My three-step plan to tackle my UFO’s is a resounding success so far! So many UFOs occur because we get stalled at a tricky or boring stage of quilt assembly. This is what happened with this UFO, but with my three-step plan, I was able to overcome my procrastination and accomplish what needed to be done to finish this quilt top! I attached the final pieced border to my Border of the Month project, which Corey Yoder hosted this past summer.
To recap, my Three Steps for my Focus on Finishing Those UFOs are:
1) Get a cute notebook and list all your UFOs and the specific steps required to finish them. A cute notebook is required. Trust me.
2) Pick your top three UFOs to concentrate on, one after another. I prioritized my UFOs: #1, #2, and #3. Set your other projects aside to assess later. Working in a clutter-free, tidy sewing area actually helps you focus and not be distracted
3) Designate a set period of time to work on your UFO. Start small. 30 minutes at a time is just fine. You will see measurable progress.
If I were to add a Step 4, this is what it would be:
4) Make finishing as enjoyable as starting a project. Sometimes the pattern and fabric selection is such fun that we get bored once we settle in to the actual mechanics of working on the project. The following actions might make things go more enjoyably:
*Listen to an audiobook or a favorite podcast while doing repetitive sewing tasks.
*Take photographs of your progress to remind yourself how far you’ve come.
*Use that cute notebook to record completed tasks.
I hope you are inspired to try my method and get a UFO or two wrapped up. I promise, it is very satisfying!
I have one last tip to share for finishing a quilt border, particularly if it is a pieced one. Kimberly Jolly of Fat Quarter Shop calls this step a “Victory Lap”, which I think is so cute. It is simply a line of stay stitching all around the edge of the quilt top, which keeps it from stretching out of shape. I just ran a line of stitching about 1/8″ from the edge of the quilt. It took no time to do and I think it makes sense to keep your quilt nice and square.
I hope this has been a great week for you all! Happy Halloween!
8 Responses
Your plan is great, and your quilt is gorgeous!
Good for you! That is one pretty quilt top!
Can’t wait to see what you finish next.
Your plan will work for me but my first step is to clean and organize my sewing room😀 . I like your quilt top, nice work!
Finishing can become its own addiction! Congratulations on your plan. Sherron
I’m so glad your process is working for you!
Like you, I find borders and binding a challenge to get excited about. I play mind games with myself…as I wrap up assembling the center of the quilt, I tell myself “only 4 (or 8 or however many) seams to go” as I begin to attach borders. It challenges me to keep going!
Hahaha, Nancy. That’s how I am when I mow the lawn. Only 5 more times across the lawn. Only 4. . . . It does help to make it to the end, doesn’t it?
I’m also tidying up the room and sorting out the shelves of fabric (noticing how the piles are reduced – woot woot!) before diving into the box. I know I need to piece backings, so I’m gearing myself up to it.
Your top is looking super and I like your victory lap! LOL!
I think the suggestions for tidying up my sewing room as Step 1 would probably work for me, too! That final border really makes a great ‘frame’ for your top! Trick-or-treat! 🎃👻