Date: 11/5/09 1:38 PM

This just never happens to me, but lately, I go in the sewing room, see all the planned projects and just walk back out. I can't seem to get energized. Anyone have this happen? How did you get your mojo back?

Next page>>

Date: 11/5/09 5:26 PM

Usually when this happens to me it is because my sewing room is an absolute wreck. So I might take time to clean it up, somewhat (just enough that I am happy again), make a little something and before I know it, I am back in the groove.

Next page>>

Reply to tinac
Date: 11/5/09 6:00 PM

I agree with Nan. It might help if you organized and decluttered. Hope your mojo comes back

Next page>>

Date: 11/5/09 6:07 PM

Deadlines! Nothing energizes me like a good deadline. I can have the whole year to sew (well, I *do* have the whole year to sew!), but I really only get going in August, September, and October--just in time for the Renaissance Fair, Hallowe'en, and Christmas!

Maybe you should plan to make some Christmas presents or new decorations for Thanksgiving.

------
~Gem in the prairie

Next page>>

Date: 11/5/09 7:54 PM

Set your timer for 30 minutes, and tell yourself you are going to work at least until the timer goes off. Put away everything except the one project you are going to do. Set up your machine(s) with the right thread. Put a nice flameless candle and some treats in a pretty bowl nearby. You can time the prep work, too, if it helps. Then just do it like a chore. When the timer goes off, you can get up and leave if you feel like it. (But you probably won't!)

I am impressed by the number of authors I've heard say they just sit down and start writing when their "office hours" start in the morning. I'm sure they love what they do - who would write a novel if they didn't? - but they still need some discipline to get over bouts of writer's block and get going.

Next page>>

Date: 11/5/09 8:00 PM

When my sewjo goes AWOL, I do one of two things:

(1) an easy project like cloth napkins or pillowcases;

(2) one step in the direction of completing a current or starting a new project.

Very recently, my sewjo attempted to disappear. I had no motivation to do anything (plus I was busy, sick, and tired). So I took baby steps with, what was then, a knit top. All I needed to do was finish the hems. So, I threaded the coverstitch machine and that was it. The next day, I pressed the hems with steam-a-seam and that was it. One day when I finally decided to sit at the machine, I managed to finish the knit top, another knit top, and cut out the pieces for a third.

What's that saying? A journey of a thousand miles (stitches) begins with one step (um....insert your own sewing term here ).

L
-- Edited on 11/6/09 8:32 AM --

------
There will always be fabric. It is time we must preserve. -Deepika

Dressing is a way of life. It brings you joy. It can give you freedom and liberation, help you to find yourself and to move without restraint. Isn't elegance forgetting what one is wearing? — Yves Saint Laurent

Next page>>

Date: 11/6/09 8:25 AM

I love Lynnelle's story! That is absolutely how I got my sewing mojo back. For me, I had tons of enthusiasm for sewing still, but that translated into too many projects which left me feeling overwhelmed every time I went into the sewing room. Setting a goal of 30 minutes a day for sewing really helped me to focus. I found that I didn't want to waste 30 minutes ("on the clock") just putzing around looking at patterns and fondling my stash, I wanted measurable progress (i.e. clearing off my cutting table, finishing a hem, marking and pinning a seam - whatever). Since joining the 30-minutes-a-day-sewalong, I've completed a 'happy birthday' bunting, a lined robe and a lined cape (all for my 4 year old dd). I've also started a dress and a robe for myself. This level of continual progress has really buoyed my spirits with regard to sewing. I'm feeling more like a 'real' seamstress and less like a 'collector of patterns and fabric.' lol

------
Visit: http://emilyphoto.com/blog/
A blog about sewing, crafting, cooking, photography and keeping it all together.

Next page>>

Date: 11/6/09 1:17 PM

I just look at my wardrobe or lack thereof. That's my motivation. I've been wearing the same skirts for about a month. I have to sew something new this weekend. I don't have the excuse of working overtime anymore. Imagining yourself in a new outfit or envisioning the bathroom curtains on the wall should help. As you can see I need to make bathroom curtains.

Put all of the projects up except the one that you will work on next. I've learned that one the hard way. Nothing frustrates you more than acknowledging all that you have to do and knowing you can't do it in a day. None of us really can.
-- Edited on 11/6/09 1:18 PM --

Next page>>

Date: 11/6/09 10:44 PM

I look at my wardrobe, get bored, walk into my sewing room, look at my plans, walk back out and watch TV. I have a nice pair of gray tropical wool pants in the works for three weeks now. Ugh.

------
Marilyn
http://marilynsrags.blogspot.com/
Year-to-date 76 yards out and 50 yards in.

Next page>>

Date: 11/6/09 11:21 PM

Sounds a lot like my seersucker camp shirt! I am telling myself that if I get this shirt done & it fits, I can follow up with a long-sleeve version for winter.

On the other hand, I did find some pale green plaid fabric really cheap, and made a laundry bag out of it. There are some fabrics at Wal-Mart that just cry out to become laundry bags.

I hope to get to the point where I can (a) start making pants out of stuff like tropical wool and (b) actually find tropical wool when I am likely to have time to sew pants.

Next page>>