I haven't touched anything in my sewing room for over a month now.

I knew it would happen - I took a f/t teaching position, & I do know what that means!... I am still holding out hope that soon I'll be into some kind of a manageable routine where I can get back to it, but in the meantime I'm exhausted & I do so miss all the quilting projects I was getting done, started, & the machine quilting I was learning on my new frame set up (since end of July) w/our guilds charity quilts.

1st there was a G'ma week end of September, then a week vacation DH had planned & we thoroughly enjoyed to St. Croix in the Virgin Islands, then as soon as we got back had the week of Fall break to get a new room arranged, & curriculum materials together, learn a different computer system, & be ready to start teaching HS math as I did agree to take over this class for the rest of the year. & I am now into my 2nd week teaching F/T & am so missing my semi-retirement & sticking w/ subbing the past couple years since my accident. Plus I haven't even looked at math for the most of the past couple years so what's not spend grading & planning, is spent refreshing my knowledge - but it so fell in my lap!!

I just keep telling myself after the first few weeks I'll figure out a way to get some portion of my life back, but with a month out of my quilting element, I'm wanting it back sooner rather than later...

..Ok - got that off my chest... off to grade some more make up work papers since progress reports come out next week & the kids are panicking about their grades (now)...

I always hated makeup work. It will get easier. Hope you can quilt soon.

I understand all too well! Retired last fall and now I quilt all I want!!!!

You will get it figured out.

You will get a routine going before you know it. You miss quilting that much, You will find a way to get it in there.

I understand! I'm a full time teacher of high school students, and I do college teaching part time. In addition I've got an almost 2 year old. I don't get nearly enough time on my sewing machine. It does get easier, you'll fall into a routine, takes a month or two once you get settled in with work.

You'll figure something out. I work full time as well. It is tough. Sometimes I don't quilt all week but on the weekend that's all I do. I make sure I get any supplies I think I'll need during the week then on Saturday morning a quick breakfast (for energy) and sew, sew, sew. Crock pot, take out or something frozen for dinner.

Once you get in your routine, it'll get a lot easier. I always got more done during the school year than in the summer. I was a huge procrastinator in the summer because I didn't have anything pressing my time. Good luck and make yourself rest!

Hang in there, you'll soon find the time. Even if it's only a half an hour in the evening, you can call it your de-stressing time and leave all the school stuff behind while you sew. I was a high school nurse and needed that time, no matter how short to help me relax.
Kate

I'm sure it will settle down soon and there will be time again.

QUIT! :lol:





I know, I know; I'm sorry for your situation. :(
Jan in VA

I have two daughters that teach, one 4th grade and the other middle school math. I have always had tremendous respect for teachers and know how much work goes on after hours. I see both of them now finding short periods of time to re-energize with an activity that they enjoy. I once had a friend who had what she called her "10 minute quilt". She found a 10 minute time slot each day to work on it. She felt it kept her connected to what she loved and many days it turned into more than 10 minutes.

Good Luck and Thanks for Teaching....Laura

Hang in there, I feel your pain as I teach high school full time too. My 28th year, I quilt when I do laundry on saturday, since the quilting space is near the laundry room. Plus I remember to get up and move so I am not stiff and sore! You will get a routine at school and home real soon!! Have a great school year!!

I'm sure everything will fall into place. I still work 4 days a week at a very stressful place and getting back to quilting has saved my sanity.

It will get better!!!!! I "work" at home. Have three little ones to take care of and most of my day is swipping, wipping and cleaning up messes. By the time they all go home at 8:00 at night, i am just tooooo tired to quilt. Sometimes if they all nap together i get in an hour, but most of my sewing time is on the week-ends. Just let yourseld get into a routine. Your projects will still be there!!! :lol:

As a recently retired teacher and occassional teacher now, I know how hard this profession is. I've always regarded quilting as my sanity saver. Carve yourself a few minutes each day to quilt and don't let anyone "steal" your time. For me, my time was from 10:00 p.m. until bedtime. At that time the kids were in bed, papers were graded and it was time for me. As I was winding down, my stitching had to be simple and easy to grab. I always did all my cutting in the summer, boxed up the cut pieces and instructions and then could just grab a box and stitch during my time each night. There were no decisions to make about what project, pattern or fabric and no cutting accidents to happen to a sleepy quilter. Oten I just stitched very simple Cuddle Quilts for our guild's community projects but it was my time to unwind and de-stress in preparation for the next very busy day.

boy, i know what you are going through, after spending the past 15 years working odd shifts, different rotating days and having 2-3 weekdays off every week suddenly the middle of July i was offered a new position at my work, for monday through friday 7am-3pm...boy i jumped on it...my thoughts...boy i don't know how to act, every weekend off? every holiday off? no more over nights, ect, ect...i was so excited. then it all started and i was right about one thing...i don't know how to act...i have not figured out how to get things done. i was so used to having whole days during the week to accomplish things, now i am at work every day during the week and during the weekends, well hubby is home too, and it is hard to lock my self away in my sewing room when he is around; not that he isn't supportive of my hobby, but it seems like every 20minutes- half an hour he is wandering into the sewing room to see what i'm doing now, how's it going? are you about ready for a break? .... and i am not getting as much sewing time at work either, used to work off shifts and there was always (down-time) to sit and sew, now on days...busy busy.
i keep telling myself i will get better, and i am but i still have a way's to go to become better organized again, it's amazing how this change i thought was such an awesome change has changed my whole life.

Keep your machine set up all the time and steal 5-10 minutes every day. When you need a break from grading grab a few minutes.
When you throw something in the oven grab a few minutes. You may want to add a timer to your sewing room, just in case you get too involved. You deserve to have time for yourself and your quilting. You need not give up something you love to do. Yes, I know that 5-10 minutes doesn't sound like much and the project could last forever...but at least it will get you some you time and someday a new quilt to love.

I retired early and recently thought of going back to work. Then I snapped out of it. I remembered how much quilting I got done when working full-time. Little to none. So, I am staying retired and enjoying every minute of my quilting. Nothing else around the house gets done like it use to - and I don't know how I did it when I was working. The thing is, I can go into my quilting room and come out 6 hours later amazed at the time that flew by. Hope you figure it out. I understand the feeling.

I'm like that. It comes and goes. Sometimes I don't have time and lose interest for a little while, and then I go right back to it. I also work full time (from home as a medical transcriptionist). Sometimes I make candles and soap too, and crochet, but it all comes and goes. I'm always doing SOMETHING. You will find the time once you adjust to your routine. I get grouchy if I don't find the time to "play" every day or two. Hang in there.

Try the quilt as you go method because you can use time away from sewing room/supplies to quilt. I love it. I get all but hand sewing done and carry around that so when I am sitting waiting on appointments, traveling, dinner to cook, laundry to dry or what ever- I can sew! I'n surprised by how fast it goes.

You will figure it out. My son teaches FT HS English. He has been there for a number of years and has figured out how to work his hobbies into his schedule. Give it time. I'm sure it will get easier. I really respect teachers, not just because my son is one, but because it is a LOT of work. I don't think I could be put in a room with that many kids and survive. Thanks for doing a job so many other cannot do. Good luck with finding your time to quilt.

I understand how you feel. I work full time also and trying to find time to do the laundry, clean house, go shopping for grocery, etc and quilt is almost impossible. Also I am not as young as I used to be and I am really tired after a long day at work. It is all I can do to make dinner, clean the dishes, pet the cat and climb in bed. Quilting is done on the weekends. I am going to a quilt retreat soon and I am really looking forward to it. Nothing to do but sew for 3 days.

well I felt bad for you until I got to the St. Croix part...just kidding.

I don't know how teachers have any kind of life outside of their students. Your day never ends. It takes a special kind of person to be a teacher.

Im sure that as soon as you get back into the groove of things you will find quilting time again.

I was in the same slump about things not getting done and when can i do my sewing. I found the site of FLYLady.net and read about this and now I love myself flying. I have more time so sew, I have a 4,000 square foot house a 89 mother and 75 year old husband me 62, my house is ready for all kinds of company. Just read it for a few minutes and get some ideas. I worked for 40 years. just retired.

One thing, I find, is a keep a bag of quilting mag, in my car, and
when I go somewhere, I can bring them and look at them. It
helps me quilt at least in my head.

When I was working ft I would set up my sewing into 15 min. jobs. That way I could sew and then get to work on time. I was amazed at what could be done.

I teach high school, too, and also regret that I don't have more time for sewing and quilting. Some nights I'm too tired to do more than hang out in my sewing room, petting fabric and dreaming about future projects. I do try to do a little something everyday and more on the weekends. I agree with other posters that it will get better after you settle into a routine!

I get up a half hour early to quilt may not seem like much but just enough to ground you for the day I also try to leave the project ready to run through the machine.

Hope you can get in a routine soon. I am retired from teaching, but have a part time job at my church and quilt with the ladies there 2 days a week. Sewing at home is still hard to do.

I guess I am in sorta the same position... only I am retired and use to have a lot of time on my hands but then came our first grandchild..> :) Need I say more? I just love him to pieces and I wouldn't give up a minute of the time I spend with him... I baby sit almost everyday.. :) but I sure miss all the time I use to have before he entered my life... :) The way I look at it though.. he brings just as much joy to my life as quilting does and I am going to just let all the rest of my free time sneak in on my so I can quilt... Torn between two loves.... but loving every minute of it.. :)

I too am a fulltime teacher I teach in a Christian School where everyone from fifth grade and up are on the same room. I do all subjects it is great fun But when I first started it was hard to find me time. Now I insist on an hour everyday for quilting and as much time as possible during the weekend. It is my destressing time. Make sure you get some time everyday for you just for your sanity. Enjoy your students. I was told today I have five new students coming next week. LOL

I teach to. I find that I take one day a month, to quilt. Right know I take my duaghter to a BOM on one Saturday a month. When I schdule it- I find time for it.

I know EXACTLY how you feel! It seems like we teachers are having more and more placed on our plates, and nothing is taken off. I've been working until 5:00 or 6:00 at school, and then bringing an armful of papers home to grade. And you'd think I'd have the job figured out by now - this is my 32nd year teaching! I love my summers.

I agree with trying to find time to quilt - I teach at nursing students & feel like I have to sandwich in my quilting along with everything else.

Another teacher here - 6/7/8 special needs. This year isn't as stressful as last year, but it's still something else. Several years ago i made myself a promise to not bring stuff home - i put in some pretty long days, but stuff isn't coming home as much...

eta: i get up early in the morning to get my quilting in..

Been there and empathize with you. Can you make a date with your sewing machine for a chunk of time on a Sat. or Sun. a couple times a month?

When I taught I belonged to a group that meet every other Wed. night at the local high school. How about setting up a quilter's group of 1 - you can establish a night during the week for your meeting & go off to your sewing space from 6:30-8:30.

Remember to make time for yourself or you'll get lost in the demands of your job.

I've taught full time high school, now subbing HS, and will sub full time HS for a teacher on maternity leave starting in Jan. Teachers have to slice precious little wedges of time for themselves. Here's one way -- teach your family to love leftovers, and cook huge meals that can be recycled/remodeled more than once. Take some of your precut pieces with you to school and pin them together on your lunch break, so they are ready to go when you do get to sit down at your sewing machine. Share them with your students -- they may love to design intricate pieced designs showing their math skills. Try to learn to love hand piecing and carry a baggie with the pieces and materials for a block along with you everywhere. It's amazing how they add up, and you are allowed to machine piece hand sewn blocks together -- quilt police be damned.

I, too, understand your dilemma... I taught HS science for 30 years, retired, went back to school to become a PTA and am now back to work! I didn't touch fabric for two years... That's the bad news. The good news is, like so many others have shared, you will find a routine, and while you probably won't get to spend as much time quilting as you would like, you WILL get to sew.
The other important thing to remember is that your work with students is SO IMPORTANT!! To have someone in their life who cares for them, as you clearly do, is powerful! Remember, you are impacting lives in ways you may never realize... every moment with them counts...
I will remember you in my prayers...

Like everyone else, I think you have set a routine including quilting time. But, with the extra money, you might be able to have your quilts LA quilted, buy books, extra thread, notions, etc. Once the in the fall and once in the spring (in this area) there are Shop Hops. Hopefully, you will be able to go on one. They are fun!! but seems as though I'm buying from each store, also!!

Thanks for taking the time to TEACH!!