trolleystation

I had this epiphany recently. I am 84 years old. How many more quilts do I have in me? My basement is so full of fabric, that, if I live to be 184, I will never use it up. The past few years I have been buying kits. I have ten of those in my stash. So recently I have decided to RELEASE myself old stash. The larger pieces are going to my quilt group for backings. The rest will go to the local Lutheran Church quilt group. The director there is a whiz at putting together kits for the members and what is left...they use for dog beds.

joe'smom

Watson, I'm so glad you figured that out!

trolleystation, good for you!

Quilter 53

I've been working on a quilt with just the slightest idea of who it is going to go to. Grandson has his first serious girlfriend, even brought her to Alaska to meet the family, big step. So I picked a pattern that I thought would be appropriate for a wedding quilt. Talk about jumping the gun! He hasn't even asked her yet! But because I want it to be special, I find I am taking more time in piecing it together, trying to be more precise than if I had a deadline and needed to get it finished. And I am enjoying it more. No pressure but what I put on myself. If a point isn't exact, I don't mind ripping it out and doing it over again. I'm even plotting out some creative touches to incorporate into it, not my specialty. LOL
I only have 2 UFO's and both are meant to be for me, but I find I don't want to work on them. One of these days I'll have to get them out of my space, but not yet. I find I really like having a person in mind when I quilt. I spend most of the time thinking of them while I am working on it. It makes it as special for me as I hope it does to the recipient.

Rhonda Lee

Looks as though you are not alone Watson! Sometimes we forget that this is a fun hobby when timeline issues arise. And sometimes we need to have timelines to get projects finished. It certainly can be a balancing act. I'm reaching the finish line on a project started a few years ago but its still out there a ways. And boy am I looking forward to being done. My goal is to give the items for Christmas and this once fun project has turned into work. However, as I continue on with it I'm starting to believe in miracles. I can see the end of it!

Sharonquilts

There must be something in the air. I'm struggling trying to finish some gifts before Thanksgiving ... my deadline, self imposed. I'm making hot pads (11" x 17") ... easy enough ... for 7 family members. It's a surprise so if they don't get completed, I'm the only one that will be disappointed. Unfortunately, I've developed neuropathy in my right foot which is the worst at night and keeps me from getting much sleep (which is why I'm on the computer at 2:38 a.m.). And when I do work on them (cutting, sandwiching, and trying to mark my lines for quilting), I feel "foggy" from lack of sleep.

Like many of you, this is my "hobby". I look forward to quilting and want it to be fun. I've set an unrealistic deadline once and paid the price in that I really wasn't happy with the quality of my work when finished. No more of that. I'm looking forward to getting back to a routine of quilting a few days a week (no deadline in mind). It just makes me happy.

carolynjo

I hear you loud and clear! Just slow down and do what you can when you can and don't sweat the rest. Enjoy the trip and don't fret about the length of the journey. When your project is finished, your unique contribution will be appreciated and you won't feel bruised or tired from having done it.

carolynjo

Sorry you are having a health issue! Just relax and do what you can when you can and don't fret over the rest. So, if you don't finish much else, enjoy the journey and pass on to others what you know you will never finish.

Watson

When I wrote this post I was hoping it didn't come across as "poor me" and I guess it didn't, so that's good!

Since then, I've experimented with a weird, circle pattern...no plans for it just playing with it and done a lot string piecing...that's an on-going thing.

I'm also trying to decide between two patterns for the batiks that I've been collecting.

Glad to read that others have gone through the same thing and come to the same conclusion...It's a hobby, not a responsibility.

Have fun, everybody!

Watson

[ATTACH=CONFIG]619005[/ATTACH]

zennia

Quilting was becoming one more duty. But, this is my hobby and I'm not going to let it turn into something I "have" to do or another stress in my life.

This was what I had to say to myself to. I was stressing out over quilting everyday then one day i woke up to the same thought as you, It's a hobby not a job.

Rose_P

I agree with you 100%, but I've noticed there's an odd, quirky thing that happens when some deadline looms, such as Halloween. My son asked rather hesitatingly last week whether I might feel like helping to put together a Slytherin costume for my 9 year old grandson. For that kid, I'd stay up all night if need be, but this came up in plenty of time, and fell together easily. It's not quilting, but it was in the craft room and involved the sewing machine. If any of my kids requested a quilt in the same manner, I'd suddenly find motivation for that, too. I don't think they understand how much I enjoy doing stuff for them, especially when I know it's going to be appreciated. It might get old if I felt pressured or was asked to do something outside of my area of interest or if it was too last minute.