The other day I was looking for something and found yet another project in progress, unfinished object, you know.. those guilt inducing piles we store away hoping that magically they will get finished for us by the quilting elves at night!
I’ve decided that I need a strong plan to get all thee partial projects either finished, or moved onto new homes.
There are a lot of them
A Lot
I’m a GREAT planner, so I don’t know why i just have not done a ‘do-able’ plan. Because being do-able is the key to all successful plans.
Would you also like to work on getting unfinished (UFO) projects under control?
I’m going to write a series of posts on this, leave me a comments if you also want to get it under control!
Action Plan 1- Figuring out what we have
- Find all your projects that are not finished, all of them, and get them out.
You will have 2 main stacks
- Stack #1 – I want to spend time on this project, and be very very honest with yourself. You should really love it to want to work on it
- Stack #2 – I do not want to spend anymore time on this project. I have gotten tired of it, it’s not my style, I”m not interested in sewing and using my precious time to work on it. I want to work on things I love from now on and this stack will find a new home.
As you pick up an item it will go into #1 to work on, or #2 that you won’t spend any more time on it.
When sorting them into these groups and be brutally honest with yourself.
Are you ready to do this? I am too!
- Almost done and I want to finish it– needs binding, needs a border then sent to be quilted.. etc
- Almost done and I do not want to spend anymore time on it – can you end it where it is for a smaller projects? If you don’t even want to do that keep it in stack #2. Sometimes a black trash bag is helpful here so you can’t see it (wink!)
- Projects that have more work to be done, but it’s pretty far along – work on it more – Stack #1, otherwise ‘the other stack’
- Projects barely started – do you want to keep start it at some point? or have you moved on from it? by now you know which stack is which…
Move FAST .. don’t spend hours deciding. You can always review stack #2 later and remove things, but lets’ be super honest with ourselves and see if we really really want to work on these.
If you have ‘Future project bags’ where it’s fabric and pattern but no cutting or sewing has happened yet, you can do the analaysis on that group or save them for another time. I’m saving that group for another time as I have an overload of ones partially done to consider.
Next article will be the plan for working on these.
Leave me your thoughts below, what is hard ab
I did a video and article about it HERE
The color differences are
- Yellow & Pink are IDENTICAL except color
- Blue is less expensive, so the 20% off is fantastic. It has these differences
- 8’6″ cord instead of 12′
- Stainless Steal soleplate instead of Chomium soleplate
- 8 min auto shut off instead of 30 min with the pink & yellow
out this, what do you hope to accomplish? have you ever gotten them all out before? Tell me!
114 Responses
Hi Pat- great post. I created a table on- line of my UFOs to track status. It includes if backing fabric needed, binding, batting. When I shop, I check the table to see what I need. I can take advantage of coupons and sales better too!
Dotty, is there a chance that you could barter with someone? donate one of your tops, or make a new one in exchange for them to quilt it?
Main issue, not man. Lol
I need to be on the list! I ‘only’ have about 5 quilt tops in various stages of being made, but 2 are close to my part being done. So I am challenging myself to having that finished before starting the Christmas quilt! My man issue is that quilting s only one of about 25 crafts that enjoy. I have #8 of 10 church windows on my work table, need to block a baby sweater I just finished knitting, have a Needle Lace flower started that I am in a group to do, have 3/4 of a chair reupholstered, and there is always gardening…get the picture?
Laura – check out Quilts Of Compassion, they are in Toledo, OH. They send quilts all across our country and even to other countries. They have a website and a Facebook group. They will even give you a donation slip for your taxes, I think they are a 501C company. Project Linus will also take your unfinished projects. It seems like more and more Churches have quilt ministries now. Please don’t listen to the quilt police – sometimes the folks who criticize are just plain jealous. Guilds aren’t my thing either. I found two quilty friends and we get together every Wednesday and just have a fun day making our own quilts, It’s fun to have someone to sew with that loves quilts.
I have learned from a couple of organizing ladies to think of giving things away as Blessing Someone. That makes it easier for me to choose my favored fabric or projects, and my less than first choice. Just getting rid of a thing or two really makes a difference in space to work! Pat’s Christmas quilt project made me go through my drawer of holiday fabric and I realized how much people had given me that I really didn’t care for. So I shared it with the ladies in my group (mostly seniors on a tight budget) who were thrilled to get it! Some fabric will be better used for crafts rather than a quilt. And I felt better about buying new fabric that I will enjoy more.
A great idea with the two stacks. I’m getting ready to pack for moving, and looking forward to using this method to get rid of those UFO’s I’ll never finish.
Would love the UFO busting information.I have several to start organizing.
A year and a half ago I was ready to get back to sewing after a stressful period. I created a list of all my projects as I saw them scatteted around. I then put them away so I didnt have to look at them. Then I prioritized my list and told myself I would only focus on one thing at a time instead of stressing over all the things that used to stare at me in the room. I pulled each one out and checked it off as I went so I.could see my progress. I finished 13 last year! This year I took what wasn’t finished and started a new list but incorporated some new thngs so I get the best of both worlds. I have finished two and am keeping up with 3 BOM. Buying a longarm isnt giving me as much time this year with the learning curve but I’m still plugging away at it.
Just getting to this blog post, Pat, from yesterday. And so very timely!
I try to limit computer time now to the morning and evening AND hide my phone. LOL
Didn’t check email last night so here I am this morning.
I have already sorted my UFOs into similar stacks as you’ve mentioned above. And yesterday, I quilted a baby quilt for a friend I had made and passed it off to her for the binding. She is moving away from my area and needed some hand work for the road trip. AND, I made bias binding and attached it yesterday for a one of MY UFOs. It’s ready to have the binding sewn down by hand.
Thanks for the extra encouragement, reminder, and incentive!
Hi Pat, step 1 left me with 133 UFO’s…I love them all so want to finish them so my two best quilting buddies(Darline and Beth) put me on a UFO rehab plan! I can’t start a new project until I finish 5 of the UFO’s that are on my list…Rehab is working…I’m down to just over 60 to finish…yippee Friends keeping me in control are my inspiration!
Pat,
As silly as this may sound it has never occurred to me to donate unfinished things. What a door you have opened! Thank you!
I have decided that even if I dont want to push forward, I am. In your book, you say to practice fmq and quilting and such. SOOOO, why not finish these and use them to “practice” my quilting skills. If I am not a fan when completed, I can donate them to a shelter. No harm, but a lot of practice! Might be a great solution so I dont have to save money to send quilts OUT and finally use the books I got from you on learning to quilt!👍🤞🍾😍
I have been working on a girlfriends ufos. She passed away and i told her that i would see to it that all the quilts got done. There were old kits, old tops, lots of half finished projects…. That filled her basement. I don’t spend too much time on any one. I kinda chop up the work into sections. I’m the kind of person that likes to make small goals and get them accomplished instead of making a large goal and never seeing light at the end of the tunnel. Sometimes my goal is to get one cut out and then re-box it. In another session i might get the blocks sewn together then put it back up. I have a bag of tops and i will go grab one and put in my car… Then drop off at the quilters. I try to do the easier quicker kits first just to make room. I like to see an empty space on the shelf! I have a stack now of “need to be bound” on my cedar chest. That will be a wintertime project. It’s all about being organized and setting goals I think.
I have a few UFOs needing quilting, but in the middle of my plan to quilt them or to finish the tops so that they are ready to be quilted, I get a new idea and have to start another quilt, mostly using my stash , but it puts the plan to finish the UFOs on the back burner again. The top I have almost finished at the moment will be quilted before I start anything new, then it will be on to Grandma’s Kitchen to quilt that one, it is all ready, just needs pinning. Will post a pic of it when it’s done
Kristin, I had to chuckle after reading your plans for retirement. I certainly hope it works for you. Having retired five years ago I now have less free time than before. Life changes drastically, and not always how we plan it. I had grand plans for quilting, had tops ready for quilting, as well as other projects in various stages. To date not very many have been completed. Life has a way of changing as we age. Spouses have major health issues that demand that previous quilting time. Children have circumstances change to the point of moving back home this you lose your quilting space, So you learn to take it one day at a time, work on what you can when you can catch a spare minute, and NEVER think about those UFO’s that sit awaiting your attention. They’ve been waiting around for over five years, what’s a few more?
If you don’t know how to do your own quilting and you can’t afford to hire it done, is there really anything wrong with taking it to church and have the ladies hand tie a quilt. We think they get quite nice and comfy this way and we have good fellowship while working.
10 minutes a day will move you forward Denise!
once you have things in stack #2 (the black bag) then you get rid of them. I’ll list a bunch of ways.. but they are in a bag you can’t see in, don’t open it, you decided, there are way more projects on the horizon.. those will move on!
we all love that job Karen and take it seriously!
excellent Diana!!! *yep.. thing #1 .. thing #2
super! You can quilt your own
sounds like you figured out a plan that works for you Lisa, super!
donate now, makes space Robin!
this is the place to get it!
I am ready to get them done! Most of them I want to finish.
Need some motivation!!
I just finished this step last month. Some just started quilt blocks went into orphan box for now. May be donated later.
I have many UFOs, but not all are quilt projects. I also crochet and knit, so I have a variety of UFOs in various stages of various mediums as well as a variety of stashes. When I get bored of one medium, I switch gears. I also have different styles I work on. I love hand sewing/stitching/doing yarn work while I watch TV in the evening. I do not have air conditioning, so it’s very uncomfortable during the warm/hot weather to have large pieces lying on my lap while I work on them, so I work on small things to be pieced together like granny squares or other afghan squares, or pieced fabric blocks or yo-yos. I currently have a bunch of fabric circles waiting to become yo-yos, a bunch of afghan squares waiting to be joined, a 25+ y.o. quilt top I made with my Grandmother who has since passed, and a 20+ y.o. Wedding Ring quilt which I have pulled out this wk to finish quilting (even though it’s been 80 – 90 degrees out). When the cooler temps hit,I love working on the larger pieces. So, while I have several UFOs in an array of mediums and phases, I never have too many of any one. I rotate through them with the change of seasons and my mood. My best motivator is when I have a project that I want to start. I won’t allow myself to start something that I know I can’t or won’t finish fairly quickly until I’ve finished at least one project first. The reason I’m quilting the Wedding Ring quilt is because the “Let’s Go Camping!” BOM is waiting in the wings!
Unless you have more than 100, you are still an amateur. LOL
Hi Pat, I learnt to do Quilt as you go on my UFO’s. so I could quilt the, on my machine at home, I can’t afford to send them out. I started off really simple but I’m getting confidence now and doing fancy things lol. I’ll follow along with you and finish my son’s tshirt quilt. Which will make us both happy. Love your inspiration.
Absolutely! Finished is better than perfect!
Hey Pat! I like how you’re a planner; me too! And I like how you’ve broken this up into manageable steps. Now that our daughter has moved out of my sewing room, I’m trying to get back in there to go through and re-organize and purge. But it takes dedication. So I have empty crates that I can use for Block #1 and box #2 (kinda like Thing #1 and Thing#2 from Cat in the Hat. 😉). So I will transfer I’ve ro your planning and see what I can get done.
Thanks again, Diana of PT quilter Originals
I REALLY need to do this! Thanks for giving us ‘permission’ to unclutter & move on! I’ve only been quilting a couple years but good grief it’s addicting! I need to try every single block, pattern, fabric etc I see so not only do I have lots of UFOs but my stash has gotten way out of control too! My LQS just had a great sale on fat quarters and it really is my job to support the local economy, right? I just love your patterns so of course I’m doing do ALL the sew alongs! I have to get this under control before my hubby discovers my addiction!
I make / finish quilts for chemo patients. It is a joy to see happy faces.
I need to do this because I have things almost finished with piecing but lost the connection. I’m bad about all I have left is sew down binding or put it on. So I have really started to bust those projects. Tell me please after their in the “black” bag what do you do with them?? We’re building a new house so I really do need to get this done. Thanks for your tips and projects. However I can’t keep up.
Hugs
Hollie in Texas
I have so many to be quilted and I love to quilt my own. As someone said earlier quilted is better than not quilted. I like to have them on hand when I need a gift or to donate. I have several kits that are just waiting to be pieced, and I have made a goal to at least get one or two quilted per month and just watch the pile go down. I do not belong to any guild. I work full time and volunteer on weekends so my main excuse is not having the time.
Thank you
I do alot of hand embroidery pieces for a quilt. I buy patterns that is specific for a quilt. I get the hand work done but not into a quilt before i start a new project. This is what i am doing now. One of these projects is for an auction for my nieces church school. Annual event and must be in their hands by September (my deadline) the real deadline is November. I have all of these quilts in bag with specific material then that is the next one I choose. My husband is next. He even found a place in our home where he wants to hang it. I have about four quilts in line. This is working for me.
I love all my projects. But being only at this a couple of years, I didn’t organize as I should have. I jumped into a second sew along before finishing the first. (First mistake) Then started a grandson’s quilt. (Mistake #2). Then there’s the Sew Samplers fun stuff, and various holiday projects…(Mistake 3,4,5…). But then Life happened, Dad’s been sick since January and my sewing has slowed drastically. And a new granddaughter is on the way with a request for new custom crib bedding that I must do. But I’m determined to get them done and have promised to finish all this year! So any tips you got, I’ll take!
I love this idea and will find every last one to sort. Still have the first hand applique to hand quilt from 1999 – 2000. I am trying to quilt at least one quilt a month.
If you can’t quilt on your machine after it’s pieced and sandwiched, piece and sandwich in small sections or block by block, then join. When you do it that way, it’s on to the label and border and voila’! You’re done!
I recently sorted out several bags of blocks and took them along to a Project Linus day at my weekly quilt group. Others loved them and they were soon turned into two quilts which the recipients loved! Result!
I am ruthless now – if I think I don’t like it or won’t finish it then I find them a good home with someone who will put the time to them.
Hoever I still have a list as long as your arm!LOL!
Love your blocks and am about to finish the Soltice quilt as I found the right colour sashing for the blocks – might make two out of it a 16 and a 9!
Best wishes
Glenys Westward Ho! UK
I joined a UFO group and we try to complete one every month. They pick a number and that is what we work on. Out of 12 I had on my list, only two are not completed and it is only July. Makes me feel good to get them finished and gifted.
180 UFO’s?? Seriously?
How’s the time to learn to either machine quilt, or better yet, learn to hand quilt.
Consider how many people would love to have a handmade quilt but cannot afford to buy one.
Women’s shelters, seniors in long term care or seniors homes, not to mention the countless homeless.
Just think of all the money invested in something you can afford to NOT finish, and so many others are needing
basic things, like warm quilts
I actually just did what you described about a month ago. Went through my stash also with a critical eye. Made all items and fabrics available to the beginning sewing group and charity sewing group at my church. They all loved “shopping” for new items and I found comfort in the fact that my stuff was going to people that loved sewing as much as I do. It was VERY liberating for me to clean out and organize my sewing space! I also made the decision to diligently work on UFOs this year and refrain from starting anything new. Takes alot of self control alot of the time but feels great to finally finish that UFO and have empty shelf space!
To those that are afraid to quilt it yourself: let yourself off the hook and dive right in. Just do it! Finished is better than perfect!
Laura, Maybe you can start a quilting group with those of similar interests such as yours and are more laid back? I’m sure your quilts are fabulous!
This is the second year for our groups UFO contest (with cash prizes) and only 10 projects got done for the first half of this year (I did 6 of them because I was motivated!).
For the second half of the year I am giving out a handout (I will print this article off for more inspiration)- How to Choose your UFO and we will have a new set of rules for the 5 items they each have remaining. The ladies can choose which 5 they want to do, reorganize them and get to work.
Hopefully we will have 35 projects completed in December rather than my remaining 5 projects. LOL
I finished 21 quilts last year by joining all people quilt UFO challenge but this year I can’t seem to get motivated. I keep finding more UFO’s every time I clean my sewing room so my list of 37 keeps growing. It feels like I am trying to claw my way out of quicksand. To make myself feel better I start anew quilt which isnt helping. Not sure sorting will help but guess it can’t hurt. Maybe I can complete a couple smaller versions for charity quilts. Thanks for bringing this.
Quilted imperfectly, like mine, is better than not quilted at all.
There is always someone who needs to complicate things, so I am adding Bin#3 — those smaller, hand-sewing UFOs that I save for when we travel; each project in its own bag so I can grab and run with it. For example, my Patchwork of the Crosses piecework.
My husband’s woodworker group makes toys for 9 local charities. Included in the toy collection are strollers, cradles, high chairs, dump trucks, etc., with a place for a stuffed animal to sit or lay. A local woman buys 200 stuffed animals as a donation each year and my guild and friends of the guild turn orphan blocks or partial quilts into “ Cradle Quilts.” These 18” x 18” or larger, sometimes 3’x2.5’ pieces give a home for previously unfinished projects. As long as the shortest side is 18” long, we know it can encircle a stuffed animal. One girl in our guild calls them, “full-sized bed quilts.” This outlet allows many of us a great place to practice piecing or free-motion quilting.