Forcing myself to finish!
 

It's just a little baby quilt. Very simple, not a difficult pattern at all. But I'm so sick of looking at pink and purple, I just can't stand it! It needs two more borders, then do the backing, sandwich, quilt, bind, and move on to the next project. And for some reason, I just don't know why, but I simply cannot STAND working on this thing! I find myself avoiding the sewing room because I hate the project I'm working on. The problem is, in about 3 weeks, I'm going to visit my best friend, and this quilt is for her daughter who is due to pop at some point this summer. And I hate having something hang over my head almost as much as I am growing to hate working on this project, so putting it off is just not an option. At this point, I'll be working for a couple of hours each night this week and who knows how long in my long weekend to get this monkey off of my back!

So how do you handle having to finish something you just don't want to work on?

I put it in the closet in the hopes that one day I'll want to work on it. I did finish it eventually and I still didn't like it.

Isn't it possible for you to work up a really quick baby quilt that you actually like in time to give away?

Life's too short to dread working on something.

Watson

I make a do list.......
1) work on quilt 1 hr on monday from 8-9pm
2) work on quilt 1 hr on tuesday from 5-6pm

Then I hang it up and stop obsessing over it all the other hrs in the day, and just do it to the schedule & cross it off when done each day. Turn on the radio and stay somewhat distracted while you are working on it, Good Luck

Stop and make a different one. Put the awful quilt away and let it simmer in time. You can make this in less then day. I never ask what colors do you want when making a baby quilt. I give two choices, bright colors or calming colors.
Free pattern: http://www.quiltmaker.com/patterns/details.html?idx=184 This is my go to baby quilt pattern.

Do you have a particular quilt that you are really looking forward to starting on? I find that thinking about an anticipated project and putting the fabrics out where I can see them is a great incentive to push forward on finishing the quilts that are ahead of it.

Maybe you can find a couple small sewing projects (Mug Rug, placemats, bookmarks, etc) just to reset your brain. That's what I do when I just can't find the motivation to work on a particular UFO. Sometimes its just the fact that you finished A PROJECT, ANY project, and can move on to the one that made you stuck.
And just think, if you finished this quilt that you hate looking at, once it's done and given as a gift, you will probably never have to see it again!!!
Teri

I love pink and purple, would not be a problem for me. Just put on your big girl pants and do it for your friend.

Just work on it a little bit every other day and you will be finished before you realize it.

Turn on some good music or a movie to distract you while you sew this quilt. Just remember it will be making someone very happy. And you will be happy once it is off your list

Grit your teeth and get it done. At least that's what I do. I just finished a quilt out of someone else's stash for my ladies church group. Couldn't stand it. It was in Autumn colors and I am a brights, batiks and water color person. But I got it done. It feels so good to finish.

I commit to working on it for 15 minutes a day. Usually once I'm working on it, I'm willing to go for longer than 15 minutes, but if not, I cut myself some slack & quit for the day.

Send it to me...I'll finish it for you...then you can do something fun!

So last night I went into the sewing room and worked for about an hour until dinner was ready, then put in another 3 hours after dinner. And this morning before leaving for work I put in about half an hour. The progress is captivating! Just need to finish the border on the back (in colors that I LOVE), then sandwich, quilt, bind and it'll be DONE!!! I'm hoping to mark the quilting on the top and have it sandwiched this evening.

Good for you, Prissnboot! You have grit and determination! And an almost finished quilt! Maybe by now, you're even done! YIPPEE!! Give yourself some kind of reward...even if it's 15 minutes to read a book or extra cup of tea or coffee or whatever. Good for you! :-)

would love a photo of it. Was it the colors, pattern, choice of fabric, too bold, too light?

Glad you have pressed on. You'll be happy it is finished, and can be gifted. :)

Yeah you!!!! You are conquering it and almost ready to move on. Yes! Reward yourself. I am a big believer in a good reward....usually new fabric. :)

Dina

I am working on a quilt for my son. He loves the fabric and I don't so I've had to remind myself that it's not about me. It's made it easier as I work on it.

Glad to read you are progressing. I have been where you are several times but quilts were for the grans and I got them finished. Best Wishes

There are two schools of thought.
#1 - Life is too short to be miserable, stuff it in a closet and move on. (I was making a baby blanket, got to the point I was sick of it, moved on, found one I love, finished in no time)

#2 - Pull up your big girl panties and finish the darn thing. You will be a better person if you finish what you started. It is a learning experience. Strong people come through in tough times - blah, blah, blah

You actually know your answer. Pick which is you.

I'm working on something right now that I don't even like.....but am obsessed with. It's a 6 point star quilt, I'm simply awful at doing it, and doing it "the hard way", and it was not even "my" project but triangles my kids picked up at an estate sale. But at this point it has become a challenge. I'm determined not to let it beat me.

I've also been where you are. The only thing to do is put your mind elsewhere and just finish the darned thing. Take frequent breaks, drink wine, think about something else, and breathe a sigh of relief when it's done!

Good luck!

You will like it better as a "finished and out of your hair" project.

Was this project your idea or someone else's?

If you are making progress on it, two thumbs up to you!

So so so true.

I think the only time one HAS to be committed to #2 is if it is a commissioned project.

I can relate to being stuck on following through on a commitment. I made one that I need to deliver on and I will feel ever so much better when I have that done.

Go into your sewing room and make a quick HAPPY little project. This will break your thinking it is a chore. Perhaps a small tote for this mom to fill with new baby stuff (just in case you don't get the quilt done in time). Every one of us has a project that stopped being fun and became work and so we did not want to finish it (that's a major reason the phrase UFO is known to all!). Try to look at the quilt in components - just do the 2 borders - then walk away. Next do the backing and sandwich it. Then do a simplified quilting plan - something that can be done without pressure like STID and a diagonal stitch. I think when you are at this point and you see the end in sight, it will let you finish quickly and you can pat yourself on he back for completing it. And, remember, this is going to a little one to keep warm and cuddly!!!!

As you go to sleep at night picture in your head a sweet baby girl playing on that quilt, and then think of her a little older putting her doll to bed under it, and then think of her as a young woman using it for her own baby. There might be some motivation in there somewhere. Keep reminding yourself how good it will feel to have it done and out of your sight. Good luck!

Just do it. You will feel so much better when it's done.

I think you just needed to vent to people who would understand. Then you were able to deal with finishing it. Hope you are about done by now and can move on to something you enjoy more. Good for you, finishing it. Now remember that you hate working on those colors and don't ever do that to yourself again!

I reach a point where I suck it up and finish. I find that's better than having it hang over me.

I usually set a timer downstairs on stove for 2 hours and just go sew. Keep doing it for as many days as needed. After timer goes off, I get to do whatever I want. Not sure if this helps or you just needed a break from this project.

Do you have a quilting friend that you could pay to make the quilt? If not, then good luck in finishing it yourself!