I do charity sewing. I am currently making rag quilts from scraps of flannel that we have from making PJ bottoms. Helping others, getting out of your comfort zone can be very rewarding. Also, I get to downsize my sewing stash in the process!! Win-Win!

I make 90% charity quilts. I had long planned to do this after retirement. And then I did. It has morphed into a life of its own, but I'm enjoying it.

We don't need "a thing" and collect tons of stuff for it. If you want to make a simple skirt, collect the pattern and associated tools needed to make it. You can buy sewing books and/or get guidance on the how-to on line. Definitely save the tools you bought to make your skirt. Save the leftover thread, large scraps and such. Now consider something else you would like to have. A throw pillow for your couch? Pot holders and an apron for your kitchen? Barbie Doll clothes for you niece? (You can learn a heck of a lot, while practicing on mini items.) Repeat by obtaining what you need for your next project. It should be less this time, because you already have scissors and maybe a pin cushion. Make your project. Repeat. Repeat as the desire and/or need for anything in the world of needle craft comes along. Maybe you don't want to settle into a niche, if doing the same thing over and over for hours isn't your cup of tea (to use an old cliché). Nothing wrong with that IF you want to become a master craftsman in a particular area. Over the years I've been more of a jack of all trades rather than being a master of one. I can crochet. My mother in law taught me. I can quilt, my mother taught me. I have a woodworking shop. My father in law guided me at the start. I enjoy going from the scroll saw, in my shop, to the sewing machine in the house. Both can use a quilted cover. Neither cover would win a blue ribbon at the County Fair. Both can yield a sense of accomplishment and peace from completing the task. What I'll do tomorrow, I don't know. And that's part of the adventure, as the variety of options is wide open! Hope this is some food for thought....

Mine is a pretty simple pivot when I think about it. I went to school to get my BA in Studio Art. I primarily drew and painted with some clay sculpture as well. And after 6 years of people pretty much telling me what to make I was no longer motivated to do it anymore. It felt like work not fun. So I took a little break after graduating college and well...I graduated in Dec 2019...remember what started to kick off in March of 2020 😂? So I got stuck working at my retail job longer than I expected after graduating college (not that complaining I'm happy I at least had a job). And I worked at Joanns Fabric and Crafts mostly at the cut counter helping pick and cut peoples fabric. And seeing all the beautiful patterns and colors I got that artsy spark again. (Plus i had an employee discount 😊) And I started buying fabric and jumped whole hog into making collage quilts. They are by no means perfect or made "correctly" but im learning and loving the creative process again. 😁 Plus my mom was happy to see me start sewing again. She taught me when I was 9 and I didnt touch a sewing maching again till 15 years later. 🤣

(Maybe someone besides me will answer Alex’s question here😊). I love when people ask how I can go to my guest bedroom turned sewing room and spend all day either in front of one of my sewing machines or my fabric cutting machine (AccuQuilt Go!Big). I have been sewing since I can remember because my mother sewed for us and for other people. Both of my grandmothers sewed and crafted and it always seemed fun, especially the quilts that they made. I dabbled with sewing as my daughters came along, occasionally sewing some outfits for them. But then work and life around activities with my husband and daughters left not much time to sew other than repair jobs as needed. Then, after daughters grew up and began families of their own and after working in a state forestry job for 32 1/2 years, I got to retire and knew I needed something creative to do. I bought a new sewing machine and a single needle embroidery machine and I was off on my adventure of quilt making and other sewing projects.

I've been sewing for over 50 years.....and I've sewn everything! Right now I am into historical clothing anything from the 1700's up to 1950's. Sewing is the love of my life. It's my therapy, it soothes me, it encourages me to learn different techniques, and it encourages me to do better. And it's not just sewing....it started with sewing but then I learned that it was much more....it was the artistic side of my brain that took over.....now I do all sorts of creative hobbies....sew (LOL).....I just let my creative juices flow to wherever it wants to take me!

I haven’t really found my niche yet, but I would really like to do some artistic quilts! Learning how to do Sashiko right now and may do a quilt that incorporates it. I also have a serger and have been how to make knitwear. II have a box filled with projects, just can’t focus! 😂

I just like an idea and see if I can do it. Pattern making and clothes really aren't that hard. Pick up cotton bed sheets at yard sales. Use them for mock ups to get the final fit, then try your good fabric.