Last week was tough and I didn’t make a lot of progress on customer quilts. I had a busy work/class schedule, and a couple days where my back decided I needed to rest. I don’t like days when I want to get a lot accomplished but the body says ‘ain’t gonna happen today girlfriend.’ 🙂 On top of the back issue, I’ve been fighting a toothache all weekend so it all feels like a double whammy. Hopefully I can get in to see my dentist today and he can take care of the problem.
In addition to the back thing, I had a severe case of what I call Quilter’s Block. You know, when you want/need to get a top quilted but have absolutely no idea how you’re going to quilt it? That was me with Cindy’s Radiant Log Cabin quilt.
A couple weeks before I was ready to load the quilt I started to sketch out some quilting ideas. I had a few, but nothing that really felt right. So I let it sit for a few days and then came back to it. Again, nothing. This happens occasionally, but usually doesn’t last very long. But this time was different. I had one idea but wasn’t comfortable calling it a quilting plan just yet. By this time, it was the next quilt in my queue so I loaded it on the frame. A lot of times when I don’t have a solid quilting plan something will come to mind as I load and baste the quilt on the machine. I was hoping the same thing would happen here.
Nada.
Nothing.
So it sat, loaded on the frame, ready for me to put in the first stitch. And still nothing. This was the worst case of quilter’s block I’ve ever had. Then I shared a pic of the top in a Facebook group of other longarmer’s asking for their input. They gave me some good ideas, but none of them felt right for this particular client and her quilt. Finally I got out some preview paper and got to work. The preview paper I use is like a clear vinyl that I can draw on using dry erase markers. it allows me to see what a design will look like on the quilt without having to actually stitch it. In the end, I went with my initial plan and guess what? It was the perfect choice all along. One of these days I’m going to learn to trust my gut!
So now I am in the middle of quilting this quilt and hope to have it finished this week. It’s been waiting to be finished for far too long. Have you every experienced quilters block, and if so, how do you break out of it?
Even though I struggled with Cindy’s quilt I was far more productive in my sewing room. I finished the last 12 scrappy Razzle Berry blocks so Yay! all 30 blocks are done! I also started on the sashing strips. I am making good progress on this project and am hopeful I can have the top together soon.
I also made myself a couple of masks using this pattern by Laundry Basket Quilts. A big shout out to Kate (Life in Pieces) for sharing the mask pattern. I like this pattern better than any other I’ve used. It’s goes together quickly and fits on my face well. The shape is comfortable for me to wear with my glasses and doesn’t fog them as badly as some of the others I’ve made.
That’s it for me for finishes last week. I hope to make more progress on Cindy’s quilt this week and finish the sashing pieces for Razzle Berry. What’s on your To Do list this week?
It’s your turn for you to share what has you excited to be in your sewing space this week. You can link up any blog post, Instagram or Flickr pic – here’s how:
I just submitted a post for a block of the month that sat for three years! Granted part of that was forgetfulness as much as indecision but there ya go. Still quilter’s block of a fashion.
I get quilter’s block all the time. I am not nearly so successful as you. The quilt sandwich sits for weeks, sometimes even months. Then suddenly, I just know! Funny isn’t it?
You still had a productive week. Hope you were able to get in at the dentist. Back pain is bad enough but add a tooth ache to it, I feel for you. I’m so excited to see all of your blocks put together.
Ugh — losing your quilting mojo is just no fun. Although, honestly is mojo and being blocked exactly the same… I suspect not. But very happy you are getting your groove back. Razzle Berry blocks are really fun looking. I hope you can make great progress on it again as I’m looking forward to seeing it put together.
Hooray for unblocking! I do hate when that happens but now I can’t wait to see it. Hooray for blocks and masks too. I need to make a few but doggy is going to the vet (unexpectedly) tomorrow and I need to finish up a little project for Thursday. So, end of the week for more masks!
Oh yes – I’ve had quilter’s block! Sometimes it comes to me after many days of thinking about the design, and sometimes I have an idea for half it, start quilting, and eventually the rest falls into place. It is definitely a frustrating state of mind!
I’m glad you sketched out your idea and found that it will work for the quilt. It can be tough deciding on where to head when not much direction is given!
I think that face mask pattern is the easiest mask I have made and fits the best too – I have made quite a few and keep a stack in the car for both of us so we always have one when we are out.
From what all of you say that machine quilt about selecting patterns for quilting I almost think it is easier for us hand quilters – I rarely have a problem figuring out how to quilt a quilt
I’ve not had quilter’s block when it comes to quilting, since I don’t do much quilting other than straight or wavy lines. I do get quilter’s block or lose my sewjo though. When that happens, I usually just make something little, like a pincushion, or just do some improv piecing. Eventually something kicks in, and I’m back to sewing again. Those scrappy blocks are so lively and pretty! Hope you get the toothache taken care of, as well as the back!
Boy, I hear you on this subject!Sometimes, I have no idea what to do on a quilt and hope that during the stitch in the ditch something will come to me. Right now, I have a quilt with black and white squares, each with a colored circle in it. Customer wants black thread in the black, white thread in the white, and a motif in each of the 250 circles with corresponding color thread. Yikes! I’m looking at numerous thread changes and hundreds of starts and stops. Good luck with your project! I’ll be with you in spirit.
Can’t wait to see what quilting you decided to use on the blue and yellow!!
Love the razzle berry blocks, so beautiful colors. I sometimes get stuck when trying to figure out how to set or what borders a quilt needs. I usually have to just wait till something works itself out in my head. Glad the mask pattern worked for you. I owe My Guy a couple of more masks from that pattern, he likes it better than my earlier attempts.
Love the razzle berry blocks, so beautiful colors. I sometimes get stuck when trying to figure out how to set or what borders a quilt needs. I usually have to just wait till something works itself out in my head. Glad the mask pattern worked for you. I owe My Guy a couple of more masks from that pattern, he likes it better than my earlier attempts.