Hey, Rita! I'm sorry you're having FMQ woes. I'm still trying to master straight-line quilting with my walking foot. The thought of FMQ gives me the shudders. Can't remember whose blog I read, but she could only quilt for 15 minutes a day. She did what she could, and then that was it. Perhaps you could shoot for 5 minutes of FMQ, and take some small bites out of your quilting project? Hang in there and happy sewing! :)

Susan, thanks for your kind, warm concern, but, NO! NEVER! NO UFOS EVER! - I'M THE NEVER HAVING ANY UFOS NUT! You have no idea what you are suggesting to someone like me. Huff, puff, OK, I'm slowing down my respirations now. I'll be OK, I'll be OK....!

Rita, I am with you in spirit. I was just thinking yesterday about folks who have several projects on the go at the same time. I cannot do that. I only work on one top at a time. Now, that said, I will put that top aside to begin something new, until I find the right backing or binding or whatever for that top. I have sent large special quilts out to be quilted. They would never get done otherwise.

As for FMQ, I have yet to tackle that challenge.

But don't give up and don't let that quilt win!

Theresa

Oh Rita, I’m so sorry to read about your FMQ aches, how painful! I think Larri suggestion of 5 minutes a day is a good one, at least it’s progress.

I don’t Understand the no UFO affliction, and considering the number of UFO’s in my buckets, I wish I had that issue! I love my UFO’s and just this week finished / quilted and bound, two small blocks that were made in I think 2012 or 2013. I thought they would be perfect to practice straight line quilting ideas I picked up from The Jacquie Gering workshop I attended in March. These ”old” blocks will finally be hung this week!

Good luck on finishing up your project...5” a day!

Very cute, Valarie!

Rita, sorry to hear of your problems. I hate UFOs, too. Right now I have too many, but I'm not even sure how many. Maybe 4.

Rita, I'm so sorry about your hands, and I understand your desire to not have any UFOs, but this is a special circumstance. Your spirits are low, and you need something to give them a boost. Listen to my reasoning. As long as you are currently working on a quilt, it is not a UFO. It is a work in progress. So try to do as Larri suggested and do 5 or 10 minutes of quilting each day. Then stop and work on another project that inspires you and lifts your spirits. Maybe this will help you through this difficult time. As we age, we all experience the diminishing of our abilities. I know I have. We just have to keep our spirits up and be thankful we are on the right side of the sod. Good luck. We'll all be thinking of you and wishing you well.

I hate to read this -- in general but also because I have yet to piece my first quilt (and I may have gone a little bonkers and have fabric for several projects before I have started one. Yes, my plans were to use some remnant fabric I already had and play around, but one thing led to another and I sure hope I enjoy this. LOL . But I digress....

I hope working in small doses and/or working with supportive gloves can help you finish your quilt. One other thing you might try -- I have used this Penetrex cream on my neck and knee -- I have only found it on Amazon. I use it alone at times and with Icy Hot at others. The arnica is soothing, reduces inflammation and it helps me. It has a light fresh scent and isn't greasy and doesn't cause stomach upset, and in combo with whatever you are already doing, it might just add a little something that will help. Hope it helps or you find something that does.

Rita, you’ve made so many beautiful quilts you can’t let this one stop you! As others suggested, do just a few minutes at a time and you’ll get it done. (Try Aspercream on those arthritic hands, it helps!)

Well I just happened to check in on this post and lo and behold! Kate! Where have you been??!! What a nice surprise, are you still quilting? Anyway, thanks to all for your commiserations, I'm hoping to start tackling this problem soon, I really want to continue with this hobby, but I really need to do simpler quilting techniques from now on. Such as using the walking foot, letting the machine do the pulling instead of my hands manipulating. I love the designs that I can do on the FMQ but it just isn't doable any more. I did take a class at the LQS on the big long-arm machine, hoping that it would make things easier, no, it really hurt my wrist manipulating that thing. But it was interesting. Yes I know you can let the computer do the work automatically but that's just not my style.

Hi Rita! I am around, alive, and still quilting! It's been a crazy last couple of years with some health issues and job challenges, but I survived it all. I'll catch up with everyone on this forum soon, with pictures of some quilts. I'm really hoping I can make it to the fall retreat!

Sorry for your distress. I have the same feelings about finishing my own work. Sadly that means I'm finally quilting some 20 year old quilt tops.