Quilter's Block (Unproductivity)

You've heard of writer's block I'm sure. Well I seem to be afflicted with the quilt maker's equivalent ... quilter's block. I make blocks for guild BOM drawings, etc., and even a few odd blocks for myself, but can't seem to get my act together and get something accomplished. Have you had this problem? What did you do to get back on track? This is irritating but I am still off track! Suggestions welcome. UGH, PAT in VA/USA

Yep, Pat, I've gone through the same thing! A couple of years ago I really pushed myself to get a quilt done by a deadline, and when I finished, I was really burned out. For the next year, I'd make blocks for hug quilts, sort through my fabric, pick up another project to hand quilt once in a while (although I usually just held it on my lap and didn't really do anything with it!), but I just couldn't get anything accomplished. Then, Christmas was coming and I needed gifts for the office. I started making Christmas-themed pillows -- each one was different, and I experimented with various styles and shapes of edgings. It felt so good! Right after that, I went to work wholeheartedly on quilting a WIP (which is now finished and on our bed!) and piecing a block of the month (that I'm quilting now). I guess that doesn't seem like a lot, but since I do most of my work by hand, it does take me a while to get something finished!

I think the key for me was to find something different to focus on (the pillows) and something where I could have a finished project in a relatively short time. I have a bunch of ideas rumbling around in my head right now, and I'm not sure I want to make a bed-size quilt. So, what I'm thinking of doing is creating baby quilts, machine quilting them (since that's something I want to improve on), and donating them to either the local hospitals or police and fire departments. As much as I love quilting, sometimes I get overwhelmed by the thought of a full-sized quilt, so small, FINISHED projects are good for me.

I hope you're able to break through the block soon! And if all else fails, go buy fabric -- it may not get you back on track, but you'll feel so-o-o-o good!

Louise

Look through those UFOs. You said they were stale. You need to decide if they are worth keeping or not. If not, I'm sure you'd find somebody who'd finish them off and donate them. If it was something you want to keep, you'll need to find someway to jazz it up. Are you in a guild? Take one to a meeting and ask for suggestions on how to add something to it. Then listen to the suggestions with an open mind. Yes, there will be some ideas you just don't like, but even those may spark ideas of your own.

Then, pick one and work on it. Set a goal - 15 minutes every day, or 30 minutes 3 days a week or whatever works for you. I *know* you have the will power to get this done.

Now go do it. :-)

This is a hobby. It's something that you should do for fun, and not because you need your arm twisted. Go do something else. Make doll clothes, real clothes, embroidery. Go for long walks. Learn to make cheese

), or something else you've alwasy wanted to do. Go visit local tourist traps, the museums nearby, or engage in retail therapy. Plot and send squishies. Do something else. The fabric will call to you when it's ready. And it will be there when you get back. (unless someone raids it first).

The other thing is, revamp your to-do list. What is that next project? Did you really want to do it? Is it an obligation for something you really don't want to have? Go chat with that obligation and explain you can't do it. You have my permission to tell them no. Perhaps that's what's holding you back. If it's just an idea for a style for fun, discard and go work on what truly captures your fancy. This should be fun and NOT an obligation.

-georg

Pat, don't listen to her. Get your butt in gear and get moving!

OK, so if she decides that sending squishies is better than quilting for a little while, like I suggested, I get yours. :p

-georg (giggling)

In my case, it's the summer. I hate doing anything in the summer. It sucks my creative juices right out. Hmm. Maybe they evaporate? When guild starts up again in Sept, I usually get back into the groove.

That's how I feel about quilting too. That's why I stopped feeling bad about not cranking them out like some of my friends. I want it to be a joy, not a project. I switch between 'sane' quilting, crazy quilting, beading.... just learning stuff on the puter... (this is where I am now).

Ooooo!

Worked with a Gal once that had MAJOR Burn-out (quilt/ clothing/etc to the point of making her DD a Winter Coat) Said she started a cross-stitch of quilt patterns...lasted a couple of weeks and she went back to the SM. Last I knew she hadn't finished the Cross-stitch.

Maybe you need to ALLOW yourself to set sewing aside for a bit......

Then just LAZE the last of August away--isn't that a part of SUMMER anyway?

Vacation: there IS a reason for having this word you know

Butterfly (Send those Quilt Police to my House--we'll keep them enterta> Yep, Pat, I've gone through the same thing! A couple of years ago I really

Pat,

Come to guild meeting tonight. We are doing charity quilts. You can get inspiration for what to do or what not to do and help someone else in the mean time.

Also there is ice cream afterwards :-)

Actually, I had this after coming back from DK in June. I had been sewing like mad just before, and didn't want to do anything. Then I got an (expected) invitation to a Christening and decided that a babyquilt was in order (new friends, didn't want to go overboard, so hadn't planned one making him one). That did it for me.

But otherwise I second leaving it alone for a little while (in my case that was about 4 weeks back in DK + 3 weeks over here). Now I'm one a roll again.

Hanne

Now she REALLY sounds like a a a Mom!! Wonder who gave her lessons : )

Butterfly (She forgot to say: SET the timer....sometimes that Timer goes off WAY TOO SO> Look through those UFOs. You said they were stale. You need to decide if

Could it be that your stale projects have become overwhelming? I found it very helpful this year to make a list of what is actually in progress and then prioritize them. If there is something you no longer have an interest in, perhaps it could be donated to your guild's charity projects? I have never gotten this desperate but I have read suggestons about how cleaning out the sewing/quilting area and re-organizing it helps to revitalize the quilter. Maybe you just need to see your supplies in a different way. Most importantly, relax. You have been struggling with an injury recently and this may have put a damper on your enthusiasm. That is a typical part of injury/recovery. Good luck! Mary

NICE smoooooooooth slick BEG there : ) Next thing we know, Miz Ragmop will be Promoting you, too Promotions are nice and are VERY hard to come by

Butterfly (Hope the BEG works--if it does-- you will have to tell ; )

Hullo PAT I'm sure it will all come back when you *really* want to do something. Until you have a real yen for it, just sail along. As the others have said, this is supposed to be for R & R; it is not supposed to be a task-master. My strategy, born of necessity, which is to have my quilts planned chronologically serves me in good stead. If I don't feel like sewing, I'll draw; or select the fabrics; or plan when I can do such and such. My deadlines are marvellous things though! as I can't stop for breath at the moment, I just plod along without much consideration as to whether I want to do this, particularly, or not. Once committed to an 'outside' person, it's amazing how motivated you can get!! But I don't really advocate this. You just mooch around; it'll be back. And, if it isn't, as Boris Becker used to say "Nobody died"! . In article , Pat in Virginia writes

Actually, you'll note I didn't specify squishing me. Nor did I advocate her packing up all of her fabric and sending it to me. =) I think I'd fall over in a faint if she did.

-georg

When I get like that, I just tend to piddle around with other stuff until something gets me going again. Maybe it's time to make the blocks for a swap at the guild, maybe it's time to make the monthly installment of a BOM, maybe I've looked at a book and had a bit of inspiration. Best of luck!

Pat, this has sure happened to me too and it is irritating! I find that sewing clothes for a bit helps (once I remember to make seams 5/8 instead of

1/4!). Sometimes just spending my usual quilting time (for me that's the weekends mostly) reading instead of sewing anything helps, too. After I've been away from it for a while I really savor it when the time comes to return to it. I try not to push the river; if I do, the results are just unsatisfying.

If all else fails, practice baking things with chocolate. My snail addy available upon request.