This post, on finding time to sew, has been an exercise in irony. I’ve always been a believer in the concept that “life is a journey, not a destination” – yet lately, our journey has gone from being one of relaxed enjoyment with moments of busy to one where we move from one thing to the next, squeezing in hugs and meals when we can, and falling into bed exhausted at night…only to repeat the same routine the next day.
Even this post. I manage our family’s schedule in our planner. It’s my go-to for everything going on each day, and in the planner, I had the date for this hop on February 25th (today). Mistakenly, I had the date in the Sew Much Fun Blog Hop as February 5th. Somewhere, in the course of busy rushes, I reversed the dates. As a result, our hop is a bit smaller today than usual. Again, the irony of finding time and losing it, all at the same time.
Let’s talk sewing time. Last year, when my son was in PreK, I would sew on Mondays and Wednesdays while he was at school (2x/wk). This year, I expected – at the start – to have *tons* of time as KG was five days a week! …and then I became room mom…and then I took a role on the PTG…and then I got a part time job…and then and then and then. My sewing machine sits there, waiting for me to find time. Occasionally I’ll take the cover off, but it hasn’t been to make quilts – it’s to quickly stitch a button back onto a shirt or take in little man’s baseball pants as we’re rushing out the door to practice.
…and I’m ok with that. Life is busy right now, and that’s ok. That’s the season we’re in. But, life will change. It will slow down. Baseball will end. School will break for summer. My sewing will always be there, like the forever friend who is just a phone call away. So I guess, right now, that’s my strategy. I find time to sew in the future. I’ll sew when I’m not helping at running club, or baking cupcakes for St. Valentine’s Day, or updating the news on the school’s website. …and I’m ok with that.
I’m so very interested to hear the stories of other wonderfully talented sewists who perhaps have found time now, and not someday, to sew:
- Carissa D at Faith and Felt Obsession
- Amanda at Fabric Engineer
- Karen at Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats
Sometimes you need time to miss sewing I guess, so you have all the ideas ready in your head. I find things can come together quite quickly after rehearsing everything in your head a few times first.
Carissa, that’s a great point. It somewhat goes with that saying of “if you want something done, ask a busy person”.
Wow!! I am a generation older than you, and my schedule sounds almost the same as yours. I could take out class mother and other activities like that, and replace it with another noun; book club, physical therapy and so forth. So quilting does become, (don’t like saying this but….) a lower number on the priority list. And once I’ve been away from the machine for too long, it gets harder to pick up where I left off.
Many wake up earlier, or are late night quilters, which I wish I could do, but somehow am not able.
This is what works for me so far, and I’m happy to share it with you. Be careful of making too many commitments and deadlines. It can lead to anxiety and feeling overwhelmed. Pace yourself. For example, schedule nothing on a Saturday or Sunday in the near future, except a day or half a day of sewing. Have your husband take the kids for just 4 hours, or 7 if possible. Turn off all electronics, of course except the phone for your husband, just in case. Before you have those hours to sew, work on one project. Spreading yourself out between several may cause you to get very little accomplished and you won’t feel very satisfied. Try and take this 4-7 hours once a month. If it works, maybe your husband will agree to do this twice a month.
Good luck. And, sometimes things come up and are so necessary and unexpected during that 4-7 hours. Go with the flow, and reschedule it. It’s okay.
Anne, I love your words of wisdom! Yes, we are definitely trying to slow things down in months to come. It’s crazy how easy it is to become overcommitted, you know?
I know when my kids were young, I didn’t get a lot of quilts made or things sewn. I did enjoy making dresses and hats for my daughter until she realized that there people could go to stores and buy clothes and then mom’s weren’t good enough any more. Now she’s becoming an accomplished quilter herself. For every time there is a season or does it go for every season there is a time. Sewing will come for you too. So will the days when you wish you could have all your little ones under foot and a noisy messy house again. Cherish the busy days and strive to make them happy no matter what you do.