Rose L

For me personally, I don't do well with deadlines anymore. Too much corporate push over the years for one thing. The other thing I have realized is that for many quilters, myself included, this has somehow become more like a job than a hobby. I read in a book a year or so ago that historically it took most quilters one to two years to finish a bed sized quilt regardless if it was being hand or machine stitched or quilted. The other day I read a post from someone here who said she had made 52 quilts last year!! Why do we push ourselves to levels that aren't even realistic? The action that I am taking to relieve myself from the overload burden is to finish ALL of my UFO's and obligations this year. Next year I am going to start anew with a promise to myself to only do what is comfortable for me, taking my time and enjoying the process. Never again will I commit myself to "obligatory" sewing or quilting. Life is too short, we should enjoy it as much as possible.

annesthreads

I love this comment! How wise and how true. Many of us, often trained into it by our jobs, are so used to pushing ourselves as hard as we can, looking for achievement through speed and productivity - I get caught up into that, fretting about how slowly I'm progressing, and have watched other quilter friends who just drive themselves till their hobby becomes another task, another goal to be achieved. It's a bit of a balance, isn't it - I find that setting myself some goals or targets helps keep me on track, but I have to watch that they don't begin to suck the enjoyment out of what I'm doing. And I tend to rush at things as though there's not enough time to do them - and pay the consequences in terms of mistakes. At the moment I'm consciously trying to slow down, to take the time that's needed for preparation, both practical and reflecting on what I want to do, and to enjoy the actual process of quilting rather than looking ahead to the results all the time. That's why I've stowed all the UFOs out of sight - it takes the pressure off.

katigirl

I think we all get that way sometimes. Like the other ladies here have said pick one and try working on it for a while. Once you get started, you'll probably get the inspiration you can't seem to find.

gabdr

As cmrenno said, try working for just 15 minutes. It may inspire you to keep going. If not, don't put so much pressure on yourself that you do not enjoy the process instead of just the end result.

girlsfour

I too used to have that happen, then I started working part-time at Hancock Fabrics. That keeps me in the mood to sew all of the time. I have never sewed so much - have never bought so much fabric as well. haha Your urge to sew will come back - it might be a while though unless you get that part-time job!

mengler

I'm right there with ya. Now all I want to do is knit scarves and I have cut out a mock cathedral, dragon wall hanging and whatsername's bloomquilt. All are for birthdays coming up and I'm just not feeling them. I'm hope I'll get back in the mood soon. Worse is I have a designer diamond and have never done embroidery on it. I'm too intimidated. Maybe there is something over the counter we can take.

quiltmom04

Yea, I get like that, too. Sometimes I'll make something that only takes a little bit of time like a little potholder or mug rug. That makes me feel like at least something is finished and it generally gets me moving on the stuff that I'm stuck on.

Conartist1945

I went for about 9 months like that, mostly due to my husband's illness. I am back sewing now. In fact I bought your shamrock pattern and am working on it now. I love it. Got it at Bits and Pieces in Pelham. I will post a picture when I finish.

coopah

Seeing the lovely finished quilts posted on this Board is inspiring, but I know that I have to do things my way. Now that I'm retired, I can do that. I bookmark a lot of good ideas, and may get to them. Or not. No more deadllines or competitions for me!

margee

I can go for 2=3months without desire to quilt except for little things to practice handquiting. I still enjoy looking at the mags and get excited if I see something I want to try. I used to get upset over not quilting as I have a beautiful machine & table to use. Now I think it will come back as it has before & try to remember I'm in this for pleasure only. My quilting desire has just ret'd about a wk ago & now am having fun trying a SBS for the first time. It feels so good. I also decided not to go for the biggies anymore, instead nothing more than a lapquilt cause it's easier to manage.