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Rotation versus one project at a time

Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2011 7:49 pm
by lmbernhardt
I've been working on Kinkade's Cinderella kit for about 2 1/2 months now and was making really good progress for a while. Now I have a hard time really sitting down and putting in some solid effort. I wanted to know if most people work on one project at a time or rotate on some sort of system? I think maybe my brain just needs a break because there is so much confetti stitching. Let me know your opinion!

Re: Rotation versus one project at a time

Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2011 7:52 pm
by karen4bells
When I'm working on a larger project, like you are currently working on, I generally will try some type of rotation method. Currently I am working on Joan Elliott's Earth Goddess, and try to stitch on her during the week and then work on smaller projects on weekends--just to keep from getting too bored with it.
Hope this helps

Re: Rotation versus one project at a time

Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2011 8:39 pm
by Mrs Milkybar Kid
When stitching a bigger piece I always give myself breaks with small stitches that I can finish in a week. If you look at my SAL thread you will see that I have the concentration span of a gnat so I find that mixing up my stitching keeps my mojo going!

Re: Rotation versus one project at a time

Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2011 9:16 pm
by rcperryls
Until I joined this forum I would run into what you are experiencing when working on a large project and would just lose my stitchy bug, sometimes for a few months or more. Once I learned that rotating projects was not illegal (I am almost not kidding), it has made stitching so much more fun. I am rotating at least two right now which is critical because one project is almost all black stitching for a few pages, and the other has a fair amount of confetti. I am almost ready to add two more to that mix. It will take longer to get them all done, but as has been said on this forum by a lot of members, it is the journey not the destination that makes it fun. At least that is sooooo true for me. I am enjoying all of my projects a lot more.
and looking forward to the new ones.

Carole
:wub:

Re: Rotation versus one project at a time

Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2011 9:19 pm
by LadyS
I started on my 4th rotation piece today (not counting my monthly SALs), and I used to only work one piece at a time but I like the idea that every week or every certain period of time I pick up a piece that feels new again, and thus keeps me focused and admiring the work for longer.

Before joining this forum and working one piece at a time I'd just take breaks where I'd go up to 3 months without stitching anything, so now I stitch about 5 days out of the week, and only 'cus I have to split my time with my other hobbies (reading, games, movies).

Re: Rotation versus one project at a time

Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2011 10:01 pm
by vanessanjf
I was asking the same question last week. I was just sticking to one project at a time and yes you do finish it quicker that way but it makes it so much more interesting to have a few on the go. I am doing 3 now.

Re: Rotation versus one project at a time

Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2011 12:19 am
by Rose
When I work a confetti heavy piece I have to rotate. It just keeps me flowing!!!!!! :D

Re: Rotation versus one project at a time

Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2011 5:47 am
by Ketta
I typically have about 3 projects going at the same time. I used to do just one at a time, but I rarely finished a project because I'd lose the bug, then get mad at myself for losing interest. By the time the bug would come back, I either wasn't interested in the project or didn't like it any more.

By having multiple projects, I sew longer during each day and finish projects. It may take me longer to finish, but I'm glad to keep my bug. :)

Re: Rotation versus one project at a time

Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2011 5:07 pm
by koko
When I am working on a bigger project, I always rotate in some smaller projects to keep me interested. I need a sense of accomplishment, so I tend to get tired of the big projects, I need little finishes (cards, ATC's, etc) to keep me going.

Re: Rotation versus one project at a time

Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2011 10:19 pm
by starshine123102
I used to only do one at a time, but recently I've started trying to rotate between a few pieces. While it certainly helps to keep it fresh by working on multiple projects at once, I have noticed that I have started to constantly look at new projects and add to my rotation than just stick to a small handful. That might work for some, but I feel like now I'm never going to get any of them done, and one has a deadline since it's a baby birth record for my cousin's third child!

Re: Rotation versus one project at a time

Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2011 9:45 pm
by annastasia76
I rotate between many different kinds of projects, I currently have only one cross stitch going but I have been making mini's to turn into ornaments, I will also rotate with sewing, smocking, crocheting, and knitting (somewhere in-between those I might find time for some cleaning, lol)

Re: Rotation versus one project at a time

Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2011 10:22 pm
by socialsue
I used to rotate up to 5 different stitching projects but then I would lose the threads and get confused which goes where or run out of threads and realized that I have put them in with another one of my projects.....so I finally narrowed it down to 2 or 3. Now that I have my grandchildren over to visit often, I will probably just stitch one at a time until finished. If it is a big project, I only stitch in my sewing room so the needles doesn't get lost or misplaced.

Socialsue

Re: Rotation versus one project at a time

Posted: Sat Nov 05, 2011 4:23 am
by Lenne
I've currently got 4 projects on the go but I tend to rotate between two at any time. I am not entirely sure how my first two projects are going to get completed if I keep rotating between 2 AND taking on new projects.... think I see a flaw in my plan ;)

Re: Rotation versus one project at a time

Posted: Sat Nov 05, 2011 2:34 pm
by Heather
I used to force myself to finish one project before starting a new one - for fear of never going back to finish the first one. I just started a HAED before finishing a dimensions gold one... it had become tedious and no fun! Too much confetti! When the HAED gets boring I will go back to it. It's much more fun to do it the way you like.

Re: Rotation versus one project at a time

Posted: Sat Nov 05, 2011 10:37 pm
by MaggieM1750
I have various projects that I am working on at the same time. Different in terms of size and subject. I finished 2 last week and will hopefully finish the 3rd this weekend... if I can get off this computer and put a needle and thread in my hand. I start a hardanger class on Tuesday and I gave myself the goal of having those projects done before I started the class.
I stitch most often over my lunch hour. So I have one project that I keep at my office and another that I work on at home. I used to bring a project back and forth but too many times I would forget to grab it and not have it when I wanted to work on it. So I usually have at least 2 on the go- sometimes 3. 2 at home, 1 at the office.

Re: Rotation versus one project at a time

Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2011 11:42 am
by sweet_stitcher2011
karen4bells wrote:When I'm working on a larger project, like you are currently working on, I generally will try some type of rotation method. Currently I am working on Joan Elliott's Earth Goddess, and try to stitch on her during the week and then work on smaller projects on weekends--just to keep from getting too bored with it.
Hope this helps
this^
me as well :)

Re: Rotation versus one project at a time

Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2011 12:35 pm
by Sarah Gixxer
I normally rotate half a dozen or so projects, not particularly because I get bored with just one, but because there are so many that I want to stitch and I simply can't wait until I finish one to start the next! :lol: Sometimes I rotate them by stitching one page of the chart and then going onto the next, or I might stitch one particular area of one and then change to another - just depends how I'm feeling. But I do love having a few on the go at once.

Re: Rotation versus one project at a time

Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2011 2:37 pm
by Nachstenliebe
I've become a multi project person.. usually one big project on the go and a smaller one to keep things fresh..
Faith

Re: Rotation versus one project at a time

Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2011 8:20 pm
by Lessa54
For me it depends on how easy it is to transport a project. When I'm commuting, I like to have some cross stitch with me and that tends to be smaller projects. At the moment, as I'm on maternity leave and not doing the commute :D I've only got my big SQ on the go and it is nice to see that one progress a bit more quickly. I am however rotating a bit between cross stitch and knitting, depending on what I feel like doing each day.

Re: Rotation versus one project at a time

Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2011 9:33 pm
by Monica33
I do lots of different crafts, and alternating between them keeps everything fresh, and also helps keep me from any kind of repetitive strain injuries. I think of it as cross training! :lol:

I HAVE made it a point though to cut down my current cross stitch patterns to only 2 at a time. I find it is best if I can remember the chart icons for a given project without getting them mixed up with the icons from other projects. For instance, if I am working the dots in light yellow, it is helpful to remember that all the stars were dark yellow so I can stay accurate without having to look up all the other icons all the time.

I also like to have one easy and one harder project going so my brain can have a rest when needed.

Enjoying the journey is the whole point of it all, IMHO. :wink: