I really don't know why but I don't like to commit myself to making anything for another person. I gift a lot of them after they are made. I just get anxious about committing a quilt before it's made. I would NEVER tell someone that I am making one for them. It just seems like if I make a decision to do so it then becomes a chore, not something I do for enjoyment. I'm also just convinced that if anything could go wrong it would such as running out of a very important fabric and not being able to get any more, or something bad happening in the quilting stage and not noticed until done or almost done and it's too horrifying looking to give to the dog. I know, it's insane thinking. So you're not alone. These may not be the same reasons for you but I'm sure it bothers you a lot.

A couple of years ago a friend asked me to make a quilt from his late husband’s shirts. I worked really hard coming up with a design (which I was very happy with) but procrastinated for a long time before starting to cut. I think it was fear of messing up the cutting of fabrics (shirts) that were one of a kind.

Now I’m working on a kit and the pieced sashing, large corner units and borders are all in one package. I think I’ve sorted the different size pieces into the correct sections, but I sure am afraid to start cutting!

Donna

There is something about that first cut! Once done, it is full steam ahead. Mostly!

Theresa

I make a special (my own design) kind of baby quilt for family members. I have three to do (all the babies have been born) and I’ve been stalling for ages. One is all but finished, the other two all cut out, but I just can’t make myself pick up a needle.

Theresa, I'm in the midst of that same conundrum right now. I have the washed fabric. I spent more time looking for coordinating fabrics than I've ever spent on another quilt. I've made a sample block which went really well. I just can't get motivated to start. I think it may be that I'm not 100% sold on my fabric choices, but it's too late to change that now. I've spent a fortune on them.

You know, writing about this caused me to take the fabrics out and look at them again. I think the problem might be that the background fabric I chose is too dark. There just isn't enough contrast between the background and the other fabrics. Finding the right background would be hard now with the LQSs closed. I don't know it I could do it on-line. I'll have to give this some more thought. I guess I won't be starting it any time soon.

So, I have made the first cut! But maybe I had better change my blade. Second cut! My finger. Trying to separate two blades, it slipped and I have a lovely slice in my first finger and it is bleeding quite a bit. Now I have to wait for that to stop.

Be careful with those blades!!

Theresa

Oh, Theresa. I hope things go better moving forward.

I hope the cut isnt too bad, Theresa...I cut my left index finger a year or so ago.
I have experienced that "starting procrastination" anxiety before as well. I think my problem lies in projects people ask me to do that I'm not particularly happy about doing. Because I sew, everyone has a pair of pants they want hemmed, or lengthened, or holes in pants to patch, zippers to fix, etc. Or they ask for a quilt & start telling me EXACTLY what they want. When I dont have creative license, the project is "work" and I already have a "work" job. lol.

Cut bled quite heavily for about five minutes, down to an occasional trickle now.

But I went back at it and now have all the cutting done. 11 yards with lots of different sizes.

Feels good To get that part over. Hope to start the sewing tomorrow.

Thanks for your good wishes but again, take care when changing blades or even using your cutter. They are SHARP!

Theresa

Theresa, I'm always so scared of those blades when I change them out. I've started using one of those magnets that you use when canning, it picks up the lids and has a handle.