pollyjvan9

I quilt some every day. Some days 6, 8 hrs or more. I am on the QB sporadically. When I take short breaks from the machines I sit down get on the Board. I have made approx 250 quilts since 2005 or 06 when I started. Just went to a small quilt show in Edmond, OK today and really, really enjoyed it. No hugh crowds so you could see the quilts easily and didn't have to fight for a place to stand at the vendors booths. Bought a nifty little needle threader, hope it works as well for me as it did the vendor!

Cindy60545

I just retired the 1st of March this year. The first 6 weeks were spent getting my building put together & moved from my sewing room to my new studio. Also bought a longarm, used. It was shipped to me from elsewhere, so had to put the puzzle together. It's taken me quite awhile to get everything right with the longarm & I think I've finally got it to the point I can really do some serious quilting on it instead of practice pieces. I spend time each day in the studio, but there are days I don't step foot in it. I take care of my 8 year old Grandson & he requires attention too. I've also taught some quilting classes at one of the LQS. I find I really enjoy that. I'm enjoying retirement. I've always got something on the design board or a new idea to try, either sewing the quilt or quilting the quilt!

gollytwo

I'm like PaperPrincess - I got alot more quilting done when I worked fulltime and had a 2hr daily r/t commute than I do now when I have all the time in the world.

collady

I retired in June 2007. Since then I have made almost 100 quilts. I try to sew several hours per day. However, in 2010, I was not able to do much due to knee surgery and complications that kept me from climbing the stairs to my sewing room. I don't have too many of my quilts in my home. Most have gone to family and friends, and all are wanting more. I hope that I will be able to keep up the pace for many years!

lovelyl

I retired in May of this year and find myself trying to make every quilt I see! Yesterday, I wrote down all my projects and have vowed not to start another until I finish them. Hmmm - hope that works! I do love the timer idea. I usually pull up the QB after hubby goes to work and before I know it, I have been sitting at the computer for an hour and a half or sometimes two hours! I will start setting a timer for 45 min. as you suggest and see if I can get some of my UFO's finished! Thanks for the idea.

calicojoan

I retired the end of April myself, and took full advantage of quilting. For me I think it was something to fill my day. I was a bit lost and surprised by it all, as I had a very high stress job. But I finally caved, in and started back to work 2 weeks ago, because I missed it so much! So quilting is on the back burner again!

I like you did the same cut and piece during the day and hand work at night!

Enjoy your retirement!

sewclark

I just joined, but have been reading the quilting board for several months. I was 85 on Wednesday. Have been retired for 24 years when we moved to CA. I started doing alterations for the local cleaners two weeks after we moved here. I have been sewing for the community ever since. When I don't have alterations, I make quilts. Take photos of each when I finish them. I have probably made well over 200 since (we moved here). Customers ask me when I am going to retire (from doing alteratons).. Don't until I can't do it anymore. I spend my days either in the sewing room or on the computer from 5 AM until 5 PM when I join my other half for news and a couple hours of TV. I keep hearing (Keep busy or you will STOP) .

promenades

I am on the disabled list. Was looking forward to retirement and doing all things fun. Then my Lupus, RA, AS, etc, got the better of me and I was down for several years. I am now able to quilt, machine embroider, etc. after a long bout with this disease. DH is a retired Firefighter. We had made plans to do many things. Our lives and plans change quickly because of me. I am back up and walking now (no running for me). I am soooo happy I can do these things. So, that being said, I tell everyone; "Take advantage of everyday as you never know what to morrow will bring." Everyday that is a good day for me, I am either quilting or machine embroidering while I can when I am at home.
Great therapy! Love this place!

God Bless
Bonnie B

Sew happy

This posting is one I've been waiting to see discussed. I retired four years ago. I found it difficult at first to manage my time as well as I did when working and raising a family. I've finally found the schedule that fits for me by accepting that each day has to be flexible. Like the turtle, I continue on my race to the finish of what I"m working on. Some days I'm the "hare" and some days the "turtle. I enjoy quilting but sometimes have other sewing projects to work on that are not necessarily my first choice.

My mother was a perfectionist but had one piece of wisdom for sewing. You have to choose the days you sew and choose the days you clean house. The days I sew are the days I've planned leftovers to reheat and the housework is done on Monday's and Fridays. I piece my quilts in the evening in the living room when my energy levels are low. The cutting and planning I usually do in the morning when my creativity seems to be at its highest.

Try to find what works best for you. We are all so different that no schedule is a one size fits all. I haven't made a thousand quilts, but my finished quilt is one I've enjoyed making from start to finish.

GailG

That's a great idea! Sometimes when I get started on a reply to a QBer, it takes longer than that to write an "epistle" as we have come to call our messages.
I do find myself coming back to the computer when I take a break or when I just go by the room. I've been retired for almost 15 years so I pretty well do whatever comes naturally. I've lost all sense of routine. It's a wonderful life. I do wish that I had kept up my housekeeping routine though. Of course, I only have regrets when company comes.
As far as quilting goes, it's very sporadic. Some days I work at it all day long and some weeks I don't touch it. This week was spent altering uniforms for a Down's Syndrome child. I have may WIP/UFOs. Life is too short to dwell on only one thing.