Sunday, January 22, 2012

Home Decor Doldrums



I've been in a bit of a funk lately.  A sewing funk of sorts.  It's not that I haven't been sewing, just that I've been sewing crazy amounts of home decor.  I've done an entire nursery set for a friend and I've also been slaving away on the sofa.  Both are projects that are taking (have taken) lots of hours of work.  I do enjoy it.  I really do.  I know I'll be super pleased when I'm done.  But it's hard to stay focused when the end result seems so far away.  These two photos are just little bits of each project.  It's all fun stuff but I find myself longing to make something frivolous.  Something just for kicks.  And specifically something to wear.  Why is that?  What is so different about sewing clothes and sewing for the home?  It's all the same thing, right? 

Anyway, I'm hoping to get out of the funk soon.  I've been trolling the internet for inspiration, sorting through my patterns, reading sewing books- yet I haven't been able to make myself do something.  What do you do when you're in a sewing funk?

 



11 comments:

  1. sewing for the home is INSANELY different. maybe it's all those neverending straight lines.

    if i'm in a funk i take the fabric that makes me happiest at the moment and force it into something. i think you should take all those bright stitchy scraps in your last post and make an a line skirt! or a scarf. after all, it seems you've had practice at those straight lines lately...

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'm in a funk lately as well. I gave myself a week off to pet my fabric, troll pinterest, and thumb through my sewing books but now I'm forcing myself to make something. We'll see if that helps or hurts me.

    ReplyDelete
  3. These look rather groovy. Just think how envious your friends will be when they visit your house. In the meantime, it sounds like you need one of those quick 2-hour, straight out of the envelope sewing projects.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I'm in a funk myself, I'd like to sew, sort of, but I don't feel inspired or excited about any possible project. On the other hand it couldn't be a better timing, as exams are coming up in two weeks and I took on more working hours at my job, so I guess I shouldn't complain. I'm going to sit it out.

    These pillows are stunning, btw. Your piping look soooo neat, I couldn't get it to look that good for the life of me.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I usually knit when I´m not in a sewing mood, but I can´t knit for long because my neck won´t let me, and that usually gets me into sewing again! I love your home dec progress. Looks very cool!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I know what you mean about home decor sewing. I agree with Oona, it's probably b/c of the straight lines!

    Your fabric is gorgeous though! You'll have a very stylish home once you're finished, hopefully that can be a little motivation. I may be a bit biased though, because I just bought and made curtains out of the blue chevron fabric. :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. I use to hate when I hit a funk like this and I found myself not doing anything and that felt like a waste of time. Now that I knit, that's what i tend to do.

    ReplyDelete
  8. There's nothing funk-y about home-decor, no wait, your cushions are very funky... well, you know what I mean! Your sofa fabric is ultra-cool. I can't wait to see the finished deal!
    Sewing home-decor is a "duty" for me too, but once it's finished it's fabulous to get back to creating something fun and frivolous and that you can WEAR!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Sometimes I drink when I'm in a funk... ;) Then that becomes boring, I have headaches and gain weight so I cast around for something to make me feel better and realize sewing would make me feel better... It's really not a healthy way to cope with a sewing block, I don't recommend it...

    Other ways... Going shopping for regular (not made by me) clothes sends me back into the sewing room. Sometimes the block comes from having a messy, disorganized sewing space and if I pull everything out, tidy, and put it back I often run across something I forgot about that triggers inspiration.

    Also, reading blogs does it for me sometimes... I'm all like "I want that!"

    And then sometimes going to the fabric store and letting myself buy some pretty buttons, or a bit of guipure lace, or a new tool or a piece of pretty fabric gets me back into it... Also- I spend a lot of time doing "experimental" type sewing and making it up as I go along, sometimes it's SO GOOD to make something from a pattern I can follow to the letter. Like colette or Oliver + S....

    So there we go... One bad way to deal with it, and several good ways.. .;)

    ReplyDelete
  10. It'll come back, don't worry! I keep a running list of projects (http://theslapdashsewist.blogspot.com/p/projects-waiting-for-me-in-stash.html) and when I'm uninspired or don't know what to do next I just make myself pick one and do it. This only works if you have a large stash, which I do not recommend if it is not in your nature. And then, of course, you get the sneaky joy of thwarting the list and doing something entirely different!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I think you should give yourself credit for doing home dec projects! I am ashamed to admit that my lounge curtains still require new header tape and my bedroom blinds still need replacing a year after I "pledged" that 2011 the home would get love as well as my wardrobe. Be proud!

    ReplyDelete