Sometimes we just need to stop and smell the roses.. or coffee.. or breathe. Quilting is fun for me and I try to keep it that way. However, there are times when it becomes stressful and usually it's because my plate of life is so full. I have to push the quilting back a bit because it can consume me. I follow Bonnie Hunters blog, Quiltville's Quips & Snips. On Sunday, Feb 26, she wrote about the postage stamp. "Consider the postage stamp: its usefulness consists in the ability to stick to one thing till it gets there." -Josh Billings. She continues on about the quote and what it means to her and talks about how she accomplishes what she does. I found it helpful for me. If i knew how to link it for you I would. She also talked about how overwhelmed quilters can get because of what they do or don't do. Perhaps the post would be helpful. Hang in there, hopefully time will help you. It usually does for me.

Here's the link:
http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2012_02_26_archive.html

Good post -thanks for sharing it.

for those of us in the "north" I think it is a bit of cabin fever, even though where I am we have had a very mild winter, nonetheless, I still have a bit of it myself....I will just "wait it out" and when spring fever hits---look out world, here I come!!!!!!

Yes, so i start out slow, otherwise i am so over whelmed i sit and cry, so now i am trying not to start anymore or let anyone talk me into making things for them. Before i know it it will be christmas and i will be screaming.

I have those times as well. Instead of pondering it I have learned to just let it go. I clean up the sewing room and organize it so when the mood is back I am not stopped by the mess in the sewing room, I get on the internest and read and talk like I am now with other quilters and see their projects and that gets me motivated again. I finally found the quilt last night I want to make for our son who was wounded in Afghanistan. so it comes back slowly some times but thats ok. Just put it away...forget about it. do somthing else. You will get back to it. Have a sunny day.

You are not the only one this happens to. I think we all go through slumps where you have no ambition to get things done.

I can't wait to see it! My next one will be out very soon with a few others right behind. Bits n Pieces is one of the many shops that is carrying my Twister line. Be sure to keep an eye on my website for the new ones, and maybe I will even see you at Bits n Pieces (I sew there a lot). The Quilted Crow in Boxborough also has my patterns.

I think everyone has been there at some time or another .. Go outside go to the mall walk around and get some inspiration. Or if reading a good book is yours, do it ...Take a mental break from sewing and seek as I call it "the Calgon take me away moments". LOL
Sometimes when I am at work an idea comes to me and I scribble it down really quick, put it in my purse and forget about it . Then I decide my purse is getting awful heavy and I need to clean it out and there are some inspirations that help me out.

I'm starting to be back to myself after a few days of rest and not going near the machine. I am also a bit of a perfectionist and my machine seemed to be getting angry with me....if that makes sense....start to sew, thread breaks, start to sew and bobbin thread runs out (and the sensor never beeped to tell me I was low)...it was one thing after another and I had had it. Today I plan to sew some fun little things that always make me laugh when I'm working on them and we finally have pretty white snow outside! Although I am an adult, that snow is mighty tempting to go run and make a snow angel in or build a snowman! After all, I will always be a kid at heart! Hehehe Thanks for sharing the links and the wise words of wisdom. It's good to know that others find themselves in a sewing funk from time to time.

I have been in that mode too. I bought an egg timer so I can set it for 15 min. Then I race to get just one project moving again. We are hear to give you the boost and support. So please post the first finished project so we can cheer for you and join in the happy dance, too.

Nope. You are not the only one. I'm the same way. I just can't get motivated. If you find a cure for this, please share.

I was so happy to read this. I have been like this for months now. I love to quilt and all but just start doing something else and get on here and it never gets done. I have promised so much to all and not working on a thing. Baby quilts for people I know that need one for that new baby. Even today, going into work later and perfect time to work on a drawstring bag for my managers birthday, she is a leap year baby. Want it for tomorrow. I know it will not take long but instead of doing it now here I am. What is wrong with me......ok will go down and cut it out after this, take some advice from here. I just keep buying and no sewing and it has to stop.....mayb if I was retired. No, would b the same. I get three and four days off and sit. HELP.....ok, off and go work on bag....will check all this later and thanks for the post......I think working is what is doing this to me.....always tired and want to relax and then there I am.......thanks for this again, I see I am not the onlly one......

I have been in a slump since just before Christmas. Every day I walk past my sewing room and think I have got to get started today, but somehow it doesn't happen. I am just waiting it out, I know at some point the quilting bug will hit me again and I will sew till I drop.

I get like that way every once in a while but I don't have any projects that HAVE to be done. I only sew for myself basically and some months even, just can't get in the mood to sew. I want to start a quilt with the batiks I've been buying for over a year now and they are still in the box where I keep them separate from the fabrics like calicos! I do the same thing when I read--I can go months and look at my pile of books and walk past with no interest in picking one up, then I get the bug and read one right after the other for a couples months straight!

I have had the same issues, but it's starting to pass.

Amen, sister, amen!

Sounds like you need to do alittle something for yourself! I go to my fancy chocolate shop and buy 1 chocolate. Something big and sinful, then I'm ready to get back to business. (giggle)

Maybe you need to do just that--let calgon take you away or some pretty smelling bubble bath. Take one day and pamper yourself. Put all your projects and engagements aside. think about what you want to read, do etc that is not sewing related. Just one day is all you need. Maybe that day of respite you will feel rejuvenated enough to sew again.

No, you are not the only one. I believe that we all have times when our energy lever and/or motivation just isn't up to what we want. This happens to me in January and February. I have friends who say they have the same problems in the hot summer months. Sometimes we just have to work through it, even when we don't feel like doing anything. Good luck and keep on trying!

Too many projects
 

Sounds like you need a day off. Maybe a "mental health day" or week. How about a spa day??? Too much on your plate, for sure. Take some time to enjoy life - when was the last time you did that" You will be a better person in the long run. If you don't take of YOU the projects will never get done. Learn to say "No". Take care.

Too many projects
 

Sounds like you need a day off. Maybe a "mental health day" or week. How about a spa day??? Too much on your plate, for sure. Take some time to enjoy life - when was the last time you did that" You will be a better person in the long run. If you don't take care of YOU the projects will never get done. Learn to say "No". Take care.

Jen: I am in the same boat as you. I have recently moved and am in the process (that won't be finished until Spring) of fixing my permanent place to sew. At the moment I am using the end of my computer desk. I have so many projects and absolutely zero desire to get motivated. We just have to believe that we will get jump started soon.

Charlie

I'm in that rut right now myself although I don't have any deadlines to meet. My feed sack quilt and Bargello are just laying there waiting for me to return to them. They just aren't very appealing to me right now. Even tried to do some work on the feed sack quilt but after about 10 minutes I put it down again. This will pass....I hope!!

When I feel that pressure I go to a completely new project that I really want to start, and then it makes me feel that I am in more control of my sewing. Sounds bad I know but it puts me back where I want to be, in love with quilting!

To bad you have so many must do projects. Maybe examine how that happened and force yourself to start with the one that needs doing first - at least a few steps perhaps, just to get started. On big projects I was told by someone wise, to use the swiss cheese method. Meaning, do it a little at a time until, presto, it's finished. It does seem to help to tackle something in steps, little by little. Good luck!

sometimes you need a break... some times it helps to take a class (either quilting or exercise) to rejeuvinate your mind and body...

I to have reached a point that I don't feel like sewing, not all together burnout as much as headaches from hell, that I just can't seem to get rid of all day. It's been a week and I haven't done one blessed thing other than cook two meals and take my Mom to the Dr. Hang in there, here's hoping we both get back in the grind.

Sounds like you need a break. Relax and read a good book. I find that I don't really accomplish anything when I'm not in the mood to sew. After a break, I usually get back my desire to sew.

Yesterday I decided to say to heck with all the stuff I had to do and made several of the super easy, and super quick casserole carriers and a couple of Santa hat purses. These are projects I always smile while doing and it felt good to do nonsense sewing. I absolutely love the casserole carriers because I can see several in under an hour! Thanks for the support. Today I plan to work on my projects that I must do and I also have an open sew with friends at a local shop that I love so today I'm not dreading my list of projects. :-)

Glad I don't have any deadlines looming. I too have been off my game in sewing.

Your not the only one, I have 3 projects on the go a quilt top to complete and 2 table toppes to sandwich and complete, along with 5 quilts to finish the binding on. I then have 2 charity quilts to complete before next weekend.
I do not feel like working on any of them at this time. I think what I need to do is clear my back log and start afresh. No new projects until I do so.

Maybe1day