11860
Yes I'm guilty of collecting too many designs so what I do is stitch out the designs I buy immediately onto a facecloth, towel or nappy and sell it at my markets and if its really good I keep and if not I delete. Have also been going through all my freebies and deleted all those that I wont ever use
by parkermom
13 Jul 2018
I haven't deleted many designs and I really should take time out to do just that.
174I do the same thing! And I too have feelings of guilt. Why do I buy so many? I bought so many designs thinking my mom would like something with it on them. I sewed several, but probably have 30 others. Other women have expensive hobbies, and I know that ME itself is expensive with the machine, threads, stabilizers, etc. But, so I collect designs. Oh well, they are easy to store and don't take up any physical space. I don't have to have a special cabinet to display them. So, I figure it's okay for me to have a collection of designs, after all, it's my Hobby! And I make gifts with my hobby! So, don't feel bad, you are not alone! Hugs, Jan
59607I came back to read everyone's comments and it is quite the picture of different ways to approach the creative process, especially the ideas generation part of the process. Delightful to read what others do!
by parkermom
11 Jul 2018
My creative part has gone on vacation, with most of the rest of my brain! Especially the organizational part.
66502And I thought I was the only one! I spend hours looking at designs and not enough time at the machines! I try to organize by using folders of sites I have designs. I have CD's, flash drives, and the computer full of designs. Seems like I got more done when I was working a full time job.
by parkermom
11 Jul 2018
I never have been great at organization, and now I get distracted by all the designs and possibilities.
18071I need more will power, or decisiveness. I find I spend more time downloading and organizing than I actually do stitching. Sigh!!!
11468Guilty!!!
Sometimes I'll even do a test stitchout, of a purchased or freebie design, only to find I'm not happy with the digitising, so then I set out to fix the problems. I'll spend hours or days fixing the design to the point I get sick of looking at it and that's the end of the project. LOL!!!
I have a 'work in progress' file but it's filled with designs I have started fixing and lost interest in.
I also have a 'project' file, filled with all the ideas, patterns and instructions, of things I'd like to make, alas.........
"Life is what happens to you while you are busy making other plans." LOL!!!
So I have stopped buying designs, stopped collecting designs and don't even open emails from sites I once used to visit regularly... if I don't see them I won't be tempted. :-) And don't even get me started on artwork I have collected to digitise. :-0
I really must get back to stitching and creating instead of procrastinating.
hugs n roses, M
by parkermom
09 Jul 2018
I don't digitize, but I just seem to wander around designs, think of things for family, and then wander on to something else. I have stopped looking at lots of sites, which is a plus for my bank account. Those few dollars here and there really add up
by meganne
13 Jul 2018
Hey, Guess what! I actually stitched out a design (twice) this week!
But but after I stitched the first one, I had to go over it again as the density was so loose you could see the fabric though the whole design, and I had to do this with both stitchouts as they were for a matching pair of towels. Grrr!
Then, because I wanted to make two sets I decided I should go back to my PC and insert even more underlay stitches.. The original design had NO underlay stitches at all.
But Hey, at least I stitched something. ROFLMHO!
122864I have a file on my computer called “Work in progress”, where I store designs that I am either working on or will be working on. Works well for me. Great question.
by parkermom
09 Jul 2018
I need to do something. It's getting out of hand for me. I will think to myself that I'd like to get some sewing done, but then have no idea what to do. When I start going through my designs, it isn't organized so I lose interest after paging through lots of them.
by jrob
13 Jul 2018
That's a great idea Sarah. I think I'll make one and start with a photo of myself in the "Work in Progress" folder. lol
253102Not exactly , but kind of. For more than 10 years I have made folders called Ready to machine and date them usually 2 months or so. Eg Ready to machine June - July 2018. These are designs that I have bought and want to stitch and have then ready to load to the machine. I then come back to them when needed without going through all the many designs I have. What do others do?
by parkermom
09 Jul 2018
I need to do some sort of folder or something. I know myself well enough to know that I will start something all energized and then my interest will fade and I'm back to wandering around aimlessly.
85867Love these questions! I just purchased a Project Journal (should be arriving tomorrow). I plan on keeping it upstairs in my craft room. I see things through the year that I think one family member or another might like for Christmas and then at some point I sometimes forget what it was. I have a ton of designs - and I keep thinking I'll try to cut down on purchasing more ... and then I'll see something that I just have to have!! LOL ... I need to go on a design diet!! I do try to spend time on my design stash and weed out things I know I won't use. Thanks for the question!!
by parkermom
08 Jul 2018
I have so many ideas for things, and then forget as I walk across the room.
by dailylaundry
08 Jul 2018
I hope to do better soon. My life is so busy now and will be busier yet with a lot of company coming in (as we are having construction being done - lol). So, I do hope to at least get organized.
95240I like to keep a note book near my computer, I have lists of designers with design numbers or name for Towel Toppers, Quilts and the like, so I can remember which ones I thought would look good on my project. I also give my project a star rating so I'll know whether to do it again or not. You can pick up inexpensive books with dividers in them for easy sorting at your stationary shop. P.S I have probably only done 1/8th of my lists... oh the grand ideas I have had.
45917I must admit I don't make wish lists, but I buy designs I need for the Project I'm working on. Love Chris
234253Guilty as charged.
by parkermom
08 Jul 2018
I mean to get myself organized, but I really don't want to put in the effort.
11468I do both of the things mentioned here. I keep a book and I write down a project I want, for whom, and when I need it by. I also put a copy of all of those "I really want to stitch" designs in a special folder of immediate use files. I do like my project notebook. I keep up with stuff I need for gifts better. :)
by parkermom
08 Jul 2018
I had started an ith file for myself, and outgrew it rapidly. I haven't figured out a good method yet.
10990Yes I make a wish list in a note book beside the computer. Started with a folder and it got too full lol. I make things in my head so that makes the purchase of new designs worthwhile. (Well that is what I tell myself) LOL
by parkermom
08 Jul 2018
I don't know what organization method will be best for me. I am messy, and doubt that at this stage I will change myself.
52676I created a folder called "projects to do". Special items I plan on stitching I copy in there. When I have time for stitching I check in there.
by parkermom
07 Jul 2018
good idea. I'd probably do a better job of keeping things in a folder rather than keep a notebook. I think I would start out a notebook well, but then I would fail to keep it organized.
109762A friend and I decided a few years ago that all we do is collect designs. LOL!
by parkermom
07 Jul 2018
Its a good thing that designs don't take up a lot of physical space--my house would be full!
41781I keep a little wish notebook by my chair. Half-baked ideas and designs I want to stitch out. It has more than 500 ideas. Then when I want a fresh start, I dig out my book for a quick skim for ideas where to dig in. Some pages are topical (Christmas ideas, baby bibs, fall bazaar ideas, Easter bunny designs,tigers) and others are just this design to stitch out, or that one.
by parkermom
07 Jul 2018
That's exactly what I should do. A notebook would fit right in next to my seam ripper, a pair of scissors, pins and a needle, and various things. My husband thinks its a mess, but I know right where my "necessaries" are.
66502Almost every day. Yet I always have time to do something for someone else.
Funny that isn't it.?
by parkermom
07 Jul 2018
Since I've retired, I haven't been asked to do random embroidery or sewing jobs. But just in my little circle of the world, there is always a baby being born, someone moving to a new home, marriages, and other occasions that call for embroidery.
29723oood afternoon. I too have sooo many designs and actually no time to play on my machines. And YES I do the exact same thing as you described
by parkermom
07 Jul 2018
It's so easy to sit and shop online for designs. I tell my husband that it's the best of both worlds--satisfies my shopping urges, and requires virtually no storage space.
34246