Johanna Fritz

I have evolved over the past 20 years (I am 45) that I have been quilting from: hand piecing and scissor-cut templates..to machine piecing and rotary cutting...to needle turn applique by hand...to art quilts and fusing...to hand dyeing, fusing and thread painting. As we learn as quilters, sometimes a project is worked on just to master a skill before you apply that skill to a pattern that might be more complex that you really want to make. Just because it is a UFO does NOT mean you need to finish it. If you learned something from the project, it is ok to move on. HOWEVER, if you do not finish anything you start, I think you are kidding yourself that you enjoy the shopping part more that the creating part. Maybe try smaller projects: fabric postcards, placements, IPAD covers, wall hangings etc. These can be completed more quickly. I always have 3 or 4 projects going at once because when I am sick of one, I need to go to the other, and then come back...but I always finish.

carolynjo

I have several that are 15-20 years old. Since I am now 76 years old, I am trying this year finish up those oldies. So, no there is no time limit on your UFO's. Have fun making everything you want and then, at your leisure, finish them up.

Greenheron

Oh, no you don't because there's still no binding on my lone star from 1977 and I'm sure there are other UFOs hiding under beds, in closets, in cedar chests and backs of dressers all across North America. (Should I count the two pieced tops I rescued in PA two years ago which look to be mid-twentieth century?)

MadQuilter

If it's put away and not being worked on, it's a UFO. I think my oldest UFO is about 22 years old.

pippi65

You've got it "The Dreaded Quilter's Virus" it's incurable!!You'll fit in here just fine!! I think there's group therapy for you're kind! LOL.

justflyingin

I think that this is the trick for me. I've got several going on at once and as long as I keep working on it, or at least thinking about it, then it is a WIP.

Technically, I guess I'm always creating new UFOs by some definitions, as well since I try to use my leftover blocks, etc. For example, I accidentally made an extra flip flop block when making this quilt. http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...g-t193449.html
I'm not throwing it away, but want to include it in my "leftover blocks/scraps" quilt that I'm working on. So, as I've been collecting these leftover blocks, pieces of blocks, paper piecing learning squares, etc., I've "technically" been collecting a UFO, by some people's definition. However, to me, it doesn't involve guilt, but since I am trying to get a handle on my scraps (it's been a work for over a year now), I'm trying to also use my leftover blocks now by combining scraps into 8" squares, then putting 4 - 8" squares together to make 15.5" blocks--all different and scrappy/leftover.

So, since I'm usually putting together 2-4 tops at once, I'm constantly collecting extra leftover blocks--I never completely get away from UFOs or scraps. They are constantly being evolved.

I've finished almost all of the ones I've started. (I also don't call them a UFO if it is a quilt top waiting to be quilted as that is what I tend to do--do a bunch of quilt tops and then finish them all, but I suppose it technically is. In that case I think I have 60+, however I'm getting ready to finish up a bunch of tops into both charity and 'noncharity/personal" quilts.)

burchquilts

Yep, that's the evolution around my sewing room, too. But what do you call it when you pull a project out & only very, very vaguely remember even working on it? LOL! I hope there isn't a time limit on UFO's because I have some that are probably older than some of you! LOL! I call them my "fine wine" projects... they're aging to perfection before I break them out to work on them... LOL! I will sew no quilt before it's time!

teddysmom

There is no time limit. That's what so nice about quilting. No rush, no time clock to punch, no deadlines! Ah, wonderful!

Debbie C

There is no time limit - I always have a couple of 'irons in the fire'. That is, several different projects in different stages of completion. I sometimes get bored with a particular pattern/color, so I just hop from one quilt to another to keep it always fresh and new in my crazy brain!!

orangeroom

I think I have more quilt tops ready to be quilted than UFO's or WIP's. I just have to find the time when my schedule meshes with the woman's who runs the long arm rental area! I'd prefer early mornings and she doesn't have a set schedule. Welcome to the wonderful world of quilting! Glad you are here!