...so am I. I have
any number of UFOs, PIGs and a stashbusting leader&ender in the sewing room, but I just do feel the urge to go up there. Now, I can blame the heat wave and say that it gets a little too warm up there, even with the a/c. Honestly that would only be partially true. If I had something that really captured my interest, I'd be up there. Right now, I have no enthusiasm.My UFOs are stalled as I have to make decisions-not something I do without second guessing myself and rethinking a few times. I should take the bull by the proverbial horns and 'just do it' with one project, but after putting all the time into pieceing, I want to be pleased with the backing or the quilting pattern that I use.
For example, I have a Turning Twenty that I made up in loud and (hopefully) fun colors. I made it to coordinate with the seat cushions in my vintage trailer. (see the close up of the parrot print) Doesn't everyone decorate their trailer? I wanted it to be a blast of color, fun, maybe even a little outrageous, and since it was to get some hard use, expendable-not-heirloom or to please the quilt police. Well, dh's disabilities made using that trailer unsafe for him, so we no longer have it. There goes some of the momentum. Also, while I enjoy the colors and the fabrics I chose for it, I don't like them in this design. I think they would have worked better in smaller pieces than in these big blocks. So, I have this top that I can't use as originally intended. I have two backings for it- a solid black, or a totally blinding yellow and purple batik that I bought on sale that would make it even more colorful and wild. I'm not 100% with either of them. Recently Nancy posted some fabrics (July 30) that she bought online, and I can see at least 2 of them that might be better choices for backings.
All this angst over a quilt that I'm not in love with, but I still want it to be 'right'. And this is just one-there's a bunch up there! See why I'm stalled. I can't wait for JudyL's PLAN in the middle of this month. I'm hoping that will breathe a little enthusiasm into me. Com'on Judy, save me from the summer doldrums!
15 comments:
I kind of like the yellow and purple with the turning 20 top - and you could always donate it to a hospital or shelter if it's something you don't have a place for anymore.
I think that is a very festive quitl and you should use the purple and yellow batik for it. If you end up not liking it just donate it and someone else will definitely love it. :)
Love that viney/tendrils fabric in the center. The sad fact is that it never rains in Atlanta in the summer. Gasping for air here.
I think the yellow and purple would be great. STart wild and finish wild. If you find you can't live with it, give it away and let someone else love it. I love the parrot print. I have made several silk paintings of parrots and it reminds me of them.
if you've got a quilt top you don't love anymore sitting in your UFO pile, GIVE IT AWAY with or without the backing fabric. You've got to know someone who'd love a project to work on... maybe a young school girl, or a young mom with little disposable income, or another quilter that the style of the top "fits" perfectly, or a relative that enjoys sewing that would like a different present... It'll help re-energize you. Really.
Personally, even if I wasn't in the no buy challenge, I'd probably use the yellow and purple batik rather than buy something new for a quilt I don't love.
One idea that you may have overlooked... is to use that turning twenty as a backing so some other bright quilt with better proportioned pieces of fabric. (Like maybe the one that Judy is planning for us.)
Sounds like you really don't like the quilt top anymore. So just use one of the backs you already have and then give it to charity. Then you can start on something you find more fun!!
that is not a pattern for everyone and every fabric apparently. Bright and fun but fling it if you are no longer enamored with it, definitely. Agonizing over fabric will just make it worse and make you expend what energy you do have floating around needlessly.
Judy's project may be just the fire you need to rev up your creative juices because this sure isn't doing it.
You're right - you just need to jump in and *do* it! If you don't like this top as is use it for a back of another quilt, I piece a lot of my backs. I find what motivates me is finishing a top or a quilt both give me a sense of accomplishment.
I'm also focusing on my UFO's this year and am having a tough time not starting tons of new projects. I allow myself some new stuff only when I've made a lot of progress on UFO's. This year I've finished 10 so far and if I could get some of these tops quilted I'd have more done.
Gail,
If you're having a dry spell, sometimes it's better to just close the door to the sewing room. Do another craft, or something else that interests you. Give it a few days, and your spark will come back. Relax-once a quilter, always a quilter.
It's ok Gail,we all hit those "rough spots" where nothing appeals to us.
Sometimes I just sit down and sew 4 patches or 9 patches in colors I like...with no destination in mind.
Maybe if you asked yourself "what would you like to see happen with the not-as-loved turning twenty"? If you have a porch, maybe a porch quilt, and donating it to an organization or a child would also be a great option. Maybe even someone in a nursing home. Bright colors certainly cheer them up, and many of the older ones are alone, without family.
If you don't love the top anymore, I wouldn't spend more money on a different backing. Just chalk it up to "growing pains". Happens to all of us, honest! Hugs, Finn
Hello Gail :-)
I sense that you don't want the Turning Twenty top anymore,
as you don't use the trailer anymore.
Finish it and use it yourself, maybe outdoors, or finish it and give it to someone, donate it as it is to someone who can finish it for donation ( Linda J and her WTIL comes to mind ) or just plain fling it. It is your fabrics and you can do as you like !!
For your dry spell, maybe you would like to join me in the daily Do It Now hour ?
Pick any project and focus for an hour. After the hour is gone you can do whatever you like.
Maybe a few days with no sewing and no bad feelings about it would do you good. Put your feet up high, pour yourself a cup of your favorite beverage and enjoy some magazines or books or the inside of your eyelids listening to some music ?
Hugs, Hanne
Good luck recapturing your motiavtion! Maybe if you finish the Turning 20 you'll feel so good about being done with it, you'll feel inspired again?
I just love that Turning Twenty pattern. That's the same one I used for my rose quilt. It came together really fast. I like the nice bright colors you used.
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