I am the queen of procrastination. I can think of a million reasons why I don't need to prepare a backing and quilt a quilt. Last night I finally ran out of excuses. I quilted this one very simply on my mid arm quilting machine, 50 minutes.
I even got it trimmed ready for binding.
So as long as I was on a roll, I hand basted this small quilt so I could quilt it on my regular sewing machine.
I got the quilting all done on the dark zig zags but haven't decided on the thread for the light ones.
All of this was done in a little over 2 hours, so why does it take me months to decide it is the right day to quilt?
I find with me it's a mental block when it comes to the quilting portion. There seems to be a bit of fear, what if I ruin this quilt, but once I get started I'm fine, things flow and I wonder what was all that about.
By the way what kind of thread did you use on the dark zig zags, it's lovely.
Good morning, I love those two quilts - it's truly amazing how you can get two completely different quilts from the same block combination. I like the variegated thread you're using; sometimes it's hard for me to visualize how it will look on a quilt before I use it, but by then I'm committed. Have a quilty day!
I love the piecing part of making a quilt - and if I know how what type of quilting pattern I am using that is fun too...but deciding on a quilting pattern is hard for me.
Love your variegated thread. I, too, procrastinate at the end. I love the designing, choosing colours, fabrics and seeing it take shape. Once it exists, well, isn't it time to make a new top?! I'm learning, slowly, to enjoy finishing the quilts so I can enjoy seeing my work out of the closet. Thanks for sharing. Have you ever used water soluble thread for basting?
Wanda - One word I would NEVER use to describe you is "procrastinator"! But we each see weaknesses in ourselves.
However, when I'm mentally or emotionally STUCK, stuck, a friend suggested to me, "Just do one thing." That usually carries me on to more. The activity itself leads me on. Thanks for the lovely photos. 8-))
both of the quilts that you showed are lovely!! I like the color threads you have chosen as well. I know what you mean though about putting things off - looks like you were on a roll yesterday. Karen http://karensquilting.com/blog/
I can't believe all that only took you 2 hours. How closely do you hand baste for machine quilting? I have a friend who sprays, but I don't like to use the spray if I can do it differently. It's a job I don't like to do though--finishing the quilts. It must feel good to have that done. It's very pretty, by the way--both quilts.
I have the same thing going on over here. I think you just have to be psyched up to do it. When you get yourself to that just right spot, it is easy. I've found that if I make myself do something before I'm ready, it usually doesn't turn out that well. That's my story and I'm sticking to it!
I'm the same... somehow it doesn't feel as creative as piecing, and that attitude needs to change. The stitching is also art - like drawing. I get right annoyed with myself for putting things off!
Seeing that pic of you trimming there reminds me that I bought one of those new Edge rulers in 4"x37" to use for exactly that LONG stretch of cutting. And I love it!
I'd think you'd only need one of those Edge rulers to keep the cutter blade sharp, and I find myself reaching for this long ruler more than I even thot I would.
I struggle with this too! You would think that owning a longarm I would be all about the quilting but my quilts are always the last to get done. If you need any help with excesses for not getting your quilts done let me know I have a whole list I can share. LOL!
Instead of procratination I call it mulling it over. Sometimes I just have to think about something a while before I can make the decision to move forward. "Mulling it over" at least seems like I am still in the creative process with the piece.
I have to admit, I'm glad I'm not the only one who experiences this. Sometimes, it's thread choice, other times, it's quilting design that stumps me. And still others, I put tops aside while I try and figure out whether it needs a border. You're certainly not alone, whatever the reasons!
You quilted that in 50 minute? Amazing -- and gorgeous. I think sometimes that the longer we leave something, the harder it seems and yet, when we finally get to it, it's not the hurdle we seem to think it will be.
I understand procrastination! Well, I really don't understand it, but I do it, too, not so much with my sewing, though, because all my projects HAVE to be done by a certain time! But, house work, hooboy do I ever procrastinate there! Your work is beautiful. I always love your color choices!
Wanda, my pet - if YOU are the queen of procrastination, then I must be the supreme sister of SLACKER-DOM! NO one finishes as much as you do! You are just killin' me!!! Love the finishing, BTW xox
Perhaps this has to do with an inner awareness, an inner force. Farmers plant their crops according to the farmer's almanac. Full moons and new moons seem to affect all kinds of things. When it is time to quilt something we just know it. And then it just happens. But you are definitely not a procrastinator!
Hi Wanda, Glad you survived that crazy wind! It knocked out a bunch of traffic lights in town and I had to 4-way-stop my way home last night (when a traffic light is out we have to treat it as a 4 way stop).
I wouldn't call you a procrastinator, either. I, on the other hand, am the Queen of Overthinking. I'm trying to turn myself into a "just do it" person. Take care. Vicky F
I know that I do much of the same thing about certain things in quilting. I finished a quilt about three weeks ago but it still needs a label. I really need to finish it so it can go to its rightful owners. I am not sure what the hold up is but one day soon I will get it done and out of my house. Love your finished quilts and the quilting on them. As always truly beautiful pieces that are rich with exuberant color. Regards, Anna
I agree with Elaine. I would NEVER think of you as a procrastinator. I know a very few people who start a project and finish it before they start another. That's not me!
Wow! You are a super quilter. But I agree, when it comes to the actual quilting it is something I seem to put off for quite awhile. I have one now that is all pinned and ready to go - and that's been for two months now!
I know exactly how you feel about layering up quilts. It all takes no time at all, and it's so satisfying to have a finish, but it's my least favourite part of the process, and gets left, and left!
I find with me it's a mental block when it comes to the quilting portion. There seems to be a bit of fear, what if I ruin this quilt, but once I get started I'm fine, things flow and I wonder what was all that about.
ReplyDeleteBy the way what kind of thread did you use on the dark zig zags, it's lovely.
Good morning, I love those two quilts - it's truly amazing how you can get two completely different quilts from the same block combination. I like the variegated thread you're using; sometimes it's hard for me to visualize how it will look on a quilt before I use it, but by then I'm committed. Have a quilty day!
ReplyDeleteLimda
I think you are probably the least procrastinating quilter I know of. The amount of work you produce is amazing!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Vicki and maybe that piecing is quicker gratification and less permanent.
ReplyDeleteI love the piecing part of making a quilt - and if I know how what type of quilting pattern I am using that is fun too...but deciding on a quilting pattern is hard for me.
ReplyDeleteLove your variegated thread. I, too, procrastinate at the end. I love the designing, choosing colours, fabrics and seeing it take shape. Once it exists, well, isn't it time to make a new top?! I'm learning, slowly, to enjoy finishing the quilts so I can enjoy seeing my work out of the closet. Thanks for sharing. Have you ever used water soluble thread for basting?
ReplyDeleteWanda - One word I would NEVER use to describe you is "procrastinator"! But we each see weaknesses in ourselves.
ReplyDeleteHowever, when I'm mentally or emotionally STUCK, stuck, a friend suggested to me, "Just do one thing." That usually carries me on to more. The activity itself leads me on. Thanks for the lovely photos. 8-))
both of the quilts that you showed are lovely!! I like the color threads you have chosen as well. I know what you mean though about putting things off - looks like you were on a roll yesterday.
ReplyDeleteKaren
http://karensquilting.com/blog/
I believe that everything has a rhythm and a time. Things just work out the way they do at the time that they do.
ReplyDeleteI have had 2 shirts that needed some dye painting. After 6 months I finally decided to do them yesterday. 20 minutes. It only took 20 minutes!
ReplyDeleteGood question! I am the same way. They both look wonderful now.
ReplyDeleteFor a 'procrastinator'... you accomplish more than 10 ladies do in a month which you do in a week.
ReplyDeleteYou have to be 'in the mood' to do certain creative steps in your quilt making.
Lovely work, and all completed in 2 hours ! I could not accomplish that much in 2 days.
J~MT
I can't believe all that only took you 2 hours. How closely do you hand baste for machine quilting? I have a friend who sprays, but I don't like to use the spray if I can do it differently. It's a job I don't like to do though--finishing the quilts. It must feel good to have that done.
ReplyDeleteIt's very pretty, by the way--both quilts.
I have the same thing going on over here. I think you just have to be psyched up to do it. When you get yourself to that just right spot, it is easy. I've found that if I make myself do something before I'm ready, it usually doesn't turn out that well. That's my story and I'm sticking to it!
ReplyDeleteI'm the same... somehow it doesn't feel as creative as piecing, and that attitude needs to change. The stitching is also art - like drawing. I get right annoyed with myself for putting things off!
ReplyDeleteSeeing that pic of you trimming there reminds me that I bought one of those new Edge rulers in 4"x37" to use for exactly that LONG stretch of cutting. And I love it!
ReplyDeleteI'd think you'd only need one of those Edge rulers to keep the cutter blade sharp, and I find myself reaching for this long ruler more than I even thot I would.
I struggle with this too! You would think that owning a longarm I would be all about the quilting but my quilts are always the last to get done. If you need any help with excesses for not getting your quilts done let me know I have a whole list I can share. LOL!
ReplyDeleteThat seems to be how most things in life are.........they seem so undoable ....... until we do them !
ReplyDeleteI am crazy about the little zigzag quilt ~!!~
Instead of procratination I call it mulling it over. Sometimes I just have to think about something a while before I can make the decision to move forward. "Mulling it over" at least seems like I am still in the creative process with the piece.
ReplyDeleteI have to admit, I'm glad I'm not the only one who experiences this. Sometimes, it's thread choice, other times, it's quilting design that stumps me. And still others, I put tops aside while I try and figure out whether it needs a border. You're certainly not alone, whatever the reasons!
ReplyDeleteYou quilted that in 50 minute? Amazing -- and gorgeous. I think sometimes that the longer we leave something, the harder it seems and yet, when we finally get to it, it's not the hurdle we seem to think it will be.
ReplyDeleteI understand procrastination! Well, I really don't understand it, but I do it, too, not so much with my sewing, though, because all my projects HAVE to be done by a certain time! But, house work, hooboy do I ever procrastinate there!
ReplyDeleteYour work is beautiful. I always love your color choices!
Wanda, my pet - if YOU are the queen of procrastination, then I must be the supreme sister of SLACKER-DOM! NO one finishes as much as you do! You are just killin' me!!!
ReplyDeleteLove the finishing, BTW
xox
Perhaps this has to do with an inner awareness, an inner force. Farmers plant their crops according to the farmer's almanac. Full moons and new moons seem to affect all kinds of things. When it is time to quilt something we just know it. And then it just happens. But you are definitely not a procrastinator!
ReplyDeleteHi Wanda,
ReplyDeleteGlad you survived that crazy wind! It knocked out a bunch of traffic lights in town and I had to 4-way-stop my way home last night (when a traffic light is out we have to treat it as a 4 way stop).
I wouldn't call you a procrastinator, either. I, on the other hand, am the Queen of Overthinking. I'm trying to turn myself into a "just do it" person.
Take care.
Vicky F
I know that I do much of the same thing about certain things in quilting. I finished a quilt about three weeks ago but it still needs a label. I really need to finish it so it can go to its rightful owners. I am not sure what the hold up is but one day soon I will get it done and out of my house.
ReplyDeleteLove your finished quilts and the quilting on them. As always truly beautiful pieces that are rich with exuberant color.
Regards,
Anna
I agree with Elaine. I would NEVER think of you as a procrastinator. I know a very few people who start a project and finish it before they start another. That's not me!
ReplyDeleteWow! You are a super quilter. But I agree, when it comes to the actual quilting it is something I seem to put off for quite awhile. I have one now that is all pinned and ready to go - and that's been for two months now!
ReplyDeleteI know exactly how you feel about layering up quilts. It all takes no time at all, and it's so satisfying to have a finish, but it's my least favourite part of the process, and gets left, and left!
ReplyDelete