I want to sew. I really do. There are days I look at my stuff (or mess as my kids call it) and really want to sew. But the motivation isn't there. I sit in front of my stuff and just stare at it not knowing were to start on most days.

Not from a lack of things to do. The kids and I are so far behind on this Famer's Wife Sampler that we won't be getting it done this summer unless a mircle happens. But that's ok. I will work on it once school starts up and get it done.

But I have a dozen other projects I want to do. The Imperial Diamonds from F&P's site, the scrappy braid from the F&P TV show. The GFG that the hexagons were given to me for.

But I just can't get the urge to go. The urge to sew is tehre but not the urge to go. How sad is that? What can I do to bust that urge?

As a writer, this happens all the time. The solution? Kick yourself in the booty and make yourself do it. :P Not necessarily the best solution, but it's the only one that works for me when I'm in a rut. I actually had to do it to myself with sewing last night--my OBW quilt has been waiting around for me to finish piecing the blocks, and I've just been a lazy pants. Well, today I'm going to finish them if it kills me!

I know your feeling. This usually happens to me, when I'm in dire need of rest. I want to but I don't have the energy to. What I sometimes do in this case, is make something very small. And I mean small... placemat, mug rug...

Instead of looking at the whole project make a small stack that you will do for that day. I am in the middle of a slow time right now. I have several blocks I plan to sew on for today and that is it.

I have a stash of 3 inch squares. I make myself sit down and sew a few together at random. It will be a scrappy quilt someday but it gets me started and feeling like something is accomplished. My machine is always set up and ready to sew again before I leave it.

Yesterday I had to babysit my DGD most of the day. did not get enough sleep the night before, so wasn't at my best. I ended up making Christmas scrappy strip blocks; no stress; they came out great! I did get enough sleep last night, so I'm going to start on a new block today.

I am in the same slump! I feel lazy but I can't get over it just yet :) Every evening I think tomorrow will be the day but it passes and nothing. I'll watch this post and see what helps- Thanks :)

Are there any other areas in your life that you are behind in your achievements? How about your laundry? Your housework? Etc? Rather than motivation, you might be low on thyroid or just needing some vitamins. Are your periods heavy? Maybe you're a bit anemic. Don't kick yourself when the problem might be physical and essentially be fatigue from one reason or another. Otherwise you might just be tired from having the kids home all summer and need some pampering and some "me" time. Try giving yourself a spa day (or two or more)or whatever seems wonderful and spoiling and rare and delightful. Then see how you feel about motivation. Sometimes a woman needs to be spoiled; sometimes she needs to see the doctor; sometimes she needs a slight kick in the pants to get going. Good luck.

when i`m in a rut so to speak...i just do a little bit everyday...even 15 minutes...sometimes just a bit of cutting or even hand quilting...doesn`t take long before you just want to get going...

When that happens to me I shift into another mode: designing or reworking or rewording a pattern. I might strongly encourage myself do a very small project, even if it is mending a shirt. I relax.

Usually there is a reason. When I force myself I find I am more dissatisfied with my finished product.

When I do this gentle pondering I often later realize what it was that was 'bothering/blocking' me. It might be the fabric I chose. it might be I didn't like the directions given. Or even that I wanted to think more about the borders or actual quilting.

The fabric I wanted to use in the OBW. I couldn't make myself work with it. It turned out it reminded me of some not so pleasant things - sick baby poop or bile. It made a beautiful fabric bowl, which I quickly finished and gave away as a gift to a friend.

I figure if my best friend wouldn't beat me up about my dithering, then why should I.

ali