1) For some it could be signing up for a class or workshop, to learn a new technique, and starting the project when all we wanted was to understand the technique. Recommendation: Take the class, but scale down the size of the project to be sufficient to learn the technique. Most class project never need to be finished to learn the technique. If you have some of these UFOs in your stash, realize it is ok to re-purpose the fabric you may have planned for this project and be happy you learned a new technique vs feeling badly that you added another project to your list of UFOs.
2) It might be that you made a mistake in your project and need to do some reverse sewing, change some fabric, or tweak the design. Recommendation: If you can't get inspired to proceed with this UFO, step back and look at it to see if you can re-purpose it. Maybe you can use it to make a smaller quilt, a tote, or alter the design with applique' and/or embellishment. Or maybe you know another quilter that would love to finish your project and call it their own.
3) You find you no longer like the design or colors. Recommendation: While your quilt project may no longer be right for you, when it is finished your project could be a wonderful gift or charity quilt.
4) You visit your local quilt store and see a beautiful design and lovely fabric that can't help but jump in your bag to go home with you. Recommendation: Count to ten (or 100) and then do a mental count of your UFOs waiting for you at home. Be honest when you assess if this new project will be something you will finish, in a reasonable time, or just add to your UFO list. If you hear the bells go off and your heart sinks, this may not be the time for you to make this purchase. But if you are convinced you can make this quilt without adding to your UFO list, follow your heart. Just try to find time to finish a few UFOs soon, and you'll even feel better about your new project too.
5) While you would love to practice your free-motion quilting skills, you have more UFOs waiting for quilting and more ideas to make additional quilts, than you have time. Recommendation: Realize that there are many talented longarm quilters in the business to help you. Bite the bullet and outsource some of your quilting projects!
I'm happy to report I have two quilts, from my list of UFO projects, that I'm dropping off to a longarmer today. They may not be my favorite projects, but they soon will no longer be UFOs. Deciding to have the professional longarmer help to quilt them will also give me time to work on some other projects (some UFOs and some new).
I'd really like to hear from you. Were any of my causes for what makes a quilting project become a UFO the same causes for you? Or, do you have other causes for your quilting projects to become UFOs? And what tips can you share to minimize a project becoming a UFO?
36 comments:
sometimes my projects become UFOs because I hit a wall with them. mostly it's because I need to quilt them. I'm a faster piecer than quilter, altho my machine quilting skills are improving. sometimes I'm experimenting (like my 22 dresden plates) and then I'm done with that idea and i move on. I'm motivated by deadlines (Christmas and birthdays) but not by unpicking. sometimes a piece is a UFO just because it needs a backing or a batting. I'm not opposed to charity quilts and I will tie a nice top to a fleece back to get it done and out the door. I also mailed UFO parts to a friend faraway so she could have a go. thanks for the post.
Darlene great comments on what makes an UFO. The majority of my UFO's require binding. At some point I may have to hire someone to do some binding work. But at the same time I think binding is a skill I need to work on regardless of the time it takes. I will be finishing one of my UFO's tomorrow for entry in a local quilt show.
I definitely have lots of leftover class UFO's. And guild exchange UFO's, where I wanted to be part of the fun, but I'm not really so anxious to finish the quilt. And then there are the times when my project exceeds my skill level. Even when I aquire the needed skill, I don't seem to go back. Maybe it is time to finish some of these as donation quilts....
For me it is usually, what I thought was a good idea, isn't turning out the way I wanted, so I get discouraged. On some if it gets frustrating, I put it aside until I can think it through and decide how to make it better.
Debbie
Hey Darlene I think some of my UFO's are due to boredom....lol I just don't want to finish it either because I don't like the colors or I am bored witht he process....I do not have an opinion on how to fix the later....
One of my UFO excuses/reasons is boredom. I often start a project and then don't get a chance to sew for a week or more because I'm busy with work or family. Then when I get back to my sewing room I've lost interest.
This especially happens when I work on something that doesn't have a designated "home" before I begin. So there is no deadline looming.
You've begun a thought process and I may continue this on my own blog. Thanks!
For me, it has definitely happened with larger quilts, at the point where they have to be quilted. I have dreaded the thought of struggling with a large quilt on a domestic sewing machine. And, unfortunately, there are not long-arm quilters where I live! Believe me... I'm it. A few months ago I invested in an industrial sewing machine and had it adapted for FMQ... so my goal this year is to finally quilt all those UFOs!
This is an awesome post! So good I sent the link to a friend. yhou really listed great reasons for having UFOs in the project queue...
Thanks for being brave enough to really ponder the "why"
I've been guilty of purchasiong fabric for a project and not doing it. Hence, my big challenge this year is to work with what I have and only purchase fabric if I really need it.
Most of my UFO's just need to be quilted. I get really nervous when it's time to quilt. I'm not terrible at it, but I also use an old sewing machine and I always get so nervous that I'm going to ruin all my work. I have a few UFO's that I just don't know how to move forward with them. I'm at a stand still. Others are great projects that I just got bored with. Sometimes I see all these great projects that I want to make, start them, then realize, ughhhh....I should really be working on this other project. Sew, I work on that one.....then....ughhh....crap, I start another one. Oh no....I've got too many projects on the go syndrym. I think you get the picture. LOL!!! Hugs Ariane
Too many classes for me is the biggest reason. Another is what I may be working on will get pushed aside as something else becomes more pressing. Tring to work on those all this year. Says the woman who is taking two new classes as Road this week.
You certainly did give this alot of thought with a wonderful outcome and tips. I have UFO's because I get bored and tend to jump from one thing to another. I think having a TV in y sewing room will help the bordem and my determination to finish what I start? We will see...thanks again,
All of the above! All those reasons apply to me plus one more...too little time. It always takes longer to complete a project than I think it will! LOL! I tried a schedule but that lasted only about 1 week then I added more projects...
My biggest reason for having so many UFO's is TIME. I was a homeschooling Mom and there was never large amounts of time for quilting. Yet I enjoyed quilting with my buddies. So I would get together with them, we would sew on a new project. They in turn went home and completed their projects and mine are still not finished. Now that my youngest has graduated, I am hoping to tackle those ufos and get them done. Oh, and I have also really been more careful about buying new patterns and projects. Yes I might LOVE them, but will I really make them?? It does make me stop to consider whether I will ever make them. Great insights!
Most of my ufos are lack of time and/or money. It's so much more fun to purchase fun fabric instead of batting or backing ect.
I homeschool and have to fit time in between. Plus there is usually something needing made for the kids or someone else that makes it's way up the priority list!
I do want to give more time to finishing the few ufos that I have.
My UFOs are from when I first started quilting (just 4 yrs. ago). I started with 'gifted' scraps, that weren't that nice or quilty quality. They were learning pieces. But rather than scrap them, I am using them as backing for utility or charity quilts. Orphan blocks - have a bad habit of making 1-2 extra incase my count is off - they get donated to the Senior Center where they become pillows and totes. And I save funds so my 2 largest quilts of the year can be sent to a longarmer.
I think my UFOs are the result of my ADD...my mind just hops from one quilt to another...when I get inspired by something I want to do it. I have been concentrating on finishing UFOs the last few weeks and actually completed some. My rationale is that I am going away for a couple of weeks so I don't want to start anything new. It has been hard to keep on finishing up though. Just learned a new technique today at my bee
great question!!! why do some projects speak to us for years.. and some for only a short time.
Most of my UFO's are actually quilts I was making for ME. I would put them aside to work on a gift or donation quilt, and then get involved in something else (like another new quilt for ME) and they never get finished. One is due to failing eyes - lots of 1 1/2" squares to line up into 4 patches for borders - lots and lots and lots.
A lot of my UFO's date from when I started quilting and was taking a lot of quilt classes. The quilt from the first class was not finished when I went to the next class. Some became UFO's because I didn't have time to sew due to work and family obligations. I made myself start clearing out UFO's in 2009. On one quilt, I spent the first 15 minutes of my sewing time working on it. Another I'm using Bonnie Hunter's Leaders and Enders technique to get it finished. It's not fast, but I'm at least making progress.
I only have 1 and it is the quilt I was making for my mom when she passed with pics of all her grandchildren and no one else would know who all the kids are. I keep it to remind me how much I miss her!
SCG...stop by my blog for a chance to win a Scentsy candle warmer and candle bar!
Great post Darlene! I hope to get a few UFO's completed this year and off my list.
Thanks for permission to re-purpose UFOs. It never occurred to me to cut or take apart a quilt top that I don't want to finish for whatever reason. I had 3 quilt tops that I didn't care for. They didn't turn out the way I saw them in my mind. One I gave away to someone who was calling for that type squares. I felt a little funny off loading it on someone else when I didn't like it myself but you know what they say about one man's trash. The other two tops, I'm now going to take or cut apart and use the fabric for something else. Good post.
I think you covered most of the bases. For me, a project becomes a UFO when something comes up that a feel I "have" to do, like a baby or wedding quilt and the project I am working on in the minute gets put aside. If I was really excited about it I can get right back into it if not it becomes another UFO.
This is a question I asked myself this year as well. I finished several UFO's last year, but have accumulated more to replace them :) What causes my UFO's is a low tolerance for "unsewing". I hate to redo. A pattern that is too difficult for me will be put aside until the light goes on in my head (if it ever does)! Since I work full time I have also come to realize that I need to make my sewing time part of my schedule if I want to get anything accomplished. Thanks for bringing this topic up, it was interesting to read everyone's comments.
I found another place where things can become a UFO. I call it a Procrastination Point. For a REAL astinator this can be something as small as having to change the bobbin or a pressor foot. Or Maybe you ran out of thread and have to go down the street to pick up some more. "Oh I'll just put this aside and do something else, after all I'm still in my jammies...." Pretty soon it turns into a UFO. Thanks for your post.
You certainly hit on some of my reasons for having UFOs. I didn't know how to quilt them, longarm costs to much, and also lack of money to buy batting or backing. And you also stated some of the tips I use - thinking about how many projects I have at home. There's always another project you want to start - saying no actually feels good. And then I've been trying to do one UFO each month. Last year I completed about 8. And when I do buy a new project - I finished it that month.
What a great post Darlene! Love the ideas you have to help with UFO's! I think for me I just get bored with a project after a while or it may be that I need to finish something else (like for a holiday)! But, I find that when I dig through my projects looking for something to work on - I fall in love again - and get back to them later.
It seems I run out of time and there is some project that has to be done and the one I want to do gets put on the back burner never to surface again.
I looked at my pile of UFOs and the majority are a result from taking classes/workshops. Some I still have an interest to finish. Others I realized that I need to modify because the concept is good but the workshop was for a bed size quilt and I will never finish one of those. Also there are a couple that I have no interest in finishing because they are just not me and either I should repurpose them or give them to someone who might like to do something with them.
Your reasons are so true and apply to any sewing (not just quilts)! I usually try to finish projects and give them as gifts or to charity if they are no longer exciting me. I don't have any current UFOs, but I do have a stack fabric, notions and ideas for my next projects (at least 6 of them).
For me, it's mostly "life" interfering with quilting (or, I suppose if you want me to be realistic, poor time management).
I work full-time in a completely different area then quilting, I have teens and their activities, a military husband who was gone more often than not, 3 dogs and well, life. I want to do my projects but then something comes up which is more important. The family readiness group asking me to make some baby blankets for the newborns coming who's dad's are deployed, or the request for a quilt to auction for a fundraiser for the Fischer House.
Then there's the personal pushers, the quilt for the favored Aunt who celebrated her 70th birthday.
When these things come along, with my limited quilting time, my personal projects get pushed aside and that is pretty much where my UFO list comes from. Last year and this year, though, I've been steadily working through them with the understanding that even if no longer want them, someone will (charity or a friend or in a couple really "what was I thinking" cases, the dogs!)
Hehe- I forgot to add, a couple military moves (some on my own also) makes for UFOs that should not be!
Okay the number one reason I have UFO's not enough money. I buy enough to make the top and then stash bust to make the back and what are you stuck with? A quilt with no batting. I have two quilts that fall under that slot. But they're great friends and don't seem to mind to much when I make another quilt that bypasses them at the finish line... Hey they're not UFO's there just WIPS...
Oh yes then there's the always "now what" project where you're not sure how to proceed. I have one of those.
Oh and then the one that eats wonder under. I really should have planned that quilt smaller because every time I sew down all the applique bits I get upset with myself that I need to buy another 4 rolls of wonder under before I can complete the darned thing.
Many of my UFO's come about because I have taken a class to learn a new technique and do not have time to finish it right away. I do usually get around to doing it. My longest UFO though is because it took me so long to collect the fabrics I wanted to use. There are not any great fabric shops in our area, so I usually have to wait for my travels or make a special day trip to Lancaster, PA. I seldom buy fabric over the internet because I am a bit tactile. I only purchase fabric online if I know the brand/color scheme. Sometimes I find it difficult to tell if the fabric is the right hue/tone that I want to use. I learned this lesson the hard way of course.
I have UFOs because I have a short attention span. I like to have several things going at once, in different stages of completion, and in this way I can bounce around from project to project and not get bored.
Last year though I made a serious effort to pare down my UFOs, and now I don't have anything older than 1 year. :)
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