Sunday, January 22, 2017

Changing Focus

I seem to be struggling with my sewing more and more these days. I really think that it's because I'm distracted with everything else that's going on. Between family health issues and wishing the world were a kinder place, I'm feeling pretty stressed. It's so hard to focus and be creative when your mind is filled with clutter.

I don't know if it's the fabrics or the vision in my head, but something isn't translating as well as I'd hoped. I spend more time asking myself questions than I do sewing.  Do I need to eliminate the black? Do the little birds help or hurt? Should I forget about a treadle and make the sewing machine large enough to fill the block by itself? How and where can I add those great little details that bring things to life with this design?



Thank goodness, the appliques are either pinned or so lightly fused that any of them can easily be moved or removed. I've changed up some of the fabrics and I've rearranged blocks somewhat, but I don't know if I'm making it better or worse. I'm trying too hard, and that never works. I need to put it all aside for awhile and move on to other things. 

A bit of early spring cleaning might be just the thing. My house needs to be organized from top to bottom. A lot of somethings have to go. The kitchen will be the starting point. After all, how many pots and pans do I really need? I'll move on to closets from there, and take it one space at a time. Maybe sorting through my house will help to clean the excess clutter out of my head as well.

















6 comments:

  1. Keep the treadle, the black should stay. However, I think you should save the birds for another project. Love the "My Space" just as it is. Either the word "measure" is in too large a font size, or it needs to move away from the "My Space." Totally "get" possibly putting it away for a week or two. I'm about ready to do that with a kit I started and put down many times during the course of a year! Good luck with taking a cleaning/organizing break! Dixie Moore

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    1. Thanks, Dixie. I really appreciate your comments and your friendship.

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    2. I agree with Dixie, keep the treadle and remove the birds. I like the top picture. Sometimes we do have to leave our project for awhile and sleep on it. I get some of my best answers after I've slept on it. What brings you pleasure when you sew?

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    3. Thank you for your thoughts, Anonynous. I'm afraid need to set this quilt aside for at least a couple of weeks. First, I love the actual process of sewing. I enjoy taking my time, making the work as perfect as I can, and adding those finishing details that make a piece of work special and unique. What do you enjoy? I think I'll swipe this question for my Facebook page. :)

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  2. I like the second layout best. lol Just can't please us all and it is your creation. I usually love the birds but maybe it's where they are sitting this time. I love the treadle, the colors, the words. It is going to be great and it's YOUR creation. Need to take a break and when you come back, it'll all pull together. I like where you are going!! Now you just need to make it filled with baskets of scraps and, voila, you have MY space. Breathe in, breathe out! It's all good!!

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    1. Thank you so much, Rosemary. Your encouragement is truly appreciated.

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