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What keeps you quilting?
quiltingwolf Advanced MD USA Member since 12/15/02 Posts: 4986	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 5/18/12 9:49 AM I have been away from my machine awhile. Last thing I made was a wallhanging for remembrance of my dog back in Feb. I did start to finish up the binding of a very big animal quilt I did. Still have to sew it down. I used to use sewing as therapy. As my life hasn't always been an easy one. However I can't seem to get back to it. Everyday I say going to go up and go through sewing room, tidy it up that usually gets me on track and I just never get there. I have 4 days off next Friday through Tuesday and even though getting some dental work done Thursday afternoon. I am determined to break through the barriers and get up there. ------ quiltingwolf.blogspot.com
BeeBeeSew Advanced Beginner MD USA Member since 12/13/07 Posts: 825	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 5/18/12 10:17 AM I had a life changing (and not in a good way) experience at the end of January. I tried for about a month to sew and just couldn't do it. I destroyed a couple pieces of fabric, created another UFO that quickly became a wadder and finally just spent 2 whole weekends on the sofa in front of the DVD player. I just wasn't ready and wasn't able to concentrate very well. I finally made it back up there slowly. I cut out and put together a simple tee-shirt. I used a pattern I'd done before (many times) and fabric that I liked but that wasn't special. And did it in tiny steps. That shirt that I've done before in an hour cut to wear took me all weekend. If you don't do garments, I would just translate this into a quilt. Maybe pick out a few fabrics and play with them. THen choose a pattern. Maybe cut a few out. Don't use the special stuff and don't pick a huge project or a difficult pattern. Maybe a new table runner or placemats are in order? It's been almost 4 months now and I just cleaned up the messes. I usually need to keep it tidy but it worked better just shoving the crap around and over for a while. I guess I'm suggesting you try a different approach to what you usually do to get started and see if it helps.
lgrande Advanced Beginner MT USA Member since 1/18/12 Posts: 1029	Login to reply to this post In reply to quiltingwolf << 1 member likes this. Date: 5/18/12 11:02 AM First, let me say how sorry I am for losing your dog...what a heart-breaking event that is. I was in a similar slump for a very long time: we moved to another state for retirement which was a very busy time and then after two years here, my DH passed away from cancer. No way could I do any sewing or much of anything else. Well, he's been gone almost four years now and I'm just getting back to my machines. There are times when no matter how much we'd like to get relief from a hobby that it just won't happen. Sometimes you just can't concentrate and no matter how much you try, you just don't care enough to get on with a project. And I don't know any way you can push yourself. If I did I would have done it. Some days I just come to my sewing room and push the fabric around on the table, maybe look at a pattern or organize some thread - not even sew. I do find that taking classes helps a lot to inspire me. I just wish there were more available here. I haven't taken any onliine classes yet but I absolutely plan to; it's a big help to get me jump-started. You might try that if you think it would work for you. Since you are an advanced sewist it'd be a shame for your skills and talent to go un-used. I also find that starting a really, really easy, small project is a good way to get myself goiing. -- Edited on 5/18/12 11:04 AM -- ------ Linda Bernina 830LE Bernina B530 Janome 6600P Pfaff 1209 Babylock Evolution Janome 644D
kath210 Member since 5/11/09 Posts: 288	Login to reply to this post In reply to quiltingwolf << Like this post Date: 5/18/12 12:49 PM So sorry about your beloved pet! We all know how devastating that is. Maybe tHe remembrance quilt keeps reminding you of your sorrow? And it's too raw right now? Perhaps a different quilt until you are ready to deal with the other? Whatever the reason, maybe you need the time away. I think you will go back when ready. Quilting always calls us back at some point. Take care of yourself.
Cat n Bull   Advanced NC USA Member since 2/17/06 Posts: 1895	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 5/18/12 1:25 PM Sometimes we just need a break. While sewing for us may be enjoyable and a nice escape, it STILL involves decisions, choices, thinking, and some parts are NOT so enjoyable but necessary. Sometimes our brains just need a BREAK from all decision making, all choices, all things that require us to think and plan and get through those less than enjoyable tasks. I am so sorry you lost your dog. That is enough to make your brain want to run and hide form the world for a bit. ------ Cathryn
quiltingwolf Advanced MD USA Member since 12/15/02 Posts: 4986	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 5/18/12 2:01 PM Thanks for the support. I lost her Jan 2 and am still not over it. She's the one that made everything ok for all I had to do was pet her and instantly I felt better. She used to always come up and "sew" with me also. Maybe that's part of it feel too lonely in the sewing room. I also lost my computer up there so not TV to distract me either. Also I have about a dozen stuff samoyeds up there maybe it's time to pack them away for a while. ------ quiltingwolf.blogspot.com
Cat n Bull   Advanced NC USA Member since 2/17/06 Posts: 1895	Login to reply to this post In reply to quiltingwolf << Like this post Date: 5/18/12 2:05 PM Quote: quiltingwolf Thanks for the support. I lost her Jan 2 and am still not over it. She's the one that made everything ok for all I had to do was pet her and instantly I felt better. She used to always come up and "sew" with me also. Maybe that's part of it feel too lonely in the sewing room. I also lost my computer up there so not TV to distract me either. Also I have about a dozen stuff samoyeds up there maybe it's time to pack them away for a while. so heartbreaking. I am so sorry. ------ Cathryn
Marie367   Intermediate OH USA Member since 5/28/11 Posts: 1343	Login to reply to this post In reply to quiltingwolf << Like this post Date: 5/18/12 2:54 PM Quitingwolf, I am so sorry about your loss. I am a dog lover too and it is never easy to lose one. Give yourself some time.
Franksdottir   Intermediate Member since 4/25/08 Posts: 2398	Login to reply to this post In reply to quiltingwolf << Like this post Date: 5/18/12 10:39 PM I find that my life goes in stages. I am always doing something, but it varies. I have been cross-stitching a lot lately, partly because of something Learn to Sew said which reminded me how much I like to cross-stitch (and hadn't been doing it for a while), and partly because I am in a stage where I am getting a lot of headaches, and I can't sew safely with a headache. At least I am doing some needlework. For me, quilting is about the process. I love, love, love beautiful fabrics, and I love to work with them. I love collecting fabrics for specific quilts. I am collecting chicken fabrics at the moment for a chicken quilt, and it is just tons of fun. DH is enjoying seeing all of them which makes it even more fun. ------ Barb
Franksdottir   Intermediate Member since 4/25/08 Posts: 2398	Login to reply to this post In reply to quiltingwolf << 1 member likes this. Date: 5/18/12 10:45 PM You have to allow yourself to grieve. Don't believe anyone who tells you she was just a dog. I love my cats far more than I love most of my relatives, and losing them has hurt me a lot more than losing most people. ------ Barb

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