Yes, I have two in my WIP box that I can't muster interest to get back to. They are not promised to anybody, so the only guilt is my own for wasting good fabric and many hours if I never get back to them. I'm sure your project will mean so much to the friend you are making it for. If I start a project I'm not crazy about, I make it smaller--a wall hanging, a throw, a table runner. At least when that's finished, I can move on. Good luck!