What happened to me?
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: NW Illinois
Posts: 561
Set it aside, but do include some notes as to what you were (or planning) to do. I have uncovered a couple of these in my Closet and now have no idea what they were to be. I no longer am excited by the fabrics or colors. I put them into the donation box for a church group that makes quilts.
#12
Enthusiasm gets me off my duff: Commitment keeps me going, when the going is rough.
I usually hate or am bored with a quilt somewhere in the middle of the process. Since I am a "budget quilter" I have to finish them from start to finish, and I often am stuck when the piecing is done and the quilting itself is called for, since that is my area of least competence. I am curious how the thing will look when sewn together, so that keeps me interested during the piecing process, and that is often a surprise too-how my imagination had it missed. (Sometimes I am pleasantly surprised at the secondary patterns that emerge) I usually have to set a top aside and stew over it for quite a while to come up with a quilting plan- I call it "the creative stew." Then I have to reenter the arena, pick it up, and carry out the quilting idea that emerges. Deadlines often help with this.
No matter when I finish, I am usually pleased with the end result - and that keeps me going onto the next project(s).
I usually hate or am bored with a quilt somewhere in the middle of the process. Since I am a "budget quilter" I have to finish them from start to finish, and I often am stuck when the piecing is done and the quilting itself is called for, since that is my area of least competence. I am curious how the thing will look when sewn together, so that keeps me interested during the piecing process, and that is often a surprise too-how my imagination had it missed. (Sometimes I am pleasantly surprised at the secondary patterns that emerge) I usually have to set a top aside and stew over it for quite a while to come up with a quilting plan- I call it "the creative stew." Then I have to reenter the arena, pick it up, and carry out the quilting idea that emerges. Deadlines often help with this.
No matter when I finish, I am usually pleased with the end result - and that keeps me going onto the next project(s).
#15
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,198
I am having the same problem in a different way. I have 3 projects where all the blocks are done and they just have to be put up on the design wall before completing the top. Since I am a very structured person, I agonize over this step, so have just stopped, rather than frustrate myself. Maybe I'll talk my daughter into doing one of these, since she is free-er than I am at that sort of thing.
Also, I was at a quilt retreat a couple weekends ago, and have two more projects to finish, plus a new, never-before-attempted project to be started. After the retreat, I sewed one block of one project, then the next time I sat down at my machine, I didn't even want to turn it on. So both those projects have been put in a box w/ all the fabrics, directions, etc., and hopefully, I will get them finished before the next April retreat, so I can participate in Show & Tell.
I started looking at patterns for something crafty that I could do and complete in a short time (a fabric box, bowl, SOMETHING!), but as I was sitting there, one of my hand applique projects (a BOM) which has been sitting in it's project box for over a year called my name, so I pulled it out and started the next block. I think when I finish this block (I'm estimating about a month), I will be ready to get back to the machine.
We all go through these times. I'd much rather change my focus than force myself to sew when my heart isn't in it. Good luck.
Also, I was at a quilt retreat a couple weekends ago, and have two more projects to finish, plus a new, never-before-attempted project to be started. After the retreat, I sewed one block of one project, then the next time I sat down at my machine, I didn't even want to turn it on. So both those projects have been put in a box w/ all the fabrics, directions, etc., and hopefully, I will get them finished before the next April retreat, so I can participate in Show & Tell.
I started looking at patterns for something crafty that I could do and complete in a short time (a fabric box, bowl, SOMETHING!), but as I was sitting there, one of my hand applique projects (a BOM) which has been sitting in it's project box for over a year called my name, so I pulled it out and started the next block. I think when I finish this block (I'm estimating about a month), I will be ready to get back to the machine.
We all go through these times. I'd much rather change my focus than force myself to sew when my heart isn't in it. Good luck.
#16
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: So Plymouth, NY
Posts: 2,502
Just walk away from it for a couple of days. If by this weekend you still anxious to get back at it. Put it all in a bag and put it away for awhile or forever. Life is too short not to enjoy the process. Too many things we have to do without a choice.
#19
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Lebanon Missouri
Posts: 2,668
I do like Bearisgray- If I force myself into finishing ,it becomes 10 times the work there is no pleasure in the project an the frustration is not worth it. I have been holding on to 4 fabrics to make a small quilt for the couch for 12yrs. Now that there's a lull in the ''gotta make's'' I have the top 1/2 done and Poof my enthusiasm walked out the door. But it will return - it always does.
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