Geri B

Love that line.....oh, look, fabric! I've been lurking on this thread...nodding my head, yes......me too! I have a sewing cave and it is getting very messy...and I go down there to "clean" and get distracted......and it still needs to be cleaned/straightened, whatever.....UFOs are everywhere......I think this spring when I have my garage sale it will be a UFO sale.......that's the only way to resolve this......my reasoning being, if these were important to me I would have finished them, therefore, out they go.....hopefully I'll get some buyers........

dcamarote

I love to quilt and sometimes I have gone 2 months and don't go near the machines. I think you should do it when it is a joy for you; not because you have to. I know when I have a deadline, I hate it! I don't like the pressure. I do finish everything I start eventually but sometimes I get side-tracked. Don't get discouraged. Just quilt when you want to. It is supposed to be something happy and joyous for you. If you pressure yourself, you won't want to do it.

Luv Quilts and Cats

You are not alone. I have a bin of tops of all sizes waiting for quilting and binding. I have been working on my UFOs though and have finished some to the top being completed stage. My larger tops I send to a long-armer so they have to wait until I have the funds for the quilting. The smaller ones I want to quilt myself, but have not done any yet. I have learned from experience not to tell people I am making a quilt for them, or to promise making a quilt for them. The quilts never get done on time, if at all. So now, if I want to make something for someone, I don't say anything and don't give myself a deadline. Less stress. Besides, I love all of the quilts I make and want to keep them!!! With the exception of one top I made which I think is ugly and it is waiting to be quilted. I have no sewing room at the moment but I am in the process of making one out of a small bedroom. I have decided to be gentler with myself about not finishing things because I enjoy the process of cutting and putting tops together more than finishing them. That's just the way I am and I am ok with that. I also do counted-cross stitch so that takes up some of my time, and I love to read. I procrastinate too, that's part of who I am and I accept that. I find times when all I can do is quilt, and other times I just can't do it. It's a process, not a race. Be kind to yourself. You'll get back into it when the time is right. And just don't promise anyone a quilt as a gift. When the quilt is done, surprise them with it!

Friday1961

Maybe it is a beginner's thing. I, too, am more enthusiastic when I begin something than when halfway through. But, because I know myself so well, I won't let myself quit. That's where dogged determination comes in, or maybe self discipline. Just plow ahead and make yourself finish first one thing and then another. The satisfaction that comes from that will help carry you the next time.

When I first began, for instance, I loved cutting. I found great satisfaction in measuring and cutting precise pieces with a mat, ruler, and rotary cutter, which although I'd sewed for years, was new to me. Now cutting is a chore and I don't enjoy it much, because I want to get on to the next step -- piecing -- which is more fun.

It's all a process and if you approach it that way -- as a process, which has steps, from start to finish -- you may find you can complete what you start. Good luck!

MargeD

Well, you have joined the ranks of quilters with numerous UFO's. I too buy patterns with the intent to finish them as gifts, even buying the fabric; but they are still tucked away. Last year when I was in a quilting "funk", I dug out two BOM from 2006 and 2007, and I actually completed the blocks, although I have not put the tops together yet. I don't really have an excuse since the BOM packages I received month included the pattern and even extra fabric to complete them; then at the end I received a pkg. with the fabric to complete the borders. Well, at least I finally made the blocks. You are not alone my friend.

Jingle

I don't have a problem like yours.
I totally finish one quilt and I immediately start another. I have 35 or more quilts waiting for a home.
I have been quilting about 48 - 49 years. Really hot and heavy for 13 years. That is when I taught myself to FMQ.

captlynhall

In my opinion, an intricate pattern does not make the quilt. The fabric selections do. I have seen stunning quilts that were made from very simple patterns, and the color choices made them eye catching. Also, don't try to do a quilt that is too large. I have only made one bed sized quilt, and quickly learned that I do not have the time for that. All my quilts now are lap/nap quilts. I also never start a new quilt, until I have finished the first one. It takes away time I could have spent on the first, and it is a distraction. Good luck, and keep crocheting too.

mojo11

You are in good company.

Vitality

I have a handful of projects going at any given time but I am constantly finishing some, and beginning new. I generally have maybe 4 or 5 of my own things going at a time and then I have customer quilts come in for quilting, too. Some of my own projects are BOMs or something, so they are meant to be done a little at a time, etc. It's a pretty steady rotation though of finishing some things, starting some new things, etc.

psquared52

I would try and find a quilting group (guild, quilt shop, church or retreat) where you can work on your own projects. I find I am much less critical of my own work when I hear feedback from other people. I am much more encouraged to be creative and to continue working on a project. It is easier to maintain a level of interest or enthusiasm with friends.