I like what Jan in VA wrote - many renown creators have left work unfinished: Shubert and Mozart, Mark Twain, etc. Guess the bottom line is to play it by ear and do what is good for you.

My first quilt is still in the box I left it in 1986. It was a sampler QAYG from a quilt class that was hand quilted. The blocks are done and two are hand quilted. The colors are typical 80's brown, gold and peach..............very dated. Every time I look at it to take apart the two blocks and do them by machine, I just can't bring myself to finish it. So it still sits.
Have I moved on.....................you bet.................to prettier and better projects.

Every one of us has a UFO (unfinished object) on our shelf! Usually because the project stopped being fun and became work. You may want to do a quick machine quilted project (lap quilt or table runner or gift) so that you can give yourself a pat on the back and feel the sense of accomplishment. Another good quick project is to make a few blocks. Test out some patterns. Then keep those blocks in a pizza box and when needed, pull one out, add it to a tote bag and you have an instant gift. You may want to keep the hand quilting project handy and work on it a bit at a time whenever you feel like it - not as a chore. And remember, you may also have unconscious thoughts about that hand-quilt project because of the things that were happening when you were working on it. As a side note, I purchased some fabric when it was being clearanced out for $1. Terrible print, but I figured I could use it to test patterns. Ended up being the absolute perfect fabric for a binding! It added the exact colors and being binding, no one could see the real print! So, you never know.

glad to hear your husband is on the mend!!! My own personal feelings on UFOs is just get it finished and off your plate! I have had my share...and I'm so sorry I let them accumulate....they have a tendency to laugh at me sitting there in the corner! So I figured....I'll fix'em!!! And most of them I have or just plain put them in the round file!!!! Now at least I don't feel so guilty starting a new project with just 2 or 3 (somewhat small ones and that usually includes garment projects as well) laughing at me in the background....LOL!!!! But I wouldn't fret too much on your current project with the ugly fabric...finish it and use it as an everyday quilt - you know, something your not too concerned about getting dirty or abusing it. I was so anxious to do a quilt when I first started and I knew I really liked crazy quilts that I cut up 3 1/2 squares (or so) sewed them together and about half way through I was so disgusted with it I put it in the corner....(yes....I heard it laughing....LOL). Then when I wanted to do another quilt I too felt a twinge of 'do I really want to start another one without completing the hyena in the corner'? - N O !!! So I took it out and finished it!!! When it was all done I had to admit it wasn't too bad after all and it has become one of my favorites...it gets alot of use and abuse and is going strong! Sometimes when you get the ugly stuff completed it's not as ugly as you first thought...good luck with yours! Post a pic please....we like our pics!!!!
One more thing...I personally don't mind having 2-3 projects going on at the same time and not completing them....I get bored so the variety helps....but they do get done...I have 3 tops done...I just need to quilt them and that's where I falter and hesitate. I need to practice on my quilting machine so I can do something other than SID!!!! (LOL!!! my go-to quilting teqnique!)

Rules? What rules? I make them up as I go!