I can't seem to get started on this quilt!!
 

I don't know what's wrong with me. I have changed patterns 20 gazillion times. Then I'll find one I like, and then convince myself I don't have enough fabric/wrong colors/wrong tools to make it. I've never had this problem before - I think I'm afraid of failing and I haven't even started!!

I keep reminding myself that there are no rules in quilting...but I don't know how to get my feet out of the mud and get going! :(

I was just wondering if anyone else ever had this problem when they first started....and how do I fix it??

Thanks for listening :)

LOL You could be like me, I finally started two or three things and just can't get inspired so now I am embroidering tea towels. One down, six to go.

Set yourself up some project boxes. In each one, start by placing a pattern or inspiration fabric, or whatever. Then build up the boxes by adding additional items needed to complete the project ( coordinating fabrics, notions, THREAD, a journal pad to keep special notes for tension, stitch length, etc). Next, DIG IN! If you need to move from one project to another, then do so. I love having several projects going on...variety is the spice of life.

Welcome aboard Nokie ~ Is the quilt 'for' some one special? Or is it just for fun? Are you new to quilting?

We all have gotten stalled in doing our quilts. I myself am taking a break, just finished one for the quilter last week (because it had a deadline for a birthday in May) and I have not been in my sewing room for almost a week. Sometime we stall out because we don't know which pattern/color or for whom. So when I am struggling I usually find myself surfing the web or doing some of my hand sewing.

Don't worry it will pass.

That's a wonderful idea! And - if I ever get all my stuff organized and in order...I'll have extra totes to use just for that reason - thanks!

I have the same problem at times. I just have to stop quilting for a while , then when I get back at it, I seem to have more inspiration.

I, too, am having trouble actually starting a quilt. I LOVE the research part, acquiring the fabrics and notions parts, collecting the machines (HeHe) part and making lists of what i want to start with...then it's as if the "mood" just leaves me...then I stress over it...A HOBBY, for goodness sake!! I don't know if this is a hangup I have or a residual of when I was first married, my Ex would put me down for starting a project and not finishing it...thing is, it was just this one project that he kept bringing up....it didn't matter that I made all my clothes and even clothes for my mother...it was that darn fabric painting piece on velvet no less that I never got finished!! Even now when I think about a UFO (mostly in my embroidery pile), I get major stressed out and since the EX is totally EX'ed, I know this shouldn't bother me!!

If you have any UFO's try finishing one of those.
Next get into your sewing area and tidy it up. Sort out your fat quarters etc. If you are still dragging your feet may be start a small project like a doll quilt. If all of this brings no inspiration, close the door of your sewing room walk away and have a break. Enjoy all the other great things in your life.

If you are new to quilting, I would suspect that in your past was someone who belittled your work, making it hard for you to be your own creative self.

If you have been quilting, I would guess that you just have too many things on your plate right now and you need to give yourself permission to do something small simple and quick to get past this point, or maybe just put things on 'hold'. Maybe take a nap. Maybe make a pot holder. Make a quickie charity quilt.

Generally, if I am feeling a bit overwhelmed, I do a quickie, which is probably why I usually have many projects going at a time, but they all get done, eventually.

You say, "this quilt" . Why are you making it? Is it something you didn't really want to make in the first place? Maybe skip it entirely or postpone it for a year or 2.

Yes I'm feeling like you right now, I know my issue though. We had a few pieces of loaner dressers from the Army here before we got our stuff and German houses do not have closets at all. Last week they recalled all the loaner furniture and one was in my sewing room holding my fabrics and I had to empty it so it is everywhere I can't sew in a mess. Went to go to IKEA Friday and this whole weekend is a German holiday including tomorrow so I'm stuck til Tuesday before I can go get my storage. Going to make a wonderful day of it though with a friend so good came out of it.

Wow - you got me on all points!! Yes there is an ex that always was on my case for what I didn't finish, what i didn't do, what I didn't do RIGHT, etc....thankfully my wonderful husband now is helping me get over that. And yes, I'm new to quilting - this is only my second quilt. The first one is sitting here not finished. I can't seem to get it done. I noticed that I said "this quilt" too - I think I said that out of frustration. It's a scrap quilt, and I"m frustrated that I don't have enough scrap material. Which is quite silly since I've only made one other quilt!! I do that to myself though - when I find something I love to do, I'm in all the way, and think I should know how to do it all like an expert of 20 years would.

On the bright side - I finally found a pattern I liked and am in the process of rotary cutting away. AND my sewing room is in the works - it looks maaahhhhhhhvelous in there.....and then I walk into the living room and see all the boxes and bins that I have to go through and put BACK into that maaahhhhhhhhvelous sewing room and it's not quite so maaaaahhhhhvelous anymore LOL!

If you continue to let this bother you, HE WINS..... there is a reason he is an EX.... this is probably a big part of it. Get rid of the "hangup" just like you got rid of him. I know this is harder to do than it was for me to say, but you can do it!!!!!

I am having a hard time starting another one also...I just finished my nieces two months early. I find if I have a person I am making it for and a deadline its easier to get modivated. I have a wall hanging that I basted this weekend but did not FMQ it...no modivation...

Now that is a great idea. I get stuck sometimes and that is very close to what I did.

Sometimes when I'm stuck, or can't seem to get going I will do a small project, like a mug rug. Something that I can complete in a day.

Some great advice on here. If it's a particular quilt I don't want to work on right then, I'll start another one. I usually have several projects going at once. Try something small, like a table runner. Or make a purse. Sometimes you just have to jump in and get started. Usually once I start it, I get more into the project.

I can get way to cought up in perfection, contstantly reviewing the fabrics asking myself "are they really right?"or "is the pattern right for the fabrics". I finally learned to tame this by telling myself "this is not the only quilt I will make".. "And there will be more". Some of my favorite quilts had some interesting starts... till finally I just started cutting and letting the process reveal itself as I went along.
Sometimes small projects can be very therapudic.... I have made more than my share of potholders and tablerunners as a method of breaking the stagnation.

I am in the same boat. I bought this gorgeous white for the background and a lucious bright blue and a small piece of soft lime green. I want to do lots of quilting in the white so I need a pattern that is striking but not the focal point. I have been looking at patterns for three weeks, to no avail. I am anxious to start, but the pattern has to be right. I may have found one last night. I will try one block today. We'll see how it works out.

Decide on what you want to make. Gather all fabrics and tools you will need. Read the instructions until you are sure you understand them. Now, this is very important....TAKE ONE STEP AT A TIME. ONE! My opinion is that you are being overwhelmed by the magnitude of the entire project...but you know what the Chinese say...a journey of 1,000 miles begins with one step. If you get yourself organized at the beginning, it is only a matter of taking one step at a time. I have a rule I follow, and that helps spur me on to finish...I do not allow myself to begin another project until I have completed the one I am working on. This works for me for several reasons. One...I do not end up with different fabrics and directions for several quilts cluttering up my sewing room, I only have out what I need for that one quilt, it eliminates confusion. Also, that one quilt is all I have to conccentrate on. I clean up, sweep and put away each day when I am finished so that when I go back in...I don't have the mess monster to greet me, which takes away some of the dread of entering the sewing room...chaos and I don't get along well. Another thing that helps me, is I will tell myself, I am going to go in and sew for one hour, unless I feel like sewing longer. Sometimes, after one hour, I am done. Sometimes I end up staying all day and having a great time. Mood has everything to do with it.
Now, go get organized, set yourself up for success! Let us hear from you again...you are missing out on a great adventure and fantastic feelings of self accomplishment...so get on board and take this fantastic ride with us!

Yes I've been there many times. Sometimes I find if I just go with my first idea of a pattern or fabric it's the right choice. I tend to over-think projects to the point that I'm paralyzed in fear of making a mistake.

Nokie: Yes, dear I was just like you. I wanted to make something anything quilty. So I started with something very simple. I'll see if I can find a picture and post it. I have a USB/Flash Drive crammed with patterns/ideas that one day I hope to do or the great tips/tutorials I have picked up along the way. Just put two pieces of material together and make whatever your heart desires. You do not have to make a huge quilt first. Relax, this really is fun; even for a newbie like me.

Make one block of each, with scraps. Then you can decide which block you most enjoyed making, for the final quilt. The other blocks ("rejects") can be used in a sampler quilt! :)

I cant get started: Yes you can
 

Nokie:

Hi I found the picture I was telling you about. Just a couple of small wall hangings I made from a really simple, easy pattern I found free online.

Also I made oven mitts and potholders for my female family members for Christmas. That was a small easy way to start as well. And they all have them proudly hanging in their kitchens, I am so happy!

Then I made a small quilt for my boyfriend's mom, she has a small antique cradle with a doll but it did not have a quilt. I've attached a picture of her with her new baby cradle quilt.

This just gives you some ideas to start out. Doing a small project will allow you to practice and feel like you have accomplished something. Set small goals, then advance; that's what I am doing.

Hope this helps.
Evelyn

There's always hope.
 

This is how I do it. First box is clear salad boxes from Costco so you can view where you're at with gathering for specific projects. I have a plentiful stash but am always finding more fresh designs and colors. I make copies of patterns that I like and might work and keep those in their box until I make up my mind or have enough designated fabric to choose itself. If I am threaded up with some energy left after a sewing session I will go back to whatever box can use that color thread and stitch for a while.....even if I am just emptying bobbins. Same with cutting, etc. So, am actually working on projects little by little and sometimes I surprise myself with how much I have gotten done on them. At some point, it is necessary to move up to larger boxes. Once you reach a certain point of progress (hope of actually finishing something) the biggest boxes move over to the stack of serious contenders. Leftover fabric either goes back in the drawer of second chances or in a box to give away. If nothing else, when I die of old age, I will have at least left hope for someone else to carry on instead of leaving the disorganized mess I used to have.

I just cleaned and organized my sewing room because I couldn't decide what project to do next. I went through all my patterns and picked out the ones that I thought would work for this fabric line I have (yardage, charm pack, jelly roll). Well, I had over 20 patterns picked out and was overwhelmed. So, I put them all away and got on the computer and came to the QB instead. I'll read here for a while and go back and see if I'm really in the mood to start a new project. I just finished a huge king size quilt top and maybe I need a break. I also have so many choices in fabric and patterns that I can't decide what to do. I think I can't do the first project I was gathering patterns for...too much for me right now. I need to rethink what I need to do. I have binding to do on at least 4 quilts and that's what I'm dreading the most. So, I'm kind of in the same boat. And, I feel really guilty when I'm not making a quilt. I feel like I have to sew every day!

I would say start small. Don't look at say a queen sized and know that there is going to be some time involved from start to finish and then the thoughts that you are having. Eliminate the big ones... and the sorta big ones... and get down to a table runner or table topper and go from there.

I hope this makes sense. I just woke up and the coffee hasn't fully kicked in.'

Anita in Northfield, MN

I have one right now. A table runner. Very pretty! It's white with fancy ends, binding 1-5/8" in and then has denim blue appliqued flowers, vines and lots of leaves. I have it all cut out and keep putting off starting it because I'm scared of the inner appliqued binding with those fancy shapes. I'll just jump in one of these days & it'll probably come out great!! Then, I have another one to do for DH!! This one will be bigger than the last. It has many stars like the mariner's stars all over it. He even likes the colors! How do I get myself into these things?! :-0

do one step at a time soon you will be dancing in the quilt world

Yeah, I agree. If I can't seem to get going, I put it away, and do something quick or simple, on something that just doesn't matter, and then it seems I gt inspired enough to get back to it. It very hard to MAKE yourself work on something that's not going well, for whatever reason, but I think we all have those times.

Give yourself a break, we have all been there. I just have to stay out of my sewing room sometimes and when I feel ready to go back, I feel refreshed and renewed and can pick up something and start...thanks for sharing.

I usually don't have a problem starting anything but it always seems I don't have that perfect thing to finish it. Or I can't decide how to finish. Takes me months sometimes.
But I have one right now that is giving me fits.... I have never had such a hard time doing one. My brother asked me to make this for a woman he knows and likes however it is one of those situations that I do not see ending well for him. I have been in the same situation and it didn't end well. lol Also I have never even met this woman so know nothing about her or her likes or dislikes. The guidelines I have are, purple, her grandmother is from Austrailia and the woman likes a certain childrens book series from there. He wrote a poem and had it printed on fabric with 2 pictures for the front and had a letter and another photo of the two of them done for the back. I promised him I would have it done before he gets back from his trip this week. I would love to finish it today. And get on to something I enjoy! .

I hate when that happens!!!! I can sit and stare at a project for hours and hours and get nowhere. BUT when the spirit hits me... I take it and run.

Take that one piece that is bothering you, mail it to your EX with all your negative thoughts, curses, etc., and then be done with it. Life is too short to stress over something like that. Good luck.

I see so many beautiful patterns that I want to make and declare, I, in fact will make...then...like you, always something !! BUT !! I did realize: every time I have a reason!! to quilt, for someone else! I can do it!! fast & easy(well, maybe not always easy! : ) I have made friends, family & community quilts, when I had a REASON!! So..maybe you need to tell yourself what the 'need' or reason for this quilt is...and after a few of those..maybe then 'we' can get to all those beautiful patterns we see!! ENJOY!! & give yourself a reason!

My next quilt has been on "hold" for over 6 months. Finally figured out it was the fabrics. I started removing them one at a time till I felt that "that's it!" moment. Now I am ready to start - but truth be told I spent 4 months not sewing anything!

istead of tackling a whole quilt just use your stash to just make a quilt block from all the quilt patterns out there. I ended up making enough to make a quilt of many colors!

Instead of tackling a whole quilt, get into your stash and make some of the free block patterns out there. I ended up making enough to make a quilt of many colors!

I have several projects going at all times. I get tired of working on one and move on to another. I don't like to work on the same thing for too long. Some days I just look at quilt books and magazines and "pet" my fabric and think about what I am going to make next. I don't have to sew everyday. I'm retired---I don't have deadlines. lol

Ok - since you mentioned it...I guess I have to confess...

I have no idea how to make a quilt block. None whatsoever.

The quilt before this one was a tie quilt - using two fleece blankets from Walgreens and batting in between. And it took me I don't know how long to get the batting straight. And that one's not finished either....it's a mess!!

Sooo...this quilt I'm on now was supposed to be a tie quilt - my mom had the fabric and gave it to me. It's a "patchwork" pattern that she was just going to tie and I ended up "quilting" around all patches. And by quilting I mean - just hand quilting each row. But it's a start...and I'm learning...slowly...LOL....

Now I have all these beautiful fabrics that I've bought with my high hopes and lack of skill - and I'm scared to death I'm going to butcher them - kind of like I feel I've done to these other two quilts. I have two I want to make for my mom - and scraps set aside for a "braid" pattern I found - and then the fear sets in. Heck, I can't even get the sewing machine to work...or the rotary cutter I bought...my sewing room is a mess...everything tht was in there is out here in the living room....I should be running through the house screaming my head off...but here i sit...calm...and disheveled...:hunf:

Sorry - I didn't mean to turn this into a whiney post. It just kinda happened. :(