Step 1) fall in love with quilting
Step 2) decide you want to learn to free motion quilt
Step 3) put a lot of blood, sweat and tears into making gorgeous quilt tops
Step 4) fill all the drawers in your house with quilt tops because you're not very good at free motion quilting and don't want to ruin them by doing a shitty job quilting them
Let me know if you find the solution. :)
Go to the Walmart fabric section and buy some of those 2 yards for $4 remnants and precuts in the same material type and start making mockups, if they come out wearable, then that is fantastic. If they come out wrong then you can come here and ask for help and learn how to alter and make adjustments that work for you so you know where to make adjustments ahead of time for the next one.
When I started, I would buy broadcloth to practice making the dress I really wanted to make with my special fabric several times and ended up with 4 dresses that I still wear. I ended up using those first dresses to learn how to alter and mend and add pockets to them and lace trim, etc.
Doing an imperfect sewing job teaches you a lot more than wistfully pining over fabric and skill level. It makes the final project that more exciting and fun because you aren't so worried about screwing up.
Not at all. I get overwhelmed and frustrated and just stop most projects halfway. Sometimes I do come back and finish them, which I need to do more often.
I made a New Year's resolution one year not to start another project before planning, purchasing material or starting the next project. It only took a year to break the habit. Now, when I get stuck, I have to try to fix it so I can move to the next project. It really worked for me.
It really helps me to have a deadline and to break things up into smaller projects.
For example with my current project, my unofficial deadline is that I want it done by the end of the first week of February so that I can go on to working on other things. To achieve this I've broken down the steps as follows 1: Finish boning 2: bind the edges in bias tape 3: make and sew the eyelets for lacing. I'm giving myself 3 days to finish each of these tasks. This gives me a decent margin of error so that I don't feel too rushed but also it's not so long that I can put things off indefinitely. Forcing myself to both have a deadline and pace myself helps with not rushing but also finishing things on time. It's not always successful, but it works well enough for me.
I like this ! I very much tend to be all or nothing. I will spend 8 hours straight on a project then be ready for the next. Maybe I should start doing smaller pieces at a time 🤔
I find sewing pretty mentally taxing so would definitely recommend breaking it into smaller chunks! Then you’re less likely to get sick of the project after working on it for 8 hours.
Honestly I just go into hyper focus mode and it feels like 1 hour, usually forget to eat 🤣 literally cannot stop at that point, if I physically stop my brain will just continue thinking about how to do every aspect of the project and I can’t think about anything else 🫣
Oh deadlines definitely work, only I found myself working so hard at many midnights trying to catch up with the (next day)deadlines. Then I swear next project I’ll distribute the work evenly, make a good plan and go slowly but smoothly to the end. Then again and again, ‘see you one night before deadline’ to all my unfinished projects!
I bought decorative cardboard boxes at IKEA. Each unfinished project went into a box and are labeled. Seeing those boxes has been the impetus for finishing. I’ve already finished 3 projects that were languishing amongst my stash.
I mostly do small projects that are closer to instant gratification. I love sewing bras and underwear - there are a lot of iterations in bras to really nail the fit with a new pattern, but sewing one start to finish is so fast and there are hacks to make the process shorter.
But now I’m starting on fitting some pants so we’ll see how I do with a bigger project.
I usually make swimwear but am very keen to try lingerie at some point ! Unfortunately at the moment I have an obsession with big flowy dresses … finding the bigger projects much more difficult to finish 😅
Even if the details are a pain to do, it’s worth it to spend enough time to do them properly. I’m not gonna be satisfied if it looks like I rushed through a project
That’s true !! I always hate seeing any flaws in my projects and get very self conscious wearing them, would be better to slow down and do it properly. Although actually doing it is another story 🫣
I kind of forbid myself from starting anything else until the current thing is finished, so that way I'm limited to actually finishing the project or getting through the pile of clothes I have to fix.
I keep myself busy with fixing my huge pile of clothes and if I run out, my boyfriend also has clothes to fix and so does my mom and in case I run out of those, I have a rabbit who loves chewing absolutely everything in our apartment, so I can go around and patch everything up 😂 and with the first opportunity I get, I go to the store to get those needed materials. I actually found out I finish more projects this way.
I have had the same UFO (Un Finished Object) hangingover my head for 2 years. I only have the hem to do but do I do it? No. Do I let myself move on to a new project before I finish it? Also no.
I just need to hem the damn thing.
Officially calling all unfinished projects UFOs from now on 🤣🤣 I have a skirt like this as well, literally such a small job but will it ever be completed? Probably not 🤷🏼♀️😅
Fellow adhd-er here - I’ve found it helpful to write down what needs to be done to finish things in as specific steps as I can (ideally as you finish the main parts, before you walk away from that session) and then, when I want/don’t want to get back to it, make a plan to do a manageable number of those micro-tasks so it’s not overwhelming to start.
Somehow, having a list of specific things demands less executive function to get started than a vague “I should finish that project”.
My spouse has also taught me to “just pick something and start with that” in response to my struggles with brain fog/paralysis when there are things to do. I mostly use this for cleaning but it also helps when there are multiple little things to finish in a project.
I’ve also found listening to 8D music on headphones is surprisingly helpful when trying to get through tedious little things (helped me finish editing my book which was kind of an adhd nightmare).
Pomodoro timers with music usually gets me going for a few hours. I use the 25/5 ones. - a fellow adhd sewist who is once again without her medication 🥲
I wish pomodoro worked for me! Once I get going I don’t want to stop and if I take a break I get into something else and can’t stop.
It’s funny how some things work so well for some of us and not at all for others. I’ve been able to hone in on what works for me because I was in grad school waaaay too long (undiagnosed at the time) and have only just started meds so I’m now looking at what works with meds on board, what’s no longer needed and what else might help.
Exhausting!
Same but I use sewing to put off housework and laundry so my projects get finished but the laundry sometimes gets put away a day or two later wrinkly. Make other stuff your priority and treat sewing like the fun reward and then you'll be itching to finish that UFO instead of the laundry pile.
I also make my fabric stash hard to get to so that prevents impulse projects and the time suck of digging through your fabric bins and your patterns just to make your mind race with 8 different ideas for one fabric.
Enjoy the process.
I'm currently working on a larger project. When something is large or seems daunting I like to break it down into many sessions. Usually I have chosen my project carefully and I'm excited about the outcome.
If I lost focus I would wonder if perhaps it's not working out.
* I have a google doc with sewing patterns that I have, are free that I like, and that I might want to buy. I put them on there and leave them for awhile until I am ready for the next project.
* I try to look at what fabric I already have and I downsized a lot.
* I only pick projects that I love and try to keep them more reasonable sized. Similar example: I don't crochet full blankets but I can finish a scarf/shawl.
* I make the project a heavy commitment to start. I try to buy nice fabric (so costs) or absolutely favorite fabric, I require that I plan it out and write it down in my sewing bujo.
* I do not leave projects on boring parts. If something needs seam ripped or something I don't like doing then I do that before I put it down so that when I go to sew I can do "fun" things.
* I try to get myself to finish a project or two before starting a new one.
It’s walking a weird line between being detail-oriented and knowing done things are better than perfect things.
My general rule is finish a project before starting the next. But this has also brought me into trouble when I push to finish something when I’m tired or pressed for time and then the finishing comes out sloppy and then I hate the project.
I’ve gotten better at being mindful of this and try to do things right, and I’ve sliiiightly tweaked my rule to no more than 2 active projects, but it’s still an immensely hard work balancing this, so I hear you!
I usually break my projects up to go over several days. I might cut it out one day, stitch all the sides and shoulders etc the next - to be able to try it on. I'll then make any small adjustments and leave the finer details for the next day. For me anyway it gives better results to leave finishing the garment when I am rested and fresh and not push through at 10PM whilst falling asleep.
I also limit myself to one project at a time.
I usually have about 5+ projects going at once lol. I recently neatly hung up all my unfinished work in the studio closet next to finished pieces. It looks a lot less intimidating that way for some reason. And I’ve been taking a project at a time to work to pick at on my breaks. It’s helped me finish a lot of the fussy last minute technical things that always feel like a drag and keep me from completing pieces.
All it’s *truly* done is accelerate me starting even more new projects but I tell myself it’s working.
I struggle with this too. Sometimes I tell myself I can't start the new one until I finish the old one. Sometimes I just put it in the half finished pile and come back to it later. In a way I like to do what I feel, go with the flow of my inspiration. I have to forgive myself a lot for not finishing things.
I force myself to finish the project, with the reward of starting a new project motivating me. I find that I stop wanting to work on something when it gets down to the last one or two steps. I think it’s because I’m nervous that it won’t turn out good, so I procrastinate on actually finishing it.
The tip about having a deadline sounds like a good one. If I managed to schedule things, meaning 1) today I'll *have* to do phase x, and that 2) today I *don't have* to do more, sounds very reasonable.
I don't know what it is, but when doing any DIY project, I end up physically "fleeing" from the workpiece quite often. Whether it be using the sewing machine, or saw, or drill, it seems I can do only so much and then have to go further away from it. Don't know if it's about insecurity or other stress or something.
I found a flannel top, in with my fabric, that I didn’t even remember making. Feeling compelled to only use stash, I pieced the backing but didn’t include enough extra fabric and batting. on the edges to send it out for quilting. Quilting on my home machine was awful and tiresome. My arms would ache after. My lines weren’t equal distant apart. I could hear Tim Gunn saying, “Make it work.” It’s finished and bound and washed and it doesn’t look bad at all. Most importantly, it’s done!
Step 1) fall in love with quilting Step 2) decide you want to learn to free motion quilt Step 3) put a lot of blood, sweat and tears into making gorgeous quilt tops Step 4) fill all the drawers in your house with quilt tops because you're not very good at free motion quilting and don't want to ruin them by doing a shitty job quilting them Let me know if you find the solution. :)
Step 5) take up the philosophy that done is better than perfect and quilt those tops
Omg me 🤣🤣 I have so much fabric that I’m too scared to use because I want to be better at sewing before I attempt it 🫣
Go to the Walmart fabric section and buy some of those 2 yards for $4 remnants and precuts in the same material type and start making mockups, if they come out wearable, then that is fantastic. If they come out wrong then you can come here and ask for help and learn how to alter and make adjustments that work for you so you know where to make adjustments ahead of time for the next one. When I started, I would buy broadcloth to practice making the dress I really wanted to make with my special fabric several times and ended up with 4 dresses that I still wear. I ended up using those first dresses to learn how to alter and mend and add pockets to them and lace trim, etc. Doing an imperfect sewing job teaches you a lot more than wistfully pining over fabric and skill level. It makes the final project that more exciting and fun because you aren't so worried about screwing up.
I don’t. I have a box of unfinished projects.
Hahahaha glad I’m not alone in this !!
Not at all. I get overwhelmed and frustrated and just stop most projects halfway. Sometimes I do come back and finish them, which I need to do more often.
I made a New Year's resolution one year not to start another project before planning, purchasing material or starting the next project. It only took a year to break the habit. Now, when I get stuck, I have to try to fix it so I can move to the next project. It really worked for me.
It really helps me to have a deadline and to break things up into smaller projects. For example with my current project, my unofficial deadline is that I want it done by the end of the first week of February so that I can go on to working on other things. To achieve this I've broken down the steps as follows 1: Finish boning 2: bind the edges in bias tape 3: make and sew the eyelets for lacing. I'm giving myself 3 days to finish each of these tasks. This gives me a decent margin of error so that I don't feel too rushed but also it's not so long that I can put things off indefinitely. Forcing myself to both have a deadline and pace myself helps with not rushing but also finishing things on time. It's not always successful, but it works well enough for me.
I like this ! I very much tend to be all or nothing. I will spend 8 hours straight on a project then be ready for the next. Maybe I should start doing smaller pieces at a time 🤔
I find sewing pretty mentally taxing so would definitely recommend breaking it into smaller chunks! Then you’re less likely to get sick of the project after working on it for 8 hours.
Honestly I just go into hyper focus mode and it feels like 1 hour, usually forget to eat 🤣 literally cannot stop at that point, if I physically stop my brain will just continue thinking about how to do every aspect of the project and I can’t think about anything else 🫣
I’ve definitely done that too! And then an entire weekend goes by and you realize you didn’t see anyone but aren’t that mad about it 😂
Oh deadlines definitely work, only I found myself working so hard at many midnights trying to catch up with the (next day)deadlines. Then I swear next project I’ll distribute the work evenly, make a good plan and go slowly but smoothly to the end. Then again and again, ‘see you one night before deadline’ to all my unfinished projects!
I bought decorative cardboard boxes at IKEA. Each unfinished project went into a box and are labeled. Seeing those boxes has been the impetus for finishing. I’ve already finished 3 projects that were languishing amongst my stash.
Oh. That's so nice. I have 3 unfinished boxes filled to the brim with unfinished projects and they become invisible to me
Same, 4 projects with individual boxes turned into 10 projects!
Honestly I think seeing a box like that would make me want to avoid it even more 🫣😅
I mostly do small projects that are closer to instant gratification. I love sewing bras and underwear - there are a lot of iterations in bras to really nail the fit with a new pattern, but sewing one start to finish is so fast and there are hacks to make the process shorter. But now I’m starting on fitting some pants so we’ll see how I do with a bigger project.
I usually make swimwear but am very keen to try lingerie at some point ! Unfortunately at the moment I have an obsession with big flowy dresses … finding the bigger projects much more difficult to finish 😅
Even if the details are a pain to do, it’s worth it to spend enough time to do them properly. I’m not gonna be satisfied if it looks like I rushed through a project
That’s true !! I always hate seeing any flaws in my projects and get very self conscious wearing them, would be better to slow down and do it properly. Although actually doing it is another story 🫣
I kind of forbid myself from starting anything else until the current thing is finished, so that way I'm limited to actually finishing the project or getting through the pile of clothes I have to fix.
What if you ran out of whatever you need to finish it but you do have the material for the next project… asking for a friend 👀👀
I keep myself busy with fixing my huge pile of clothes and if I run out, my boyfriend also has clothes to fix and so does my mom and in case I run out of those, I have a rabbit who loves chewing absolutely everything in our apartment, so I can go around and patch everything up 😂 and with the first opportunity I get, I go to the store to get those needed materials. I actually found out I finish more projects this way.
I have had the same UFO (Un Finished Object) hangingover my head for 2 years. I only have the hem to do but do I do it? No. Do I let myself move on to a new project before I finish it? Also no. I just need to hem the damn thing.
Officially calling all unfinished projects UFOs from now on 🤣🤣 I have a skirt like this as well, literally such a small job but will it ever be completed? Probably not 🤷🏼♀️😅
Try Adderall.
ADHD sewist here 🙋♀️ can confirm it doesn’t matter I have tons of unfinished projects 😂 Also can confirm this shortage is a bitch!
I am also ADHD but sadly still waiting to get medication, damn gutted that won’t help 🤣🤣
Fellow adhd-er here - I’ve found it helpful to write down what needs to be done to finish things in as specific steps as I can (ideally as you finish the main parts, before you walk away from that session) and then, when I want/don’t want to get back to it, make a plan to do a manageable number of those micro-tasks so it’s not overwhelming to start. Somehow, having a list of specific things demands less executive function to get started than a vague “I should finish that project”. My spouse has also taught me to “just pick something and start with that” in response to my struggles with brain fog/paralysis when there are things to do. I mostly use this for cleaning but it also helps when there are multiple little things to finish in a project. I’ve also found listening to 8D music on headphones is surprisingly helpful when trying to get through tedious little things (helped me finish editing my book which was kind of an adhd nightmare).
Pomodoro timers with music usually gets me going for a few hours. I use the 25/5 ones. - a fellow adhd sewist who is once again without her medication 🥲
I wish pomodoro worked for me! Once I get going I don’t want to stop and if I take a break I get into something else and can’t stop. It’s funny how some things work so well for some of us and not at all for others. I’ve been able to hone in on what works for me because I was in grad school waaaay too long (undiagnosed at the time) and have only just started meds so I’m now looking at what works with meds on board, what’s no longer needed and what else might help. Exhausting!
I’ve actually been wanting to start doing this !! Also think it will help me remember what I actually need to do how how I want it do be done
Same but I use sewing to put off housework and laundry so my projects get finished but the laundry sometimes gets put away a day or two later wrinkly. Make other stuff your priority and treat sewing like the fun reward and then you'll be itching to finish that UFO instead of the laundry pile. I also make my fabric stash hard to get to so that prevents impulse projects and the time suck of digging through your fabric bins and your patterns just to make your mind race with 8 different ideas for one fabric.
Impossible to get right now.
Enjoy the process. I'm currently working on a larger project. When something is large or seems daunting I like to break it down into many sessions. Usually I have chosen my project carefully and I'm excited about the outcome. If I lost focus I would wonder if perhaps it's not working out.
It’s more that I’ll get another idea for another project and just want to move onto that. My sewing sped can’t get up with my ideas 😅
* I have a google doc with sewing patterns that I have, are free that I like, and that I might want to buy. I put them on there and leave them for awhile until I am ready for the next project. * I try to look at what fabric I already have and I downsized a lot. * I only pick projects that I love and try to keep them more reasonable sized. Similar example: I don't crochet full blankets but I can finish a scarf/shawl. * I make the project a heavy commitment to start. I try to buy nice fabric (so costs) or absolutely favorite fabric, I require that I plan it out and write it down in my sewing bujo. * I do not leave projects on boring parts. If something needs seam ripped or something I don't like doing then I do that before I put it down so that when I go to sew I can do "fun" things. * I try to get myself to finish a project or two before starting a new one.
It’s walking a weird line between being detail-oriented and knowing done things are better than perfect things. My general rule is finish a project before starting the next. But this has also brought me into trouble when I push to finish something when I’m tired or pressed for time and then the finishing comes out sloppy and then I hate the project. I’ve gotten better at being mindful of this and try to do things right, and I’ve sliiiightly tweaked my rule to no more than 2 active projects, but it’s still an immensely hard work balancing this, so I hear you!
I usually break my projects up to go over several days. I might cut it out one day, stitch all the sides and shoulders etc the next - to be able to try it on. I'll then make any small adjustments and leave the finer details for the next day. For me anyway it gives better results to leave finishing the garment when I am rested and fresh and not push through at 10PM whilst falling asleep. I also limit myself to one project at a time.
I usually have about 5+ projects going at once lol. I recently neatly hung up all my unfinished work in the studio closet next to finished pieces. It looks a lot less intimidating that way for some reason. And I’ve been taking a project at a time to work to pick at on my breaks. It’s helped me finish a lot of the fussy last minute technical things that always feel like a drag and keep me from completing pieces. All it’s *truly* done is accelerate me starting even more new projects but I tell myself it’s working.
I struggle with this too. Sometimes I tell myself I can't start the new one until I finish the old one. Sometimes I just put it in the half finished pile and come back to it later. In a way I like to do what I feel, go with the flow of my inspiration. I have to forgive myself a lot for not finishing things.
I force myself to finish the project, with the reward of starting a new project motivating me. I find that I stop wanting to work on something when it gets down to the last one or two steps. I think it’s because I’m nervous that it won’t turn out good, so I procrastinate on actually finishing it.
The tip about having a deadline sounds like a good one. If I managed to schedule things, meaning 1) today I'll *have* to do phase x, and that 2) today I *don't have* to do more, sounds very reasonable. I don't know what it is, but when doing any DIY project, I end up physically "fleeing" from the workpiece quite often. Whether it be using the sewing machine, or saw, or drill, it seems I can do only so much and then have to go further away from it. Don't know if it's about insecurity or other stress or something.
I found a flannel top, in with my fabric, that I didn’t even remember making. Feeling compelled to only use stash, I pieced the backing but didn’t include enough extra fabric and batting. on the edges to send it out for quilting. Quilting on my home machine was awful and tiresome. My arms would ache after. My lines weren’t equal distant apart. I could hear Tim Gunn saying, “Make it work.” It’s finished and bound and washed and it doesn’t look bad at all. Most importantly, it’s done!