I’ve got a problem. It’s one of those elusive things that I’ve just managed to pin down. To explain myself, I’m going to break it into four parts:
Problem
Cause
Effect
Solution
Problem
I desperately want to make quilts but I don’t have inspiration. I can’t decide what to make and am not feeling confident in color/fabric choices or quilt patterns to make. Overwhelmed by options.
Cause
– high expections. I know I could make something amazing and original if I’d just put forth the effort.
– small amounts of time. It’s spring time! Which is awesome because I enjoy gardening and yard work but it really cuts into sewing time.
– too many options! in both fabric and quilting ideas.
Effect
– I pop into my sewing room for a few minutes. I falter, not knowing if I should clean up the pile of fabric on my cutting table, or work on an unfinished project or start something new. I feel anxious and soon walk out.
Solution
Well, besides the obvious which would be to stop buying fabric, clean up my sewing room and finish all works in progress:) I actually have made huge strides in all these areas over the last 6 months! I have almost no quilts in progress that are not waiting on final hand work or are a long term slow project.
Here’s my final solution that I’ve been thinking of on and off for months. Here and there I’ve seen someone take a quilt book and make every single quilt in the book. It’s always had a certain appeal to me, although I’ve thought it would be too restrictive for me.
I’ve decided that it just might be what I need! Right now just the though of it makes me excited! It would take very little thinking on my part, mainly I’d just get the fun part of choosing the fabrics for the quilt and then putting it together. I feel like I need a break from my own mental pressure, and this would be that breath of fresh air!
The fact is that there are practically no quilt books that I would love to make every single quilt included, but that’s part of the fun challenge. To use fabrics or change it up in a way that makes me like the quilt.
So which book would I go through and make. every. single. quilt?
Well, I want it to be a book that I already own. One that has a nice mix of quilt sizes and nothing too crazy intense like hours of needle turn applique. I’d like it to be fairly simple patterns that work well to showcase all the pretty fabrics that I have a hard time using up, but also patterns that translate well to a scrappy look because I want to use only my stash.
I’ve come up with two options that I can’t quite decide on.
Simply Retro
or
Sunday Morning Quilts
Which one would you go with? And is anyone crazy enough to join me?!
Definitely Sunday Morning Quilts. It inspired me to start the scrappy quilt as you go quilt I'm working on now. Love it!
I don't own that book but I received my copy of Jen Kingwell's Quilt Lovely this week, and I could definitely do every quilt in that book! I would love to see what you would do with those patterns!
I don't know that this plan would be my thing, but if it works for you — go for it! What I do when I am stuck is — just. make. something. Usually it's something small like a pot holder or zip pouch or maybe a baby quilt. Often the thrill of making something cute with only a small investment of time and fabric is enough to get me going again. I hope you get your mojo back soon!
I vote for Sunday Morning Quilts. Love this idea and so look forward to seeing what you come up with 🙂
Deixa ver se entendi direito: você fará TODOS os trabalhos de um desses livros? Que corajosa!
Bjs
Sunday Morning Quilts would be my choice of the two you have suggested. I really like Crazy Mom Amanda Jean. However, if I was asked for other suggestions I would include Adding Layers by Kathy Doughty or The Practical Guide to Patchwork by Elizabeth Hartman. I find myself going back to those books constantly. My advice: come up an achievable plan and stick to it! Good luck, keep us posted.
Sunday Morning Quilts, for sure! There is one quilt in the Simply Retro I would love to make–that adorable "Playground" quilt, but overall Sunday Morning Quilts is just more fun!
What a wonderful idea! You are THE best! I am going to order those books right now…and Kingwell's 'Quilt Lovely' as well! Thank you! Jean -The Pathetic Quilter
I own neither, so no help from me. However, I think you should got cut some units that you know you will use sometime. I was 'stuck' like you just before the Holidays. I cut into my solids and made pairs of 3.5 inch hst's. I made lots -350 to be exact! I now have a plan to use those combined with EPP. Best of luck!
I'm just a rookie, but I vote for Sunday Morning Quilts!
I vote SMQ but I love your quilts Jolene. What if you picked a theme and just keep reinterpreting it til you're done. Like your garden, family, where you live or your favourite band. Whatever you decide I will watch with enthusiasm
I'm altually made each quilt (but sometimes as pillow cover or mini quilt) from Camille's book because you can never go wrong with Camille:-) I also have SMQ but it's not a book I would every single quilt out of it.
Sunday Morning! Love that book so much. I've made the one called Sunday Morning. Just think, because the quilts are a scrappy nature, you COUKD put your own spin on them. You'd use your own stash and they would be amazing. I love your fabric choices by the way. Can't believe you struggle. I want to make everything you show here ; )
I love love love Sunday Morning Quilts! I love each and every one of those quilts, and have made several of them so far. Having said that, I will now go check out Simply Retro:)
It is hard to imagine you making all the quilts from one book because I love your quilts SO MUCH! However, I understand that probably just adds to the pressure you are experiencing! If I had to choose I would pick Simply Retro because I love that book and Camille is the best. I wish I could join you, but my quilts in progress are out of control. I look forward to watching you move along in this project. Good luck!
Sunday Morning Quilts! I've made numerous quilts from that book and love them all!
Oh my, I can totally relate to everything you just said. I have been spending all my time in my garden, and then like you said, walk in my sewing room and look around and I don't know where to begin! Not to mention, what my house looks like. I think this year I am totally skipping the spring cleaning! I think this could be fun! I would love to jump into this with you, because I too, love the idea of using up my stash! Keep me in mind!
I love Sunday Morning Quilts as well. Another book that I love nearly every quilt in is Hand Quilted with Love by Sarah Fielke. I love her use of colour and pattern. She does do some applique which I would admittedly not do by hand.
That is an intersting concept, but so not for me. :o)
Meanwhile since I have several more than several quilt books &/or patterns, my personal solution to the quandry that I think we all have to a degree, is to at least make 1 pattern from each book. & maybe make the quilts from the patterns that I have purchased.
SMQ! I'd join in but am currently using Cultural Fusion in a similar way. It's a little more improv…playing with scale and mostly no rulers
Wow! That sounds like fun! My vote is Sunday Morning Quilts. I just got Quilt As You Go Made Modern by Jera Brandvig and want to make just about all of the quilts in it!!!
The other two books I love every quilt in and would like to make are Quilt Love (bought at your recommendation) and Scrap Republic! So many quilts, so little time… 🙂
Jolene…your excellent post echoed my exact feelings about quilting at the moment! As much as I love it, I do feel overwhelmed at times by all the choices…start something new, tackle a WIP, etc.! Anyway, I love your idea. Sunday Morning Quilts would get my vote and I can't wait to watch you go through the process! Looking forward to seeing lots of pictures.
Cool idea! Sunday Morning and Camille's books are both inspiring. They are structured differently, though. Sunday. Morning is more playful and scrappy. Camille' s books are more pattern, and yardage oriented. Which approach would make you happiest right now?
Put both names in a hat and draw out one. That's the book you use. Then put the names of the quilts or the pages numbers in a hat and draw out one. That's the quilt you make – but – you make a mini. When you finish you have a collection! I can't wait to see what you decide and make. I'm not joining in as I have several quilts to finish.
Ooooh, I love this idea! An entire gallery wall made from the same book (I'd go with SMQ 🙂 -Shannon
Definitely SUNDAY MORNING QUILTS…..it's marvelous and full of great scrappy ideas.
Simply retro! I've been toying with that idea myself…I can't wait to see what you come up with!
I don't have time to read all the previous comments, but I'd say definitely. definitely. definitely. sunday morning quilts! definitely! I'm not familiar with the other book, but I bought SMQ on a TOTAL impulse several years ago, and i'ts my favorite quilting book ever. (ever!) it totally revolutionized the way I've been using my stash- and I love it! (my blog is caplingerfamily dot BlogSpot dot com if you want to see some of my stuff…) have fun! whatever you choose!
I would choose Sunday Morning Quilts. I have lost my inspiration mojo last week and thought I would work my way through Sherri Lynn's Modern Improv book.
SMQ 🙂
I love this idea! I've thought about doing the same thing… I'd choose Sunday Morning Quilts.
Both books look awesome, I would pick Simply Retro.
Glad I read your post today, I am were you are, so food for thought.
Oh my gosh as I was reading this the first book that came to mind before I scrolled down to the bottom was Sunday Morning Quilts. It totally meets your needs and I can see your style matched perfectly to the quilts in this book. It uses up tons of scraps which is awesome too. So that's my vote – Sunday Morning Quilts!!
Both sound good, but I think SMQ would be more stash and scrap friendly. Amanda Jean is a scrap genius, I think you'll have lots of fun with it. 🙂
Sunday Morning, no question. I think those would give you framework while providing a better opportunity for you to make each quilt more unique.
I vote for Simply Retro, because someday I want to make all of the quilts in that book! Have fun!
I vote for Simply Retro but either book appeals to me!
From those two books I would choose Sunday Morning Quilts, I love that book! I have a book that I've been thinking I would like to make every quilt from, it's Denyse Schmidt's Modern Quilts Traditional Inspiration. I've only made one of the quilts so far but I'm starting the second wilt soon. I'm thinking it will be a long term project. I hope your plan helps! It's hard when you're sewing time is limited and there are so many other things to do as well!
I own and love both books and would be happy with pretty much every quilt in either. They are very different in style though, so maybe that should dictate your decision. Simply Retro is full of lovely structured quilts with precise color placement. Sunday Morning Quilts is all about informal and spontaneous fabric decisions. No bad quilts in either, just decide whether you want to work fun or fabulous.
SMQ and I would join you on your journey LOVE LOVE this book
I don´t own any of these books.Both books look great and do the one you love best.Happy sewing but with no pressure. enjoying playing with your fabric!!
I say do Sunday Morning Quilts. I am currently making one from there, and have made another loosely based on one. I'd love to make most of them. I can't wait to see what you do!
Sunday Morning Quilts! That book just never gets old!
I have both of those books and one of my favorite all time quilts is in Sunday Morning Quilts — the low volume one called Sunday Morning. I like Scrapper's Delight too, but I think you've made a quilt similar to that one. I own Simply Retro too, but can't say there's a quilt in it that I am dying to make. Although I would love to have a stack of the quilts in my house — they remind me of the ones my Grandmother used to make. It seems like my quilt books all have at least one quilt that I really want to make, so what I would do is gather all my quilt books and make my favorite out of each one.
Funny, I have Simply retro and haven't made anything from it yet. SMQ is on my list of books that I want to buy but haven't. I think they are both good and if you choose SMQ then it will probably give me the push to finally treat myself and buy a copy.
I would use Sunday Morning Quilts!
SMQ for sure! The idea of using up some of my great stash for such delicious quilts is wonderful!
Both are books that have terrific quilts to make — though, very different from one another. I have made 5 of the SMQ and 3 of the Retro designs. You cannot go wrong. Just GO! There is a Dr Seuss book titled that, I think. You decide and I will join you.
Both are books that have terrific quilts to make — though, very different from one another. I have made 5 of the SMQ and 3 of the Retro designs. You cannot go wrong. Just GO! There is a Dr Seuss book titled that, I think. You decide and I will join you.
Sunday Morning Quilts! I love that book! I can't wait to see what you do!
Sunday Morning Quilts, definitely
Oh, I happen to know and love both of those books! I think my vote is for Sunday Morning Quilts, just because it has a real variety of projects. I look forward to watching this, great idea!
I am feeling exactly like that right now. I love quilting but the excitement I used to feel as I dashed into a new project is waning as the pile of finished and unneeded quilts has grown! Of those two, I would pick SMQ as I think you'd be able to put more of your own twist to those quilts. Otherwise i would pick Boo Davis's Dare to be Square. Or I would choose a block book, like Tula Pink's City Sampler, or Elizabeth Hartman's Patchwork City, and just enjoy making every single block in whatever colourway I wanted, and then work out what to do with them all at the end. Good luck!
I adore Sunday morning quilts and use it for inspiration in my quilts more than any other. It gets my vote for sure!!!
When I am stuck, cleaning my sewing room is usually just what I need to get me started again 🙂 And when I am really really stuck, I don't fight it. I go do something else and it always comes back because I will always need to make something.
As for the book, I haven't seen Camille's one but I think Sunday Morning would be more my style 🙂
I don't own either of those books. Although they're both on my list. You could either pick the book that has more of the quilts you would like to make. Or maybe just pick all the quilts you absolutely love out of both books. It doesn't need to be an either/or. You're the boss. Make your own rules. Perhaps set yourself a certain amount of quilts, like 5 and pick 5, using both books, that you absolutely love. Happy quilting.
This is a great idea which ever book you choose, I would love to do that. I think Kristyne at Pretty by Hand did it a few years ago, it was fun following along – do it!
As I was reading this I was nodding along saying "What a cool idea!!"
I had scrolled down as far as Simply Retro pic and thought "That would be a good one, or I'd maybe be tempted to use Sunday Morning Quilts". Scrolled further and had a laugh to myself 🙂
… So in short, I'd use Sunday Morning Quilts – but either would be a great choice!
I have never been steered wrong by Sunday Morning Quilts. I'm with the commenter just above . . . that's what popped into my head before I even saw the choices! Good luck!!
My amazing husband just brought SMQ home for me yesterday. I LOVE the concepts in the book – you could easily make every quilt in the book, then do several variations of each one. I think this is a book I will come back to again & again for inspiration.
Check out The Gentle Art of Quiltmaking by Jane Brocket. That will give you serious inspiration. You may want to every quilt in that book too. They are the most lovely colorful original quilts. If not, do SMQ. 😉
Simply retro. I would like seeing your color choices in these quilts.
I own both books and my vote is definitely for Sunday Morning Quilts. Why? Because the quilts lend themselves more to a scrappy look, and there is more room to put your personal "signature" or style on them. While I love Camille's book too, it seems to work best with coordinated fabric lines. Doesn't seem that possible to make those quilts "your own".
Oh Sunday morning quilts all the way! I'd join you!!
Sunday Morning IS IT. I know what your felling. What can you do in the at night gardening no, quilting yes. I write a to-do list of Christmas pressies and birthdays. Now get on, times a wastin. Could you be like me and are doing anything and I mean anything instead of cleaning your sewing room, ask a friend to help.
I would love to see how you would turn Camille's quilts "your own". You definitely could do that, your color choices are amazingly beautiful.
My vote goes to SMQ … simple, pleasurable, don't pull your hair out quilts that will look different every time you apply a new fabric combo to them. I'd love to quilt along with you, but not sure I'd have the stamina!
SMQ – gorgeous designs which are relatively simple to make. Every one looks stunningly different in different fabrics.
Sunday Morning Quilts too! I like the scrappy look and would like to see how do you materialize them all. I wish I coul'd do it along with you, but I know it's impossible to me. Come back soon, please and tell us something about your decision and your beginnings!
Sunday morning quilts! I have that book and I find its projects wildly stimulating.
I have Sunday Morning Quilts and they are ALL fabulous–that would be my choice, too…hugs, Julierose
SMQ — as I own it and been undecided for a long time.
I also vote Sunday Morning Quilts, I have the book and have been meaning to make something from it for a long time. There are so many great quilts in that book. I'd love to QAL!
I think you know what my answer would be! I look forward to seeing what you do!
Two great choices! I've finished one quilt from each book and have two from each in progress. I would also consider Beyond Neutral by John Adams, but someone already did that one!
I would pick Sunday Morning Quilts. LOVE LOVE LOVE that book. Perfect for busting scraps or stash. Besides, I love anything scrappy.
Dianne
This is great! Good luck with your choice, whatever it is. Obviously, you know where my vote lies. Plus, Alberta girls!
Sunday Morning Quilts!
Sunday Morning Quilts!
What a challenging idea. Before I even saw your book choices Simply Retro popped into my head. I've had the book for a while, have contemplated a quilt or two from it, and made nothing. It would be fun to watch you sew through these for me (tee hee hee).
SMQ!! I also think Cultural Fusion and Modern Quilt Perspectives (Knauer) would offer great choices too.
I love how you laid out the issue – it is my issue as well. I am overwhelmed with everything I love your idea. I have the Sunday Morning Quilts book and I love it but everything Camille does is amazing. I am anxious to see what you come up with.
Oh, I remember when Pretty By Hand did that with Camille's first book (which I adore!). I've done something similar in a bee with Sunday Morning Quilts. But, if you chose Simply Retro, I'd be in!
Sunday morning quilts would be a good choice for sure.
I would vote for Sunday Morning Quilts. It's more me, but I think it might also give you a little bit more of a creative stretch which sounds like you would enjoy. (full disclosure, I haven't opened either of these books so I'm really not the authority). I was actually thinking of that concept for myself with Sheri Lynn Wood's new improv book. I think making all of those would stretch me (and my scrap bin). I'll join in if we all pick our own books to use.
Sunday Morning for sure. This is one of a handful I pour over again and again. And again! I've been saving scraps specifically for several of the quilts.
I like your idea and see the wisdom behind it! It'll challenge you and probably teach you a lot about yourself along the way. If I had to pick any book, aside from SM, it would be Quilt Lovely. But that would take me probably a few years! All those templates and the appliqué.
Good luck with your quest!
My vote goes to Simply Retro — it's not what I thought a few days ago but after looking through the books and thinking about it, I changed my mind. I've been dying to make three or four quilts in Sunday Morning Quilts, but even though the quilts in the rest of the book are nice, they don't look very interesting to me. And when I look at them I don't think of variations of a quilt I'd like to make. Also I noticed that almost every quilt in the book is made of strips of fabric, so I've been saving it for when I have a lot of strips and small pieces in my scrap pile. Simply Retro seems like a book where it would be a fun challenge to use my stash to make variations, and not just use my scraps. When I look at Camille's book my mind goes crazy thinking what would happen if I used low volume prints in place of the white, or what if I took out the sashing and used bright Anna Maria Horner fabrics or her new line of Loominous fabrics. Or what if I reduced the size of the star quilt, used solids and made a pillow? So I'm going to change my vote to Simply Retro and yes, I would join you! It would be fun and challenging and I would learn a lot! If you choose SMQ I would still join you for a few quilts since I don't have a big scrap pile yet. But whichever book you choose, it will be fun to see how you change each quilt — you're so talented and it's always fun and interesting to see what you come up with!
I just wanted to say that I totally agree with you. My first reaction was also SMQ, but thought about it and came to the same conclusion as you.
Sunday Morning Quilts – hands down. IF I didn't have so many WIPs already clamoring for attention, I just might consider this challenge.
Oh, do SMQ! I was going to suggest it before I even read to the bottom and saw it was one of your choices. =) I should join you, just don't think it's an option over summer.
I would have to pick my favorites from each. I have had both books a while. I have some from each that I plan to make. But first I must finish my fourth grandchild's quilt. I have one or two quilts that I want to make from most of my books. I also plan to tidy up my stash soon and cull out fabrics that I don't think I will ever use in future fabrics.
Sunday Morning Quilts!! It would be a great way to use up scraps. She has great ideas. I do love Camille's book also but Sunday Morning is more my style . I have made 2 out of that book one of which I am laying under at this very moment! It's her Low Volume one and I LOVE the way that one turned out for me! Anyways,…can't join you during the summer but I understand this problem as I deal with it a lot. I think it's because I need to stop buying fabric and start doing more sewing.
Can't wait to see what you go with!!
In a way, I think it depends on your stash. Smq is really about using up scraps and simply retro relies more on larger pieces like a fat quarter or bigger. The other decision is how much time do you want to spend on it? It would take me a year to get through a book. I would scale some of it down. Something that's worked for me when I get in the doldrums is to do something creative but nonquilty
Continued…. Like take a photography or cake decorating class. Go draw in the park, or write a short story. It's very much like getting up and stretching after sitting at the sewing machine for hours
I SO relate to your quilting dilemma. I've just gotten out of the same uninspired state. Sunday Morning Quilts is one of my faves and I'm definitely crazy enough to join you!
Before i even got to your two choices i was thinking about Sunday Morning Quilts! I love everything in that book, and it would be perfect for using up stash! I would be very tempted to join you in this challenge…
What a great idea! Even quilt designers need a break from constantly coming up with new and exciting patterns all of the time. Quilting could end-up being a stressor instead of a stress-reliever that way.
Go with Sunday Morning Quilts and I am all in with you! That book allows you a lot of room to express yourself in both pattern and design.
I love both books but Sunday Morning Quilts gives me more room for "my quilt" to emerge.
Great idea! I need a challenge and I am feeling completely uninspired on quilt ideas as well. i would love to see what fabric combos you use in all these quilts! You can't go wrong with either book:)
Dear Jolene. It's comforting to read that even quilters who have made so many quilts sometimes come to a point, where they don't know how and where to start the next one. Your question prompted me to take both books out of the shelf and flip through them one more time (do we quilters have all the same books??). I think, if you really are short on time (being spring time and such), I would go with a project from Simply Retro, as the blocks are relatively big/huge, and the quilts are sewn together rather quickly. On the other hand, I think too, that SMQ allows your more room for expressing yourself. But again, it really depends on what your greatest hurdle in front of a new quilt is. I wish you all the best out of your slump!
Simply Retro!
Sunday Morning! And I kind of want to join you. I have piles of fabric but no direction and I am also feeling lost and overwhelmed with all I could be doing. So I do nothing!
You just put into words on how I have been feeling. I have no inspiration and when I get to my sewing room I am just overwhelmed. I have been thinking about grabbing a quilt book and making one quilt from each of my books (this would take me the rest of my life) or grabbing all the patterns that I have bought and making those quilts and projects. I am really excited to follow you along to see your progress. I think I will joining you!!
I'll do one of each
Sunday Morning! Love that book.
Thanks for saying what I have felt for ages….I love your idea. I have Sunday Morning Quilts….Good intentions….little follow thru. I need to mull over whether or not to join you….I hope you will share what you decide to do. I have always loved what your make….and look forward to following you….one way or another…..
Susan
I read this post a few months ago and couldn't remember where. I have had Sunday morning quilts on my desk for when I found it! I am finishing up Christmas presents and I am going with that book using scraps and stash! Starting Jan 1 or sooner 🙂