Bored with a pattern?
 

Have you ever started a pattern (Block) and it just did not do a thing for you? How do you salvage it? I started on a bear claw quilt top out of a jelly roll and I am just bored with it, but hate to waste money. What would do?

This would be a long term project for me. Make yourself do just a block or two between other projects. It will eventually get done. Either that or refuse to start something new until it is finished. Line up a real interesting quilt you are dying to start next

I am one who says it's Ok to stop working on a project you have lost interest in. The blocks that are already made can be used randomly on the back of another quilt if you want to; the unused fabric can be used for something else. The pattern can be given to another quilter. Quilting time is valuable to me, so if I waste a few dollars it's better than wasting a few weeks or months of time working on something that is not appealing or fun.

Scrappy quilt pieces.

Use a few blocks to make a pillow cover. I use an button down shirt for the back; buttons are the opening, very easy. Or start a box with orphan blocks. When you have enough for a lap quilt, stitch them together & give it away.

I pass them on to our Community Quilts group in the Guild, they make scrappy quilts.

I agree and also get bored with certain patterns...I either use in the backs, donate and some I've sold on Ebay as Orphan blocks...ladies love to buy them..

Sounds like so many other quilters. Just consider yourself a new member of the UFO Club and set it aside.

That's why I have UFO's. If I have it for awhile and still haven't used it, I give it to a friend, she makes orphan block quilts.

I think that's why I always have several projects going at the same time--and some do get put aside! if after digging the project box out several times I'm still ho-hum, I either put the fabric into my stash for something later, or if everything about it blah to me, then I put it into our Guild garage sale. But I have found that sometimes after it sits there for several (or more) months I get inspired to finish it, or I think of someone that would maybe like it and that inspires me.

If you decide to abandon your project, don't forget how many little projects you can use that leftover jelly roll for.

Make other blocks (same size) using the same fabric with a different design. Then make it into an orphan block quilt.

For an idea for the future, go on Amazon and buy a book that is out of print (One Block Says It All). It has several quilts that are basically just one large block with borders. So much fun to make and not boring at all.

If you are certain you will never want to work on it again, pass it on to a friend who would like to finish it.

When I run into a situation like that I use the "offending" block as filler between other projects. When I only do 1 or 2 blocks it is not such a big deal as having to do an entire quilt top. You'll be amazed at how fast you'll have all your paws in a stack.

Sometimes even your quilt isn't finished, you are finished with your quilt. Many great artists have left unfinished works.:)

If I really hated it I'd give it away or sell it to one of my sisters.

Bear paw blocks make great borders, either inner or outer. Best wishes whatever you decide.

Make pot holders or mug rugs out of them. Or string a few together and make a table runner. I'm sure you can take the blocks you've made and re-purpose them. The leftover fabric can be used in another project.

Some quilter who doesn't have extra money to buy fabric may consider it a godsend. By gifting it to a quilter, money is not wasted.

I agree with you. I am at an age where if I don't enjoy it I find something else to do and eventually the fabric gets used up.

This would be my solution. Or as Material Witness says: give it to someone who has trouble finding money to buy fabric, but would like to make quilts.

My quilt guild collects 'orphan blocks'. It is amazing what someone else can do with these cast-offs. They go into charity projects. Also, they can be made into pot holders or table runners or decorative pillows. But, like someone else said, quilting time is precious and one needs to do things meaningful to them.

I forced myself to finish a king size quilt when I was bored with the pattern and just tired of working on it. Didn't want to waste the time and money I already had invested in it. I finished it, but it burnt me out on quilting for about 3 months. And I don't enjoy the finished quilt. When I look at it I remember the frustration I felt working on it. If it happens again, I will make the blocks already done into a smaller project such as a table runner, potholders, etc. and use the rest of the fabric in another project. I won't put myself through that frustration again.

I have a box of orphan blocks that will "someday" get finished, or Not

I just have to stop when I get bored with a project and I usually never finish it. Like Lynnie that is why I have a lot of ufo's.

For 2 years I have had all the fabric to make a bear paw quilt for my brother and wife's 40th, coming up in Aug. I just could not get started on it. I even bought other fabric with lake theme. With out knowing it, you just talked me into forgetting about the Bea Paw. Thank you!

Just a thought, get a bundle of fabrics that work nice together, and use them for your test blocks, so if you have this happen, it can become a block in a sampler, instead of a ufo. I have a green, violet, and white sampler building with my test blocks. If I need more colors, I just add another green or violet. Someday it will be done...

Interesting-I like your idea of using a button down shirt for the back. I'll have to try that -I've been just using envelope cover for my pillows. Do you use just the button lapels section or enough the shirt front to cover the back of your pillows?

You have to ask yourself if you could finish it and do your best work. If not, set aside and you may want to pick it up again or use it for a different project like so many others have suggested.

I would make it into a traditional quilt with a modern setting. Maybe one row of blocks (or however many you already have done) and make that the focal point of the quilt . You can set it in the middle, off to one side and just add one solid around it. It will make the blocks stand out and give you some nice quilting areas. Check out modern quilts and see if a setting suits you. (and when you are done? treat yourself to a pattern that REALLY makes you want to get up every day and SEW!)