to sew? Summer doldrums? I don't know but I suspect it is because I have
let my sewing area creep into a total state of disarray. So I need to clean
it up (and find some missing parts of projects) and get it re-organized.
But I'm having trouble getting beyond the inertia.
So how do you get yourself going? If anybody is near SE Michigan and wants
to come give me a kick in the hindquarters -- I'll reward with a bundle of
FQ's! LOL
When you get the answer to this question could you let me know,
please!?!?! I think I have so many projects going I don't know what
to do first. 2 of which are simply to sew on labels and deliver!
I've got a hand quilting project that I REALLY need to get moving on.
It sits there and mocks me all day long every day. I've got a BOM for
which all the blocks are done. Just need to sash & put together but
the starting point is a monster sized block that I don't really have
room on my work table to spread out and match up everything. And lets
not even go into the things that need to be sandwiched/quilted;
started; etc. YIKES!
Wish I could come help. I love cleaning the sewing room -it allows me
to procrastinate over the rest of the house.
I tend to give myself a mission every day. And usually I do it first
thing. Your mission for tomorrow could be to clear off just one
surface in your studio. Or just one shelf. Too big a task can be
intimidating. Break it down into little steps.
Roberta in D
I think my biggest problem is I have way too much "stuff" -- even with more
than ample storage. I need to start being discerning - and realistic --
will I really ever use this or that again... and be willing to part with
things I've "acquired" because they were new and trendy -- and not because I
really had "need". I wish I could recover some of the $$ I spent on things
that I will now be giving away. Granted -- the recipients will likely make
good use of them -- but still... frustrating. As I work through my mess --
I continually chastise myself -- we'll see if it works at really changing my
purchasing habits in the future!
I'm so pleased others of you feel like this. I have just come out of
my sewing room, nearly in tears because I can't get down to anything.
I was feeling a bit stressy, so thought a little 'me-time' as they
call it was the order of the day. I want to make a simple
chaterlaine, so I got all the fabrics lined up and the main thing cut
out (it's only a strip after all). It's a servicable plaid on one
side and acream with pretty flowery hearts on the other. All my
transportable stuff has hearts on them, so I can recognise them at a
class. So far so good.
Then I discovered it wanted two three inch blocks, and I've siezed
up. I need one to be an album block and the other can be anything. I
can't make up my mind; I sewed a few strips together and then sewed
them all in the wrong order. Disaster! I feel worse than if I never
started.
I have left them where I started, and come away. It's nice to hear
that others feel the same way. I'll leave it a few days and return to
it.
I'm nearly 3/4 through a wholecoth cushion, which is proceeding
beautifully. BTW, I LOVE the Hobbs 100% wool batt, it's just fab-u-
lous! So I've got something to be getting on with.
But it still feels like a failure. Defeated by two simple blocks.
Daft!
Nel
(Gadget Queen)
I like to go through my UFO's when I'm perplexed about which way to turn. I
do start by cleaning up the sewing area first, as I can't make more of a
mess when there is a current mess going on. Usually I find a UFO that is
very near completion, and I'll pull that out, until something else catches
my attention, which it usually does soon after. I was lucky enough to be in
2 challenges this year that were perfect for using up 2 UFOs too. I am
happy to get them out of the way!
Nancy
Maybe it's the midwest air that is giving us the doldrums. I'm in WI
and I'm at a standstill at the moment. I did go to a class last
Sunday night and so many of the women brought in their finished
projects. I got all inspired by them but, once I got home, I was back
in slug mode. All the other gals here have such good suggestions, so
I'll probably borrow some of them also. Maybe it will help us
both....Donna
Maybe this would be a good time to approach something you've always wanted
to try? Just a new aspect such as piecing curves or tumbling blocks. No?
Well.
What about imagining a little guy arriving at a shelter with nothing.
Not even a WalMart plastic sack with a set of clean underwear. How about
making him a quilt that is his alone and hugs his little heart? Not tooting
my own passion's horn ( I have been eclipsed by Barnaby this week) but go
look again at
If those goofy sheep and the knowing that a little fellow needs a quilt
doesn't get you going, you'll just need personal help. I'll bring the
blueberries and we'll start with making muffins. Polly
Here's another one that's not in the mood. I've got this nice, new BIG
sewing room and I want to do NOTHING. I've got everything put away and in
it's place (which is odd) but the machine is out, thread is out, mat/rotary
cutter ready to go but nothing.
The idea of sitting down to sew or cut anything out is giving me the heebie
jeebies and I have absolutely no idea why.
On Thu, 24 Jun 2010 08:46:28 -0500, Kate in MI wrote
(in article ):
Total disarray always puts me into the doldrums.
And the only thing that works is to do a big clean up. If it is too
overwhelming, do it Flylady style. Start with 15 min or one box, one shelf,
one table. Whatever.
I usually find that once that little bit is started, I want to finish more.
And make sure you reward yourself for a job well done--even it's just a piece
of chocolate or that new rotary blade you know you need.
Maureen,
whose own studio is still in flood related disarray. I had been hoping that
we'd be able to buy and get the carpet down after the July 4 holiday, but
with all that is going on it's beginning to look like it won't be late July
or August.
But it will be a great opportunity to get rid of lots of STUFF. And to dust
and polish everything. Hoping by the time I'm done it's a whole new space.
In the meantime, rediscovering handwork.
On Thu, 24 Jun 2010 13:09:39 -0500, Kate in MI wrote
(in article ):
I'm sure I will feel the same way when I do my massive cleanup. But you're
probably also rediscovering a few treasures!
Maureen
I go through my UFOs and "visit" them all again. I'll find a couple
that look fun and I would like to have them finished.... not that I
necessarily wish to sew, but it would be nice to have them finished!
(However, the sewing faeries do not visit my sewing room these days)
Then I get out my kitchen timer and in the evening after the chores are
done and the baby is asleep, I spend 15-20 minutes on one, and if the
spirit still moves me, 15-20 minutes on another one. That is just
enough time to see a little progress each day, but not feel too pressured.
This time round I identified some UFOs that will make nice Christmas
gifts. So when these are finished, I can wrap them and be *well* ahead
on Christmas gifts. I think finding UFOs that can be given away as
gifts gives you more incentive to finish them, and you have a reason to
finish them, a "goal" as it were.
-- Jo in Scotland
Good idea!
Then put them in a safe place and write yourself a note or two.
Put the notes in prominent places, bedroom mirror, inside kitchen
cupboard door, in babies nappy drawer, etc., the notes are to tell you
where that "safe place" is and what is there! ;~)
Bonnie, in Middletown, VA
On Sat, 26 Jun 2010 16:18:47 +0100, Jo Gibson
wrote:
I don't think mine is summer doldrums, although the heat may have a
bit to do with it. I did a generous twin sized quilt in very long
sittings between Sunday and Wednesday, then prepped it for the long-
arm machine Thursday morning. After I don't know how many hours of
sewing in a very few short days, I don't want to touch a sewing
machine!
I think that I may do some scrap-booking later....maybe. Right now I
just want to sleep!
Dannielle
I have a SYSTEM! Once wrapped, the present is labelled who it is for,
and placed on my treadle sewing machine in the sitting room. The
treadle is out of action just now and needs a repair, so it's just a
piece of nice furniture. That way the presents are visible and not in
some "safe place". It has worked so far!
-- Jo in Scotland
(Did I mention that I bought purple gloves for my friend Nikki's
Christmas present this last year, and she bought me purple mittens for
my Christmas gift? I'm still laughing about that one...)
He's mobile already. He's always in some completely different position
on the bed when I go in, when he's waking up from a nap. I think the
rails will have to go onto his cot soon. Plus he has been "commando"
crawling lately. By the way, isn't 13kg for a 23-week baby rather
large? It seems huge to me. I visited the triplets yesterday, and they
are 5 years old and very, very slender - and they are not that much
heavier than Tristan to be honest.
Packages.... may have to move to the sewing room soom. The carpet has
been laid, and my beloved wooden cupboard came back home today.
Remember that photo of Sasha in the stash cupboard? We'll have to get
one of Tristan in the stash cupboard. Trouble is, we're not sure if we
can get it up our narrow Victorian stairs. If not, it will have to go
through the sitting room window, using ropes. Ah well, I'm just glad I
have it back. It's not an heirloom or anything, but I am quite attached
to it!
-- Jo in Scotland
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