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The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
quilting message board “Sew What’s New,” which was
retired in August 2007. It is being provided by
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From: MyGirlFriday
Date: 04-26-2005, 10:53 PM (1 of 16)
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I received a AWESOME sewing machine for Christmas....I have all the patterns, fabric and notions that girl could want... But here is the deal~ I have no desire to do any sewing! I just don't know what the deal is!! I was so pumped about sewing and quilting then all of a sudden I just lost the desire! Can someone please say something to get the sewing juices flowing again! I have lots of fabric to make matching outfits for my daughter and I for our vacation in June....that would really be a waste if I didn't get them done! HELP!! mgf~  but feeling more like 
Blessings & Smiles
Frogs have it easy....they just eat what's buggin' them. |
User: MyGirlFriday
Member since: 12-05-2004 Total posts: 288 
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From: sewingnonie
Date: 04-27-2005, 12:57 AM (2 of 16)
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How old is your daughter? All you have to do is sit down and make one simple quick outfit,it might just be a pair of shorts. The look on that little girls face when you give her such special shorts will send your sewing into overdrive. All I ever have to do,when I can't get myself motivated is to think of the bright shining eyes and the big hug,and the "thank you grandma,I love it just love it". That comes from a three yr.old. Can you just picture your daughter all snug in a quilt made just for her by mom? That quilt will travel with her for years to come. So by not sewing,you are taking away all the special memories,and special gifts,sitting right there in front of you. Just do it! Nonie |
User: sewingnonie
Member since: 09-23-2004 Total posts: 175 |
From: DragonLady
Date: 04-27-2005, 01:10 AM (3 of 16)
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MyGirlFriday, this happens to me a lot. I buy all the equipment & fixin's for a project, then lose interest. I call it "Shop n Drop" -shop for supplies, then drop the enthusiasm to see it through. But if you're like me, the want-to will return, it just takes a bit of time. When I get a new interest, I read every book, look at every web page, buy every tool that seems important, plan a dozen projects and go through them step-by-step in my mind. By the time I've got all the ducks in a row, I feel I've done everything already. So, I usually just put it on the back burner for a while. I pack away the fabric, put away the books, and move on to something else for awhile. And when I get tired of the new thing, my older stuff is still waiting for me to get interested all over again. And looking through all the boxes for all the supplies I've bought is almost as fun as a whole new shopping trip. 
"No more twist! No more twist!"
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User: DragonLady
Member since: 11-10-2004 Total posts: 152 
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From: MaryW
Date: 04-27-2005, 05:30 AM (4 of 16)
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I agree, everyone goes thru this at times. Go look thru all the flyers and stores for what the kids are wearing this summer. It may just inspire you a bit. Ottobre magazine for kids has really neat patterns for girls too!
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: CodyGramma
Date: 04-27-2005, 06:37 AM (5 of 16)
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Just yesterday, I pulled out all my books, magazines and things I've cut out of magazines (those "someday" projects) and spent two hours just going thru them again and I sorted them into two different piles...things I want to make someday and things I want to make within the next year or so. It put me "back in the mood" and this morning I've already dug out a box of material I've been saving for a particular project. What project or picture idea did you see that got you excited in the first place? Go find it and maybe that will help. Start sifting thru materials for just the right ones to use on it...sort materials, ideas, and supplies and start planning your project on paper....these are just suggestions of things that might get your motor running again! |
User: CodyGramma
Member since: 04-22-2005 Total posts: 133 
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From: DorothyL
Date: 04-27-2005, 07:17 AM (6 of 16)
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We all go through slumps. There are also a lot of people who just don't care for sewing that much. Some people are just driven to work with textiles. They knit, sew, cross stitch, weave etc. Most do several techniques, sometimes one for a while, sometimes another. So if you are not in the mood to sew, do something else. Maybe its just not your thing. You should do what you enjoy for work and especially for play. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: paroper
Date: 04-27-2005, 07:40 AM (7 of 16)
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I do that a lot...shop and drop is a great way to put it! I'm in a slump right now. I was forced into doing a prom dress for a 350 pound girl..measured a square size 34...patterns only go to size 32. The silly pattern was lined and had 12 yards of netting in the lining! (I felt like I was drowning in "stuff"). I got the thing made in 4 days and she still thought I was slow. (She didn't pay me anything...and I put my own kids' prom stuff on the burner...same prom..to do it). (sigh). Anyway, I'm still having to push myself to get my DS's second vest and tie finished for Sat night and I have a ton of small alterations and beads to repair on his twin's beaded gown. Sometimes a different project will help get me going...why not try a project just for yourself instead? There are some nice fabrics out there this year and the ladies' patterns are "interesting" and challenging to say the least. Maybe it is because the patterns you have just don't "Pop" as my dd would say. pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: niko20
Date: 04-27-2005, 08:39 AM (8 of 16)
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One thing I think helps is to watch the STYLE network on cable T.V. Watch a few shows like "Clean House" and "While You Were Out" and "What Not To Wear" and "The Look For Less", and soon you will feel your creativity start to flow again ! (I think some of those shows are on TLC as well (the learning channel)) -niko |
User: niko20
Member since: 03-23-2005 Total posts: 19 |
From: Sailorliz
Date: 04-27-2005, 09:06 AM (9 of 16)
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I agree with a lot of the suggestions given. I work with different textiles and go back and forth between all of my hobbies. When I find that I'm in a slump, sometimes I will pick up a magazine for quilting, knitting, etc. Or I'll watch some sewing and quilting shows on tv. I love to make things for my family. So I might just do a small, quick project to give to someone in the family. This site is also inspiring for me to sew. Mary has a lot of little quick projects that she has posted to get the creative juices flowing again. I'm sure if you just spend 20 minutes a day working on something, you will find your interest coming back. Sometimes people procrastinate, because the job may seem time consuming or overwhelming. If I feel that way about a project, I will force myself to spend a little time everyday on the project, whether it be five or 30 minutes. You will be amazed how much you can accomplish working on a project in a week. I'm sure you will get the inspiration back sometime soon. Happy sewing/quilting/crafting
Liz Visit my photo page http://new.photos.yahoo.com/sailorlizmi/albums |
User: Sailorliz
Member since: 07-20-2004 Total posts: 386 
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From: toadusew
Date: 04-27-2005, 10:02 AM (10 of 16)
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I agree with everything that has been said--we all go through slumps sometimes. I think of sewing folks as artists in a way, and most artists that I know sort of have to be in the mood to practice their craft and I think that applies to sewing as well. At least, that's the way it is for me. Right now, I only want to sew and I don't want to do anything else--especially my chores! A lot of good suggestions have been given here, and in addition to those, maybe just going to the fabric store and "petting" some fabric and/or looking through pattern books would help inspire you again. 
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User: toadusew
Member since: 01-08-2005 Total posts: 369 |
From: grandmasue
Date: 04-27-2005, 10:22 AM (11 of 16)
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oh yes, the dreaded sewers slump. I have found when I get one of these it's my minds way of telling me that there is something else going on and sapping my creative juices. Something I am worrying about but not admitting that I am worrying about... something else I should be doing and putting off cuz I really don't want to do it. (like repairs or alterations) and sometimes it is the fear of failure on a sewing project. I will have a vision in my head of what I want and am afraid it may not turn out as I "dreamed" it would. So I take a look at what might be the cause for this slump and fix what can be fixed and then force myself to start with a small project just to get me in the room and sewing. As the others have said, just one "thank you, I love it!" will get you motivated to start your next project. Grandma Sue
------------ At the end I am not showing up at my grave all pretty and well preserved...I am coming in sliding, yelling "What a ride!" |
User: grandmasue
Member since: 10-26-2004 Total posts: 138 
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From: Pudge99
Date: 04-27-2005, 10:32 AM (12 of 16)
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OK I have some different ideas from everyone else. When I get in a slump I clean and reorganize my sewing room. Sometimes just having my machine facing a different direction is all it takes to get me in the mood. I have a corner desk that my machines are on. Some times I like to hide in the corner to sew so I put the corner in th corner. Other times I like to see the world when I sew, so I turn the desk around. One of the other things I do is cut out a whole slew of things to sew. Get the annoying part out of the way. Then I can spend days and days just sewing with out the annoying cutting out process. That really gets me moving. From what you say this might be the trick for you. You have a lot that you need to get sewn so just get it all cut out and see where that takes you. I have also used a walk through the stores to get me motivated. It gets frustrating real quick because it is very hard to find clothes that fit me and my girls. I am a petite plus. My Twelve yr old has a belly that doesn't match the rest of her and my four yr old is the size of a 2 yr old, so the stuff that fits her is designed for kids who don't use the bathroom yet. After about an hour searching for clothes that fit I am ready to go home and sew. Wal-mart helps a lot with this as I can find something on the rack that we like then carry it to the fabric department and get the right fabric for the job, and sometimes even the pattern. Gina
Pictures of my successes and failures Pfaff 2040 Janome Mylock 134D Singer Futura CE-100 w/ Autopunch Husqvarna Viking 3D Sketch |
User: Pudge99
Member since: 10-30-2001 Total posts: 1375 |
From: Sparky
Date: 04-27-2005, 10:38 AM (13 of 16)
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oh yes, the dreaded sewers slump. I have found when I get one of these it's my minds way of telling me that there is something else going on and sapping my creative juices. Something I am worrying about but not admitting that I am worrying about... something else I should be doing and putting off cuz I really don't want to do it. (like repairs or alterations) and sometimes it is the fear of failure on a sewing project. I will have a vision in my head of what I want and am afraid it may not turn out as I "dreamed" it would. Grandmasue, you took the words right out of my mouth. I don't know how many times I've been all excited to start a project, bought all the materials, then "lost interest." And I've finally figured out that it's just because I'm afraid it won't come out the way it already has in my mind. I also lose interest halfway through a project if it starts going wrong. I find though, that if I just force myself to start, my interest usually comes rushing back. Sparky
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User: Sparky
Member since: 03-13-2005 Total posts: 94 |
From: natred2
Date: 04-27-2005, 04:34 PM (14 of 16)
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Sometimes all it takes to climb back up from the slump is a small project. Even sewing patches on shirts for work has boosted me back up. I think I forget sometimes how wonderful my machines are. Try a small project, maybe a small throw pillow for your sofa. Could be just the creative kick start you need. 
Don't be so open minded your brains fall out.
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User: natred2
Member since: 04-09-2005 Total posts: 81 
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From: mommydionne
Date: 04-27-2005, 08:36 PM (15 of 16)
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I'm slumping now, haven't touched a machine in 3 weeks!! Time to get the boxes out and just play with the fabric, that usually helps, or just tidy it all away for a time and wait for inspiration ... My threads came in the mail today, that usually helps too. sigh....
Jeanette
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User: mommydionne
Member since: 01-08-2004 Total posts: 838 
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From: prash
Date: 04-28-2005, 02:00 PM (16 of 16)
| Amen to all the above! I lose interest when I get too tired from other things. My best way to deal with loss of interest is this: Right before going to bed, I get everything ready to begin the project the next morning. I go to bed with a new resolve and get up and get started rested and refreshed. Usually it works. |
User: prash
Member since: 03-16-2004 Total posts: 11 
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