the time to go and sew for most of the rest of the day!!!!!

I would love to do this for a living!!!!

Me too. I don't stay focused long. Too many things in life going on but my quilting is always there for me. Crossstitching if I am in my bedroom, hadnquitling if I'm in the den, sewing on the machine in my sewing room. Etc. Then between rooms is a little housework and other little chores to be done. Whatever gets done in a day does, what doesn't...well there's always tomorrow. ♥♥

Focused? If I were focused I would be in the sewing room instead of at the computer. And the funny thing is, once I get started with the sewing I realize that I would rather do that than sit at the computer, but yet here I sit.

It's hard for me to quilt until I have everything else done first so I round up the killer dust bunnies and other drudgery duties as fast as I can. I love quilting no matter what the weather. On nice days I either sit in my flower bed or on the porch and do handwork. It's so peaceful and relaxing :thumbup:

I am the same way.

When you find out be sure to let me know! :)

I work 40 hours a week plus 10 hours of driving time. not alot of time left so I must be organized, not rushed and left in peace when I am sewing. I am fortunate the my DH knows this and cooks and cleans and supports my habit fully.

I have many projects going at one time, sorted and in different stages.

Right now I have a log cabin quilt top on my design wall for 2 weeks and I am studying it every day to decide what to do for a border. While I doing this I have another that I'm piecing and one on the LAM being quilted in stages.

It's all oganization! And if you can't do that just concentrate on one quilt start to finish.

I also dedicate at least 1 hour a day to sewing and don't give it up for anything but emergencies.
peace :D

Wow, I'd love to dedicate an hour a day...what a great treat.
I haven't been able to focus well, either.

Me, too~ Is that what you call adult ADD??? :lol:

There is no secret. Quilting for most of us is a hobby or something we use as a tool to keep our sanity. When you have to worry about something you forgot to do or have to do, it isn't anymore. I sit down and quilt when I (in capitol letters) want to. Most of the house is cleaned, food is either prepared or easy enough to put together and unless the whole world will fall apart if I don't wipe off the refrigerator I will sit down and sew, or design or find my next pattern. So what if it takes you a little longer, so what if we aren't one of thems that can sit behind a machine for hours on end. That is their form of relaxation or a hobby. You have yours. I have mine. If, on the other hand, you are making money quilting, then it isn't a hobby anymore, it is a job and you have to treat it like any other job and work for 8 hours on your quilting and what time you have left you clean and cook. I prefer it as a hobby and a means to keep my sanity. There is enough stuff going on without having to worry about worrying about how much time should be spent on something you love to do. You do it without any regrets. You love what you are doing, what you are making and that is the most important. Us housewives, mothers, grandmothers have enough in our brains and our hearts to frazzle the heck out of us and I, personally, sit down at my machine or notebook (to design) and "go so far away" and am deep in what I am doing. When I "come home", I am refreshed and can tackle whatever comes along.

See? No big deal! You do what you want to do when you want to do it and let the rest of the world go by for a little while when we make it "Me" time! To be honest with you, I can go outside, mow the lawn, come back in and sew for a while, go back out and get the clippings and branches, take it down to the compost disposal place, come back home, sew for a little while and on and on, but I am taking some time out for ME! I don't have a whole heckuva a lot of time for that, so I make it! And I make it fun, relaxing, enjoyable and no regrets that I didn't do this or that or anything. Enjoy! Edie

Wow - I do the same thing and at the end of the day wonder why I got "nothing" done.

My life is circles. Go make coffee, give the sink a wipedown, let the dog out, pour the coffee, let the dog in, back to sewing. Everything gets done, even if I don't have big chunks of time.

For me, I have to have some semblance of order in my house before I can sew.

Could I be more organized? YES. Some ADD here? Could be!

I really enjoy sitting with my laptop on my lap reading this forum with a cup of coffee every day, but I could take some of that time and get some projects finished. For me, it's sort of like reading the paper in the morning.

I guess it's something to strive for.

i get all my chores and running done in morins take the afternoon for my sewing

i call it marys time

I am only focused when I have a project with a particular person in mind, otherwise....I'm just fooling around, and sadly not too much gets done.

Maybe your mind is telling you to sit back and relax. If you do, then maybe you will be inspired by some muse telling you of your next project inspired theme or whatever. Never know, but relax and enjoy the day, do not worry over it so much.

Is it just quilting that you find difficult to focus or is it other things as well? Decide which day(s) of the week you want to sew. You might try to set up your machine, lay out your materials and other needed tools the night before. When you awaken, grab your coffee and breakfast and get started right away before the distractions of the day can take your attention. You will feel better about your accomplishments even if you get a couple of hours of sewing under your belt.

I love to quilt and I love to get things finished. I have to force myself out of my sewing room so that my husband doesn't feel like I am ignoring him. Then I bake him a goodie and he is a happy camper.

I have a wonderful sewing room that has a sliding glass door right next to my machine. On beautiful days I open it and it is like being out doors. There is a bird feeder 6 ft from the door and I get to listen to all the birds.

I also set small goals. One block today. That way I don't get overwhelmed. Also I don't plan big projects in the summer. Summer around here is too nice. My husband and I have too many things to do besides stay in the house.

I like enjoying the outside as here in Minnesota we don't have a long warm season. I do hand quilt outside in my screen tent amongst the garden, flowers, birds etc. I sew inside during the rainy days.

I do what I want to do most. Sometimes it's sewing, sometimes not. It's all about priorities.

I am like maryp, and try to get all of the "must do" chores done before noon. My afternoons are devoted to quilting. I rather schedule my time as if I was working though I am retired. Of course, it cannot always be this way but it seems to work the majority of time. I must discipline myself not to spend too many hours at one time quilting due to back spasms. I start the day by reading the paper ... then by noon and after any chores requiring running around in the car, I am always ready to retreat from the world into my quilting room. I have three dogs who are ready for naps by then and love to sleep near me while I quilt. I make quilts for my son and daughter-in-law who live in another state ... so afternoon quilting is a soothing and loving event for me. I think we all search for a way for balance and peace.

Me too. My quilting time is a treat... I can't really focus until my other responsibilities are covered and I've gotten things lined up ..

But its' my hobby, so in this one area of my life - I'm not goal driven...

I find the journey to the end result of the quilt as much fun as the planning, shopping, cutting etc.... And I relish all of it as the treat it is.

:)

I try to keep a "go" project in a small container ready to grab for such times. Easy to do while sitting on the porch, riding in the car, waiting in Dr's offices, etc.

That way, I feel I'm accomplishing something but I'm still able to enjoy my alternate-area choice.

Darn! The "send" was so delayed I clicked it twice. (excuse the space)

Years ago (25+) I quit smoking and took up hand sewing to replace the nervous habit it left behind. Since a child I always found sewing to be relaxing and an avenue for my creative side. Though most of the past 25 years I concentrated on our girls clothing needs (formals/dresses/costumes/wedding gown) I also made my own stuffed animal patterns using old coats & clothing. I then took up Quilting about 6 years ago and found it very addictive too but sewing in any form is so much better for my health.
As for finding time and being focused - when I get into my sewing mood my DH (who is now is retired) knows the signs and works around me. I still work 4 days a week and we do the occasional craft show to help pay for my addiction and a few fun vacations. So in our house, its a win-win situation. He now takes care of things around the house, does most of the cooking/laundry/cleaning, we do craft shows together, camp, hike and travel alot. I bring my hand sewing and sewing machine with me and while DH loves watching TV & Legos, I love to sew. This allows me time to play, think and be with DH - be it in our RV, the motel or on the deck in our backyard.
So to wrap this up a bit, I think focus is based on what your heart wants - want it bad enough you will find the means to make it happen. Look around, see what makes your heart tick a bit faster and see how you can make it happen. Focusing is up to you.

Focused, I think I work on 4 or 5 different things a day. If I'm not in a hurry to get one done, I work on something, and then I'm thinking of something else. So I'm never focused, but am always sewing. House cleaning, dinner, that all comes second, and it's to hot down here to be outside any longer than just getting the mail. So my nice sewing room, which is nice and cool, blinds opento watch the one huge tree we have that gives the house shade all day. So I can be in my little room with no problems.

Just relax & give yourself a break. Obviously there is nothing pushing you. I also feel better if I have some chores done first (or not).
I get sidetracked so easily if the weather is good. Just let life take you along. Enjoy the nice weather since, when winter comes again, you can always hit the sewing mach.