Now What?
 

I'm in a bit of a funk, and I don't know what to make next. I'm almost done with a baby quilt for my nephew and a table runner/placemat set for my mom. In the last 6 months, I've made 3 quilts to give to family members/friends, and then the other two mentioned above. I want to make something for myself, but I'm at a loss what to do. I've decided not to take on anymore give-away projects until I have a new quilt for my own bed, but now I can't decide what to do. I'm inspired by so many different options, but just can't pick one.

Help!

What is your favorite color?

What goes well with it?

Do you have any fabrics in those colors? (My guess would be - at least one or two)

Start playing with these fabrics and see if anything comes to mind.

If the walls in your room are not your favorite color - ignore them for now - make the quilt in colors you love.

Well, I know I want the main colors to be aqua and grey/white, but beyond that, I'm just at a loss.

Go out and buy more fabric! That's what I do. I go to the quilt store and I see a fabric I love and instantly get inspired to make a quilt with it.

Search Google images or Pinterest for ideas!

https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&...22.7om6YT9JbWA

https://www.pinterest.com/search/pin...uilt&term_meta[]=aqua|typed&term_meta[]=gray|typed&term_meta[]=quilt|typed

edit: sorry link is hosed...not sure why. but you could copy and paste to the address bar.

It's never too late to get on the Mystery Train! We are working on a three color project that can be sized from table runner to full quilt! Just get your colors and let the mystery be your design! :)

Here's the link: http://www.quiltingboard.com/blocks-...y-t269356.html

Pennyhal, I wish I could buy more! That's part of the problem, I have so much that I love I get a little lost when I go stash diving.

Katie, that gave me some great ideas, and some sample blocks to try for sure!

Tartan, I'll have to check out that book. :)

Sue, the mystery quilt sounds fun, but I need to know how it's going to turn out before I commit my time and favorite fabrics to making something.

I've thought of a sampler, but then I can never decide which blocks to include!

If you decide on a sampler - you could get some continuity in the blocks by

- using the same colors and color placement in all of them (use the same color for the outside of each block, for example)

- use the same grid for all the blocks - there is a lot of variety in a 3 x 3 (9-patch) grid

- Use the same "type" of blocks - all pointy like stars - or all bars - or all curved like drunkards' path units

Or you could have several block styles but duplicate several of them so there is some symmetry in the placement -

You could have the same blocks in each corner, for example - if you went with sashing between the blocks, you could have "blank" squares for fancy quilting -

(My personal preference for "sampler" quilts is to have the blocks look like they are closely related - color - style - scale. Other people like "whatever" in their sampler quilts.)

Between the photos here and Google, they keep me inspired. Here are some quilts made with aqua/grey and white:
https://www.google.com/search?q=aqua...w=1013&bih=612

I think the Chevron looks stunning. There is also a square in a square which won't take much fabric using lots of scraps:
http://susanweinroth.typepad.com/a_l...f_me/quilting/

Do you really want to make a quilt or maybe just a quickie project like a tote bag, placemats, potholders, mug rugs. Small projects give you almost immediate gratification, then you are revved up to start another quilt.

I would rest and just let ideas percolate. Pinterest might have your inspiration, or it might come from a tile floor, a nature walk, a greeting card, a train ride! Who knows? Sooner or later you'll be itching to make that thing you can't stop thinking about. Don't worry about your funk. It'll pass.

Maybe you need to take a break of some kind and not worry about it. I go through long periods of "funk" and just have learned to wait them out and not worry about them. Eventually the spark re-ignites and off I go. I know we are quilters but that does not mean we *have* to be quilting every single day! At least that is my humble opinion!!

Well, thanks to some of the links posted, I found one that made me go WOW! I absolutely love it, and I also found an awesome blog with some gorgeous free patterns.

Drum roll...

http://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/womba...=0&viewer=true

Ta Da!

I am glad you have found quilts that inspire you. If there are any quilt shows or displays around, I love to browse and get ideas. My LQS always has quilts hanging through the store that are fun to look at and give me ideas.

This is a golden opportunity to try something new to you. A technique, a style, or even color. Stretch youself a bit...have some fun! You're not trying to please anyone else...just you. l think you might start by dragging those books & quilting mags. off the shelf, and spend a few quiet mornings or evenings going through them. You'll find paper bookmarks, notes to yourself etc. and quilts you've forgotten that you once REALLY wanted to do...but you had to finish " so & so's " quilt first. :

When I am looking for a new project, I just google "modern quilts", click on the image tab and spend hours looking at pictures of quilts. Some will just speak to me and trigger the creative spark I need to focus in on a particular pattern. Then start the fun of fabric hunting!

I did one for my mom when I first started quilting. I found two patterns that I liked and couldn't make up my mind, so they became one. I did one pattern for the top of the quilt, then made the second quilt top and sandwiched them together. That way she could turn the quilt over for one look and then turn it over for a different look. Just a thought if you can find two patterns that you would like. Good luck

I recently made a quatrefoil quilt that Jenny Doan demonstrated. It came out beautiful and is easy to put together. I gave it a 91 year old acquaintance that was celebrating her birthday

When in doubt make a double Irish Chain. It is easy and beautiful!

My favorite go to patterns are Irish Chain and Trip around the world. They are quite versatile in regards to number of fabrics and colors.

Don't let the number of choices put you in gridlock. Pick one and run with it. It won't be the last quilt you'll be making and if it doesn't turn out to be a favorite then just make another one for yourself. Multiple quilts are a good thing.

Do u need new shower curtain?
Sew room needs updating? Maybe replace just one major item...can make it looks totally newer/different when you do.
Rag quilt for for yourself on couch ?
Try out a purse pattern?

Inded that's a WOW! I sure hope you do it and keep us supplied with pictures as you go! Good luck and enjoy!!

Oh..does that sound familiar. I have been quilting for over 30 years and still have no quilt for me. Made my husband one 20 years ago. Each time I think about making my self one....I cannot decide color or pattern.

Make some little pin cushions for Christmas presents, or gifts for whatever. Good way to use up scraps. I make lots of them, and use leftover pieces of batting for filling instead of buying special ground walnut shells etc. although that would be nice too.

If you have several patterns that you really like and just can't choose between them, try writing the names on slips of paper and drawing one from a container. You will know by the way you feel when you read the name if it is the right one. A lift of happiness in your heart will tell you yes!! A tiny blip of disappointment will tell you no, not that one.
If it's no, set that slip aside and draw again. Keep drawing till you feel that yes! lift of happiness. If none of the slips bring it to you, then keep looking for more patterns until you have enough to do the process again!

Do some goggling, pinteresting, first. With patience the idea will come to you.

Why do you always have to sign up for a website just to look at a picture?

Look up Missouri Star Quilt Company and check the tutorial on the quilt Sticks and Stones(one of Jenny's latest quilts).
I made one of various shads of blue and lime green and white for the background and small squares. You will have to see it to believe how beautiful it is! The white blocks make it pop! Good luck! Marilyn Only takes one jelly roll too!

This is so funny. I too have made 4 giveway quilts since January, and now I want to make one for myself. But I try to take a quilt break in between each completed quilt. I just finished a little purse and might make another one before I get started on a quilt. The last recipient (of a king size quilt) has asked that I make a t shirt quilt, but I am not going to do that. My quilts are on a whim and when I feel like it...I don't care for taking on one right now.

My first thought for you would be to go find a pattern you want to make! I love buggy barn patterns; there is one problem they have gone out of business. But I have gone on Ebay and they seem to have some on sale still. Buggy barn patterns are so much fun!

Thanks everyone for all the encouragement. I am definitely going to make that one I posted a link to on the second page. I just need to stop taking on so much. I didn't realize how much work and time these two gifts would take. I chose simple patterns for both, but I work about 70 hours a week. Quilting used to be my 'me' time, but when I'm on a deadline or under the gun, it becomes another stressful thing to get done. It's all self-imposed pressure (of course), nobody is pushing me, but I think once I get the gifts done, I'll feel much better. I really like being able to have multiple options/projects to work on/play with, but I just have too much going on in life to be turning my hobby into something with deadlines.

Kitsie, thanks for the complement, I can't say mine will look that beautiful, but I have a ton of grey fat quarters and I've been dying to do something somewhat scrappy with them. I just love how calming/yet interesting that quilt is, and I really enjoy paper piecing.

Trollystation: stitch678 and wildyard had some great ideas to help me pick a pattern. We should both commit to ourselves to make something we love for keeps!

I understand so completely your statements about self imposed pressure. I have taken on only a few by request quilts, and was given very very generous timeframes to have them done. But I just wanted to get them done and out of the house.