I got over a HUGE hump this week with my cross-stitching. I’m sure those of you who have put aside a project because something was wrong with it can relate. I tried to pick up this project several times but just couldn’t get it to work. Then the project just sat…and sat…and sat.
The project I’m talking about is my Garden Club from Blackbird Designs. I started this as my new year, new start. I got stuck on this block.
I’ve told you before that these are older charts. The dye lots have changed since the charts were printed. When stitching a leaf or something that has side-by-side colors, oftentimes the two colors blend so much that I can’t see the difference in the colors.
Check out the picture below. You can see the middle leaf and the lower leaf don’t have much contrast. You can see the other leaves have contrast. I stitched the two more solid-colored leaves first and then was so frustrated. There was no contrast. I finally picked a different color that is DMC 832. It was used in one of the other blocks in the chart. That’s the contrasting color in the three leaves.
This chart also stalled out as I had to restitch the border twice. I was a stitch off, and it wasn’t lined up right. Placement of some of the motifs is slightly off, but I’ve figured out I’m just going with it and will have a little redesign. HA!!
I finally figured out a way forward after it has been in time-out for so long. I am hoping to finish this block next week…barring any other mishaps.
The other piece I stitched on was another new start in January that I likely shouldn’t have started. But, here I am, so I’d better stick with it. This is also by Blackbird Designs. It’s the first block I am stitching of the For the Birds series. I was smarter with this start and started in the bottom right like I prefer to do.
I am stitching this one as part of the Blackbird Academy Stitch Along. For September, we were to stitch on something with a bird. Honestly, I would be pressed to find a Blackbird Designs chart that didn’t have a bird.
I know it doesn’t look like much, but I stitched some, and mostly, I got a WIP out that I haven’t worked on for a while, and I worked on it. Sometimes, that is half the battle.
I’ve been in a stitching slump. It’s getting some better…but still, a slump. I think I finally figured out what the reason might be. I have so many big pieces. All of them are a LONG way from being finished. Most of them are just started, like this piece. It’s such a daunting task to pull them out and see that the few stitches I’ll be putting in are barely going to make a dent. When I pick up a piece that is halfway done, it’s easier to have motivation to keep working on it to get a finish. Somehow, I need to get far enough along on a project that pushes me to finish it. I think once I get the block done on the Garden Club series, I might be far enough along on it to push towards a finish. It was my new year, new start, and I really would like to get finished this year if I could. I have five blocks after this one…Maybe I could do it!! In the meantime, I do want to stitch on a few other things so that when the Garden Club is finished, I’m not back in the same slump.
So stitching friends, do you have any thoughts on really getting out of my slump? I really feel like I’m doing a lot better, but I’d like to really jump in again. I’ve definitely gotten back to my sewing self. Now I just need to get back to my stitching self.
I don’t necessarily have a slump. I think my problem is I leave seasonal things to do during that season. For instance, I leave my Christmas ornaments until late August or Early September and then I get so tired of making them that I just want it over with. I should really start after Christmas for the following year but I see so many new ornies come out…well…you probably know the story. ;-)
And as for unfinished patterns – I still have that one SAL that I haven’t finished – it’s probably over 5 years old – at least. My daughter says she’ll finish it after I pass… we’ll see! LOL!
Love and prayers
I cross over from quilting and stitching daily….I just do whatever calls to me on a certain day. Sometimes both so I split my time between them both. With a bit of chores thrown in the morning lol. Sometimes, one doesn’t call to be for a few days or even weeks. And that’s ok. The process and not the finish is my happy spot! Do what makes you happy at any particular moment!
I don’t cross stitch, but I embroider and I quilt. I found myself with a serious case of add for a while. Little bits of progress on too many things. I finally told myself just pick one and just work on that! I did work on other things, but having one main focus helped a lot.
I found I needed to switch off to something simple that I could finish in a short period of time. Seeing something actually completed gave me the boot to tackle the bigger projects. Good luck!!
Jo, I don’t know if you’ve ever followed Anna Bates from Stitch Roadies. She found something about doing “one red thread” ( or color of you choice) a day. What you do is basically work your piece daily, stitching with one piece of floss. This has been working for her and she says it’s surprising how much progress can be made.
My best suggestion for your slump is start and finish a small. The finish will recharge you. Just 1. No WIP worries….
I have a bunch of UFOs and it’s true that picking them up after a long hiatus is mentally challenging. My recent approach has been to pick a symbol and start stitching without spending so much time debating what to stitch next. Progressing is progress.
I have some WIPs (only a couple) that I really need to work on. My issue is that I only have good stitching light in my sewing room and my sewing room is for sewing! Of course I do most everything in that room – pay bills, devotions, etc., so I just don’t get out my stitching. If you have a solution, I’d like to hear it.
For Kate, there are so many great lights out there you can have good light in any room in the house. Amazon carries them and Michaels. Lots of places and lots are reasonable price. Hugs,