I'm a failed retired retiree. In my prior professional life, a coworker told me what his prior office did. On the last week of the year, they had a "moldy fig" meeting. Every attorney got to bring one moldy fig file that the attorney had a mental block on/couldn't stand opposing counsel or client/etc. and would trade it for another lawyer's moldy fig. Sometimes a fresh look was enough to break the logjam and get things back on track.
Really enjoyed the video so I subscribed. Really like the idea of framing the blocks. Thanks for taking the time to address the challenges we run into sometimes. It is hard to admit defeat but it lifts a lot off your shoulders. I just did this last month, offered up blocks to my quilt guild for a QAYG project. The lady who took them had never done it before and quickly found videos on RU-vid and was very happy to be learning and doing it.The finished quilt will go to charity. Win/Win. Thanks.
The 2021 FQS Designer Mystery: I'm finally working on this, having just finished the 12 blocks. Then I saw the finishing pattern and AM NOT going to make 480 flying geese! I considered boxing it up and kicking it into the darkest corner of the attic to rot in the dark. Instead, I've selected another, more simplified block, in the same size to finish. I'm not going to participate in any other mystery BOMs.
I ended up with a couple “rescue” quilts this year. They were $3, $10 and one free from yard sales and another source. One was cut out but not pieced. Two were badly pieced and I had to enlist my friend Jack to help me fix them. It was fun to finish the quilts and find homes for them. One went to a charity that provides quilts to foster kids. One is going to my great nephew born a month ago. I’m still looking for the right home for the last one. There is a lot of joy in fixing broken things so that they can live a new life.
Hi Shelley! What great finds!! I never seem to find anything at yard sales where I live. My quilt guild donates at least 30 quilts a year to the Sophia house for abused women and children. She is such a special lady. I feel so good when we go see her. She has changed a lot of lives.
I had a small foundation paper pieced watercolor project that I started many years ago. It was so frustrating that I stopped working on it. I kept thinking about throwing it away, but this year I got it out for a UFO challenge. I realized that the directions had errors and that my FPP skills back then weren’t advanced enough for that project. Now that I have better skills and the confidence to ignore directions and do what I know is correct, I was able to finish the project. I think time is the answer. We eventually develop the skills or gain the time we need to complete a project, or we feel ready to let a project go.
I should have let that Halloween quilt-along go a few years back! I didn't and it gave me nightmares. I know it wasn't perfect, but it did finally get done. Would I do another one? No way! Thank you for saying it's okay sometimes to just let go or change things up to make our lives easier.
I’m glad you gave yourself permission to let go or make due. You are the boss of your quilt, changing the layout is great. What a wonderful viewer who completed that top for you; she is a blessing. Have a blessed week!
No more sew-a-longs and ESPECIALLY no mystery quilts for me. BOM’s in LQS always end up with a bunch of blocks in colors I hate and the guilt of wasted time and money.
Thanks for bringing this topic to the wider world. IMO there shouldn’t be guilt in quilting. As we’re often “trained” to blindly follow the instructions you’re offering a great reminder that creativity isn’t about rules. Thanks!
Love what you did with that second quilt. Great fabric/color choices. Still very pretty. I particularly like this type of video, i.e. discussing a problem and how to fix it.
Loved how u end up finishing the quilt .. it was really pretty❤️ That was so sweet of Stephanie.. she seems like such a sweet genuine person.. love quilting people, I think they r some of the nicest people😂😂❤️
All of the designer mysteries I’ve done with FQS have had settings that were more work than the blocks . They need to send you parts of it to do each month or the last 6 months . My friends feel the same way
I that would be lovely. This time around - for 2023, I’m working on the setting a little bit each month!! Thankfully, they do send the finishing kit early in the process, but I’d love to have it worked into the monthly package!!
Kind of reminds me of those "how to draw" instructions I used to see in kids' magazines. They show a few circles or ovals, step by step, then jump to a fully completed picture with shading and everything. 😂
Maybe I'm miss understanding but I feel like it's a money grab move to make you purchase the layout for the blocks after spending the money every month. Glad you came up with a way to use those beautiful blocks! 😁
Love this! I am not a pattern follower, so I have a tough time trying to do BOMs. I always change something. I usually just sew, incorporating any "mistakes" until I'm happy with the results. 😊 I love seeing your work. It is stunning!
I am so inspired by your genuine, true reaction to things thank you for giving us all permission to deviate from a pattern or change stuff if we’re in the jam or we just don’t remember how to do it. The quilt that you came up with is beautiful and I think it’s so wonderful of the other lady helping you finish that so long one. Quilters are the best friends that we have.
Good info. I love how you remind us it's OK to say no, to a previous yes. It's OK to change things to what we need to do.... because reasons. I think sometimes we need reminding of that.
That definitely happens. I have three projects collecting dust right now. The layout on two has held me back. I've recently decided to make my own layout for them. Since i started longarming for others, I have very limited time to sew for myself. I'm much more selective now.
I really adore how much credit and adoration you gave to Stephanie. I’m sure her hand was extended with no expectations, and it must have been a warm hug to her soul that you appreciated it so much.
OMG I really needed this "talk," I am working on a quilt that is really testing me...thanks I needed to hear it is ok not to follow the pattern but try something else.
This wasn't a sew along but I really was inspired to make the Boo pattern in this year's Spooky box and I made one but wanted an actual quilt so I'm making a second one and adding sashing and a larger border and I'm so excited to see the finished product! The creative deviations are the best part because you get excited to see your creations come to life!
I got involved in the Enchanted Garden applique quilt. Well it is still in the packages. No one who offered the kit did any videos so I was on my own. When I saw all the small pieces and the directions I gave up. Lucky I never cut anything so I still have the fabric which is batiks, not my favorite.
Are you going to try to tackle the Enchanted Garden quilt, or is it time to repurpose the fabric to a new project? I love applique - but, I've never really done it, so I'd be a little intimidated!
I am stuck on that Bliss quilt as well. All those flying geese to make…I also have to finish some blocks. I have the 2022 Designer Mystery Blocks all done but the finishing design they suggest makes a quilt way to big for me to want to make. I have the finishing kit so am trying to find a layout for those blocks.
Good morning Becca. I've done the same thing and not purchased enough fabric or the finishing kit😮 Twice I've been able to locate out of print fabric on Etsy. I had the manufacturer and name on the selvage so I searched it and was able to locate. Saved ! 👍
Although I understand and agree somewhat, I’m on a budget. If I spend all the money on it I have to finish it. I’m trying to teach the kids follow through and not wasting money. I feel if I give it up then I am setting up a bad example
I get that - and to help curb feeling like I’m giving up - I’ve leaned into only buying when I KNOW I’m going to do the project. For a little while, I felt like I was buying faster than I could sew. This lets me stay on a pace that works for me.
@@sewbecca it’s good advice. I’ve been trying to do that also. This time of year can be difficult because it seems there’s good deal and new projects popping up all the time. I’ve also been trying not to go online when I’m feeling bored so I don’t shop good ideas or future projects. It’s hard because of FOMO and guilt, like you said and Karen says.
Thank you Becca. I felt frustrated too. I Ioved the monthly Bliss blocks and COMPLETED them proudly each month. THEN the final layout shut me completely down. I even quit the subscription. The blocks are all in Nantucket. I was so looking forward to a completed quilt in that fabric. The blocks are still on my design wall. Thought I'd just sash between them and add a border. Now I'm gonna try what you did on the designer quilt. Gonna badabing badaboom! Thank you.
I was going to make my niece a quilt many years ago. I bought the fabric and had a pattern. I got half through the project and I hated the quilt!! I hated it so much that I threw it away! Did I feel remorse doing it- NO; was I upset for paying so much on the fabric and then tossing it-NO. Do I still do this- not too often now- I joined a quilt and when a project doesn’t go the way I would like - I donated it to the fabric.
Thanks for sharing and I do love your tutorials. I've saved all of them. Between you and Tiffany I save everything. TeresaLouise too. Oh a❤and not to forget Ian as well.
I’m definitely using that bankruptcy card! Still haven’t started the setting for the 2022 Designer Mystery. I can’t bear to look at it anymore. 😢 I’m keeping up with this year’s Designer Mystery, but after this one, no more mystery quilts or BOMs.
Hi becca! I was surprised but very happy to see you on Karens Members Only!...im a long time member,..since 2021..first time on her LiveMembersOnly. Struggling to recover from 2021LifeAlteringTrauma so "chatting "with folks became very difficult for me. Still is..i feel like i sound too chatty, TMI or and "nobody wants to hear that" but i do it anyway cuz it heals me and someone else may understand. .....thanks for this. As a newbie, this video is imperative to hear, and incorporate into our journey. It IS ok to walk away. Thanks!!!!
