Lost the urge
 

Don't know what happened, but I don't have the urge to quilt right now...but I do love quilting. It is the holiday season, and I so want to get back into the groove. Any suggestions as to what can I do to get the spirit back?

How about going to a quilt show? Seeing what others are doing always gets me in the mood to create.

Or maybe take a class? That another way I get my brain into gear to do something in my sewing room besides watch tv. lol

I think we all hit spots like this...I usually just keep looking thru my books and patterns and online at quilts or just take a break and sew something else for a while. I made a bunch of dolls a couple months ago while I was on a quiltless streak...LOL, it'll come back!!

I lost my urge for about a year. Nothing worked for me but time. No amount of suggestions about rearranging, cleaning sewing space, reading patterns, etc. motivated me. Just time passing. There have been several discussions about this and while they all gave good suggestions and they worked for some people, sad to say, I just had to wait it out. I hope you find something to motivate you, or, just accept that your urge is on hiatus!!!

Except for 4 quilts I worked on at a retreat, I have not "quilted" in several years, partly because we had two of our grandkids while our daughter was in Afghanistan and partly because I was having thyroid issues and had no energy to do anything. In the last six months, I have, however, found lots of crafty projects to work on. I have made a travel set, which included a ditty bag, luggage tags, zipper pouch, and sleep mask; travelling dog bowls; glass koozies; iPad stands; cord keepers; and purse handcuffs. I took several classes at the Houston IQF and have worked on one project in a new bee I just joined. I have plans to make bowl potholders for my co-workers and wine glass coasters for relatives for Christmas. I have another retreat in January, so will probably finish the three tops and work on a few more UFOs.

Don't worry if you've lost the urge; find something else you are interested in doing. Sooner or later it will come back.

1) drive over to Sew Elegant. 2) pet the fabric & see if they have a small project on display to get you going again.
Seems to me a trip to my LQS always sparks my interest!

For me, sometimes sewing is like exercise. I get away from my routine, then suddenly it has become a task rather than a gift. I simply have to force myself to start doing it again and before I know it, I love it again.

I'm in the same boat. I've lost my mojo too. It's been a couple of months for me. I'm still looking at patterns and looking at other's quilts online, but so far I haven't felt much like quilting. I am, however, getting interested in Paper Piecing. I enrolled in Carol Doak's Paper Piecing class on Craftsy and it is really getting my interest up. I think I might just give it a try. So maybe if you try a new "type" of quilting, that might help. I'm hoping so at least.

Sometimes going to the LQS and buying new fabric for a new project perks me up :)

Do some organization of your fabric. That's what I've found really helps me get in the mood. Pull out the fabric in your stash and re-fold it. You'll see fabrics you haven't seen in a while, and it really gets you thinking "this fabric would be perfect for THAT quilt I've had on my bucket list" or "There's that fabric! Now I can finally make THAT quilt!". I also like to sit with my quilt books or magazines that I've not looked at in a long time. Don't worry, it will all come back. My funk lasted for a year after my mom passed away. Thanks to Peggi (Peckish on the board!), who kept sending me pics of quilts she thought I would like - it started little sparks that, at first, I ignored, but later found that I just HAD to make them!

Organizing my studio usually makes me really want to get in there and do something. It's depressing when it's too big a mess. Good luck. Don't press it.

Roll with the punches -- I put my projects in boxes with the fabrics and the instructions. I also sort through my fabric and reorganize - it's nice to have a nice clean room when the mood finally does hit. Enjoy life in the meantime though - read, go for nice walks and maybe have coffee with friends.

Just do it! I went through a dry spell for the past month. I tidied up the sew room, re-arranged furniture, reorganized fabric, and then just sat down and worked on a project already started. Just like that, I am itching to go down to the sewing room, and do a few more rows. Hope that works for you, too!

New fabric might work?

Find a couple small items to quilt. A tote, a pillow, a vest. Quick to get done and you can walk off for a few days with no regrets

Besides FART-ing [fabric road acquisition trip] just to look and pet the fabric and get inspired I do one of several things.

When I wasn't inspired is when I made my picture database of quilt top patterns and then their instructions via my scanners. I get to go through all my quilting magazines and then pass them along to other quilters as I don't need the magazines anymore. My paper clutter is greatly lessened. I can do a slide show of the quilt tops and play around.

I also go through my scraps that I had told myself I would eventually go through and sort. This isn't something I really like to do so it really is a jump starter.

I make yo-yo's. Even though I don't know what I will ever do with them. I can make them while watching TV or a DVD. I can make them at quilting meetings. I haven't taken them to church to work on yet though.

Hi Gayle! I like what you've written! good advice for someone who needs to be motivated to quilt. Donna

This past summer I picked up a huge amount of fabric by asking if they would be interested in selling the whole collection. It was priced at 50 cents FQ and $2 a yard for most. Rest was in gallon bags stuffed full of large scraps, for example a FQ with a 4 inch square cut out or several 3" by WOF. These bags were about a dollar. It was the second weekend of yard sales and I about fainted when she said $20 for it all. I whipped out the money and started packing it to the car. I was shocked with what I got. I have used quite a bit for donation quilts and scrappy backs. The less than desirable fabric I cut into 4 inch squares which my grands use to practice piecing. It was a real win-win for all of us. Remember you can always decline or ask what their bottom dollar is. My DH is really good at bargains, but I tend to pay too much. This time I didn't!!! LOL

having recently suffered the loss of my DH, I was having a hard time even going into my sewing area. So I got a book on Zentangle (Totally Tangled) and a black pen. After a few small 4" paper squares and circles, kind of playing with pattern in SMALL area's, I've been feeling better about sewing and quilting again. It'll take a long time to get settled back into a full zone, but it's ok to take a break. And the project I'm working on has a "puzzle" FMQ pattern on the pre-printed panels. I'm doing that one as Quilt as you Go pieces, so it's one small success at a time!

Take your time, find something that includes pattern and color (or Black and White), the Quilt-bug will be there when you get back! Maybe now is a good time to "organize" the area, paint, freshen it up. That way, it'll be ready and more welcoming when you do return, fully recharged!

It hit me at least twice the last couple of years and nothing worked with me honestly but just ignoring it and let the time pass . I tried to pet the fabrics, read QB posts for hours, look at patterns, sit in front of the machine.....nope nothing so i backed up and it came back all of a sudden and made a king size quilt for my bed :-)

Just let it be and enjoy yourself doing something else..

With me, it has to do with health issues. First it was a UTI that lingered way too long, then, shingles.....and all the time, arthritis. The change of seasons makes a difference. Decreased daylight hours are a sure turnoff. Cloudy days are depressing. Unfinished projects are downers. I am trying to push through these things and slowly, slowly, it is coming back. Completing a project boosts my mojo enormously even if it is a very small one. Finding a fabulous quilt pattern and knowing I have fabric to make it is a breakthrough sometimes. Having a deadline to finish something helps me. Such as a gift for a loved one. Running out of basting spray and marking (Frixion) pens put a stop to my machine quilting. I am not driving 20 miles for this, so ordered online. But, I believe, there is a reason I just don't understand that makes me lose my enthusiasm.

Don't force yourself. It is OK if you want to do something else or nothing else for a while! I've taken many breaks from sewing and had times when it ruled my life! It's OK!

I've been "locked out" of my sewing room for about a month now due to bursitis in my shoulder and problems with my thyroid medication. At first it really bothered me, but the longer I've been away from it, the less I feel like I'll be going back to quilting after my problems get solved. I hope that like you, at some point, I'll be able to "get back in the grove".

I look at quilting as a hobby...and therefore not a necessary part of my life. I have had many hobbies.....always been a "crafty" person, going from one to another, each giving me satisfaction as I was doing them but then eventually something else caught my eye and off I went! I never felt guilty when I moved on to something else....just broadening horizons. Granted there are those who have made quilting their livelihood and good for them..I am not that driven by it. Lately due to life changes I have found myself not as absorbed in my sewing room as I once was, but that is ok -either the flame will spark again or something else will peak my interest.....remember, our ancestor quilters did most of theirs out of necessity.....so let your life be your guide JMHO

That happened to me when I switched sewing room and DS room, lost my mojo. (He wanted the queen size guest bed) I just hung in there and kept going to Guild and my bee and forced myself to sew tops. Lightning struck about a month ago and I have quilted 4 quilts. The tops, I forced myself to do during the uninspired time are not favorites and almost a waste of fabric. I recommend watching and waiting and one day something will come along that makes you want to start again.

I come here almost every day to try to get myself enthused. It's been months and months since I sat down at my machine. I look at it every day hoping it will call me. I have 2 ready to quilt and I just keep refolding them to keep them from getting permanent folds. Sigh......

If you find where my mojo went could you please send it back to me :)

Sign up for a class to complete a small project.

Usually all I have to do is hit the Fabric Store and POOF I get all excited and the bug has sunk its teeth in and I over flow with ideas and can't wait to get home and start cutting. I don't even have to buy fabric. I have so much at home.Which is a good thing : )

Seeing show and tell at our guild meetings of all the quilts every one has made, inspires me again.

I think we all have times like that. I have lots of hobbies that I enjoy like quilting, cross stitch, crochet, reading, and playing golf. It helps me to alternate from one to another instead of doing the same thing all the time. I don't know, maybe I have ADHD. It is turning cold here in Kentucky, so we just finished our golfing season. I am excited to get back to quilting. Maybe you need to learn something new for a hobby so you can do that for a while. I have heard that it is good for the brain to learn new things. Good luck on getting your mojo back.

This always seems to help me too. I find a quilting show or youtube videos get me in the mood.

sometimes I just set a small goal for myself to get started. Then amazingly, I don't want to quit. I go in spurts. Right now my crocheting is taking over. Don't worry about it. It will come back.

How about planning a 2014 BOM from either your LQS or an Online shop? .. that gives you time to get in the groove?

It happens. For me, it's a time to reorganize my sewing room, ending with the fabric itself. Something will usually click in there somewhere and get me started again but I think most of us have had a similar experience. Relax. The urge will return.

I am in the same rutt, I have so many things I want to do but just can't seem to find the will to start them. Yesterday I went in my sewing room for a while and put some things away but that's as far as it got.

Thanks everyone for the support. I have cleaned, straightened fabric, looked through patterns, and gnerally forced myself to just start moving again. I started making some Christmas tissue box covers, and that really helped. By the time I knew it, I had 4 of them, then just filled them all with Christmas chocolates, and mailed them out. Don't know why really, but it got me moving again. Today am working on a new quilt for a niece with Cancer....thinking I forgot just how lucky I have been.

LOL! Yes, a trip to Sew Elegant sparks the quilting brain!

Check out google images or yahoo images, using variations on the word quilt, red quilt, square quilt, round quilt, tow color quilt, Christmas quilt, etc. for inspiration?