Monday 15 February 2016

I learn the hard way, if I learn at all

I'm still plugging away with these stripy circles and in fact the pace of the whole project is being dictated by the speed at which I can get the basic units done, which is to say it's slow!  At least I have one good sized chunk actually sewn together now and am starting to look at the next one.  

Those of you who followed the last quilt will remember that I whinged a lot about being bored while I made my basic 9-patch units: well I'm reaching the same sort of point now, which is to say I really like how it looks, don't so much like making the bits.  This leads  me to wonder why, for the second time in a row, I have chosen to make something in this way ie with lots of repetitions of a simple unit. I keep trying to think of ways to switch things up a bit, just to divert myself, but nothing remotely feasible has occurred to me yet.  Short attention span? Me?  I'm not so sure I'm keen on this quilty self-knowledge; I prefer the idea that I am endlessly patient, but there you go.

Anyhow, this is the floor right now:


Yet again, need to make more circles!

24 comments:

Libby in TN said...

Same thing happens in traditional quilts that are composed of just one or two blocks. I think that's one reason I have so many UFOs. Got bored, saw something else shiny .... One way to avoid boredom is to mix up fabrics in the blocks -- but you're doing that already. Do you work on more than one thing at a time? Alternating could help.

Skootchover said...

I do the same thing. When I get to that point I try to convince myself that pushing through the repetition will make me more patient and a better quilter. (Or make me a more careless one because I rush to get done.) I do hope you can keep going with this one. It is really striking, and I enjoy watching your progress.

Cut&Alter said...

I know I am not patient enough but it's looking so gorgeous that it is well worth the work, the 'boredom', the repetition!

Janie said...

You can do it! Don't entertain negative self talk.
Sometimes breaking things up a bit, like a walk outside or a
phone call or work out at the gym, helps.
It's looking good, really!

Mary Marcotte said...

This is one reason that I'm afraid to commit to a whole quilt, or in this case, a whole year of the same block. I'm frantically trying to get as many done as possible before I burn out, because when I decide I'm done, I'm really done! There's no convincing myself to continue with whatever the problem might be. That generally means a smaller quilt or a UFO. Have you considered making much larger circles and then cutting into the blocks?

liniecat said...

I'm the same, think that's why I like really scrappy quilts, they can be much less organised, or controlled maybe.
My next batch of circles are going to be a mix of sizes and styles I think lol
I truly love yours though Kaja, its looking superb : )

Cathy said...

And that's why I have so many UFOs - short attention span (when it comes to quilty things) and I despise repetition (hence at the same job for 29 years that doesn't have a bit of it).

I get frustrated when I have too many quilts lined up for hand quilting or hand work because I never feel like anything gets accomplished and I want to move on to the next. So, I balance out projects...some in the hand quilting queue, some blocks ready for that boring, repetitive sewing into a block top phase, some in the easy block stage, some in the complex block stage, some in the mindless scrap sewing stage, and a crochet project on the side. So, with a balance of things going I can work on whatever suits me at the time. I hate the cutting fabric and sewing into top phase so I cut as I go not a whole project at once and I sew just a few rows of a top together at a time, let it set for a week, sew a few more, let it set a week, etc. Then I reward myself with something I think is fun work.

I love what you have going there...the colors, the stripes, the circles and those lovely color words printed on fabric.

Stephie said...

It looks fantastic! How about playing with reversing some of the circles - stripy backgrounds, plain circle maybe printed with a word (colour?). You wouldn't have to use them, but it might give you some renewed energy. You've inspired me to make some very small circles for Quilty365 anyway - although I've only done one so far, I can feel more brewing!

Shelina (formerly known as Shasta) said...

I am sure there will be plenty of times you will feel this way throughout the year, but then there will be other times when you can't wait to do more on this quilt. There is variety in your blocks, and in your layout. I make sure that I use another quilt to help motivate me with the one that is lagging behind, sort of leaders and enders sort f thing.

liniecat said...

Of course there's no reason it has to be a big quilt top is there?
It could be a smaller throw size with matching pillow? lol

Marly said...

I think we've all been there! Repetition is boring! Maybe a change to another project would help: something small so it doesn't distract for too long, or, as liniecat above suggested, just change the final size of this one.

audrey said...

Tedium is often the phase of implementation. It's totally normal and mostly unavoidable. You 'see' the quilt in your mind, but the works still gotta be done.:) We're rooting for you! Your work is fabulous and deserves to be seen!

Dolores said...

Just work on it one unit at a time and before you know it, it'll be the size you want and you'll be all finished. It's very pretty.

apiecefullife said...

Ahh repetition... That's what I love about quilting. Letting my mind wander about in the cupboards of inspiration.

jeanne hewell-chambers said...

I love seeing repetition, I just don't especially like doing repetition.

Doris Perlhuhn said...

I´m always enchanted by this colorful and harmonic piece ...

Soma @ inkTorrents.com said...

You have so many beautiful hand sewing projects going on, you can alternate between them to avoid boredom. That's what I do. This one is so beautiful, I hope you continue to work on it.

-Soma

Rachel said...

It's coming along great! I find having several projects to switch between helps relieve some of the "am I done yet" feeling. Of course then I get a good sized in progress list, so there's that. ;P Good luck!

Nancy said...

I am with you on the boredom and tedium of stitching circles. I can just hardly stand to sew them. But your quilt! Your quilt is gorgeous! Can you listen to books on cd, or podcasts, or watch movies, or do anything else while you stitch that might help with the boredom? (I really can't but maybe you can?) Bored or not, I hope you keep going till you finish this quilt!
Nancy. (ndmessier @ aol.com, joyforgrace.blogspot.com)

Béa said...

Your circles project is absolutely fantastic ! I have different projects for 2016 but all are with applique circles ...

Béa said...

Your circles project is absolutely fantastic ! I have different projects for 2016 but all are with applique circles ...

Ruth said...

It does look really good though and worth the effort!

LA Paylor said...

stunning, mix of line, and scale. Great color. I want it!
Leeanna

JanineMarie said...

Just keep coming back here and let us cheer you on when you get tired of it all. We'll try to keep you going because this is going to be sensational.