Quilting Guilt or Embracing My “Squirrel Brain” Quilting Life

Quilt Guilt 

Can we pause for a second and talk about quilt guilt?

You know the feeling—when you see that pile of unfinished quilts and think, “Ugh, I really should finish that…” Or when you scroll through social media and someone has just posted another beautifully bound quilt while yours is still just blocks in a bin.

It’s easy to let that guilt creep in. We tell ourselves things like:

• “I’m not disciplined enough.”

• “I should finish what I start.”

• “Why can’t I be more productive like her (that one person who seems to have it all)?”

But here’s the thing I’ve learned: GUILT has NO PLACE in our creativity.

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Quilting Joy

Quilting is supposed to bring us joy, calm, and self-expression—not weigh us down with pressure and comparison. Quilt guilt happens when we treat our creative hobbies like productivity contests. But quilting isn’t a race. And it’s definitely not a competition.

If your quilt is sitting unfinished, it’s not a failure—it’s just waiting for its right time. And if your brain is craving the peace of piecing over the effort of basting or binding, that’s not procrastination—it’s self-awareness.

So, let’s shift the narrative:

• You’re not behind—you’re in process.

• You’re not lazy—you’re listening to what your mind and body need.

• You’re not undisciplined—you’re creative.

Let go of quilt guilt. The joy is in the stitches—not just the finish line.

Balancing all the to-do list

If you’ve ever felt pulled in a million directions by all the fun projects calling your name—quilting, sewing, home projects—you’re not alone. For a while, I went through a phase where I did… nothing. The overwhelm of “too many things, not enough time” left me frozen. It felt easier to avoid starting anything than face the guilt of not finishing.

But lately, I’ve taken a different approach. Instead of trying to force myself into a rigid plan, I simply start. Whatever I feel like doing, I do. My mind works like that and I’ll embrace it. For example, I had the urge to sew one of the recent sew sampler box – The Fabric, the pattern is too good to pass.

Check out Abloom Fabric HERE  the cute Panel HERE>

Sometimes, that means just 5 minutes in the sewing room, stitching a few seams on a quilt. Then I’ll wander into the kitchen to cook, and while waiting for something to simmer, I’ll notice a home project that needs attention—and I’ll make progress there, too. It might not all get finished in one day (or even one week), but every little bit adds up. And most importantly, I’m not stuck in that paralyzing place of doing nothing.

One thing I’ve come to realize is that my home projects are about the end result. They’re “done is better than perfect” types of projects, because the goal is to check them off and enjoy the finished product.

But quilting? Quilting is different.

For me, quilting is about the process—the joy, the calm, the creative spark that keeps me sane and happy. The finished quilt is a bonus, but the making is what I truly love. So why was I turning it into another item on my never-ending to-do list?

My Current Season: Just Piecing

Right now, I’m in a phase where I just want to piece. It’s almost like I need it—mindless sewing helps me get through the day-to-day emotions and mental load. The rhythm of feeding fabric through the machine, watching blocks come together, gives me a quiet sense of progress when everything else feels chaotic.

I do have a stack of quilt tops waiting to be basted… but let’s be real: basting takes effort. I need to clear a floor full of toys, get down to baste, and honestly? That’s just not where my energy is lately. And you know what? That’s okay. I’ll get to them when the mood (and the floor space) is right.

There’s no rule that says we have to finish things in order or on schedule. Our quilts will wait. Our creativity doesn’t need to be forced.

What’s Been Helping Me

If you’ve been feeling the same way, here are a few gentle shifts that helped me:

1. Set a “just start” timer. Even 5 or 10 minutes can lift the fog and get you going.

2. Let yourself be in whatever phase you need. Piecing, binding, dreaming, or just folding fabric—it all counts.

3. Reframe “unfinished.” WIPs aren’t failures. They’re creative journeys still in motion.

4. Release the guilt. You’re not behind—you’re quilting at your own pace, and that’s enough.

5. Track progress your way. I’ve been using a WIP Inventory List I created (you can grab it HERE)—not as a pressure tool, but to remind me of the beautiful things I’ve started.

The simple shift of embracing my “squirrel brain” and following my creative energy has made all the difference. I may not finish everything quickly, but I’m lighter, more joyful, and fully in love with the process again.

Feeling the same? I’d love to hear what phase you’re in. Are you deep into piecing like me, or finally tackling your pile of finishes? Leave a comment or send me a note—I love connecting with other makers riding the same creative waves.

What’s NEW at FQS:

I am also itching to start paper piecing some of Vintage Maid Blocks – A table runner maybe. So many fun projects! What a Joy! 

Check out Vintage Maid Paper Pads HERE>

Then, there’s these two fun patterns by Lori Holt!! Just look out the cuteness of those sheep…. BAA…

Check out Pattern by Lori Holt HERE>