Hello Quilty Friends!
Happy Thursday!
I’m sitting here thinking that I’m long overdue for some quality time with my sewing machine. Of course, my recent knee replacement has put a lot of things on hold for the last 7 weeks, but every day I’m doing more and more. Just last week, I gingerly tackled the 13 steps from the first floor of the house to the basement, where my dungeon quilting studio lives. Piece of cake! Now I feel like I can take on the world!
Sewing and quilting — here I come! I even fired up my machine for a little sewing R&R. How about that? I’ve got SO many things I want to make, but now I’m wondering where to start??? In a way, you could say I’ve been in a kind of sewing slump. Maybe you can relate?
So, I started thinking about things that would motivate me back into quilting and sewing. And I thought I’d share my list with you. Please note that I added lots of fun links in this post.
1. Get Your Sewing Machine Serviced
This may seem like a no-brainer, but I bet a lot of you haven’t done this for a long time. There’s nothing like getting your machine back and it”s bright and shiny just like when you first bought it. You really should get your machine serviced at least every couple years, but if you are a heavy sewist/quilter, every year is better. Have you ever seen how much fuzz thread makes when you sew? Where do you think it goes — right down into your machine. This fuzz can harm your machine if it isn’t removed regularly.
2. Organize, Clean, and Purge Your Sewing Space
Put things away. Donate what you don’t want. Dust. Clean. Fold your fabrics neatly. Purge your stuff and only keep what you need and really want. Channel your own inner Marie Kondo….
Get the book that started it all!
Or maybe this one’s more your style:
3. Rearrange Your Sewing Space
After you’re done organizing, cleaning, and purging your sewing area, try rearranging it to give it a fresh look and maybe make it function more efficiently for your needs. You might need to recruit helpers to move large or heavy items around.
A great book to help you make your dream space into a reality!
4. Upgrade your Sewing Space
Maybe some new paint, flooring, a new rug? Or a really amazing sewing table. What would really motivate you to spend more time in your space?
Look at this cool country rug I found! It looks like a quilt!
5. Visit Your Local Quilt Shops or Go on a Shop Hop
Sometimes finding a new fabric or fat quarter bundle or set of Charm Squares can inspire you to get back to sewing and quilting. I also just find walking in the door of my 2 local shops to be inspiring! All the colors, fabrics, samples, precuts, and chaos really speaks to me.
Have you ever tried a Shop Hop? If you’re not sure what a Shop Hop is, let me tell you about it. A Shop Hop is a group of quilt shops usually in one area (but it could also be an online shop hop with shops all over). The participating shops choose a time frame. You may need to get a special Shop Hop passport to participate. There are usually special sales, snacks, and prizes! A Shop Hop is also a great way to do something really fun with your best quilting friends, which is inspiring all by itself.
6. Buy a New Book or Pattern
While you’re at the quilt shop, pick up a new book or pattern that you find exciting and inspiring. Maybe something that just came out and you’ve never seen before….
I bought this one right when it came out. It’s got some great projects AND you can even use your stash. Get the book HERE.
7. Buy Yourself a New Gadget, Ruler, Notion, or Even Something Silly
This is similar to buying a new book or pattern, but a bit different too. Maybe making a Double Wedding Ring quilt is on your bucket list. What are you waiting for? It’s time to buy a set of templates and just get started. Maybe you can sign up to take a class at your local shop?
Or maybe you’re dying to get one of those adorable little retro PINK drink fridges on Amazon for your sewing space so you don’t have to keep running to the kitchen? Go for it!
8. Fill in Your VRD Rose Card Collection
You know you want to…..how many Rose Cards do you have? How many do you need to complete your collection? WAHOO! Villa Rosa just hit the over 600 Rose Cards in print (or digital of you prefer), so you’d better get cracking.
You can order physical Rose Cards HERE or digital download Rose Cards HERE.
9. Organize Your Rose Cards
I know we’ll talked about storing and organizing your Rose Cards before. If you haven’t done that yet, let me tell you that it is a very satisfying process. I LOVE seeing my Rose Cards all happily nestled in their plastic storage boxes (like recipe boxes) in perfect order alphabetical order. Things are starting to get a little tight in my 3 boxes, so I’m thinking it’s time to add a 4th box and spread them out a little bit.My boxes are all clear, but now they come in fun colors!
Get yours HERE.
Haven’t organized your cards yet? Then feel free to check out these posts for ideas:
Squeezing in More Quilting Time and Rose Card Storage
My Go-To VRD Rose Card Quilt Patterns and My VRD Rose Card Storage Update
10. Schedule Sewing Time with Your Bestie
I really like the peace and quiet of working by myself, but there is nothing as awesome as having a sewing day (or even a week end) with your quilting buds. You could all work on your own projects, or for a lot more fun — choose a project that you all can make, using your own fabrics. You’ll be amazed at how different your projects look when they are finished, even though you all used the same pattern.
11. Go on a Quilting Retreat
A quilting retreat is a lot like sewing with your bestie, only on a bigger scale. I used to love going on week end retreats, but I found I didn’t sleep well in a different bed. So, these days, daytime retreats would be more my style so I can sleep nights in my own bed.
12. Host a Fabric and/or a UFO Exchange
Looking to freshen up your stash without breaking the bank? Why don’t you organize a UFO or fabric exchange with a group of friends or even your quilt guild. It takes a little organizing and some simple rules — for example, you must take home as many items as you bring. But what fun everyone will have!
13. Start With a Small Project — Pillow, Doll Quilt, Wall Quilt, Table Runner, Place Mats, Etc.
Most folks don’t want to jump into a big project when they’ve taken a bit of a hiatus from quilting. Try something small!. We have great table runner patterns and really fun accessory patterns, too. You might be wondering what accessories are because it’s kind of an ambiguous word. Well, our VRD accessory patterns include aprons, pillows, bags, scarves, purse essentials and more.
Find all our table runners HERE
Find all our accessory patterns HERE.
14. Make Something for Someone Else
Sometimes, you just need to make something for someone else to find your quilting groove again. You could make a quilt for a loved one or a friend or even a favorite pet. You could also put your quilting skills (and maybe quilt stash) to work to help a charitable organization. There are literally tons of organizations who would be delighted to receive a quilt from you that they can gift to someone or perhaps raffle off to raise funds for a specific project.
Here is a list of charities to get you started. I know there are a lot more, so if you don’t see your favorite organization, please give us the information by leaving a comment on this post. Thank you.
Well, that’s it for me today. I’m going to try to sneak off to my quilting studio and spend some quality time with my sewing machine….
Until next week —
Sew. Laugh. Repeat.
Always,
Tricia
Villa Rosa Quilts 
I am glad you are moving along with your new knee. Broke my ankle last year so I get some of the struggle. Now, on to the meat of this post – so many great ideas, Tricia! One of the things I am doing is taking my fabric stash and grouping some things with a card I may want to use with it. Its nice to have that decisions made and get right to the next step of cutting!
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Thanks Kathleen, I had fun brainstorming ideas and finding charities that accept quilts, too. Boy, am I more motivated after writing that post.
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