Where do you all get these great ideas?
 

I've been looking at the pictures and the fabrics and patterns you choose and am wondering where do you find them? Where do you shop for fabrics?

I'm kind of in a sewing s l u m p and need something new and exciting to work on. I was making cloth dolls and still
like them but even those are not so much fun for me anymore.

Any ideas on how I can get that excitement back? What is your absolute favorite thing to make?

I know about slumps and think all creative people fall into one every once in a while.

For me if I'm in a slump, I think of someone I want to a make a quilt for and that helps. Right now Project Linus has my heart, patterns, fabric, and batting. I feel lucky, having children, later than most, who are still healthy.

I went into a quilting slump a few years back ago and that lasted more than 3 years where I didn't even turn on my sewing machine. So that part I understand. Of course the obvious for me is to look at magazines for good quilt patterns. Most of the time now I am making quilts with my Accuquilt and don't have to 'think' about choosing a pattern. I am able to make beautiful quilts and have enough new dies to last a couple years sewing everyday to make quilts that are all different.
As far as fabric, I am doing my best to work from my large stash. I only buy now if I ran out of quilt backing or WoW that I use so much of for background for blocks. I buy the majority of my fabrics from www.fabric.com . There are a number of great sites online to get quality fabrics. Most quilters have their favorite places to buy from.
Being with my sister who is also a quilter has been a big help when I was in the slump. Then I went to the Quilting Expo and I had to turn on my machine and start sewing. Joining my quilt guild turned out to be an exciting advancement in my quilting endeavors. All of this rolled into one got me sewing again. Being here daily is also a huge help in motivating me. When I am making a block or putting together a quilt I am at my machine. In between I come to the computer and post here. Then I go back to the sewing machine and am inspired to keep going.

It seems like I only enjoy sewing when it's for a purpose. I have made a few masks and recently some curtains for my den
and son's bedroom, but now that I have no one to sew for, I feel like...why bother?

One thing that's been in my mind for quite a few years now, and a reason I started making small cloth dolls again, was to sew them and some cloth stuffed animals for those in the nursing home. I feel that so many things are geared towards children and the younger generation, and the older ones are sort of forgotten. Being a bit over 60 myself, I'm beginning to see that we are left out of many things, especially now that I'm raising my grandson who is 10, and all his friends parents are half my age. I probably didn't want to hang out with an over-60 person when I was in my 30's either, but we are still here and can function pretty well :)

My plan was to make dolls and their quilts, and stuffed animals (using McCalls 6485) and their quilted pet beds. I think it's a cute idea and maybe they would feel like they had a friend to keep them company.

I guess I need someone to tell me it would be a good idea, or at least to try it. I also plan on retiring in a few years and want to have a plan on what to do then, because going into retirement with nothing to look forward isn't very appealing.

I love your idea of making things for the older generation. Look into fidget quilts (often used for people with dementia or autism). you may find some purposeful yet fun inspiration in those!

Nancy, your idea of making cloth dolls for nursing homes is absolutely lovely! My father is in a nursing home and I have seen how the ladies with dementia love to carry around a doll with them. One lady in particular carries her "baby" with her, and the other ladies gather around her in their wheelchairs and take turns holding the baby. It's a sweet social time for them, and they enjoy it so much. By doing this you would give comfort to those who have had so much taken away from them.

I'm trying not to buy any more fabric, but sometimes it just happens, LOL, like last Thursday, there's a thrift store run by a religious group, anyway, I bought quilt shop quality fabrics for $2.50 a yard. I mean, how could I possibly pass that up. LOL I like Marshall's Dry Goods, Quilted Twins, Thousands of Bolts, Jhittle, I'm sure there's more but can't think of any right now. As for your slump, I've read/heard that if you set a timer to do something in your sewing room for 15 minutes, then when it goes off, go do something else, they say that pretty soon your mojo will come back.

For all of it's drawbacks, social media (Pinterest, Instagram) has exposed me to a lot of beautiful designs and fabrics, and is usually my go-to for inspiration and motivation.

Maybe challenge yourself with a new to you craft project....instead of a quilt, make a bag. or some fun pincushions or tiny pillows and fill a bowl full.....something small so you get the satisfaction of completing something quick but also challenges you to try something mew. Organizing my sewing space is great inspiration for me. Sometimes, I will buy a new pattern book that offers multiple type projects...not just quilts. One final suggestion is to join a free BOM. Just doing one block in a month or a week is just enough to dip your toe back in the water...

Here are a couple of pattern books for alternative projects:

Bowl Me Over, by Debbie Busby
Farmhouse Fresh, by Jenelle Kent (projects using toweling...which you can buy by the yard from Miller Dry Goods on-line.

And, to answer your other question, I love making anything....lol...but I make a lot of small projects in between large quilt projects to keep me inspired and break it up a little.

https://cdn.quiltingboard.com/images/smilies/smile.png I love to make baby quilts and throw size quilts. I am able to start and finish this size projects on my small sewing machine.

A fun place to get inspired to start a quilting project is to watch u-tube quilting tutorial at Missouri Star Quilt Company. I also like to shop for fabric there as well.

I find starting a small project and getting it done gives me joy! How about trying a Mug Rug to get back to quilting. It is small and you can have fun with choosing a theme for yourself or someone you wish to Cheer up!

My guild made bags that attach to walkers and/ or wheelchairs to donate to a local senior residence.

Yes Nancy, what a thoughtful thing to craft for the elderly. I think LAF2019’s idea for fidget quilts might be a great project for you.

Like Peckish, I find some ideas on Pinterest and Instagram but I also follow a handful of blog posts...A Quilting Life, We All Sew, Diary of a Quilter, Fresh Figs, Stitched In Color, Pat Sloan to name a few.

I had so much fun quilting the 18x21(?) inch piece that is then made into a zippered bag (free pattern). Or, perhaps, a bowl cozie. I didn't know how useful they were til I made one. Then, there are the zippered pouches. I like to matchstick sew, leaving negative space to create letters. Here's a link! to a pic. Endless possibilities.

Got newsletter Sew4Home today...The lightweight garment covers are nice to use up fabric. They have many pretty apron patterns.

My QB name says a lot, "PetTheFabric". When I'm in a slump, going through my stash helps. I'll find a fabric I love, choose fabrics to go with it. Then the designing gets me going.

Another method is being connected to a couple of blogs and favorite stores. Lately, I've been downsizing, making easy patterns for charity quilts. Just saw one on the stitching post, I'd like to try.

I'm motivated by being with other people and that's hard during Covid. A group I belonged to befoe Covid moved to Zoom and I like having something to show and something easy to work on and talk at the same time.

What part of quilting/sewing makes you the happiest. My suggestion is to start there.

There is a lot of inspiration, ideas and free patterns right here.

If you like making dolls, this might be a fun way to get jump started:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSrehG3qwTo

Maybe try a new technique? Dyeing or painting your own fabric? Maybe try using a fabric you haven't worked with before? Like cork...or denim or ? Upcycle something?

I spend way too much time on youtube, and I listen to too many podcasts and webinars.
I ended up with way more projects and ideas I want to try than I ever thought possible.

Also, if you can find a quilting buddy, that could really help keep you motivated

Butterfli19, myself and many others over the years can relate to loosing the mojo at one time or another. The projects I sew I sell, I was juried into a "space" with other crafters, and OMG, the Christmas rush was unreal. If I was not at work, I was at my sewing machine, it was an 8 week run I'm hoping to never have to repeat. Since Christmas i have sewn, but many times, I've had good intentions to work on a project, only to get to my sewing machine and not have the mojo to turn it on and sew. And i'm ok with that. The craft space is much slower since Christmas, and I'm actually happy about that. It's allowing me to rejuvenate.
Which leads me to your question about where to find fabric, and projects. I have visited my LQS recently, that is always inspiring. If your comfortable (Covid😝) you could peruse your LQS for inspiration. Pinterest has lots of inspiration if that's something that interests you. Youtube has lots of inspiring videos Jordans fabric always inspires me, she explains her process so well, and several of her quilts she makes, you don't have to buy a pattern for. Maybe if you watch one of her videos it may inspire you to want to make it and look for the "perfect" fabric for it, either online or at your LQS, and before you know it, you'll be sitting at your sewing machine.
Good luck with this. I just ride it out when I'm low on mojo, and sure enough, it always returns, and Iam sure you'll soon find a purpose to sew for. As far as your idea of dolls/stuffed animals for nursing home patients, I think it's an awesome idea. I worked with the elderly at one point in a nursing home, and a "companion" was the world to some of them.

I love to go in my sewing room and just straighten fabric or work on a current project. I really don't get to have much sewing time during the day so I am happy when I do get to sew. I watch Pinterest and facebook and there are a lot of inspiring quilters on these two pages. I always seem to have many projects going at the same time and at times I just get a little overwhelmed.
Sorry you are in a sewing slump and hoping that can find something that is very interesting for you to make.

Everyone, thank you so much for taking time to reply. I'm happy for all the suggestions and Pinterest is definitely the place to be for quilt ideas! Some of the links and blogs you suggested were new to me so I will definitely check those out as well.

Hopefully this s l u m p doesn't last long. I did go thru my fabric bin and found a few fabrics that made me smile, so that's something.

Butterfli, does your grandson cook with you? Could you make him a chef apron? I just finished one with an e-pattern, and it was pretty fast and gratifying. (used home dec fabric from Joann's back wall in Portsmouth.)

I am finding it very hard to create during the pandemic.

Usually, I go from my fabric to searching for a pattern, but if that isn't working, the online ideas can help you find something that speaks to you.

Do you keep a picture file? Looking at it or adding to it can keep you in the game, too.

hugs,
charlotte

I follow a few blogs and get most of my ideas there. Pinterest drives me crazy- too much to look at and too many links lol

Be kind to yourself. A slump with things that we used to have pleasure.....it's a special kind of depressing.

My suggestion is to start with something small. Easily finished. Bowl cozy. Zipper bags. Mug rug. You get the idea. Also contact the nursing home and ask them what they need: walker pouches, dollies, fidgit blanket. I have found patterns for all on the internet.

Lood guck