rryder

Moira- I often have many projects going at once (WIPs) and a number that are stalled (UFOs) and I used to worry about it but have learned over the years that for me, this is just part of my creative process . I’ve listed some of what causes WIPs and UFOs in my studio below

I have WIPs because: 1. I like to be able to work on a variety of different ideas at once, otherwise I get bored (especially when piecing a top). 2. I use some techniques like fabric painting which require drying time before the next stage can be worked on, so it makes sense for me to have something else to work on while waiting for a painted area to dry. 3. I am an actively showing artist who is reluctant to say no when an opportunity to be in a show presents itself, so most of my current WIPs (two collaborative quilts and a bunch of paintings) are things that I have promised for art shows so they’re being actively worked on. 4. I also frequently spend time working on small samples as a way to try out new ideas before committing to a larger piece.

Things that get put in the UFO pile do so for several reasons: 1. I might have gotten the piece to a point where I can’t decide what to do next or there’s a technical problem that I haven’t been able to solve and need to set it aside for a while and let my subconscious worry about it while I work on other things. This happens fairly frequently with my art quilts and improvisational quilts. 2. Sometimes I just get so bored piecing a top that I really can’t force myself to keep plugging away - my Bonnie Hunter ORL from last year fits this category.

Sometimes a project does get started and worked on straight through until it’s finished, but that’s a rare event for me.

Rob

Conchalea

Moira, I don’t have UFOs in quilts, but I know it would be easy for me to have some because I really enjoy choosing colors, cutting the fabric, & piecing the top. But the actual quilting is another story. I only have DSM so getting a large project through the throat is difficult. A longarm machine isn’t feasible for me, so I plod along. I do have knit & crochet UFOs & WIPs. I mostly work on those in groups & if our group is noisy, some projects are complicated & need more concentration, so I skip to a less complicated one. I started a new crochet cowl last night because my riding group is getting together next week for January birthdays & I want to give cowls in our group’s colors to the birthday gals. I’m out of cowls in those colors so I need to whip out a couple in a hurry. That’s why I have yarn UFOs & WIPs.

sewbizgirl

Moira, the answer to your question really depends on how a person is 'wired'. Some people like to make one thing at a time and see it completed before they go on to another. Others of us like the creative process and flit from one project to another like moths to flames. Then there are many of us that lie somewhere in between.

For me, if I have started something and lose interest, I don't want to feel enslaved to getting it done if I am no longer interested. I think we all believe we will eventually "come back" to those projects and get them done... hence, UFOs.

Sometimes I feel undisciplined when I start something new but still have several unfinished. But I try not to beat myself up over it. This is supposed to be fun and I'm in charge of what I work on and what I finish.

I admire your discipline!

sunrise450

I have enjoyed reading all your organizing skills. I have been working on my sewing room and am so glad I came across this thread. As for those pieces of batting. I have a basket that I throw those odd size pieces in and they are used for mug rugs, qayg, really great inside pot holders etc. There are ufos and more ufos. I am going to gather them and list them and hopefully get them finished.

JJBlaine

Moira, As someone who is in the process of sorting and evaluating my UFOs, I have been asking myself the same question, lol!

Something I recently realized while sorting out my UFO bin is that the majority of my UFOs that did not make it to the finished floppy stage were because I started them for the wrong reason. They are not projects I would actually choosen to do on my own. Most were part of a class or workshop where I bought the kit or materials, started the project, and did not to continue after the class ended.

Sometimes there is a feature I am not happy with. The last UFO I finished was like that-- some fabulous, bright dresden plates that I had attached to unbleached muslin. The muslin just look dingy next to the cheerful colors, and ruined it. After years in the UFO bin, I finally spent a few nights with the seam ripper, and attached the plates to a white background that made them really pop.

I have some finished floppies because I have hand issues that prevent me doing much hand quilting, I was very intimidated to try and machine quilt them myself, and I could not afford to send them out.

A couple of UFO's are in the bin because they need something I do not have, or dread having to do. I have a red, white and blue quilt that I was going to add star buttons to, but could never find enough matching buttons to finish it. Another is a snowman quilt that need to have the faces embroidered on, but, again, I have trouble with handwork.

I think there are a couple that require fabric...perhaps I ran out of or misplaced a fabric I was using in the project, or I need something for the border.

Two or three are in there because I inherited them from someone else who also gave up.

sewbizgirl

How many snowman faces are we talking about? I would hand embroider them for you, if you felt it was worth the shipping to get them to me. I like hand embroidery. Think about it... I'm serious!

JJBlaine

What an awesome offer! I am excited at the prospect of getting this out of the UFO bin. Sent you a PMWhat an awesome offer! I am so excited at the prospect of getting this out of the UFO bin. Sent you a PM.

oksewglad

I'm sitting all cozy inside with a snowstorm outside and laughing at SBG and JJ. Anything to get a UFO done

JJBlaine

Happy to be a source of amusement, especially if it is for getting one step closer to getting a UFO done!

SusieQOH

Moira, for me there are a number of factors since I always seem to have too many finished tops. I'm a hand quilter but learning FMQ and sometimes it's just too daunting to think about so I send it out to a longarmer.
Another reason is I sometimes get bored working on only one thing at a time.
Then there are the tops I was excited to start but ended up not liking too much

I love the term "cheeky". The British have such wonderful adjectives, nouns, and expressions!!! And it took me years to figure out that cushion means pillow