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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: blackie
Date: 01-16-2007, 08:00 PM (1 of 14)
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For the first time in my life of sewing, I took about four weeks off. Late 2006 / early 2007 I was sick twice (once with a gastro illness that took me out for a few days, once with strep that put me in the HOSPITAL!). Not to mention the last thing I'd sewn was a Christmas shirt for my brother. My cuff plackets looked very bad. Then I cut a big slash in the body of the sleeve with my serger and it just made me feel terrible. Between that and illness I didn't so much as pick a spool of thread up. This last weekend my husband convinced me to move my sewing room upstairs to a larger room (we switched three rooms around). I still wasn't feeling the love. The next day I sluggishly started fixing the error on my brother's shirt. I finished the shirt (I had to PATCH the cut in the sleeve, and I made it into a short-sleeved shirt to remove those AWFUL plackets I made - but at least it got finished) which made me feel a little better. It isn't as lovely as I'd envisioned but it isn't hanging in my sewing closet making me feel shame. I never thought I'd NOT want to sew. I am still feeling kinda funky. Part of this is I have an overdue UFO I'm supposed to be finishing for someone, so I have no "fun" thing to look forward to in my immediate future. Has this happened to anyone else? Any advice? see the mundane life of a housewife.
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User: blackie
Member since: 03-31-2004 Total posts: 594 |
From: Sherri
Date: 01-16-2007, 08:20 PM (2 of 14)
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do something fun and short. (maybe a purse) then do the UFO. I only sew bright colours in winter due to SAD Sher My website
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User: Sherri
Member since: 02-07-2001 Total posts: 357 |
From: plrlegal
Date: 01-16-2007, 09:11 PM (3 of 14)
I'm right there with you girl. I have kinda been out of commission since before Christmas due to a bulging disk in my lower back. The pain medication and muscle relaxer I have to take for the pain makes me feel like a zombie. I finally finished the Touchdown Turkeys sweatshirts that I started before Christmas. The last package of them is sitting on my dining room table waiting for dh to mail them (when the ice melts off the streets so we can move around again with slipping & sliding; maybe May or June ) and I still have two more fleece poncho's to be made but I can't decide what kind of trim I want to use on them. However, after I finished embroidering the last of the sweatshirts, I put everything else aside and got out my grandmother's fan quilt blocks that I've been working on for almost two years now and finished sewing the fans and the bottoms together and getting them appliqued on the blocks. I have seven more fans to applique to the blocks to night and I'll have all 42 blocks completed and ready to mark with the quilting design before I assemble them into the top. The fans are all in different patterns of purple on a cream background. I have decided to concentrate on this quilt for a few weeks and see how far I get with it instead of hopping from one project to the other for a while. Anyway, Blackie like Sherry said, put everything aside and sew on a small fun project maybe for a few hours or a couple of days and you'll begin to feel better. By the way, congrats on getting a bigger sewing room. Patsy Patsy
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User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
From: PaulineG
Date: 01-17-2007, 12:51 AM (4 of 14)
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I feel the same way from time to time when I make a mistake and can't figure how to fix it or when I end up doing too much of something I don't enjoy - production line sewing or mending. Definitely something fun and easy and also make it something you'll feel proud of and get compliments for. Go back to an old favourite pattern but get a stunning fabric (buy something new) and you'll start feeling the love again. It should be something for yourself as well (or maybe a child). Maybe buying a new notion or tool you've been wanting but couldn't justify might help too - retail therapy mixed with sewing - how can you go wrong. Pauline
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User: PaulineG
Member since: 09-08-2006 Total posts: 901 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 01-17-2007, 08:26 AM (5 of 14)
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Toss 'em -- all of 'em. Get rid of everything you 'have' to do. And for goodness sake get rid of the screw-ups. Out of sight out of mind -- get a fresh start. Off to the fabric store with you and indulge. Something superfluous for you. Something fun for the kids. How about something for that sewing room. It's supposed to be fun, not work and certainly not shame! Maybe you should go out and buy a really fancy, expensive new machine or two!! It's the weather you know. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: AndreaSews
Date: 01-17-2007, 11:05 AM (6 of 14)
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Drat. I'm sorry about the rough winter you've been having. And yes, a UFO that has built-in frustration does take the enthusiasm down a few notches. Consider the possibility that even though you're 'better" you may still have some fatigue residual from your illness. It takes a while. I say embrace your sewing slump and go out and play with your kids or else wrap yourself in a blanket and read a book. You'll jump back in when you're sufficiently inspired. No doubt.
Andrea
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User: AndreaSews
Member since: 02-18-2005 Total posts: 1007 
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From: lsoutherla
Date: 01-17-2007, 12:37 PM (7 of 14)
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Yes, this definitely happens with me. Usually its a combination of not feeling well and screwing something up. Especially if it's something I do not want to be doing anyway. Frustration sets in and I'm pretty sure I can't do jack and I begin to doubt my sewing abilities. (Are we all perfectionists?) I'll compromise, like you did on the shirt, and the mood begins to lift. If I can't do that (and sometimes you just can't compromise), taking a break, and doing an easy and fun project starts me moving again. Even if it's needlework or some other type of craft. I think for me, it's just doing something. And always, retail therapy does wonders. I hope you are feeling better and on course soon. laura |
User: lsoutherla
Member since: 05-04-2006 Total posts: 72 |
From: dmoses
Date: 01-17-2007, 01:55 PM (8 of 14)
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Sometimes, when I feel like that, I give my machine a good cleaning. Then, I get some scraps and different threads, and just play around with my sewing machine...re-acquainting myself with the different stitches, techniques, etc. It's a relaxing fun time with the sewing machine...and no pressure.
Take care,
Donna |
User: dmoses
Member since: 02-22-2002 Total posts: 964 
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From: blackie
Date: 01-17-2007, 04:54 PM (9 of 14)
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Well, I'm feeling better already. Everything written here really made a difference. Thank you all! I'm right there with you girl. I have kinda been out of commission since before Christmas due to a bulging disk in my lower back. The pain medication and muscle relaxer I have to take for the pain makes me feel like a zombie. Wow, Patsy. I'm sorry about your back! I have to say, your words comforted me. I have so much respect for you and your skills it makes me feel slightly better that you too have had this sort of set-back. I hope you understand what I mean by that . Thanks for your kind words. I am feeling less alone here. Yes, this definitely happens with me. Usually its a combination of not feeling well and screwing something up. Especially if it's something I do not want to be doing anyway. Frustration sets in and I'm pretty sure I can't do jack and I begin to doubt my sewing abilities. ... [ snip ] ... Even if it's needlework or some other type of craft. I am so glad to hear I'm not alone in this. Yes, self-doubt, the first time I've had it this bad. Ha ha... I can't do needlework worth BUNK though, so that would make it worse!  Thank you so much for your commisseration!Maybe buying a new notion or tool you've been wanting but couldn't justify might help too - retail therapy mixed with sewing - how can you go wrong. Pauline, I think you're right. Although right now I have more perfectly-good fabric for projects. Perhaps registering for an online sewing class through patternreview.com would be good "retail therapy". Sometimes, when I feel like that, I give my machine a good cleaning. Then, I get some scraps and different threads, and just play around with my sewing machine...re-acquainting myself with the different stitches, techniques, etc. It's a relaxing fun time with the sewing machine...and no pressure. Oddly, this is sort of what happened last night. I'm trying to figure out how to sew on this http://swn-archive.sew-whats-up.com/t-21243.html"]awful brocade (http://swn-archive.sew-whats-up.com/t-21243.html) so I messed with my machine, cleaned it, and fiddled with bobbin tension. It did help. P.S. I am still feeling like I'm going to vomit thinking about that brocade. Toss 'em -- all of 'em. Get rid of everything you 'have' to do. And for goodness sake get rid of the screw-ups. Out of sight out of mind -- get a fresh start. Off to the fabric store with you and indulge. Something superfluous for you. Something fun for the kids. How about something for that sewing room. It's supposed to be fun, not work and certainly not shame! Maybe you should go out and buy a really fancy, expensive new machine or two!! It's the weather you know. Whew Dorothy... I am taking deep-breaths, contemplating getting rid of my "have to" pile. Small as it is, it's somehow insurmountable! Like the kids' overalls I've been meaning to mend, the boxers for my son I haven't yet sewed, and jeans I'm never going to fix the belt carriers for... And buying something sweet and lovely like a machine! You are a bold, bold woman. Thank you so much and I will definitely take what you say under consideration. see the mundane life of a housewife.
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User: blackie
Member since: 03-31-2004 Total posts: 594 |
From: bridesmom
Date: 01-17-2007, 09:43 PM (10 of 14)
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Wow, I thought I was the only one feeling like that lately. I got so in a funk I didn't even get onto SWN. But I think its passing. I've purchased some lucious suede fabric for a coat which I am going to go and start laying out the pattern tonight. I cleaned up the sewing room yesterday and I got a computer from my BIL which is set up down there now with all my sewing stuff on it. Ok, here goes!
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
From: toadusew
Date: 01-18-2007, 08:23 AM (11 of 14)
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Blackie, like you, I've taken quite a few weeks off from sewing due to illness. I had a gastro problem and became dehydrated, got the IV fluids for that, had a sinus infection, and another gastro problem--all this on top of the mono that was diagnosed somewhere in the middle of all that! I missed all of December, part of November, and the early part of January. I just started feeling like sewing again Monday of this week. Thankfully, I am much better, but still have some residual ickiness from being sick so long. My suggestion is to start sewing with something simple and quick, or maybe finish a project that you can enjoy. Or, if you feel like it, go out for a little fabric therapy and then come home and enjoy some sewing therapy.  I hope you are feeling better very soon. Take it easy and take care of yourself first. |
User: toadusew
Member since: 01-08-2005 Total posts: 369 |
From: grandma C
Date: 01-20-2007, 06:50 PM (12 of 14)
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My personal experience leads me to make this recomendation. Retail therepy would depress me more being stretched for cash these days. I would: find a buddy to walk or exercise with. (I choose Curves) Help someone by providing a listening ear or get more involved in giving of myself Like cleaning or washing dishes or providing some need no matter how insignificant it is. (Don't over extend your ability or time though). Find a friend that sews and see if they will provide the push you need to get the dreaded project out of the way. Yes, I to would ditch all the unfinished old projects if you can afford to. (I have let things lay around for years because I just can't make myself take care of them and then thrown them out.) That storage space is worth money. Set aside a few minuts a day to sew but don't do anymore than that for a week or two. Put lots of light in your sewing room and Kitchen. This is my current strategy. I will begin it Monday. I hope you find the key to feeling better. Grandma C |
User: grandma C
Member since: 01-15-2007 Total posts: 263 |
From: Mom of Six
Date: 01-20-2007, 07:04 PM (13 of 14)
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If you need more light I recomend the daylight energy saver bulbs. They are the new flouresent corkscrew type bulbs & the daylight ones mimic sunlight. I put them in my sewing room & love them.
Barb
Happiness is having time to sew!! |
User: Mom of Six
Member since: 11-03-2001 Total posts: 1115 
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From: grandma C
Date: 01-21-2007, 01:44 PM (14 of 14)
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Blackie, I told you I was going to follow my own advice. well, my DH put a white Shoplight over my sewing table and what a difference it made in my desire to sew. (Sounds tacky but actually looks good in my white sewing room). I finished shirring a shirt I made for my 6 year old gd and am ready to tackle finishing the jacket That just needs bias trim to be finished. I WILL! go to curves in the AM and mail the finished outfit to the gd. Perhaps allowing yourself the luxury of TLC, and not feeling guilty about it, would help., Grandma C |
User: grandma C
Member since: 01-15-2007 Total posts: 263 |
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