Friday, December 17, 2010

Friday Confession


I don't have many UFOs (unfinished objects) in my sewing room, but the ones that I do can all be explained with the same reason: fabric that I'm not crazy about.


Of course, if I'm not crazy about the fabric, that means I didn't pick it out and I'm not sewing for me - it's for someone else... Or that it's a (non-wearable) muslin that I'm doing for practice before cutting into the real fabric.


So, how about you? Do you have many UFOs in your sewing room? What factors lead to you start a project, and then not finish it?

12 comments:

CarlaF-in Atlanta said...

No UFO's for me. When I start a project I've got to finish it. I won't start another. I usually make of muslin of all my projects with the exception of my TNT skirt pattern. I'm still a newish sewer so my projects are learning experiences for me.

mamafitz said...

i don't have that many UFOs, because if it turns out i don't like how something is turning out, i get rid of it.

most of my UFOs are unfinished quilt tops. those i don't toss, 'cause i'll get to them eventually.

Faye Lewis said...

Knock on wood, but I'm proud to say I have no UFO's. Thanks to my sticking to my self imposed sewing rule to finish one project before I start another one. There have been cutting marathons when I'd end up with 5 or 6 things cut out, and actually got mad at myself fearing there was a possibility that one or two would end up as UFO's, but thank goodness that did not happen. Then (of course) there were the many times that wonky fabric and or pattern just wasn't or did not work out just right. In that case when I realize that finishing it would be pointless I take it straight out side for the trash.

Alison said...

No UFOs here either. I used to have one...a black corduroy jeans jacket which sat around for about 3 years if not more. But then I lost weight and there was no point trying to finish it. So I threw it in the bin. That was a big deal for me!

Unknown said...

Well, technichally they're not in my sewing room, they're at Mom's house... But right now I have 3 things that are "made from scratch" UFOs. A dress I started years ago and plan to finish by Easter and include in my SWAP, another dress that... well, it'll likely get chopped to a tunic or a shirt because I incorrectly drafted it. And the third is a denim miniskirt. All of the thinkgs that are UFOs are springy-summery things, and I just can't motivate myself to work on them when it's this icky outside.

The alterations/refashions pile? That's another beast entirely...

marysews said...

Officially, I only have two UFO projects in my sewing room. It's amazing that they are both there. The curtain project is stalled only after five days, but that's because of the cold weather. The cotton fleece jacket was recently found after at least five years and two moves.

My typical UFO MO is to start something, then stop because something else was more urgent, sewing project or not.

marysews said...

Oops! I forgot about the boxers project for my son. It was pre-empted by the curtains.

katherine h said...

I don't really have UFOs, though I may be working on several projects at once. This happens when one project is tailored and involved, and I interrupt for a quick project or if I get interrupted by something that somebody needs in a hurry...usually clothes for growing children or last minute costumes. What I do have is lots and lots of fabric that has been matched to patterns but the projects have not started. For some of these, I have lost the love for the fabric. Now I like to go through my stash and work out what fabrics I love, what will be useful for making muslins and what I should donate to the local kindy.

Shannon said...

I have a lot of UFOs, some because I got bored of the project, some because a different project took precedence and I never picked it back up, and some because quilts take a long time to finish. I finish at least half of my UFOs eventually, although I get rid of anything I've outgrown or suddenly hate. I recently finished a double wedding ring quilt for a friend who got married over 15 years ago.

Anonymous said...

I have times where I am pretty bad at it, but then other times I will have none at all.

Right now I have 2 dresses. I don't need them and they are fancier than I usually wear so until I find that I need these for something, I work on them here and there.

Summerset said...

No UFOs. I do work on multiple projects at once, but I always finish them. It is rare that I work on something that's not working for me and then I get rid of it without guilt.

Zep said...

Girl, Lets talk!! LOL I have UFO's from HIGH SCHOOL! Yeah, I had my 30 yr reunion this year. I'm bad, I know. But they're not only sewing projects but other thread and fabric art. It's fun to go through the big old box of UFO's to bring back the memories of years past. I still have a suite I made in HS hanging in my sewing studio.

But that was then and this is now...

What I do now from getting UFO's. I went to the $1 store and picked up 5 baskets. I hate the cutting process so when I do that I'm cutting a few projects at once. They all go in their own baskets along with all the things needed to make that project. I can't start a new project until I empty a basket. Usually when I pull a basket out I finish it right away. Others I'm just not feeling it so I put it away and pick up another project to work on. I've been doing this for a couple of years and NO UFO's!! :)

You always come up with great questions! I have so much fun doing this with you and everyone each week. Thank you so much for keeping it up because I have so fallen off the blog world lately. I want to spend all my free time sewing!!! :)

MERRY CHRISTMAS GWEN!!! Hugs and kisses to you and the hubby for a healthy and happy new year!!