As a newbie, I don't know if this is common practice but, I have cut pieces for 1/2 dozen projects/laptops and still haven't put them together!!! It's as though I enjoy finding a pattern, choosing the colors, cutting the fabric, but when I have at least 6 blocks cut and ready for that pattern, then a different pattern catches my eye and I'm off! I really want to get started - so many beautiful quilts to make!!!! What's wrong with me??

Just start. I am the one that likes to make all kind of tops and hate to quilt them.

we all have our favorite parts of quilting, some procrastinate on the parts we like the least. you just have to jump in and do it. the end result will be great.

Choose one or two and work on them. The feeling of accomplishment when you complete a quilt is worth staying on task.

Thank you all so much for the encouragement. You're absolutely right, I need to concentrate - the final result - hopefully - will be worth it!! Maybe if I make a rule for myself that I can't cut anything else until I have the current top sewn together! Thanks again,j

When I find myself lagging on completion of items. I don't do an absolute rule but maybe a time rule. I tell myself I have to work for 30 minutes on an unfinished project until I can look at another. Often times that 30 minutes ends up being longer and I get more done.

It is amazing which part is the hardest for people. The most difficult part for me is cutting the fabric.

That's a great idea "quilt addict"....! thanks.

Good luck! It really is worth it when you finish one though :)

Have your hubby or kids choose. I had to cut a bunch when I hurt my arm and ciuldn't sew. Then I had so many pretty ones ready I just couldn't figure out where to start. My daughter just walked over to the cabinet - looked on ready to go shelf and grabbed one. Said sew this then I'll get you another one. 6 months later still doing it. I think we get so impressedwith how pretty they will be it seems a little overwhelming to get started.

I think a lot of us have this problem. I tend to get the top finished, and then it sits in the closet for ages. I tend to wait to buy the binding and backing, and don't get the quilt quilted. Picking out the fabrics is probably my favorite part of quilting.
Sue

We should team up. I don't enjoy picking colors or trying to find a pattern. If you could do all that I would gladly sew!!

:lol: I feel your pain. Why do you think so many quilters have multiple projects going at the same time and stacks of UFOs? Just keep plugging away - if you start feeling restless, put one away and work on another, and so on. Eventually you will get something done. There is nothing to compare with the satisfaction of putting your last hand stitches on a binding - that moment of completion is sweetness beyond measure!!! Once you taste it, you will love finishing projects!

you can't be a newbie, been doing this for years.

Its called 'Quilting Addiction' and you have type with no known cure!!!!!! Hehe!! Join the club!!!!

I always have several projects going at the same time I guess because I like the variety. Someone else said it, but I think that most of us have parts we like or don't like, so perhaps you'll find that cutting is your favorite part. My favorite part is the binding because then I know it's done and that is a great feeling.

Good Luck with that LOL It happens to all of us at some point.

Many others here are just like you. Maybe you can set a goal that you must finish one project before you are allowed to start another one?

Kat

Good Luck to you .. I am like you in a way... I think .. wow.. that is great.. I want to make one of those.. then I start it (I HATE cutting) then I sit down and sew some of it.. Then I get on this board and someone post yet another project I want to try.. So Bingo.. I am off again.. Now right now tonight.. I should be working on my applique quilt so I can move onto my gifts I need to make. But here I am again. Not sewing.. Who knows what is wrong with all of us... Now the weekends totally different story.. I can sew for hours on end and get alot accomplished.. Maybe it is because I am up by 5, drive 45 mins to work.. then get home at 4 and just want to do nothing.
Good Luck.. You are really not alone.

I just tell myself I have to work on an unfinished project before I can start another. Just so you know...it seldom works!

Two of the groups I work with would love it if someone would help make kits for the sewers to put together. We have the sewers ... kit makers are something else. Maybe you could channel your energies into doing this.

ali

Oh, I agree...that feeling of completion is soooo wonderful.
Perhaps if you determine who you want that quilt to go to, or set a date that you want to complete it by, like a birthday or Thanksgiving, etc. it will motivate you to complete one.

The only time I have a hard time completing a quilt is when it starts to go wacky or I end up not liking the colors. Then that person is out of luck. They will probably have to wait until next year when I haven't touched it for a few months and feel refreshed enough to do something with it. :-D

Good luck...what should we call that feeling?

Find a friend that hates to cut! Make kits. Get it out of your system. You Will get around to sewing.

I will pull fabric for a quilt but will not cut it until I am ready to sew it. I had several containers with fabric and pattern then looked at it later and just thought "what was I thinking" no longer liked the pattern and fabric, so glad I didn't get it all cut.

Sounds normal to me...

For me as a beginner it was fear that kept me from actually beginning a project. My answer is to find a quilting group that will encourage you as you begin a project and start with something small that you can finish quickly and display as an incentive to keep you going.

Yep. This works for me, not only with quilting. I call it the 10-20-30 minute rule. I keep my tasks organized so I can work 10 minutes or 20 or 30 while a load of laundry is going, supper is cooking....you get the idea. And, when really dragging, choose the 10 minute one. You would be surprised what you can get done in 10 minutes.

Key is keeping things tidy and organized and at the close of each day, tidy up, and lay out the morning's work. Never stop in the middle of a task or leaving a mess behind.

Hey, at least you chose a pattern and started cutting!

That's where I get stuck! Too many wonderful ideas and lots of pretty fabrics but I can't decide which one to do! Bins of sorted fabric and nothing to show for it!

I put myself on a schedule. Monday and Wednesday, work on 1 project, Tues. and Thurs., work on a second project. Friday is my day to do whatever. Many times, if I stick to the schedule, I get further into a project that I just want to keep working at it and finish it. (Especially now for Christmas gift giving) Evenings are for hand sewing, binding, hand applique, etc. I really shouldn't talk, I too have 3 large boxes of ufos, but I am working on it! Yeah, right after Christmas!!!

so cute - best laid plans.....etc:) I also work on hand stuff when I finally sit down in front of the TV to unwind before bedtime. And actually like your plan - would keep things moving! Thanks!!

Jump right in and get started. Give yourself a reward for a project finished. (Lunch with a friend and a trip to the local quilt shop?)

Now that's a good idea - we respond so well to rewards don't we:) (Of course, my trips to LQS may lead to the poor house!)

Way back when, that's how the pioneers did it. Sometimes cutting, sometimes piecing, and sometimes quilting.

This addiction doesn't go away. You just have to live with it! LOL

I'm definitely type A on this. I hate unfinished projects and force myself to finish, although I may be working on 6 or 7 at a time. The part I hate the most is cutting.

This is classic advice for all kinds of procrastination issues, because it works!!

Lots of good advice here, but I think that this tip is the best.

We all have this problem to a degree. For the most part, the creative process is choosing the fabrics to go with the pattern and our ideas of how to use the pattern.
Cutting the fabric to me is grunt work! I like to do a block or two first, to see if my idea works or needs tweeking. Then I have to look at it a while just to make sure I don't make a hasty decision.

Hooray! you joined the club!! Glad to have you aboard!

We all have this problem to a degree. For the most part, the creative process is choosing the fabrics to go with the pattern and our ideas of how to use the pattern.
Cutting the fabric to me is grunt work! I like to do a block or two first, to see if my idea works or needs tweeking. Then I have to look at it a while just to make sure I don't make a hasty decision.

Hooray! you joined the club!! Glad to have you aboard!

We all have this problem to a degree. For the most part, the creative process is choosing the fabrics to go with the pattern and our ideas of how to use the pattern.
Cutting the fabric to me is grunt work! I like to do a block or two first, to see if my idea works or needs tweeking. Then I have to look at it a while just to make sure I don't make a hasty decision.

Hooray! you joined the club!! Glad to have you aboard!

We all have this problem to a degree. For the most part, the creative process is choosing the fabrics to go with the pattern and our ideas of how to use the pattern.
Cutting the fabric to me is grunt work! I like to do a block or two first, to see if my idea works or needs tweeking. Then I have to look at it a while just to make sure I don't make a hasty decision.

Hooray! you joined the club!! Glad to have you aboard!

We all have this problem to a degree. For the most part, the creative process is choosing the fabrics to go with the pattern and our ideas of how to use the pattern.
Cutting the fabric to me is grunt work! I like to do a block or two first, to see if my idea works or needs tweeking. Then I have to look at it a while just to make sure I don't make a hasty decision.

Hooray! you joined the club!! Glad to have you aboard!