I am at home by my self day in and day out and have lots of time on my hands. Quilting keeps me going so I am not so bored or depressed. I am working on 8 quilts one for each of my family members and I need to get them done by Christmas. I have two tops finished and putting the batting and backing on, 3 in cutting stage and 3 in sewing. I hope to have all of these quilts done by Thanksgiving.

I have two finished tops, one at least40 years old, and one about 35 years old. The oldest has fabrics from clothing I made for my daughter when she was little, and my mom did all the cutting a piecing, but never set the blocksd together. After mom died, I brought the blocks home, set them together with the sashing she bought, but I've never been able to finish it. the other one I just plain put back and haven"T worked on it. Part of my problem is my physical problems. We had to give away the ping pong table that I used for sandwiching, I could stand pretty straight at that table, and, I thought I would be able to get down on the floor after it was gone to pin and badste. No such luck!! Back problems started then, and now I can add knee and hip problems to the back. I did chreck once about having them quilted, but the price was more than I could spend. Plus, it's hard finding someone to do it around here. At least it was, maybe I need to search more. But price would still be hard to come by. May I ask what you ladies who machine quilt for others, charge, or an estimate for full and queen sizes? At least that would give me an idea of what to expect.

I have a quilt that took me about 5 years to piece. I just would take it out, work on it a tiny bit, and put it back. I even gave it to my sister and she cut some strips and gave it back. I don't know why it was so hard to birth that one, but it was. So the top and backing are done now, but it still isn't quilted. I think I am at 6 years and counting on that one. (It's pretty, though!)

Others I have finished in 2 weeks. I guess it just depends on the quilt and whether or not it has a "due date". That usually speeds me up. I have made very simple tied baby quilts in a weekend, but big ones take at least several weeks. Usually I work on them for a year or so. I have about 20 UFOs at any given time. Maybe I am a bad example...

I never did finish the very first quilt I ever started and that dates back to '89. I also have many WIPs and UFOs. That said, I did complete close to 30 large quilts in my time, so I guess I can't complain.

All I can recommend is to find joy in the process rather than dwell on the negative. If you associate the making of this quilt only with the passing of your sister, you may never get it done because the project does not give off positive vibes. If you look at the quilt as a healing or an escape, you are more likely to finish. Sewing a quilt can be quite cathartic.

Just hang in there and when you get stuck - give the QB a shout for inspiration and motivation.

i have made a couple hundred quilts, but i also have quilts in the works that have been in the works for years and most i do get out and work on at times, one started as a class, then the teacher cancelled a couple sessions, by the time she got back to it i couldn't go because of work so although i do want to finish it, it has been in a box for a long time. some times i will start one figure out it is going to take lots longer than i thought it would and i will start something different, easy and quick...sometimes a little 'instant-gratification' is what you need to get back into a more difficult project. you get to feeling frustrated that it will never get done...go make a baby/ or twin quilt that goes together in a weekend, you will be happy to have accomplished something and it will be easier to get back into the queen project...my oldest son watched his first one evolve and change over and over for a year, he didn't think i would actually ever finish it...and i made probably 15 different ones while his was in various stages, then all of a sudden it all came together :)

I really wouldn't let it worry you. Quilting should be fun. With the death of your sister you are still trying to put your life into some kind of order again. That project just might seem overwhelming to you right now. Do a small project to get back into the swing of things...something that won't take long for you to accomplish. You will finish it one day. Just don't make it feel like something you HAVE to do right now. Prayers for your loss! SMILE

It takes me forever to get a quilt done also. I run a business, take care of my DGS, run the house, etc. etc. I'm hoping Congress will lengthen the day to 36 hours. Then maybe I can find some sewing time! Until then, I just roll with it. You've suffered a great loss, so it's natural to find it difficult to concentrate on things. If I'm not mistaken, you run a business as well. Be easy on yourself and just take one day at a time. Sometimes, when I see the amount of quilts some of the other board members turn out I feel like a slacker, but we all have different life-styles and I've learned to enjoy the journey of making the quilt and not to fret over the finishing of it. It will get done when it gets done - or not! Que sera, sera!

Don't worry I work on a few quilts at once. If I get bored with one I work on another. One way or another they get done. So sorry to here about your sister. Keeping busy will help. Have fun making quilts and remember they don't have to be perfect. Who sees or gets them will never notice only love that you made them with love. Catherine

i got a couple of hand piecing that not finished but i will still do them when i feel like working on them right now i been machine piecing and i will take my hand work with me when i go place but keep on quilting it fun even if it a big or little rest on one big then go back to it later when i lost my husband it took me a year to get back in working everyday or so on a quilt so it be awhile to get back in the move after a lost one sorry about your sister

Oh, I've been working on a queen size quilt for over a year now. I keep getting distracted by smaller projects, and put it aside. The lure of (almost) instant gratification wins over plugging away on the large project.