I think I will! I’ve never felt like I was done quilting but there were several things I think that caused me to stop quilting. Some will call these excuses . . and while I’m not promising I will get back to it, I do think I will.
The things I think caused me to lose interest:
Deadlines:
These were all my own making – no one made me do it but the last two books I wrote, the manuscripts and quilts were due in the middle of a move. Then I worked with a couple of magazines and sometimes those deadlines were short; sometimes they sent the fabric to be used and it was fabric I didn’t enjoy working with. Like I said . . it was all things I did on my own but it added up to take the fun out of it.
Sewing Room Clutter:
The sewing room has become a dumping ground. The freeze dryer is in there and that involves more of a mess than I would have imagined. There’s a sofa in there that had no other place to go. It will not go into the new sewing room.
There’s a workbench type thing in there because my big cutting table wouldn’t fit in the sewing room in Nevada, MO so we bought the work bench and I cut a piece of cutting mat to go over that. It will not go into the new sewing room.
There’s a big computer desk and printer table in there. Those will not go into the new sewing room.
There’s a recliner that has no other place to go so it’s in the sewing room.
There’s a breakfast room table in there because there’s no room for it in the house and I love it and didn’t want to get rid of it. I do use it for a couple of sewing machines (another 301 and the newer Bernina). It will not be in the new sewing room.
It Isn’t Part of the House:
This didn’t bother me when Vince was working and I was home alone. I’d spend so much of my time in there, even when I wasn’t knitting. Once Vince retired, it was no longer fun to be in there when he was in the house. Weird probably. In the new house, the room where he’ll be most of the time is right next to the sewing room.
Without chickens, without a garden or, without a big garden, that will give me lots more time to do something. Also, with the winters being cold, there, I’ll be inside more. We won’t have a greenhouse to occupy my time. I really do think I’ll get back to quilting but . . like I said, no promises at this point.
Karen Sutton says
I’m starting to get the quilting bug again. We had to empty my sewing room so Bob could paint it. It was a mess from me just putting ‘stuff’ on any available flat surface. I decided since it was empty I had a blank canvas and would organize and purge as I put the room back together. As I went thru boxes and stacks of books/magazines/yarn/fabric/gizmos for both quilting and knitting I discovered some forgotten treasures. Now I’m itching to finish a couple WIPs I forgot I had and start a couple new projects.
montanaclarks says
I don’t know that I will ever get back to quilting. My fabric stash is small and I just have no interest. I did buy a quilt pattern while in Arizona last season, looked at it went we came home and put it in the pattern file.
Karen says
I have lost my quilting mojo too. The room is a mess and fabric just doesn’t interest me any more. And besides I sold my long arm. I never really liked using it and thought if I sent my quilts out to be quilted I’d do more. Nope, hasn’t happened. At this point I’m using my stash for masks and that makes me happy.
Donna says
I sure hope you do get back into quilting. I loved your patterns and liked seeing what you were doing. I was just looking through your books yesterday and thought how I missed your quilting posts.
Marcie says
Keeping my fingers crossed! I connected with you through quilting, including donations after the tornado. It warmed my heart! I do a mix of crafts including quilting (these days, machine piecing and then tying for charity or hand quilting for new babies in the extended family, and not very quickly!). TBH, yours is the only blog of any kind that I follow regularly. I can see the shift in your activities with the coming move, and hope to see patterns and colors for quilting once more. I hope quilting will return at a pace that you find more enjoyable. I have enjoyed the gardening and knitting also.
Elle says
I can understand how deadlines make a wonderful art less intriguing. I hope you’ll go back to it for the art and for pleasure. And if you decide to sell a pattern, super easy to simply do a digital PDF here on your Blog now and then. No “boss” but you 😉
I’m enjoying your moving journey.
Valerie Zagami says
I am sure you will quilt again, much more spare time not gardening as much so you will need to be creative. Plus your knowledge and common sense is helpful. Also you have all the great toys to sew and spin!
Donna M says
I can totally understand how the joy of quilting was taken from you. Half the fun of quilting is choosing your own fabrics. I do often quilt with a deadline, but it is a deadline determined by me. I think with the nice sewing room right near where Vince is might make a difference. Just so easy to stitch a few seams here and there when it is really convenient. Just have fun and do what you want, when you want.
Sandi B says
Yay!!!
Linda in NE says
I enjoy quilting, but on my own schedule. I don’t do mysteries while they’re still mysteries, I don’t do block-of-the month. I often have several quilts going at various stages and some take 3-4 years before they’re completely finished. No deadlines, uh, uh!
Joyce says
Sometimes a change of scenery is all it takes to get you interested in something you have put on the back burner…
Nelle Coursey says
I do not like deadlines either. I don’t know what I would be doing if you and the group had not saved me with the knitting. I will be glad when I feel safe to go back to the group. By that time they will be in their new location and will have a room designated just for us on Tuesdays!
Susan Nixon says
I hope so. I miss your quilts and your inspiration, and I miss the easy ways you find to make things work.
Sara F says
I can imagine you teaching Addie to sew and knit, and passing along that love of fiber.
Andrea in MO says
Deadlines and uninspiring fabrics would definitely take the fun out of sewing for me. In addition to quilting I also make mosaics. There, too, I don’t want to take commission work or make things that don’t interest me. If it isn’t fun or exciting it isn’t worth our time. There’s way too much to be done to waste time creating things we don’t enjoy.
Amy Makson says
I hope your new space inspires you to get back to quilting… you are amazing with your knitting, but also your quilting. And I agree…Addie is at the age where she might like to start learning as well… and wouldnt that be fun! Looking forward to hearing about all you have going on.
Laura says
Although I’ve never completely stopped sewing/quilting, I think I let my need for perfection take the joy out of it. I still believe I should do the best job that I can, but I’m trying hard to let go of the impossible (for me) standard of perfection. I love design, color, and fabric, so I’m trying to concentrate on the joy those things bring. All this is to say that maybe if you don’t have the deadlines and aren’t required to use fabric you don’t like, the joy may return.
Kathleen says
i found your blog via quilting and hope you have more quilting posts in the future. I’ve stayed a reader because you are such a good writer and your posts are humorous and entertaining.
Sunny Thomas says
Gosh I hope so! I have always loved your quilting. Of course, I have continued following you as you are entertaining. Can’t wait for pictures of tour new space.