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Let’s chat Unfinished projects, that would be a UFO in ‘Quilt-Talk’ .. I have thoughts… many thoughts! Read on!
I’ve had lots of discussions over the years about how to handle UFOs. Sometimes several things happen and I then feel the frantic need to get them under control
This week when I chatted with Lindsay on my talk show she mentioned ‘Did she have the passion to work on that quilt’. I have not been able to stop thinking about that. And then because I’m getting ready for new things, finishing up things, my own work area became crazy and I needed to address it.
So first.. I want to say if you do not have an unfinished project … most quilters may want to take your pulse…. wink! Most of us have many that have not been worked on for.. cough.. awhile..
When I got my projects out to reorganize the storage of them yesterday I found the two above.
How did I decide if they are worth working on?
- When I found the top group of Cozy Christmas blocks, I got SO excited! I’d TOTALLY forgotten about that project. I love the big scale blocks, the darling fabric and that a TON Of blocks are DONE already. Enough i could set them without making many more .. STATUS? KEEP
- Then the second group of coney island. Again I got VERY excited to see the coney island fabric and I’d TOTALLY .. again.. forgotten about that project. BUT.. not many blocks done. And I started to think about it and realized that I was not feeling the love to make more of those blocks. They are to be stars. But I just was not excited when making them. BUT I love the fabric… STATUS? DO NOT CONTINUE with this pattern. BUT since I like the fabric, I’ll find a new project for it. And the pieces already done? I have a box of orphan blocks They eventually will be use for .. something.. but it’s better to have them in there than a whole project not being worked on.
Leave me a comment telling me
What is your BIGGEST Issue when dealing with a UFO
and would you like me to do a series on UFO Busting?
- Find the Cozy Christmas Fabric HERE & you can still get some Coney Island
- Read my newsletter HERE.
- Listen to my chat with Lindsay
- ENTER my Fabulous Friday Giveaway & Download my free Button club patterns
- FIND all my UFO Posts from this year and many prior years
168 Responses
There are many quilt guilds that do take donations, for just that donations to re give so to speak for charities and they are more than happy to use a project. Or they might have there monthly meetings like ours and have a raffle for the night, generating $$ for the guild, to use, or pay rent on. Try checking with the local quilt store, for advice or maybe they will take it for you, if you are out of town. Most shops are connected with a quild some way or know of people in the quild or church charities.
I have so many UFO’s I don’t even count them anymore. I have challenged myself to finish 2 UFO’s before I can start a new project. So far I am doing OK getting some things finished. But there are always those projects that keep getting shoved to the end of the list. Either I don’t like the fabrics, don’t like the technique or for some reason my excitement about the project is gone. It is difficult for me to give up on a project so it just keeps hanging out in my sewing area taking up valuable space. I guess I just need someone to tell me it is OK to give up on a project and move on. I would love a series on busting UFO’s. I think the one thing that would help all of us with numerous UFO’s is having and plan and being held accountable. I am committed to finishing all of these just not sure how to best approach the huge stack!! Help me before I go under for the 3rd time.
the UFOs I have were started for me. then someone asks me to make them something and I leave mine go and make theirs. I’m so behind in making other people quilts and I can’t see when I’ll ever have time to finish any of my own.
I would love a UFO series to help motivate me to finish some projects. Please start it in January so I can make a resolution to finish a few quilt projects (plus I currently have pins in my wrist so can’t do much sewing right now).
For the ones you dob’t like ask for some help to donate their time to finish them then donate to someone who needs them . Like the hurricane disasters (Puerto Rico etc ) California (Nappa Valley) I’m sure someone will Love to Have One!
I find I don’t like the color combinations, but then again maybe someone will. I have been challenging myself to use the blocks in something rather than putting it back in the pile.
I’ve given myself permission to not continue with the project as it was and make it into something different. Pillow, table runner, purse….
I struggle with figuring out what design to quilt on the UFO’s. I am a hand quilter and I just want to find the perfect design for each project.
I get excited about a new project or pattern I see and set the one I am working on aside to start the new project/pattern and this seems to be the routine I have been in for a couple of years now. I have so many UFOs that I have lost count of them. I think of it as the “cow that sees greener pastures” syndrome. I would really like you to do a series on UFO busting and maybe I need to get some blinders so I cannot see the greener pastures for awhile.
I would love a series on UFO busting! I get so excited about a project then a shiny thing (mostly another project) distracts me and the cycle continues! I have several quilt tops that need quilting and many blocks that need put together!
My main guilt is in my stash. I know it is typical for a quilter to have a nice ‘stash’ but mine has loads of guilt attached to it. I love looking around the quilt shop and seeing all the new fabrics. Some follow me home. Then the cycle of guilt begins all over again! ugh..
I really only have one ufo of my own left . Been working on them this year, then found several of my moms when cleaning out their house . Had 3 of hers quilted at LQS and need to bind for Christmas gifts for my cousins. My larger issue is buying kits, projects, etc way faster than I can work on them . Probably have 15-20 projects waiting in the wings for some love. Help!!
I attach bindings by machine also. The last one, I sewed to the back first, flipped and used blanket stitch on front. Loved it!!
awww, what a beautiful AND sad story. i wish you lots of love for you and your family.
i had one ufo for quite a while now. but i’m about to finish it. i just have to do the binding by hand. then it’s finally done!
on the other hand i’ve got lots of ufos but not quilts. i’ve got lots of ideas that i’d like to realize. but sometimes i get the impression i don’t move forward. that’s basically the main reason why i’ve started my blog. so every time i get this impression i can go to my own website and look what i’ve already achieved :-).
but if somebody has some thoughts about how handling a tons of projects i want to do i’d be grateful.i thought about doing a list based on which one’s the most important and so on. but i’m still stuck a bit.
Donate that unfinished quilt top to your local quilting group. Somebody there will finish it and it could be raffled off at Christmas time or it could be a lovely donation.
I see a quilt I like I take the class and then put it out of the way, then I take another class and put that one out of the way lol. I probably have 30 or more ufo sitting in my closet lol.
Yes pat please help us do something to get motivated to finish our ufo’s
Yes to UFO series. Ideas and motivation would be great.
I manage UFOs by being really harsh with myself. No new projects started until one is finished. Or “today only work on UFOs.” And sometimes I can do it and others not so much.
I have ahem, several, UFO. I typically start one quilt and the something else catches my eye, think “squirrel”!! Then it’s off to something else until the next pattern/fabric/class/sale/kit/mystery quilt catches my eye! My family thinks I need an intervention. Currently I am caring for my mother with Alzheimer’s. I had a quilt cut out & started (imagine that) so we are working on that together. I will treasure it always as soon she won’t remember even me.
I have a lot if UFO, I honestly think I have some issue. Maybe not, this problem sounds pretty normal in the world of crafting in general. My issue is I have so many it is overwhelming.
Yes I would be very interested in you UFO series.
Thank you Pat for all you do.
Juanita