10 Tips to BOOST Your SewJo [Quilt Talk Podcast Episode 25]

[@florencemcowen5526]

I heard on another KZbin channel that if you clean up your sewing room after every project, you'll be inspired and ready to start your next project. So that's what I've been doing and it works out great

[@joyfulandmerryquilting]

I absolutely agree! I just can't work in a messy space. I make mistakes, lose things, and enjoy quilting so much more when my surroundings are organized. Thanks for watching!

[@amadeus4313]

A clean space definitely inspires me.

[@angiewarren6045]

Mary, you are right! The project I’m supposed to be working on is just so tedious and time consuming. I make excuse after excuse and never make it upstairs to continue working on it. I will try some of your tips to get back to work. This is for my granddaughter so it’s worth it finish it!

[@joyfulandmerryquilting]

I know exactly what you're saying. We know we need to finish it...we know it's important...we know we chose it for a reason...but sometimes we just need a break! Hopefully inserting a "give-me-a-break" project will help! Good lucK and thanks for watching!

[@SirDrillAlot21]

This video couldn’t pop up on my timeline at any better time thank you for helping me with my sewjo 😊❤

[@joyfulandmerryquilting]

I'm so glad it was helpful! I hope everything works out for you and you're back to sewing very soon! Thank you for watching!

[@suzannesirotiak3635]

I have definitely lost my see-Joe so this video was just right for me. Thanks for sharing. Love your channel Suzanne from Minnesota

[@joyfulandmerryquilting]

Thank you so much Suzanne! I hope it helps you! Thank you for watching AND for commenting!

[@jacquelinebalon8141]

Thank you Mary. Great suggestions

[@joyfulandmerryquilting]

You are so welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@Auntie7024]

Great tips, Mary! Scheduling time for ourselves is very important and we need to strive to remember that. Have a joyful day. ❤😊

[@joyfulandmerryquilting]

Thank you! I hope you have a joyful day as well! Thanks for watching!

[@bjsmith1575]

Thank you thank I am getting my SEWJO back!!!

[@joyfulandmerryquilting]

I am SO VERY HAPPY for you!!!! Thanks so much for sharing - and I'm always here to give you a "pick-me-up" if needed!

[@barbolson8768]

Hi Mary, I was the one who suggested this topic. You've got some great ideas that I need to try. I am working on a quilt that I've become bored with so I will take your suggestion and put it aside. Again, thank you for your time putting this video together. I hope to start quilting again real soon.

[@joyfulandmerryquilting]

I hope this helps! I know that there are so many reasons why we stop...but hopefully it's only for a time and possibly one of these suggestions will help you get back in the groove! Thanks so much for suggesting the topic and thank you for watching!

[@michelesalazar2045]

Your right about a mess sewing room. I often have to stop and straighten up before I get going.

[@joyfulandmerryquilting]

Yes - I just can't work when things are disorganized. I spend too much time hunting down what I need and making room for what I'm working on. It's so much easier when things are organized! Thanks for watching and thank you for your comment!

[@joycem4961]

Mary, on the seam ripper video - use tape or a lint roller right after the seam ripper, it will pull all the thread up, out, & off the fabric all at once - nothing left to clean up. Using the sewing machine foot to hold the other end of the fabric taut is genius. Slack in the fabric is when I accidently put holes in my fabric.

[@joyfulandmerryquilting]

Thanks for your kind words. I don't use tape or a lint roller simply because for me, it is easy to just swipe the little "beehive end" along the seam and then scoop up and throw away the threads that come off and I don't have the sheets or tape to throw away or replace. Just personal preference.

[@user-iw7uv8lm3n]

I had to smile. I have "A Ribbon Runs Through It" also. I have cut out all of the blocks and just haven't gotten started. Time to take it out and look at it again!

[@joyfulandmerryquilting]

It's really a beautiful quilt...but I want to give it the time it deserves. Some day! :-) Good luck to you!

[@LauraHendrick-ul4vc]

Great suggestions. Definitely agree about cleaning up. I have a small space and if I don’t keep it in order, I lose my sewjo

[@joyfulandmerryquilting]

Me too! I absolutely agree. Thanks for sharing and thanks for watching!

[@suecone2198]

I think that making an appointment for sewing is a great idea and one I am going to put into practice! Yes I do have some patterns and fabric I want and need to sew into a finished project. Thnks

[@joyfulandmerryquilting]

I absolutely agree! It has been really is helpful for me as well!

[@cindyvanhoy4006]

Tip #10 is my favorite, too…Every Saturday I make an appointment to work on the Project Linus Mystery Quilt Challenge! It is uninterrupted sewing time and something I look forward to.😊💖

[@joyfulandmerryquilting]

I really find that it helps me to know there's always going to be a moment or two scheduled where I WILL be able to sew! I'm glad you have found that to be important as well! Thanks so much for watching!

[@user-ym3fh1ep1c]

Great suggestions. Thank you.

[@joyfulandmerryquilting]

You are so welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@ProjectLinusHQ]

I make a list of projects, it helps keep me going. That way I don't forget what I have and what I want to work on.

[@joyfulandmerryquilting]

Great suggestion! I need to do that also! Thanks Patty!

[@pooie0116]

Thanks for the great tips, Mary! Like you, I'm usually a one-project-at-a-time type of gal, but after recently suffering "Post Project Depression" (like postpartum, but with a large project) and subsequent 6-month stall out, I finally gave myself permission to just start cutting my precious fabrics and assembling quilt kits for projects I definitely want to do. By the time I got to my 3rd or 4th kit, I was so excited to start actually sewing again, I could hardly contain myself. Relative to #3 (Stop & Go) - I've also started giving myself permission to take a break from my current big project every once in a while and work on something else, and since I now have several ready-to-sew quilt kits at the ready, I've made it super easy for myself to do some relatively mindless sewing on one of those until I want to resume with the current project. I've also started finally using elements of one of my ancillary scrap quilt kits as "leaders & enders" (talk about mindless, plus I'll eventually end up with enough of those blocks for a whole quilt without actively "working" on them!).

[@joyfulandmerryquilting]

All GREAT GREAT tips! Thank you so much for sharing! I will definitely add those to my list! Thank you!

[@sjnewmexico10]

Gracias...wondering if u have preferences and tips on batting....planning on buying a roll but like ur thoughts!

[@joyfulandmerryquilting]

I always use a cotton batting or a cotton/poly blend. I usually buy Hobbs 80/20 Heirloom Watch for my Tuesday Tip - I do talk a little about batting on my Oct 31st video and plan to have an entire tips video on batting in a few months. There's a lot to talk about and many things to consider. Thank you for the suggestion!

[@sjnewmexico10]

thanks so much----batting is for charity, comfort quilts including Linus!

[@marilynstorey8813]

I have so much fabric that I recently went through it all and sorted by colors or theme. I labeled each bin. I use the shallow bins and fold my fabric so that when I take the lid off, I can see everything in that bin. I thought of patterns that I have and pulled the fabric so I have projects in waiting. I just can't seem to sew fast enough!

[@joyfulandmerryquilting]

BRAVO!!! I'm here to applaud you for your efforts - how inspirational! Thanks for sharing!