Overcoming Creative Block

We made it everyone! It’s 2022 and that means we get to say “New year, new me!” for the first 2 weeks of the new year before returning to our old habits and saying better luck next year to ourselves. Seems like that is always the way each year goes and why gym memberships always uptick in January, but by mid year most people have stopped going and are just throwing money away. Speaking of throwing stuff away, sometimes I hit a point where I want to throw a project I’m working on because I hit a wall. We all have experienced it even if we all call it by different names. Losing your sewjo, mental block, creative deterrent, mental conception, hitting a wall, creative block. No matter what you call it everyone has hit that point at some time that keeps us from moving forward. Whether it is keeping us from getting started on a new project, continuing work on already started projects, or picking fabrics it seems like we just are not able to move forward. So what do you do when that happens? How can you shake off your sewjo slump? I wish I could tell you I have all the answers, but here are some ideas that help me when I get stuck and need that moment of inspiration. 

At the start of every year Pantone announces what it calls the “Color of the Year” which is the color they think will be most prevalent in just about every corner of the market. From clothing, to accessories, to even appliances. Many companies look to Pantone and will pay lots of money to get early access to what the color is going to be so they can get a jump on starting to make items in that color. In my opinion Pantone is the one that dictates what color is going to be most popular and the rest of the world just follows in line. This year’s color is called Pantone 17-3938 or Very Peri. Kona also throws its hat into the game and releases what it calls the Kona Cotton Solids Color of the Year. For 2022 that color is called Cosmos. Interestingly this year both colors of the year are not too far from each other on the color wheel but that is not always the case. What can be fun with these colors of the year is challenging yourself to use them in creative ways. Such as pulling out a favorite pattern you use and challenging yourself to incorporate one or both colors into it. Play with using that color as your focus color or background color. Another idea is one that I used when I was a lighting designer for theater shows. There was a specific color of blue gel filter, Rosco R74, that I would always challenge myself to work into the design of a show. It was a game of seeing how I could incorporate that color into a light design so that it looked like it fit and didn’t call attention to itself. You could use that approach and figure out how to use it in a way that looks natural or fits without being distracting. 

Another idea is to look at free patterns available. Most fabric Manufacturers has spaces on their websites for free patterns. Robert Kaufman, Moda, and Free Spirit offer free patterns for you to use and create with. There are also lots of other retailer websites that also offer free patterns for you to look though and use. Even if you are not looking for a pattern, sometimes it is fun just to look through them to find an element or single block that kicks your sewjo into overdrive and will have you racing to your nearest fabric store to get started on your newest project. Be careful though because sometimes you can get overwhelmed looking through pages and pages and pages of projects. There have been many times when scrolling through Pinterest it has just become too much and I have to get up and walk away from my computer. You know what though, that is okay!

Sometimes we need to take a break and walk away for a while. Sometimes that is a day, sometimes that can be years. Being a crafter of many disciplines, I find myself needing to walk away from one to pick up another that strikes my fancy better at that time. I originally started my YouTube channel as a greeting card crafting channel. However, more recently I find myself making sewing videos and working on sewing projects. It has been a few months since I even picked up my ink blending tools because it just doesn’t really interest me right now. I think I will come back around at some point, but for now I’m taking a rest and enjoying the time I spend at the sewing machine. No matter how long your break might be, know that you can always come back to it another day when inspiration strikes. 

The last suggestion I have for you is to pause and look at the world around you, you never know what might inspire you. Whether you are walking down your own street or out on vacation in another country there are so many great things in nature and manmade that can inspire you on your next creation. For example, Sarah Ruiz found inspiration in sticky notes and created a fun pattern called “Notes to Self” which looks like peeling or folded sticky notes. Sarah turned something as simple as sticky notes into a beautiful work of art. Your camera roll on your phone can also be a great source of inspiration. Find a photo and think about different ways to crop that photo to create a work of art from. Or let it inspire a mood for you to build from and inspire something that may not look like the photo but gives you the same feeling as the photo you have. It never has to be a 1-to-1 comparison and can be your interpretation of what you see or feel. Even something as simple as playing music can help jumpstart your inspiration battery. Grab some colored pencils, markers, crayons, or even finger paints and just doodle while listening to music. You might create something unexpected and something that ignites the flame of your creative torch. 

Having worked in museums and education institutions for over 18 years I have heard so many people tell me that they are not creative. I always remind people that they are creative, just maybe not in the stereotypical way such as drawing or painting. Everyone has a spark of creativity and imagination. It just doesn’t always look the same as the next persons. I love to highlight this by using the 30 Circles Exercise with groups, but you can do it on your own as well. The challenge is to fill all 30 circles with something, anything in just 3 min. It sounds easy but you soon find out how challenging it can be. However you overcome your creative block I hope everyone puts their creative spark to good use this year and creates something awesome. As Figment the dragon always sings, “One little spark of inspiration is at the heart of all creation.”