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Julie in NM 06-28-2012 07:04 AM

Trying to get over the hump and finish...
 
This current project. Happens everytime I start a quilt..no matter what size. Just over half way done and I look longingly at fab, patterns, mags of new quilts and I want to turn current project into UFO and start new. So hard to finish but THIS quilt is surprise gift for friend at work so I must get over this hump and finish. This ever happen to you?

QuiltnNan 06-28-2012 07:10 AM

all of the time :) but mine usually starts about 3/4 through. there are just so many ideas in my head, i can't wait to start the next one LOL

QuiltinginSD 06-28-2012 07:15 AM

I have this problem with pretty much every project. I have so many UFOs because of it!

ArtsyOne 06-28-2012 07:48 AM

All the time! I just finished the top of a paper-pieced quilt and am now bored with it, so I started making t-shirts for myself to wear. I'm bored with t-shirts after the 3rd one in two days and it is sitting next to my machine. Next I want to make a quick baby-quilt, but I'm going to force myself to finish that t-shirt.

leatheflea 06-28-2012 08:20 AM

Yep, I think the my biggest problem is the internet. I see so many great projects online and I want to make them all. If I really have to get something finished I stay away from the computer, hours can get lost surfing quilt patterns, design, and fabric.

Happy Linda 06-28-2012 08:47 AM

Refuse to look at anything else until the project is done. I know, you might as well become a dentist and pull teeth.

DeneK 06-28-2012 11:39 AM

My problem too... I almost always have -=at least=- 3 going at the same time in different stages of completion.

twilight 06-28-2012 12:03 PM

HI I have the same problem. I'm now taking a quilt top apart (jelly roll) and making it the other way. Up and Down instead of cross wise. I need to add to each strip to make them 68". Will quilt as I go with this one.

DawnFurlong 06-28-2012 12:09 PM

Oh my gosh! You have so described me!!! Down to the about half way through a quilt that is a surprise gift for a friend!!!! I am in the FMQ stage of a lap sized quilt. I have a love/hate relationship with FMQing. Wishing I had just chosen to stipple, but wanted to work more on a kind of scroll/cloud meandering thing. Have half of the quilt quilted, and just don't-want-to-do-it-anymore!! But I want to get this finished to give her - sometime soon!!! Thinking about it at lunch, I told myself that even if I just quilt over a couple of blocks every day - won't take much time and I will be done before I know it.

It is the same with every project though, be it for me or someone else.

Ditto what everyone else said. So many fabrics, patterns, quilting ideas - way more than I have time for. And hours easily get lost on the internet...

Crafty1 06-28-2012 12:14 PM

All the time :o

kathy 06-28-2012 12:22 PM

very seldom! if I'm unsure if I'll like the block I do a practice one from scraps and decide if I want to do a whole quilt worth, when I start anything I want to hurry and see it finished. I often have one on the quilt rack, one for binding (at night during TV time) one at the machine, and sometimes one partially cut all at the same time but I do not have any UFOs.I also usually have a handwork going to bring to work too. Maybe it's part because I'm a penny pincher and can't stand waste.

jeank 06-28-2012 12:52 PM

I love to start projects. I want to see how it will look put together. I finish the tops and want to start another, never finishing the quilt. This summer, I hope to quilt several of the UFOs. I have a box of sets, top, back and binding and new projects going.

burchquilts 06-28-2012 03:37 PM


Originally Posted by QuiltinginSD (Post 5323201)
I have this problem with pretty much every project. I have so many UFOs because of it!

I have the very same problem. Especially is I wasn't thrilled with the project to begin with or if it starts going sideways on me. I'm not very good at *making* myself finish & I need to get better about that. UFO's don't do anybody any good... LOL!

burchquilts 06-28-2012 03:39 PM


Originally Posted by twilight (Post 5323897)
HI I have the same problem. I'm now taking a quilt top apart (jelly roll) and making it the other way. Up and Down instead of cross wise. I need to add to each strip to make them 68". Will quilt as I go with this one.

I have a Jelly Roll Race that I've made, cut up, re-sewn, this, that, & the other thing. I just cannot seem to like this silly thing nor finish it. But I'm determined to get this one done & out of here (it's a gift)!

Julie in NM 06-28-2012 05:03 PM

WHEW!!! I thought maybe I was not alone with this "issue". Thanks guys. Now plan to GET OFF THIS COMPUTER and keep on sewing. Goal is to give it to her Monday!

Nelco 06-28-2012 05:07 PM

I agree with you leatheflea now that I have found the QB I am on the computer all the time. :p

Originally Posted by leatheflea (Post 5323346)
Yep, I think the my biggest problem is the internet. I see so many great projects online and I want to make them all. If I really have to get something finished I stay away from the computer, hours can get lost surfing quilt patterns, design, and fabric.


nycquilter 06-29-2012 05:49 AM

I'm like Kathy. I have very few UFO's. I make myself complete a UFO between every one or two other projects. My UFO list is now under 10. I love to finish quilts. I find it exciting! Even when it gets tedious, like chain sewing 72 pieces, I use the time for meditation and reflection. Though, I have to admit, I get obsessed with a project and work like the dickens. I also have handwork to do while sitting on the subway and a large Hawai'ian quilt for television time.

roseirish48 06-29-2012 06:00 AM

usually i can finish the top without problems in getting bored with it. My boredom sets in about half way through the quilting stage. I have to sometimes force myself to do so many blocks each day and set myself an approximately scheduled date to have it done. The sewing down of the binding is a drag too but I know I can do a queen size quilt in about 4 hours--throw in a movie and stitch away.

Barb in Louisiana 06-29-2012 06:06 AM

I'm definitely in the "starter", but not finishing group. The guild I belong to asked us to list all the UFO's or WIP's Works in Progress as I like to call them, we had at the end of 2011. lol Doesn't matter...they are still lurking. It surprised me that I had 22. For each one we finish, our name gets thrown in the hat for a prize. It's an incentive!

I made a pact with myself that for each new project I started, I had to finish 2 on the list. I, also, have to add the new project to the list so I can see what my current status is. I don't put anything on the list unless I have cut a piece of material for it. This list is very visible & I MAKE myself look at it, everytime I go into my quilting room. It IS making a small difference. I have finished 4 & only added 5. Well, I am trying!

My goal is to have made all 6 of my grandbabies (oldest is 22) & one great a quilt for Christmas. I wish I had known this before I made the darn list. This is hurting my completions, because they don't like the same stuff I do.

Oh well, My Ultimate Goal is to have my list of WIP's for the year of 2012 to be 11 or less by EOY....so many quilts, so much fabric, so many kits and, so little time.

I have thought it all out & decided I need to find me a finisher, & I will be her starter & then we can sew together & both do our parts. Any partners available in southern Louisiana?????

DawnFurlong 06-29-2012 06:09 AM


Originally Posted by roseirish48 (Post 5325585)
My boredom sets in about half way through the quilting stage. I have to sometimes force myself to do so many blocks each day and set myself an approximately scheduled date to have it done. The sewing down of the binding is a drag too but I know I can do a queen size quilt in about 4 hours--throw in a movie and stitch away.

That is usually where it hits me! I also don't like putting on borders. I need more practice with my FMQing. It isn't bad, but I usually just stipple. I think if I spent the time to expand my horizons - that would have a very positive effect! I am not very happy with what I am doing right now on a quilt I plan to give away. I am doing a kind of swirly/cloud meandering type thing that I saw on Leah Day's website I think. Have done it one other time. I can live with it for me, but not sure about giving it to someone else. I think the overall effect will be okay, but some parts of it just feel sloppy to me (not on purpose, but because this skill is a work in progress).

My last binding I sewed in place front and back. While I know many might not like that particular technique - I loved it!!! I used a decorative stitch along the edge. Wasn't perfect on the first one, and I learned what NOT to do on the next one - but I feel confident it won't take me long to work it out and that removes for me a very tedious task that I really, really dislike.

justflyingin 06-29-2012 06:28 AM

That's why I have three projects (minimum) going on at once.

I currently am working on a QAYG flip flop/sandals theme quilt (my first QAYG)--just finished the blocks--not have to go read about how to join them, a snowball with green and flowers (both of which were ideas from others here on this board) and a couple of Irish chains.

Then, when I don't feel like doing anything else, I'm sewing scraps onadding machine tape. Also, I'm trimming 6" half square triangles (light/dark) down to 5" and with which I hope to make a neat looking scrappy top someday.


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