Incentive
 

There are times when I need a bit of incentive to keep going with different projects because I become bogged down in work, volunteering, playing, running errands, cleaning and cooking. So, first place, I come here to see what everyone else is doing. Then I drag out countless magazines and patterns to look at. Then I wander from shelf to shelf and look at my fabric stash...... By, that time, I am ready to rock and roll. Do any of you ever need a little PUSH to get going? If so, what inspires you?

A deadline.

When I have tons of other chores to do and I use my sewing room as an excuse to get away. No matter what, I'd much rather be sewing than cleaning house.

I have a long list of quilts I'm planning to make; it's the anticipation of getting to the next one (or the fifth, or the 10th) on the list that keeps me moving forward with current projects.

AMEN!! I love beginning new projects, so anytime I have an idea, I get it started first chance I get.....but it's the persevering that doesn't always happen. If I have a real purpose, like a new baby, graduation, etc. I can keep on going. If it's a new pattern or interesting piece of fabric, I get it started, then often get bogged down and start something new before it it finished. I think I speak for a lot of us. I wish I could be like the rest of us who start one thing and finish it before starting something else. So yes, I suppose I need incentive to keep me going. Staying focused until the end only happens then I am making a piece especially for someone or some cause.

Sometimes I feel so overwhelmed with projects that I just can't "go." I've even thought several times about just selling my sewing room, but usually that's after an extended period of time that I haven't been able to sew. Once I get into a project, I remember that I enjoy it immensely, and that motivates me. To me, it's like running: The first step out the door is the most difficult, tedious one. Once I'm on my run, I feel so much better, and remember how much I enjoy it. I think our lives are so busy with work, family and other things that have to be done, that it becomes really easy to burn out - at least that's how it is in my life. I'm trying really hard to manage everything.

I see a quilt that I want to make. That gets my engine going.....

I am like that often as well. I work full time and I get wore out.... even though I would prefer to be at my sewing machine I need some real motivation. I don't have the answer. Sometimes I just "push" myself - - much like I would push myself at work when the boss tells me to do something :) usually once I get over the hump of starting I am glad that I got started. I also found having a few different projects helps me. If they are all at different stages I can usually find one at a stage that I can get in the mood for fairly easy

I generally have a long list of quilts to make and some have time limits like the baby quilt I'm working on now. I basically make one quilt at a time & use the next one as a reward for finishing the one I'm working on. I get a lot of free patterns off the web, magazines & my Facebook page is a lot of quilting sites I frequent. So I'm continually bombarded with incentives to move along with my work. :-)

I make a small list with projects that need finishing each month. I only work on these. They get checked off, if not finished then they go to the top of the next month. I never put more then 5 to do as it gets to overwhelming . This works for me.

Ah yes those doldrum days when you've just finished a big project and can't quite bring yourself to start another one....I have a couple of ongoing scrappy assembly blocks that usually take care of the 'I don't know what I want to do next" days. They are practically mindless but I am in my sewing room, my machine is turned on and I am actually sewing and that seems to be what I need to allow my brain to plan my next big project.

SAme here. I'm good once I get the right boost.

Well said bearisgray! This is frequently my incentive as well.

I put together "kits" of quilts I want to make and that basket of kits keeps me motivated. I did the "sew in" this weekend and I got a lot accomplished. Seems once I start I am hooked.

:( yes, I always seem to need inspiration and a big push to get things done -- I hate deadlines but they do seem to get me started or keep me going -- right now, my bee is working on a BOM where each month the block is made up of quite a few small blocks, not just one-- each one of us who decided to participate plan to have the September block done in our own color/fabric choices by the middle of the month when we get together on a Saturday and work/visit/eat-- and then there are projects to be done by Christmas!!--I am definitely not one of the over-achievers in my bee!!:D

I go in spurts with incentive. Start a project then get sidetracked, then start another project before finishing the 1st one and so on. Deadlines helps me to get stuff done though. Now that the gardening is just about done for the season I can get back to the sewing room and maybe finish a couple projects before the 1st snow fall.

As to the projects, if I see one that looks interesting I keep the magazine or pattern on a shelf with the ideas written on a piece of scratch paper tucked or pinned to it for future thoughts. Then from time to time I go thru my pile of future ideas and see if they still have interest in my mind's eye. If not, they get put back where they belong and I move on.

Because I sew in a small corner (not really so small - DH wishes it was smaller), I have to sew up any new fabric I bring in. So what I have done is I have a printer drawer in my sewing desk, so any thing I need to use ASAP goes inside. When this drawer get full, I have to do something with it. Move it into my spare room with my stash, or start sewing. That gets me moving. I also have dead lines, because I have clients that I do alterations for and holiday shows I make things for. So again dead lines. Good luck

I usually need an incentive to finish a current project, when I am almost done with it, I find I drag my feet, start another project or look for another pattern, there must be some kind of a syndrome, maybe I don't want to end it syndrome?

I've become a foul weather quilter-once it gets to chilly to play out side I move into the sewing room. For me to get creative -start and finish a quilt this time of year it better have a carved in stone deadline. But on those all to often nights I can't sleep I do the majority of my cutting for my winter to-do list.

Replying to Martina re: avoiding housework to sew - That is the best way to write a dissertation as well. Or you have an extremely clean house. Bonus either way. : )

I'm really glad I'm not the only one!!

I let inspiration arrive organically.
If I'm bored with a project, I put it aside and do something that interests me. In a day, or a week, or a month, or a year, I'll come back to it with fresh motivation.

The exception is if there's a looming deadline. Typically this is because a baby is on the way (or was born a month early... I'm looking at you, Lilly.*) or because someone is getting married and I bit off more than I could chew with regards to finishing their gift (or they eloped two months before the wedding was supposed to be planned... Michael, you inconsiderate jerk.*). In those cases, I generally spend some time kind of meditating on how important the recipient is to me before I get to work.

Seeking inspiration elsewhere is how I get even more UFOs in my craft room.


*said with mock-grumpiness and greatest affection for the individuals involved.

This is an issue for me too. Lately, I've been in a funk.

Deadlines are real motivators. There are 2 big ones march 2016. So I'm working on those projects. Also, setting a schedule for when they'll need to be at each stage.

Friends! Once a week I go to a sewing group. We have show and tell. I love getting something finished during the week to show and tell at the group meeting. Humility-needs work.

Making myself finish one project before going onto another.

Having a done/in progress/planning stage bulleting board. It feels good to more a note/photo from one block to another on my progress board. And it keeps it visual so I don't forget.

Challenges: UFO, guild design challenges, personal challenges.

Seeing other peoples progress.

Giving myself permission to loose myself in the project. The laundry and phone calls can wait...or get them done first thing and set myself free.

Set a goal of one small project and don't agonize over it.

Find a daily motivational picture and descide what I like about it.

I belong to an art gallery that changes the hanging about every 3 months. I want at least 1 new piece every time they change.

Just some ideas, off the top of my head, BRAINSTORMING.


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Many times I will start a new project in the middle of another project. I see a new block or a new technique and I want to try it out right then before I forget. I've never needed and incentive to do anything I wanted to do. I don't mind housework because it gives me a clean house but have no problem no doing it either.

amen - I'm a terrible housekeeper any more. Would rather quilt or sew then clean. Seems like such a thankless job!

Sometimes, as now almost nothing can get me going. Since coming home from the hospital Sunday (9/7) I can't seem to get up enough courage to go out to the sewing room. I have plenty of deadlines and inspiration. I just can't take that first step out the door. Hope someone has something that will give me that push! I'll keep reading and hoping.

Susan

I'm so with you AllyStitches!!! I thought it was going to be so much easier since I retired. Instead, it has put so much pressure on me to enjoy it that I now hate it.

Susan

Yes, I agree. A deadline makes the difference for me. I am currently working on a Tumbler for my sister for Christmas. If for any reason, I do not make that....her birthday is January 16th. :-)

Change things up, do something different! In the middle of one quilt, I am currently painting a sweatshirt for a family reunion.

I try not to have deadlines, but they are always there somewhere. I want to quilt for fun, but it seems there is always a wedding, a new baby, etc; etc. I come here for inspiration and I have a friend that I am teaching to quilt, so I get her on the phone and make a "hurry up" date. This usually kicks me into gear.

That's exactly like me! If I can just bite the bullet and get started, then I soon get "into" the project. Sometimes I stew and worry about a project, or procrastinate, but once I get started, then it's priority.

I enjoy using the swaps/challenges from this board as incentive , like the mug rug swap or the wall hanging swap.

Sometimes "life" just gets to be overhelming, especially if time is spent doing for others, which we all enjoy doing, but in order to properly serve, we must have "me" time also! Just a bit can help, then we are refreshed to go about our other obligations. Even Jesus had to have time alone(prayer) to finish His work! So don't feel guilty, take time for You! All that you do, you surely deserve it!