Submitted by Christie Frey.
Sometimes the smallest thing can motivate. Recently I was taking a quilting class at Sisters Quilters Affair. The class was a Tula Pink Mystery class. At the start of class, Tula said “Some of you will get this quilt top completed in class today.” “Some of you” – the challenge was delivered, and my naturally competitive spirit kicked in…I want to be one of the “some.”
At about the 1:30 hour of class, an additional carrot for completion was added. One of the gals in the class was an employee at the Stitchin Post. She had several store samples of fabric wallets made up in Tula Pink fabric. She gave the 5 wallets to Tula with the comment, “Hand these out however you please.”
At the 2:00 hour, one gal had indeed completed her quilt top. So, what did she receive besides a classroom chorus of oohs and ahhs. She also got one of the fabric wallets. A second person finished. She received a classroom full of praise, photo op with Tula and a fabric wallet.
It was not hard for me to figure out what I needed to do. You got it…I was motivated by that free fabric wallet. I began to crank away, my Juki humming at amazing speed.
But an interruption occurred. I asked Tula, “How did you get started quilting?” Fabulous question, and her answer was so interesting. Since I was the one who asked the question, it was only polite for me to stop sewing and listen to her answer. Yet, it did cut into my production time. Would I get the top done in time? Would I receive that carrot of completion, the free fabric wallet? Once it was appropriate, I returned to seaming my strips of fabric. I was going so fast that people were even commenting. I just smiled and kept my head down and pushed that fabric through as fast as possible.
Well, at 3:15 I did it! My quilt top was completed. I was doing the happy dance, got a picture with Tula Pink and the free fabric wallet. That silly prize made all the difference for me in getting my project done.
What about you? What motivates you to finish your projects? Is it because it is a gift for an event on the calendar (that baby quilt in time for the baby shower?) Or is it because you want to share it in our monthly “Show and Tell Inspirations” alongside another friend who did the same project. Or is it so it can be in a quilt show? Let us know in the comments below.
Our motivations often drive us to completion. I have to laugh sometimes at how small the prize can be that gets me to the finish line.
I seem to finish projects best when I have a deadline. I especially get stuck on a project if something goes awry along the way. Sometimes it’s difficult to get back to the project in these cases.
Christie, How fun for you to socialize with Tula, piece a lovely quilt and win a wallet. Look forward to seeing your completed quilt at Show and Tell Inspirations. Personally I receive much satisfaction from working on all phases of the quilting process but my very favorite part is doing the hand binding. Often while working on a project, I imagine myself doing the hand binding. Guess that final step of binding is a big motivator for me.
To be honest, my motivation is just to get the quilt done! I’m a pretty slow quilter; and usually, I’ve moved on to an idea for another quilt at about the time I’m halfway through the actual quilt I’m working on. Then it becomes a push to “get the thing off of my design wall.” Wish I had a more noble motivation.
For me, it’s usually an event that motivates me…like getting the baby quilt done before the child graduates high school. Only kidding, but it is usually event motivated.
Kim T.
My motivation these days seems to be to just finally finish it or use it up. There is something quite satisfying about not having any of that fabric left to put back in the cupboard. It’s fun to see how you can make what you already have work.
Nancy W- adorable quilt Christie and such a neat pic of you and Tula! Finishing is one of the biggest obstacles for me. I don’t like to machine quilt the top so I have to send it to a longarmer and by then I’m on to my next project, quickly forgetting the “almost done” project. I have way to many UFO’s! Finding the motivation to finish is my hang up! Anyone else have this issue? Thanks,
I am motivated to have at least one quilt ready by Thursdays at Ace Sew and Vac for me to finish hand sewing on the binding. I don’t take my small machine with me any more unless it should be for a class. Then there are our first Saturdays sewing and that week I need to have two quilts ready to finish the binding.