I work in a hectic environment (don't we all?) and quilting isn't something that just comes "natural" to me. I have to think and concentrate over each little step on a project so that it comes out right. When I get off from work, or on the weekends, I feel so burned out, I just want to kick back and not think. That's on the one hand. On the other hand, I have made probably 12-15 quilts, several table runners, etc. and have tons of really pretty kits as well as fabric waiting for me. I have a nice machine....so basically NO EXCUSE. Anyone got any advice for this lazy 55 year old???

have you been reading my mind?

OM my sounds like a challenge to me. Quilting is so relaxing to me. Set up a place to sew where you can sit and sew at least an hour a night. Once you get going again you will use it as a relaxation hour. You just need a little nudge. If you are like me I procrastinate and then once I get going, it's great. Wishing you luck in getting started again.

Quilting relaxes me...its my CALGON

Why not do the patterns that require squares...instead of those pesky triangles and difficult patterns? 9P to D9P, 4 to 9P, and Yellow Brick Road to name a few. That's what I do when I get overwhelmed with more difficult patterns. Sometimes I just need to take a break and do something else for a bit...the quilting bug always takes me back to my machine!

Have you tried hand quilting/piecing? If you don't set a time limit on your project and just let it progress as rapidly or as slowly as your schedule allows and do a really simple design (I did Around the World, starting at the center and working out in rings/stairsteps) it can be very relaxing. It took me a total of about three years to complete the queen sized top, but a number of other projects were completed in between times.

Have always considered it downtime fun, best if complete :) even if just a simple pattern, gives the feeling of accomplishment, have no clue why we always need to be productive, to the point of exhaustion.
Take a break, hang out here, count your blessings, you'll rejuice.... :)

Have never considered it a competitive sport, but it can be made into one, No QP, do like it to look right for my eye. :)

How about starting a pattern on a weekend and maybe you will look forward to keeeping working on it when you get home from work.

I agree with all of the above advice. Just pick a short amount of time, even if it is only 10 minutes. Its amazing how just a few minutes will jump start you and make you feel better. Good Luck and hang in there....

I so understand what your talking about. I work in a very toxic place, not for real but mentally. Some days when I get home, I just can't do anything, except read the board. The other day in GCC, there was a post about thyroid problems and checking your eyebrows, if you lost the hair on the ends, you might have a problem. Well, internet addict I am, I started checking out low thyroid and seems like I have half of those things. Today, I'm calling the Dr. and making an appointment. I shouldn't feel this old for only being 56. You may want to see the doctor for a check-up, if you haven't had one in a while.

I only have one word for you --- RETIREMENT ---:roll: :thumbup:

Have you had a physical recently? Sometimes after 45 being tired and apathetic is a symptom of something else. It could be that you're starting menopause, low on iron, or any number of things. Right after my 45th birthday I started feeling so tire that sometimes I had to come home from work to lie down. I finally went to the doctor and found out I was 14 weeks pregnant. Please get checked out then start planning projects. Do your choosing one evening, your fabric planning the next, cutting the next then you'll be ready to start sewing the next night.

I had to laugh when you said your workplace was toxic mentally. I used to run a chemical warehouse--it was extremely toxic both ways.
:thumbdown:

Maybe some hand work would help? My job somedays is very tiring...today I am unloading a semi, I will be very tired tonight,but hand sewing helps me relax!

why change who you are? If quilting requires energy and heavy mind work, reserve the activity for a time when you don't have that in other areas of your life. I enjoy the mind=work, so don't have the same problem you do, but there are definitely times when I can't look at my machine, and at those times I find other things to do that I enjoy...and I don't feel guilty about leaving the machine to rest. Or you could find a part of the quilting process that does help you relax and do only that part when you're tired...saving the rest for a better time.

I think that choosing a very easy, almost non-thinking pattern would be the way to go (simple 6-10" squares, D2P, rail fence, etc.). This would allow you not to stress over all the details, and just do something fun.

Then, when you do have more time, or are less stressed, have a more challenging project set aside to work on. This way, when the time is right, it's waiting.

Believe it or not, the hand-quilting is also very soothing. I like that, and applique, during stressed times as it forces me to slow down (I tend to run fast) and I find myself soothed, calmed, and enjoying the process. There's just something about that rocking needle...

I do these tips myself. Sometimes I love the challenges. At others, I just want to sew and not think and just listen to my music, petal to the metal! And it destresses me. Since I enjoy both types of quilting, as well as both types of longarming, I keep easy and hard ones of each type waiting for me, depending upon my mood :)

Hope this helps,
Debbie in Austin

HOLY MOLY!!!! :shock:

That would be shocker for me! LOL!

Debbie in Austin

HOLY MOLY!!!! :shock:

That would be shocker for me! LOL!

Debbie in Austin

I do this during the Christmas rush. What I did was start a "Challenge!" on one of my other forums. I didn't get everything done, but it sure did help!

I haven't "burned-out" yet on quilting like I used to with cross-stitch, but if I can't focus on my quilting, I will walk away and leave it for a few days, then do an easy project like warm wishes, or a quick table runner, something that requires no thought process-or not much anyway.

When you kick back have a basket of pieces to work on..browse quilting books, magazines to inspire you.... I set up a card table in tv room and work on a project.

I'm with you. I'm so mentally, emotionally and physically knackered after working that I NEED to de-stress. Quilting does not do that for me, but other things do - I try to spend about 30 minutes doing those things as soon as I get home. Then I put everything away and just let my mind wander. Sometimes it wanders to my sewing machine, so there I go. (Sometimes it wanders to the TV or computer, and I'm okay with that, too. Some days it's just about self preservation, isn't it?)

Let yourself off the hook. For me this is a hobby I enjoy, but I don't kick myself if I don't feel like quilting for a while.

Mine too! There are a few things that I have to think about but for the most part its an auto pilot thing. At least ever since I quit striving for perfection. =)

I know exactly what you mean. I work 45-50 hours a week and when I get home at night I just want to crash. Wish I could retire. I find that working in my sewing room for an hour really relaxes me. I usually do my cutting in the evenings and sewing on the weekends.

Also remember, quilting should be relaxing not stressful. Don't stress so much on the little things and just relax.

That's exactly what I was thinking!

If that's not possible, then go with what the others are saying, work on some smaller, easier projects during the week and save the ones that require more thought process for the weekends when you are better rested. :-)

My fix for same thing was to wait until I retired and did beading that took less time until then.

Vitamin B12

Now I understand the "Sometimes I am so clever............."

That is why I have several projects going... one is mindless and relaxing, the others more involved. I can choose according to my frame of mind at the time :D:D:D

And Vitamin D - I was lacking in both.

Get a physical (to include blood tests).

you1ll eventually retire and will be able to spend evey minute of every day doing only what you want....well most of the time anyways...lol one day ar a timr

I so agree with your post.I can sew for hrs, or not at all for days or weeks.Sometimes a good book takes precedent, or baking cookies, or just a good movie on TV.Being retired....DH is retired, so guess I am too.....means doing what you want,when you want.....or at least it does to me.

Good Morning tuxedokitty,

There is a "SEW DAILY CHALLANGE" on another guild. You sew for at least 15 minutes every day. It helps to get you startedand then an hour has flown-by.

Quilter68 who is headed to 70 this year

Choose very simple patterns. I work with my brain at full gear every day, so I am in the same boat, when I come home I want to shut down. But that's when I find quilting seems like therapy to me, but those are the days that i do a simple or redundant pattern. Something where i can do the same thing over and over again, with little thought.

You're not lazy! Just overextended. I had to wait until I retired to have the energy and time to get into quilting:-)

I LOVE to quilt and sew. I used to have a job that was stressful, I'd just come home and barely make it through dinner, then collapsed on the sofa. Here's my suggestion. Cut some blocks and batting (say 13- 15" sq) then cut some strips (they don't have to be the same width). Then you can sit and do some quilt-as-you-go blocks. Place the middle strip right side up on top of the batting and backing. Then add strips to each side. Pretty soon you'll have lots of blocks without any thinking!

I think you and I must have been twins seperated at birth! LOL!

Kathy Patterson, you took the words right out of my mouth!! RETIREMENT!!

So...not that I'd do this...wink,wink...(I have thought about it, though) but how about getting the fabric flu once in a while and then staying home to recuperate?

You sound like my long lost twin sister. I have to concentrate on every little step and with a busy schedule sometimes I just need veggie time. Deep breath in cleansing breath out - let's take hands and skip into our sewing rooms with no pressure just for simply enjoyment when we have time. Be blessed bunches

Hey Kitty,

Being 55 doesn't have anything to do with being tired. As someone else stated at age 45 something went haywire for me---no energy, depression,etc , etc...Discovered at age 45 that I was in menopause! So first off make sure you are well.
As for stressful work---I was an industrial engineer in the trucking business. On call 24/7 in a business that didn't know the meaning of "detail". Everything was quick, down and dirty---get 'er done! Imagine the difference between that and quilting....
I have really had to retrain my brain to do detail, clean work; but it wasn't easy. GO SLOW...learn to enjoy your alone time. Put on soothing music or keep your sewing room quiet. It can be an enjoyable release for you after a stressful day at work.

Roxanne