You Have the Floor

by admin on January 30, 2012

So after 20 posts, I feel like I’m finally starting to get the hang of this. But it occurs to me that it might be fun to shake things up. So today, instead of hearing only from me, I thought it would be fun to turn the floor over to you, my readers… I hope you’re out there!

Here’s my question: How do you push through creative indecision?

Let me explain. I have a table runner pattern that I’ve been wanting to make for a while. If I make it in red and green, it would be perfect for Christmas, but if I make it in blue and white batiks, it would great for winter. I’ve had the pattern for months and the fabric since November, but I’m still having trouble pulling the trigger. I think I’m worried about choosing one colorway and using up time and fabric only to discover that I should have gone the other route. So instead of being productive, I’m mired down in an endless debate.

Blue and white batiks?

The red and green, or

None of the usual tricks are working. I’ve tried using EQ7 to color different versions of the quilt — I’m now up to 17 and I refuse to spend any more money on toner. I’ve tried discussing the options with my kids, but somehow they just don’t seem interested. I’ve even tried thinking about it just before I go to sleep in the hope that a solution will come to me in my dreams. Nothing. I’m stuck and it’s making me crazy.

I’m not sure what my indecision means. Maybe subconsciously I have reservations about this particular design. Maybe I’ve over thought it to the point that I’m incapable of moving forward (wouldn’t be the first time). Maybe I’m just a wimp.

But enough is enough. I’m tired of agonizing over this decision. This week I plan to pick a lane and drive and I’m going to try as hard as I can to not look in the rear view mirror.

I guess that’s one way to push through creative indecision — you just have to get to the point where the self-loathing for being indecisive is greater than the fear of making the wrong choice. But there has got to be a better way.

So what about you? How do you push through indecision? Click on the word “comments” in the gray box directly below this post and join the conversation.

Comments on this entry are closed.

Vicki Hathorn February 4, 2012, 11:37 am

As much as I like the red and green, I'd go with the blue batiks. Love the idea of being able to have it up all winter. Plus, I'm so used to calicos, I am intrigued to see what this will look like with the batiks.

The way I push through indecision is to…just begin. If you start out in one direction and it feels just right, there's your confirmation. Can't wait to see it. Keep up the good work!

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Jennifer February 22, 2012, 5:19 pm

You know, I think I might be inclined to make two runners – one in each colourway! But I'm with you on indecision, I lie awake at night sometimes thinking things through when really I should just go with my first instinct.

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Quilts by PAR March 6, 2012, 4:41 pm

I'm with Vicki as far as doing the blue batiks to have up all winter. Usually I don't have too much difficulty when deciding upon a pattern and color palate. Two exceptions come to mind — I received 10-12 maple leaf blocks in a swap a while ago and held on to them because I didn't know what I wanted to do. Finally I've found the perfect quilt. The other is a quilt for my nephew. It's a graduation quilt and I'm having a hard time nailing down a pattern. I have it down to two. It's not an immediate project so I don't have to decide right off.

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