Love that Jan!!

My goal again this year is finish UFO's before starting new ones. It worked for a while last year but the retreats got in the way and I had to start new projects at the retreats. I plan to pick one that is the oldest or has the least amount left to do and then get busy and get at least the top done. I have found that unless I have a plan for the quilt tops are easier to store than the whole quilt. Good luck to all in the new year in getting your UFO's done.

When I'm feeling overwhelmed with my UFOs I pick one and work on it. I just recently finished several quilt projects, plus 12 Bow Tucks bags for a craft fair, so when I finished the orders I had taken, I picked up an easy UFO for a change of pace and I'm slowly finishing them. If I get frustrated with a project, quilt, whatever, I have to put it away and do something else or the problem will get worse (in my mind anyway). Sometimes it's best to just step away from a project when it's not going well - I will come back refreshed and ready to finish.

I have a lot of UFO's. Each one lives in it's own plastic box. I like to choose a month and only work on UFO projects. Sometimes I work on one until I'm tired of it, then I rebox it and switch to another project. The variety keeps me working on them. Last years UFO month resulted in 6 or 7 finished projects and many more that are closer to completion. I'm a substitute teacher, so I usually choose a summer month for my UFO month.

I have several collections together to do, but try not to work on more than two at a time. Mainly to prevent boredom. smile. Have a flannel one in progress for my DS and have just picked out the fabric for a rail fence for a DGD. That shold keep me busy for a while.

I'm always trying to use up scraps; mine or someone else's. Now our club has scheduled two class quilts and a mystery quilt, so that just adds to my pile. I try to get quilts done one at a time, and having a deadline works well for me.

I not only have my UFO,s but I purchased from an estate. What was I thinking? I started cleaning the studio and found so many that I had to make a bookcase just for them. As I find them I put it in the bookcase. I had a small amount that I want to finish.
In March I attend a quilt retreat that has a room the ladies call TRASH TO TREASURES. You bring something you don't want to finish or have 2 of . And during the retreat they tell you to go in and get something. Well I went in and got a marker. I left and the woman said get back in there and take some stuff. I didn't want to be greedy. Well after 3 trips 5 boxes where packed up for this year.

I can so relate to you and how you feel. Even this Christmas time got away with me and I didn't get things finished; started yes, finished no. The first thing that I'm going to do is finish the things that take the smallest amount of time to do. This way the stack will get smaller, faster and I'll not feel so overwhelmed. Then I'm going to finish the Christmas stuff so that I can pack it away with the other Christmas decorations or give it to the person intended and again my stack will be shorter. I'm not buying any more embroidery designs or starting any more projects until I'm caught up. This being said, my embroidery club starts back up this month so I'll do that so that I'm learning as I go and most of the projects can be done in one night. Its' when I changed the project around that I get into trouble. Like a tablerunner from one class got linked to placemat from another and I decided that I should make enough for a matching set. See how I make it grow, instead of just finishing the one mat I make more. Most of my projects that will get done first are embroidery so I'll be able to clean and organize my sewing room as I'm changing threads. I'm also not buying any more fabric until I get pretty much caught up. I have a few quilts that need batting and backs and quilting done so that'll come after I get my embroidery done. If I tackle the large projects first then I'll get overwhelmed again because it just looks like so much to do. Small steps and small projects will make for small stacks. That I can handle.

I personally like having several projects going at one time. It gives me variety in what I might be quilting on any given day. Some days I just like fabric therapy- those are the days I play with crumb blocks. Sometimes I like to work on a "pattern" quilt--or follow a pattern, and sometimes I just like to play and see what happens! Always like to have something to work on that is handsewing too, be it binding or needlework that I can take with me. I have been known to have 8-9 quilts in different stages at one time. My secret is having them in storage containers in the trunk of my car! (I don't quilt at home-I prefer to quilt with my friends so I am always ready, just add the sewing machine and off I go!) My joke- have machine.........will travel.

Tackled my first UFO today and boy, did it feel good. I'm making placemats out of seashell fabric, set of four. Started them in April of last year. Decided I wanted to work on something for us right now, rather than a gift. I have two new projects in mind...but will try to have the self control to plug away at finishing, right now. Starting is so easy, all the possibilities...:)
Also have decided to give myself one day a month to sew, at a minimum.
Thanks again for all of your replies, they've been fun to read.

I think Patrice hit the nail on the head! At least for me. :thumbup:

It seems too easy to start another project beforefinishing another. I like to piece more than any other part of quilting so I have several queen size tops that I am thinking of selling. If I can just recover some of the cost of the fabric I would be pleased. Feel so guilty about not finishing some of these quilts what with the cost of fabric.

The last thing you need is probably another suggestion, but I thought I would add my two cents worth.

I sometimes have lots of UFOs. When I pull them out, I discover that at least some of them are 90 to 95 percent complete. Don't ask why I stopped so close to the finish line, just distracted I guess. If you have similarly almost-complete projects, why not try picking one of them and completing it? I am always amazed how little work is actually required to complete at least one or two. It will give you a sense of accomplishment.

Whatever you do, don't get depressed with your UFOs. They just demonstrate your desire to be productive. Good luck!

Yes, Gramma, you are so right. When I got started on my placemats yesterday, I found one was done, one almost and the other two were started. Not nearly as bad as I had remembered. Hope this is a trend that continues as I make my way through the UFOs.

I agree with DebraK, at the beginning of each year I make a list of all UFO's...then I choose 3 or 4 depending on how much is to be done to complete in a month..be realistic with yourself...it is amazing what you will get done ...offer yourself a little reward...maybe a new fat quarter etc..or do it with another quilting buddy with a little reward lunch or coffee etc, make it fun. Each time you complete a project you will feel great. Good luck, happy quilting in 2013. Evelyn

Welcome to my world, I share the same problem. My rule now is that I have to finish two, before I can start another one. This includes anything I make for gifts, including Christmas. My list of UFP's is getting gradually getting shorter. :)

not a bad idea...might have to try this since I have at least a dozen projects in varying stages. But, if I get bored with it, can I put the # back in the jar ?? LOL

I've learned that the tendency to have UFO's is inherited! :) At the recent meeting of our local quilt guild, we were asked to bring UFO's to show. SO, I took one of mine, as well as 3 tops made by my grandmother in the l935 - 40 era. So, see, it's not something new!

A lot of us experience it at some point. Hang in there! And congratulations on being able to quilt and go to school!

Happy New Year to everyone!

I belong to a yahoo group called Stashbusters and one of the tools talked about there is the Fab 4. You pick 4 projects (probably at different stages), put all the others away and focus on them. You could also add in a system of say working for 10 hours in total on one project, then moving on to the next one for 10 hours and cycle through the 4 projects this way. When one is completed you add in another one to the system.

Here's a link to a UFO buster scheduled for February by a designer I've met:

http://www.evapaigequiltdesigns.blog...agmt-2013.html

Maybe some of you might enjoy this challenge!

I have an obsessive need to use scraps. I've had bunches of pants legs left over from shopping bags. Quite a bit got used as the liners in tissue holders (current count 271). But there's still legs left over. Saturday on the "quilting arts" that I saw, Pokey had a gal show her how to do super simple "travel bags". The kind of small flat bag on a long strap that can hold a cell phone, a credit card, ID and a bit of cash and fit over your shoulder and under your arm. I'm afraid to count----------but I've got something like 20+ ready to assemble------------as soon as I decide what the "strap" is going to be.

this is a great idea! But what do I do when I start a new, exciting project? That's where I got into trouble. There are so many new, fun quilts waiting to be made that I get bored with the old projects so I put them away and start a new one. Am I doomed? LOL

thanks for the info. I just submitted for membership.

Depending on my mood--do I need instant gratification? or can I delay it a bit?--I choose either the one that needs the least work or the one that needs the most work. Sometimes, I will decide (yes, it's a decision) to complete one step only on a project that I can't seem to face. Before you know it, that project is done and ready to be quilted. Just start and don't worry about all the others; they can wait their turn. 8^)

You have lots of suggestions here. I just finished 120 of my unfinished projects this year. I set a number to finish by years end, then divided that up by month to smaller bites, took one or two hard ones that I know were going to take me some time and then the easier ones were my relief from the hard ones I started. It is a determination that you have to base for yourself. You must set your mind to the task of whichever you want to finish. Just pick one up and do it. You can do it kiddo.

I have too many UFO's because I've spent my life working on several projects at once, i.e. material for speaking engagements, etc. That being said....this is the year for finishing some of them and work hard at not starting anything new until I get several finished.

Wow! 120! That shows true dedication and perserverance. You should be very pleased with that outcome. I'm headed back to my sewing space this afternoon to work on my placemats some more. It's so cold up here in NH that I don't even want to leave the house.
Thanks again for everyone's tips and encouragement!

Sort through them and find one that gets you excited about finishing. It is OK to decide that you don't like a project that you've started. Give it to someone that would be thrilled to have it or salvage parts of it for other things. I have done that and it truly frees your creativity to do what you WANT to do. Good luck!

I'm getting there and enjoying the process. Have absolutely no desire to buy anything including fabric so hopes that lasts long enough to plow through some projects. Thanks, everyone.