Where Did My Sewing Mojo Go?

This is my poor neglected sewing table. It has not seen much action in a while. I don't know why, but I just have not felt like sewing lately. I've tried making lists of the projects I need to work on and itemizing the actions that need to be taken in order to complete them. Nothing works. I just don't feel like sewing lately.

I've been a bit distracted this week because my teeth hurt from my new clear aligners, but I didn't do a darn thing last week either. Except read. I seem to always be able to do that.

Has that ever happened to you? Have you ever just lost the desire to sew? Our weather has been nice, which means it is pleasant to sit outside with a book, which I have been doing. But otherwise, I have just been so idle. And believe me, aside from sewing, I have a number of household projects that need my attention, but I've lost interest in doing those too.

I have bags of books to donate to the library, or sell on Pango. I am going to turn Eva's bedroom at our house into a guest room, which she can continue to use when she comes over, but all her old toys and books need to be packed up so we can put the room to better use. And there is always housework: floors to be swept and washed, laundry to do, dusting and vacuuming, bathrooms to clean. I just have no impetus to do any of it. 

Have you ever been in the sewing doldrums? Tell us how long your dry patch lasted and how you snapped out of it. Wish me luck that I recover soon! 

 

 

Comments

[Joan]

The same thing is happening here! We just moved and I have lots of cleaning and organizing that someone needs to do, but I've just been sitting on the couch reading books.
I set up my sewing machine and sewed two blocks and just can't get back at it. I think we need to give ourselves grace to accept that we might need to rest and recover from all we've been through. I just hope I don't feel so unmotivated all summer!

[Anita]

My first thought when I was reading this post was, “I wonder what her weather is like.” Don’t be so hard on yourself. Enjoy the weather, reading outside, accomplishing chores. Sounds like you are busy. Think of how much fun you will have creating and sewing when all of your chores and projects are done, and you can sew and create without worrying about what else you should be doing. My sewing mojo took a break recently while I dealt with life. It is now back, and I am reveling in my time in my happy place.

[Margaret]

You know, I’ve lost my sewing mojo occasionally, too, and when I do, I always remind myself that I quilt for enjoyment. I don’t want to feel obligated to do it - that takes the fun out of it. So when I have a spell of not wanting to quilt, I just do other things. I’ve found that picking up a different craft has helped, too. But whatever is going on, I hope you continue to take advantage of reading outdoors. Right now I feel like you’re so lucky to have that opportunity. . . I’m in a section of the US covered by wildfire smoke from Canada and we’re being told to stay indoors. (There’s nothing like being told to stay inside that makes me want to go out and pull weeds.)

[Jane]

I have lost mine too-not even interested in buying much fabric! But it is summer and I like to be outside, tending to my flowers and vegetable gardening, and reading lots outside too! It happens this time of year for me and it always returns. Sometimes I make myself sit down and just sew something for 15 minutes just for fun. This winter when Iowa is bitterly cold I’ll be sewing away!!

[CarolE]

Sometimes for me when something personal in my life changes, I might get a little sad and stop sewing for a little bit, but it doesn't last long. Just get lost in some really good books on your porch and enjoy yourself. Your summer picnic quilt is just beautiful. I also tried your salmon bowl recipe and it was delicious! Thank you for the recipe.

[Bonnie Thompson]

Ditto, ditto, ditto! Trying to gear up to wash windows today…because I’ve not felt like it for the past few weeks (since it stopped raining here). Wish me shiny glass and lovely views for a few hours.

[JaneR]

Oh, yeah…my sewing mojo wanes every Spring and picks up sometime in the early Fall. Living in a cold winter climate, I love to be outside when the weather warms to do other hobbies…gardening, hiking, biking…it’s just too nice to be indoors. Sometimes I set up my featherweight on the patio and sew, just to get something done on my long list of projects. I used to feel guilty about not sewing, but now I just go with what my head and heart tell me what’s is keeping me happy and healthy.

[T Holzer]

Yep, I lost mine and it was for 4 years! For me, it was because I had taken on a custom quilt and then my brain went to "i HAVE to make this" instead of "I GET to make this." Last month I was dreading working on Eldon so I gave myself permission to put it away for now and work on something lighter and easier and I know that I'll pick back up on Eldon when my brain can handle it. Are you loving the projects that you are working on? Or are you "having" to work on them for some psychological reason?? Have a great day and what do you get to do with it?? Take care!

[Erin]

I think most of us have gone through times like that for whatever reason. It helped me to look at simple patterns I really liked. And then I decided to just cut the fabric. Before I knew it, I was sewing. I'd still rather read or sew than do housework. I try to make a bargain with myself; if I do one truly necessary task, then I get to do something I just want to do. You'll get there at some point.

[Jan]

I read the comments above with interest. Give yourself permission to not sew if you aren't feeling it. I'm recently coming off almost a year of low-interest in anything sewing related. I skipped the last 3 retreats & didn't miss going! I actually had a friend ask if 'something else' was wrong? Nope. Finally, I signed up & went to a 2-day collage quilt class in April. It was as if a switch was flipped back on! Something new & small finally reignited my sewing mojo & I'm back to enjoying it!

[Carol]

Wow, but you are getting sew much done! Don’t be too hard on yourself. I had quite a dry spell over the spring. Absolutely nothing was getting done. You read, but I was doing puzzles on my iPad lol. I almost thought I was going to have a major depression. I just didn’t even want to get up in the morning, which is not like me at all. Time and some better weather seems to have cured me. Be patient with yourself— you do a lot— maybe reading is just what is needed this summer. It’s a fast paced society and I just don’t think this is the way it’s supposed to be. Xoxo

[Nancy B]

It's reassuring to see so many people who have lost their mojo for something at one time or another. Including me. There are so many reasons. Grief can be a big piece, maybe lurking around in the background. Obligation I would think is a big one - especially when it comes to keeping up a blog like this that supposedly focuses on your sewing accomplishments. And you are so kind to respond personally to people. I don't see that in too many blogs I follow. I haven't done any quilting in almost 18 months. I have however launched into complicated needlepoint and of course reading. How we spend our time should entirely be on what makes you content. You and only you. And as far as cleaning goes, the older I get, the less I want to do. I live and sometimes it's ok to lower your standards in lieu of more meaningful activities.

[Lisa D.]

I'm having the same issue with my sewing mojo. I really want to start a new, fresh project, but I've started 2 with tests blocks of each and felt blah about both of them. I want a project that I can't wait to work on every morning! I hope you enjoy your nice weather and reading until your next project reveals itself.

[Carolyn McIntosh]

Your blog is very inspiring for me…your seasonal decorating, your book reviews, your recipe posts. I cared for and then lost my dad the year before your journey with your dad. Losing first my husband and then my dad at age 77 meant needing to pack up a life of 55 years in one state and move to be closer to my grown children and Grands in another state. Buy a downsized house and set up a new life solo…nice to be near family but they’re too busy to be every day companions so needed to make friends. Four days after moving in, went to local quilt guild meeting and it felt like home yet I’m not sewing either. However my machine sits like a sentinel reminding me that those projects waiting in the newly minted laundry room/quilt studio will be there. I’m holding on to the idea that when there are lots of life changes, mojo will eventually come back!

[Gloria]

We recently downsized, after 40 1/2 years in the same house and I can't find my mojo! I don't have my sewing room organized or fabric put away. Each day I think I will get something done in that room but it remains the same day after day! Maybe today!

[Debbie R]

Do what you want to do. If you feel like reading, great, enjoy it. Your sewing mojo is probably just taking a break. I'm sure it will return -- probably in the form of shiny new project! Your "you" time should be for you and what you want to do. No guilt. Just go for it.

[Jocelyn Thurston]

BTW, Endearments is such a beautiful little quilt.
And good luck with your alignments...it will be worth it in the end. Our smile is important. My interest in machine stitching certainly wanes at times. I have hand stitching...embroidery and cross stitch to fill in for those times. Perhaps those are hobbies you might consider. Enjoy your Sunday and summer weather!

[Sandra Clarke]

Your quilts are beautiful & the number of completed quilts inspires people like me to get busy, so I say you deserve time off!! I will ask my friend who does a lot more quilting than me the names of the places she gets 108” backing.. Enjoy your summer!!