Discard UFOs?
 

I'm currently using Marie Kondo's book on decluttering to go right through my house and have a big clear out. Her mantra is that we should only keep things that "spark joy". My job this Easter is to sort out the craft supplies and projects. Every time I think about this, what comes to mind is the three large bags of unfinished quilts that are waiting for me. There are tops that I haven't finished piecing, completed tops and some that are sandwiched for quilting. About 30 all together. When I think about them, they're far from sparking joy - I think their presence, even though I keep them out of sight, is inhibiting my creativity and enjoyment of quilting and other crafts - I feel so guilty about the time and money invested in them and my failure to finish things, but have lost interest in a lot of these - finishing them would be duty rather than pleasure at this stage. I'm seriously thinking that the best way forward might be to get rid of them and have a fresh start. But then I'm back to the time and money... Would welcome any comments or input on this dilemma!
I'm wondering if someone, somewhere might appreciate the challenge of finishing them or be able to repurpose the materials - maybe someone who struggles with the high costs of quilting. I've contacted Linus and have asked someone I know who has a lot of contacts in the UK quilt world. If anyone has any other ideas, I'd be grateful for those too.

YES!!!! There is a group in my area that makes quilts for terminally ill patients at a local hospital, and they also make quilts for veterans shelters. They are happy to take UFOs and kits, fix them up, and send them where they're needed. You should check with your local guild, quilt shops, hospitals, churches, and shelters. I'm POSITIVE somebody somewhere would appreciate your donation.

Thanks Peckish. This is what I hope. Quilting isn't nearly as big in the UK as the US, so finding the right contacts is more difficult. Can any UK people on here point me towards any organisations that might be interested? Doesn't really matter whereabouts in the country.

Hello annesthreads.....from sunny Morocco, where I quilt for half the year.....the other half of the year I live in Lowestoft, Uk...where I don't do as much quilting...�� .

I am so sorry to hear of your dilemma ........you should definitely get rid of ( non- joyful) UFOs........once they are out of your way...hopefully donated to someone who will complete them for you and donate them to a worthy cause....you will feel that you can " be creative " in your own way.

I rarely get as far up the country as Yorkshire( although I do have a close friend who is attending a hospital in Sheffield, so could arrange a meet ) .....and would offer my piecing and quilting services as a last resort !!!...lol

I have lurked on this board for years( love it !! ) and this is the very first time I have ever posted on here.....as I really feel for your predicament.....here's hoping you can get something sorted soon.......

Jenny....( in Agadir )

Hello Jenny. Well, I can't think why you'd prefer Morocco to Lowestoft in the winter (: I'm very pleased that my post coaxed you out of lurkdom.

You have it exactly - I think the UFOs are a weight that stifles my enthusiasm and creativity - the feeling that I "ought" to finish them before I explore where I'd like to go next. And guilt at having wasted so much and ended up in this situation. Or that I should keep them to use for quilting practice ( there is a case to be made for that, but I think the effect they're having is too toxic). I'm going to do as Marie Kondo decrees - handle each one and see if it sparks any joy. A few may still do so, some, I'm sure, will just feel like lead.

I've had a helpful reply from Linus UK, and a friend knows of a group who have a twice-yearly meet to quilt for a neonatal unit, so it looks as if my quilts can find loving homes. But I'll bear your offer in mind - more than happy to drive to Lowestoft and leave them all on your doorstep!

Whatever you do, don't throw them away. Think of it as a charitable contribution and give them to an organization that will finish them or reuse them for their work. Most of these organizations work on a 'shoestring' budget and would welcome your contribution. Most of us are willing to give money to their work; so, why not materials?

Perhaps some local churches have members who quilt for charitable causes. In addition to reaching out to guilds and quilt shops perhaps some churches in your area could also find a good use for your UFO's.

I agree, you pass them onto any charity group. I would contact your LQS for information. Hopefully, other members here who live in the UK can post some great advice. A few weeks ago, someone drop off some fabrics and blocks at the senior center that a group I belong to that meets weekly. So I am currently putting these HSTs together, first trimming them to make this quilt for someone who is wheelchair bound. It gives me such a good feeling to help an unknown quilter to finish a quilt that she has started but unable to finish.

I would definitely look to donate your UFOs. As you know, this board is pretty friendly!
You can search for members by location, so I would send a PM to some of the recently active UK members.
To find them, click on "Member List" near the top of this page
When the list of members comes up, click on the "Search Members" drop down, (it's under W X Y Z)
Select "Advanced Search"
Type "UK" in the location box,
In the "Last Post is after" box, I would put in 6 months, so 2015-10-01
Then click Search Now at the bottom of the page.

My guild makes all kinds of Community Quilts and there's nothing we like better than a pile of UFO's. We have made so many quilts by combining these gifts with some of the bits and pieces we already have. Many are older fabrics but we have lots of "stuff" to go with those too. At our last guild meeting, we broke into groups, grabbed a UFO and the other fabric needed and created a lot of wonderful tops. A huge win for the local youth shelter, hospice, young mother's programme and many others. Don't throw them out, just find them all a new home!