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I admire people who work on a project until they finish it. My mom's that way. Wish I was!! I tend to get to the point where it gets tedious or tiresome and I put it away and start something new! If it's a small or quick project, I'll finish it, but if it's intricate, or time consuming, I tend to get bored with it. However, I do go back and pull it out later and work on it with renewed enthusiasm at some point! I'd hate to feel that I HAD to work on something I wasn't enjoying. For me, quilting is about pure enjoyment!!! But I do wish I had a LITTLE more of that obsession to finish what I start!
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That is gorgeous and worth all the time and effort you are putting into it. I have found that even though i want to see the completed project sometimes you just have to put it aside for awhile and work on something else. After a short break you can return to working on it with a new enjoyment. I am doing that with a GFG.
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Oh, wow, hand piecing all those triangles :shock: You are very BRAVE!!!!! Keep going, the quilt is going to be a beauty!!!
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What pattern is that?
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Just relax and enjoy the process between other projects or make it a take-along-in-the-car project. I got two hand appliqued quilt tops done that way while waiting at the school bus stop. Just keep a case in the car with everything you need and try not to get discouraged...it looks like it's going to be a lovely quilt!
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Wow! You're hand piecing this? Beautiful! :). I tend to get obsessed with projects and want to see the finished project too. Now that I am finished with my first lone star I am itching to start the other 3 but am having the same problem I had with the first...I can't bring myself to make that first cut! *lol*
The advice about breathing and using music sounds good to me! I think I need to remember this is a hobby and supposed to be fun, too. :) Thanks for starting this thread. Janet |
I understand what you mean about being obsessed with reaching the finish line. I've always been the same way, but recently I've been forcing myself to slow down, relax, and enjoy what I'm doing in the moment. I have a tendency to always be thinking ahead and I feel that it's taking away the pleasure of now. It seems to be working, but it's something that I have to make a conscious effort to do.
Your hand pieced project is beautiful, try to relax and enjoy the process. |
what a pretty pattern and blues, purples and gray, great combination. It sure does look like lots of work, but, the beauty that will come of it is worth it. Too beautiful to tuck it away somewhere
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Oh no after all that work how could you think such a thing Now this would be a real crime and something the Quilt Police should investigate!! Slow down-Take a deep breath-and enjoy the process no matter how long it takes It'll be done when its done and not a moment before
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It is ocean waves. I got the pattern out of the Better Homes and Garden's Quilt Mag (I think) in their Antique Quilts issue.
Originally Posted by sharkee
What pattern is that?
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Sounds like we have the same problem. I get excited to see the final product and can't stop!
Originally Posted by PJisChaos
I totally get what ya are saying, I do the same thing! Just yesterday, I started an uneven log cabin at 3pm(cutting strips and center squares) and got as far as 1 complete round on all 100 blocks by 5am. Then realized I had missed dinner and everyone else was in bed. LoL! I was so excited to see what they would look like I just couldn't stop myself. So, took a nice break today and haven't sewn or cut a thing.
whoops! here I am doing it again, this was sunday afternoon into monday morn as it is already tuesday. gah! |
This is great advice. I recently re-learned how to use the old sewing machine and I'm LOVING the speed. I have a wonky star pattern I'm working on now. Can't say that the obsession has gone away though -- now I'm just obsessed with two -- the hand-pieced and the machine!
Originally Posted by roselady
The suggestion I have for you may be totally wrong because I am so not like you. I love the process and for the most part don't even think about the end product, I just love doing it. Because of that I also don't finish a lot, that is the issue I struggle with. Here is something that might help... What about having a "fast" project going along with your "slow" project. Have a machine made project that you work on when you can be at your machine, and do the hand work in the evening when you want to be around your family. That way, you will finish something quickly so that you get that feeling of completing something. It might make you enjoy the slow pace of the handwork more. You might finish 3 or 4 quick projects in the time that it takes to finish your "heirloom" quilt. I know that you might think "If am working on 2 quilts, then it will take me even longer to get it done". Yes it will, but, if you enjoy it more along the way, because you can see that the "quick" project will be done soon...well it is just a thought! I usually have a machine pieced project, a hand applique and some hand quilting, all going at the same time...who knows what I might feel like doing at any given time?! BTW, your quilt is wonderful, you must finish it, I do hope you will learn to enjoy every little stitch that you make.
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I like to have more than one thing going at a time because I might want to sew on the bed while watching TV, or I might want something I can take in the car, OR I might want to use my machine..... I agree that you have MUCH more self discipline than I do, but hey, maybe you could let yourself do whatever feels good!
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Originally Posted by dhanke
I understand what you mean about being obsessed with reaching the finish line. I've always been the same way, but recently I've been forcing myself to slow down, relax, and enjoy what I'm doing in the moment. I have a tendency to always be thinking ahead and I feel that it's taking away the pleasure of now. It seems to be working, but it's something that I have to make a conscious effort to do.
Your hand pieced project is beautiful, try to relax and enjoy the process. |
If it helps any, it's gonna be gorgeous!!!!!!!!!!!
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Your work is beautiful and looks very complicated. Since it's a hand piecing project, why don't you work on this when you are on a trip, sitting in a waiting room at a doctor's office, or at a meeting where you can listen and work at the same time? You might be amazed at how much you get done, and don't even realize it! In the meantime, you could start a new project at home, something simple, small and easy that keeps your heart pumping.
I have learned that if you are getting frustrated or tired of it, walk away until the next time. Otherwise it takes the joy out of it, and quilting is supposed to be relaxing. |
It is looking like it will turn out beautifully. Put it aside for awhile and go back to it later. It once took me 9 years to finish a quilt. But boy was I ever proud when I finished it!
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Oh My Gosh...you deserve a medal for what is already done.
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Hand-piecing is not hard -- just takes longer! The only real difference in the sewing is that you don't sew into the seam allowance. I am newer to the machine but I find hand piecing to be much more forgiving -- maybe it's just harder to make mistakes because it's so darn slow!!!
Originally Posted by sharkee
Absolutely gorgeous. Love the colors and the pattern. I admire you for taking on such a large project that is all hand pieced. I just finished hand quilting my second log cabin and have been wanting to learn to hand piece and after looking at your project I really want to learn how. Can't wait to see the finished quilt, but I agree with some of the others maybe take a break and do something quick and easy
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It is going to be beautiful. I can't wait to see it finished. I don't mean to rush ya, just take your time. Enjoy it.
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It looks fabulous so far, if you don't have someone in mind when you finish it, I'll send my address. lol
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Originally Posted by wattse2000
Ok -- I think I am obsessed and I hope I'm not the only one. It seems like the moment I start a project (or even the idea for a project) I am like a woman obsessed to get it done! I still enjoy piecing, quilting, whatever I happen to be doing at the time, but the strong urge I have to complete the project turns the activity into more of an all-consuming obsession than a relaxing past time. Does anyone else have this problem?
My main problem right now is that I jumped into this tremendous hand-piecing project. When I started I thought it might take me a year to complete -- quilting and all -- now I'm 6 months into the project and I can see that a year is MAYBE enough time to piece the top -- MAYBE. Now I'm depressed because all I can think about is the end product which I won't be enjoying for a long, long while. I need to learn to enjoy the moment!!!! FYI -- when I finally do finish the thing I'm afraid I won't want to touch it for fear of destroying it after all the blood, sweat and tears that went into it. It will probably sit in a closet somewhere and never get used!!!!! I am the same way, I can hardly wait to finish most of the projects i start, and some just take way toooooo long to suit me. I guess because we live in such an "instant" everything world now, maybe that's our problem ya think? Be sure to show us the beautiful completed quilt. |
It's going to be gorgeous. I can't even image doing all that by hand, not even by machine. LOL When it's done, don't even think about not sandwiching it and let it sit in a closet.
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I have what I call "My Forever Quilt" because I have been working on it for the last eight (yes, 8) years! I still haven't finished cutting out all the pieces! It is my take along project, so I only work on it on airplanes, at red lights, while waiting to pick up kids and while waiting for Dr. appointments. Now I have started a take along Grandmother's Flower Garden and my Forever quilt is just sitting there. I will get it done sometime because I just love it, but the straight lines of the hexagons are quicker to sew than the curves on the forever quilt. Keep working on it. It is just beautiful so far and you will be so proud and happy when it is done!
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Originally Posted by wattse2000
Ok -- I think I am obsessed and I hope I'm not the only one. It seems like the moment I start a project (or even the idea for a project) I am like a woman obsessed to get it done! I still enjoy piecing, quilting, whatever I happen to be doing at the time, but the strong urge I have to complete the project turns the activity into more of an all-consuming obsession than a relaxing past time. Does anyone else have this problem?
My main problem right now is that I jumped into this tremendous hand-piecing project. When I started I thought it might take me a year to complete -- quilting and all -- now I'm 6 months into the project and I can see that a year is MAYBE enough time to piece the top -- MAYBE. Now I'm depressed because all I can think about is the end product which I won't be enjoying for a long, long while. I need to learn to enjoy the moment!!!! FYI -- when I finally do finish the thing I'm afraid I won't want to touch it for fear of destroying it after all the blood, sweat and tears that went into it. It will probably sit in a closet somewhere and never get used!!!!! |
I get like that too. Sometimes I get in over my head and get so upset. On more than one project I look at the clock and it's almost morning. I'm retired now- but boy when I was working it was terrible. I'd go right back the next night until I got it made. After it's pieced I really don't care what happens to the quilt LOL. I use a longarm quilter. I will send her several tops at a time. Then I can't wait to get them back...
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I can relate! Isn't it funny how some of us have that personality trait? It is in some ways a curse and others a blessing. I guess, at least, I'm glad that I get the projects done in the end rather than just giving up!
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