DAY 15-UNFINISHED PROJECTS 💪⏱🧽 2024 Declutter Challenge
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- Опубликовано: 13 янв 2024
- WELCOME TO THE SEWING ROOM DECLUTTER CHALLENGE 2024. Together we are clearing out the unwanted, the unwelcome and the no longer needed to make way for 2024.
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You need to add PHDs (Projects Half Done) to your acronym list.
I finished all UFO’s last year with the exception of one WIP. It’s appliqué and will probably take 6 months to finish. This month, I’ve been working on using my stash, ie, putting a pattern name with each line of fabric and sewing them up. I’ve completed 2 queen sized tops and 2 QOV. Just started the next queen. You see, my primary goal this year is to make up all my stash and only buy kits from now on. I have no scraps. They give me hives! When I completely finish a project, all the scraps go to guild and the giveaway table. Karen, I started watching your channel in 2021 and you are the catalyst that keeps me motivated. In 2021, when I initially decluttered, you helped me be strong enough to stop working on projects that don’t bring me joy. Thank you.
I had such a bottleneck of ufo’s last year. I changed my mindset: better to be done than perfect. That was freeing! My quilt tops are great but I’m just learning FMQ on a long arm machine. Finished it better than perfect. My learner quilt tops are being gifted the tiny humans in our family. They don’t care if my circles in the FMQ design aren’t completely round. Finished is better than perfect.
I have 1 rule only have 3 projects on the go at once. If 1 want to start something new I have to finish something. I usually have 2 on the go so the 3rd is almost always available. This works for me.
I like your rule of 3! I think I will adopt it, once I get my UFOs down to 3! Lol
I have an embarrassing long list of UFOS. Last year I chose 12 of them with hope of finishing 1 per month. (I realized that prior to that I had no plan to finish UFOS...they were just there.) However, my life took a detour and I only finished 4. So I have chosen my 12 for this year. And I have let go of 4 projects too. Feels good.
There’s the mantra you taught me last year that set me free from “iffy” sewing projects. “If you had a day of uninterrupted sewing, would you work on this project?” I’ve taken apart several kits I received from a subscription service, am donating the patterns and added the fabrics to stash for future, more appealing things. Just returned from a 4 day quilt retreat where I completed my two remaining WIP/UFO’S. Now, clear slate and endless possibilities! ❤❤❤
I count my kits with my ufos. I have 50 total “UFO’s” this year (down from 63 last year) -but I take my time to organize by type of project (panels versus UFO versus kit). I also prioritize the type of project to accomplish from these for each year. Last year it was Quilt of Valor, this year it is panel projects. So far this month I will be donating 5 flimsies to a charity that will longarm them and donate them, I made my first orphan block flimsie and am working on a second one and I finished 3 children throw flimsies that I hope to quilt by the end of the year. I also finished 4 teddy bear sleeping bags. I am tackling as many of the small projects as possible this month to quickly whittle the number of projects off my list before working on my goal of panel projects. I already am down to “only” 40 projects left.
I really like the idea of working on a few blocks from the UFO pile to see if I still like the project
Ooooh, after 3 years still working on this. 3 years ago I had well 30 + projects, now down to 18. My goal is to get 3 pieced tops quilted this year and must complete a UFO before starting a new project. Your hell yes or hell no helps 😂
I have a couple of unfinished quilts that I now dislike intensely. So I will cut them and make them into cat quilts for a local shelter. Luckily my sewing guild is working on this right now, so it’s perfect timing.
I have many kits I made from my 'fabric stash', don't know which one to start first, all for our Quilt guilds charity
I have been working on my stash. When I am north I cut out 9 projects to take to my park model in winter. I’ve made a list for projects to bring next year . I enjoy watching the declutter. I will go through my sewing room again this year when I get back to my northern home.
I found 7 unfinished quilts a couple of weeks ago. Now I need to declutter and decide what I want to do with them. I think I have a year of sewing coming up and a whole lot of clearing out. I'm just finishing up a little quilt for my great nephew then it's on to sorting and sewing.
I have no ufos. But I have 13 bins of cotton that I have been trying to use up for the past 3 years. I have found that one piece out of a bin doesn’t really make a difference. Yet if I add a piece , it just blows up lol 😂
I have two projects that have been around for years...in one case, decades. However, one I have decided to skinny down to something manageable rather than the original idea, so this is the year for it. The other one I still do like and want to finish (am partly done the hand quilting...and therein lies the rub. I only macuine quilt now). All my other projects I begin and end within a year or so. Am gathering fabrics ahead for a grandchild's college quilt, but don't know the pattern I will use. Otherwise, most of my time and effort is currently going into making scrap quilts to try taming the scrap monster. 😂😂
I really need to organize my ufo's badly. I am hoping to start when we get back from our current vacation.
I have one sandwich to quilt and bind and two EPP works in progress that I’m actively working on and we’re never going to be finished just now. One is a BOM that won’t finish until June and the other is the project I work on in between the BOM. I try not to have too many UFOs as I’m not the type of person to go back to something if I put it away or to the side. I also try not to start projects while I’m already doing something as I know one will get left and not finished. My quilt sandwich should have been quilted by now but my dad was in hospital for 7 weeks just before Christmas and my mum was in emergency respite.
Last November 1st 4:08 , I started ( with a plan?!), the 'Cull,' sort, assess, etc., project. Looked at EVERY self made kit i have. Those are All fabric & a pattern in a zip bag. I admit to having 3 that every bag was reassed I have from at least 30+ yrs ago. I pulled about 50 (put in a lg tote), re arranged all others. Also pulled any that were smaller projects that needed the least work to finish. I allowed 1 or so sewing a day, over each day. Over the 2 & half months this took me , I finished ALL the "small/quick tops, ready to be tied or ?, ready for leaving here. After all said & done, I'm left with about 60 +- 'kits' less. That still leaves a count I will never finish before I pass. OH well, everything neat & tidy, all are something I'm excited about. Every time I open a tote or the closet I am excited to do what's there. I'm a widow, the 2 doghos & the cat don't object and I am very content. I sew everyday (no doctor's appointment!) . I also rug hook, knit, read evengings & a fab cook. I won't give the count but it is 3 numbers!!!!!! Have instituted a moratorium on any new additions except for solids that I always seen to need. I gave away or sold a fairly amount of unwanted. Made several folks Very happy. This week, I start on the ' sew 11', projects i have chosen to start. Several not to large & some queen/king size. Some will be tied & sold at farmers market this summer, some will "maybe go to long armer, at some point. I am so content with the 2023 redo & the cull/reassessment, what a joyfully done task. Thanks, Karen for your hints, tricks, etc.
I started going through my UFOs late December as i joined a UFO group starting in January… a couple things happened. I discovered ALOT of scraps- obviously keeping as projects were not completed. I also found out why the projects were not done- I ran out of fabric and needed to find it - usually big background pieces… I have become a ‘ controlled scrappy quilter’. I had a lot of slow stitching projects that were using scraps. I have taken this time to organized my scraps into colour and feel like I will be moving forward. I have a plan, I have a list…. I really enjoy your declutter challenge - I go through it every year, and every year I need a repeat… I am obviously a repetitive learner!!
Thank you, Karen. I like your writing board on the back of the cupboard door. I made a list the other day of sewing projects. I do have blocks from a project started 18 years ago. Oh dear. I think I'll go take a nap. Marion
I finished so many UFOs last year thanks to this challenge!
I have several lap quilts in progress and a few small items that I'm making as gifts. No special reason; just because! I have been blessed over the years to have been gifted a lot of fabric from different people so money for fabric doesn't enter into it. Exceptions would be batting and the occasional thread spool. I have also found yardage at the thrift store. I could stay in my Happy Place all day, but nothing else would get done! 😂 Thank you for your helpful hints and tips! If it didn't bring me joy, I wouldn't do it! My joy is in the gift giving anyway, so it's all good!🤗
My UFOs
🤍Hippo quilt for daughter (just 1/4 of the binding is left to do, ran out of correct color thread)
🤍Twin quilt for son
🤍Large quilt for my husband and I
🤍Frog themed quilt from blocks my mom made, that she gave to me to practice on.
Future projects
"I Spy" quilt
Baby quilt for baby number three, a girl due in May
Moda colors chart quilt kit
Many squirrel ideas try to work their way into being projects but I want to complete the ones in progress first!
I only finished one ufo last year. Life kind of fell apart with my job and my elderly mother. I'm resolved to finish at least 3 ufo's and a couple of new projects this year.
I have 1 UFO and 1 WIP. I have taken a class on long arm quilting, which I am just learning and purposefully held out the UFO to use on one of my new skills! I am just finishing a king size flimsy. Once I get that done, I will quilt both and finish. Because of the declutter challenge last year and seeing videos of unbelievable stash, I have promised myself to make at least one scrap quilt for every quilt two quilts I have purchased more fabric for. I simply don't have the room for more stash than I already use.
The Challenge has really helped me keep my space reasonably organized. Thank you. You are one of my heroes!
New to this. Have made my 2nd small lap quilt. I cannot start another one until I finish the one I have. It’s hanging over me until I finish it. So I have finished, I am now starting another one, with enthusiasm .
I’m one of those quilters who can really only work on one project at a time,with very few exceptions. So I really don’t have any wips but I have a lot of kits. That is to say I have a lot of pre-cut fabric with a specific pattern to go with it that I haven’t started yet. I participate in some block of the month programs, so I’ll pause my big project to do my block, but that’s about as far as I’ll deviate. It’s sort of an OCD thing. 🤷♀️
This is how I hope to be!
I am the same. I have a BOM on the go and usually another project in between. I do however have ongoing dress making projects as I only do this occasionally because I try to do it when I don’t have a lot of quilting to do which is almost never 😂
That is not a bad thing! I, on the other hand, start something, get partially through it, see something else that excites me, start it, repeat, repeat, repeat. Lol I have to make myself go back to my original project and push it through.
That seems to be how I operate - LOTS of distractions pull me away from projects to make new projects.@@FayeKiser-pr2yu
I have 3 quilt tops that I do want to finish, although only one is actually big enough to be a lap quilt. One is the right size for a wall hanging. The third needs a lot of work to be anything. I have a major UFO that I started literally decades ago that will be a quilt for our queen size bed. The top portion is done, but I have to do the sides.
I also have three active place mat projects that are waiting for my back to settle down from overdoing it the past couple of days. Don't even mention my clothing UFOs.
I got back 2 from the quilter this yr. I've actually finished 3 quilts so far & a sewn up a Christmas wall hanging. I made this yr to finish projects/quilts.
Well, I have no idea what is in the plastic boxes in my sewing room. I have a bunch… so I suspect several… so I will take a look and ask questions as you have suggested… I guess I’ll see shortly!! Lol
I have 4 ten gallon bins of them. Of those, one bin is full of kits.
Last year, I discovered that the term UFO has become so daunting to me that I had to re-think and rename my bins. I now have Gatherings (kits); Cuttings, Just One More Thing (because they only need one or two things and they are done), and finally, the true UFOs -- More Questions Than Answers (these definitely need to be decluttered.)
Today's tips are definitely what I need to finally tackle the worst bin. I've just been avoiding everything in that bin because it's just daunting and unfriendly. It gives me such a mental block that I haven't opened that bin since I packed it last year, and I don't even know what's in it.
Best of luck with it. You will feel great once you've finished.
I love your idea of categorizing projects based on what made you stop/ what’s needed to restart. When a project becomes too complicated, I tend to move away from it, rather than search for ways to finish.
Mental blocks end up getting tossed. Sometimes, I can't even bring myself to donate them, because of spots appearing on fabric. If it's musty, I toss. I have asthma myself, so I don't want to stir up anyone else's breathing/allergies. Several folks have mentioned making pet beds with unwanted scraps. How are the bits and pieces kept from bunching up inside?? Because they are seriously what I'm tempted to do with these strips, and chips in my stash. I make newspaper & pill bottle donations to our animal shelter. If they can use another cushion, I'll make one.
I have very few UFOs. I usually finish up what I have started ---- it may take a while but eventualy gets done. One is a hexie quilt as you go and I have enjoyed this because whenever you stop it's looks complete. Right now it's on the back of a chair in my bedroom and will stay there until it turns into a bed runner, etc. But I do get to look at it. The one UFO I've been holding on to but never finished is a tote bag from a class I took (many years ago). I love the fabric so this year decided I would finish it BUT since I don't use too many tote bags anymore I will make it into a project bag. This year I have gotten into project bags and love making them, gifting them, etc. So my UFO tote will now become a UFO project bag and that inspires me. Also a tip I use (who knows where I read it) on my phone in my NOTES app I have a list I call "my sewing power hour". It's a really long list but it's a list of everything I'm working on. I like having lots of different things to pick from. So when I want to sew I look at the list, pick something to work on, and spend an hour doing just that. It is amazing how fast those projects come together one hour at a time. I've been doing this for a few years now and I am amazed at how many more projects I complete. HAPPY SEWING!!!
No way I’ll give this day a miss. Everything is listed in my spreadsheet including two labelled never to be finished
I made a New Year resolution not to start any new projects so I can focus on things already started and make more progress on scrap organisation. 👍♥️🇦🇺
Same here. I have clothes that need mending and a LOT of BOM's from 2023 that I wasn't even able to start
I'm trying to get one mending item done at our monthly sew-ins BEFORE working on other projects.@@TLStitches
@@TLStitches Yes. Always mending jobs popping up.
I haven't pulled out my UFOs yet this morning. I have 8 that I can count in my head and there are probably a few more lurking somewhere. The two that are the oldest - one was started for a former coworker (at their request) and I should have never said yes. I have had it for years and as it contains clothing from a member of her family, I feel I HAVE to finish it but I have ZERO interest!! The other one is a group project that I only need to make 4 blocks and assemble them but not much interest there either. My rule now is to only start things that I want to do. My current project (for myself) has been hanging around for a while because I needed a gazillion little 9 patches and I found that boring. However, I decided that it would never be finished if I didn't hammer down so . . . I am now only four 9 patches shy of being done and ready for assembly!! YAY!!!
I do have a UFO tracking sheet (courtesy of another quilter) for this year and I think that's going to help tremendously. It shows at what point each quilt is at. I am going to finish the coworker quilt this year. (Even though I've said that the last 2 challenges) lol
My problem is I get bored with the project. And then I don't go back to it.Maybe I should do what you said to do this year. Don't let it carry over to next year
I can't work from a board on the wall. The list of UFOs wouldn't fit. 😞So, I have a planning sheet that stays with EACH project. It has:
1) date started
2) name of pattern and it's source (I often make photocopies so I can make notes and not mess up the original pattern)
3) what fabrics I've chosen and a written description of those fabrics
4) a list of steps and a date when I've completed a step so I can see what step I need to take next in the process
I didn't know the difference between a UFO and a kit so I have a lot less than I thought. Kits on the other hand?! Let's see what tomorrow brings
I actually have one class quilt (kit) partly made , but moved twice and well… I bought the kit again to actually complete this quilt top because it still sings to me.
Two of my favorite quilts spent a few years as UFOs. Why? Did not like the directions, the fabrics, who it was intended for, other…. My skills and attitude were different when these 2 items were found and finished (F&F). Sometimes UFOs need time to become treasures.
This year I have already finished 2 UFO’s, one was just finished today. Funny you mentioned kits because I just set aside the fabric and notes for two projects to make for gifts later this year. I’ve picked my next project and will be cutting it out this week to start sewing and assembling blocks this weekend 🤞
So my sewing and quilting projects are in pretty good shape. My other crafts projects… (crocheting), not so much.
I was doing so well until I got covid last week, so now I sleep a lot and look at 2 UFOs that were almost done,
I have two UFO's left...feels great!!!
I went through all my UFOs and found that about 1/4 of them I no longer want to make. My tastes have changed in some cases (old, old projects). In other cases it was something that someone else had chosen (their discarded UFOs) and doesn't appeal to me. In still other cases the end results are not what I thought they'd be. These are all being passed on to someone else. Very freeing but I still have LOTS of UFOs that I still want to finish.
I would say my boxes, bags on my shelf are 75% kits. However, there are 2 (farmer's wife and a wool applique quilt) that got put aside last year at various times because of gifting and request obligations. I had thought once I finished the quilt for my own bed( which also got put aside last year for those same obligations), that I would get those going, one at a time this year. However, i am facing a new round of requests already! I started the wool appique as a project that I could take along to things like granddaughter's comp practuces and actual comps and the other project as a guild and at home project. Sigh. Someday, i will get to Farmer's Wife quilt quilt, Dear Jane, New York Beauty, the wool applique quilt and the civil war repro quilts I really want to make . . Someday, someday.
I have finally found my work surfaces and machines thanks to Karen's Declutter challenge (my crafty room was a 15 year volcano just about to erupt!) I joined a mystery quilt sew along in November 2023. Turns out the sew along was for a table runner...nope, don't need any of those! Converted that to a crib quilt, finished 2 weeks ago and gifted. Embroidered/Quilted in the hoop some pieces parts to a Shelly Smola sewing themed quilt squares last year. Converting these squares to machine covers. Definitely need covers now that I have designated work areas in clean and orderly condition. Thanks Karen for getting me kick started !
Doing this with scrapbook/card making supplies too…
I found 12 quilts that need to be quilted! Which I am learning to do now. I have tons of UFO's! So this year that's the goal! Now just to keep my brain on track and not start anything new!!!
Since our first de-clutter challenge only my epp/hand quilting projects go forward . Everything else is finished in December. January is about doing some slow stitching and buying for new projects
I’ve found 6 UFOs while emptying moving boxes. I got very excited about my batik scrap quilt. Batik is my favorite fabric because they’re bright and happy. I also found one ready to start in moody colors of batik scraps. I’m going to challenge myself with doing it. The other 4 are cut, ready to go. Since I don’t use patterns often because I do a lot of appliqué, I still need to draw some blocks before. The “kits” I put in with my fabric to use. I figured if I haven’t seen them in 6 years they need to be fabric not a quilts.
Got done with a wip today. Did a cross stitch travel bag that turns into a lap pad when you open it. Check it out! Turned out great! ❤
That sounds like a lovely gift for my beloved Daughter in Law! Do you mind sharing the pattern and where it came from? TIA
@marywilkins9813 I'm sorry, but there's no pattern for it. It was something I came up with. I was watching my daughter sitting on my couch doing cross stitch. She had everything all over the place. She would put it in her backpack and take it with her. So I made her a bag. Unfortunately, I can't post a pic of it on here, but it's posted on my fb.
Thank you.
Oh boy! When I saw todays topic I almost didn’t watch! But I’m glad I did. Im going to go through my projects with a new eye and if I do nothing else I’m going to make a decision on the raggedy fish quilt that has been plaguing me for years!
My favorite day of the challenge! Two years ago I was able, while going through the challenge, to accept and be okay with the idea that a project I had put aside was just not one I wanted to finish. The longer i worked with the fabric the less I liked it. I asked "the questions" and decided to give it away at my quilt group meeting. I felt so free and didn't have any hangups about the money I had spent on it. Now, when I see something that I absolutely have to have, I pull out "the questions" and ask them first, before buying. Thanks, Karen!
My ufo corner is shameful lol
This reminded me of a project I was working on last year; in previous years I did "block-of-the-month" projects and she wasn't doing it again in 2023. So I had seen a guy facebook doing random block quilt where he would pick a random block out a book and then roll a die to pick the colors. I tried it with a block book I have and some fat-quarters I purchased on sale from Joanne's and was going to do 2 a month. Well, the patterns in the book weren't very good and I only got half way through the year before I gave up. So in December I decided to take it apart and just do a small 3x4 foot quilt just to get done with that project. Still need to finish the back, which I'm using up material from Mt. Scrapmore and doing kind of random blocks, just matching up fabrics by size and seeing what happens. I still have two quilts to bind and another that I need to quilt.
I have about seven different quilts that need to be finished. The reason why I have not finish these. Maybe I don’t know what to do next or squaring up. It’s terrifying to me.
I'm trying to finish a UFO and then it is ready to quilt - I'm gradually getting a pile to have binding! But it is nice to revisit a project that is so close to a finish and I find it makes me more enthusiastic to complete. Meanwhile the cats do a princess and the pea thing by lying on my ready to bind pile - which is covered to protect from fur!
Thank you for helping me make these decisions, or I should say giving me the “tools” to make these decisions.❤
Only have 4 projects opened between quilting & cross stitch. Seems I have more “thinking about projects” fabric bundled together or charts with cloth. Now to make a couple lists! The 6 steps are so helpful… thank you!!
I’m really enjoying your declutter videos and on a side bar I love your short haircut. It’s very becoming and you look lovely. Now back to my UFO’s and making decisions.
I definitely have a wip to work on
❤❤❤I still have to start a UFO😊
Been doing this.. even things I don’t like, but can donate to for someone else to love…. Going to make things with my scraps/stash to reduce
My UFO pile is pretty manageable! I really try not to take on a new project unto another is complete.
Because I did a lot of organization and sewing while I had cancer treatment in 2023, I would say I have 4 finished tops, experiments with no purpose in mind other than to satisfy my curiosity and to build my skills. I will use them to practice quilting with my walking foot.That is the same for my WIP. And I have one in the hoop for hand quilting. Now, if I could only shoo the squirrels away! 😂
I finished several UFOs during cancer treatment in 2021. That was great. Unfortunately, new ones have been created since..
Good task!
I started hand piecing hexagons on our cruises. We are avid cruisers, so needles to say that I have many pieces of those already-put-together-hexagons of sizes up to half the size of my (big) diningroom table.
Well.... Now should be the time, month or even year that I actually start putting those together in one big piece.
But it is so much nicer to have these little packs of paper hexagons, fabric, thread etc along in the suitcase, travelling with me to places, working on it with joy sitting while crossing the Atlantic.... Do you know what I mean?
Those little things bring fun and joy, but to think of puttiing all of these now together to one big one gives me headache!
And I have so much that they can easily be transformed into a Queen size top, if not bigger.
I want to finish it...
On the other hand I don't...
Guess, that is a classical candidate for 2025 declutterring??? 🤷 🤷 🤷
I can only work on one project at a time when sewing is involved. I did make 3 fabric buckets this past week that each used up 96 half square triangles (1 3/4”) that have been hanging out in my sewing space for three years! Using one bucket for a thread catcher, another for scraps to be leader/ender pieces and the third one is going in our travel trailer to hold pill bottles. Felt so good to use up those leftover pieces from that quilt.
Asking for a “friend” but do flimsies count as A WIP?
I would say, yes, they are WIPs. You can’t cuddle under a flimsy. It still requires time and materials (and $, if you send out to a long armer) . Karen’s questions still apply.
I combined my UFO’s and kits decluttering as they were in the same area. 12 UFO’s and 14 kits. Some kits I purchased to add to my stash(3) and that may change as the year goes on. Working on an UFO for charity hopefully finish today. Loving this declutter challenge as I am purposely cleaning up my mess from the different days and it was nice to sit and sew with all essentials in place. Thank you Karen!
This is the step I use to determine what I'm going to finish up this year (UFO, I don't buy kits). I have a chalkboard wall and list the "new" projects" and the UFO's separately. I try to alternate and reward myself with a new one when I finish an old one.
My goal is to end up with only one list, but I have a feeling the UFO list will be replaced with a "scrap projects" list. Given the start to the year, I think a temperature quilt is in order! This year could end up quite, shall we say, colourful!
I have unfinished projects all over the place. 😱
I’m working on getting through scraps by piecing them into tops. Now there are several quilt tops that need to be basted & quilted. With a small space each step requires re configuring my setup so soon I’ll move into basting mode. Reconfigure, then quilt til I can’t stand it anymore 😂.
Hello Karen, I recently found your amazing channel. I'm very new to quilting in fact I'm working on my very first set of placements because I'm afraid to go big 😂. Your declutter videos are just wonderful! I do lots of different activities such as embroidery, needle tatting, crochet, and painting in watercolors. I am excited to learn how to quilt so I'm bing watching your videos. Thank you so much for sharing your craft with me. I appreciate your expertise very much. Take care! ❤
My UFO project is ripping some poorly sewn seams to correct a mistake. Dreaded this, but you got me motivated today!
I have several WIPs that I am determined to finish in 2024. I love the idea of the list that states the next step in the process for a WIP. I think this is just what I needed. Thank you so much!
My quilting journal is just a list of started projects, broken down into for stages, blocks, sewing the blocks together, quilting, and binding. More steps on the list would be overwhelming, unless it was a quilt along with stages, such as a BOM. Have fun!
@@gwynwellliver4489I do this too. I have a list of projects and the various stages they are in.
Happy to have found 4 WIPS. One I tossed and put into the unused fabric with my stash. One will take an hour to finish! One is almost ready to sew together, I ordered the backing and will try to complete in my 30 minute sewing this week! One is going to be a challenge and needs redesigning. But I’m looking forward to it. A great day!
Today I finished two pillows to match the Christmas quilt I made this year!
I sure love this Declutter challenge! Thank you, Karen.
Thanks! You repeating your sage advice about a day of uninterrupted sewing has helped me every day since I first heard it during last year;s challenge, it’s written inside the cover of my quilting notebook.
Thank you very much
I went through WIP's and wrote a note inside each box to note exactly what I needed to finish it. Most of the time, I would quit as I needed one item to finish and put it away. Of course, now we have Amazon and the item can be here the next day. It's not like it was years ago when I had to make a special trip of 100 miles to pick up thread! I've already finished several projects plus eliminated several to the thrift store to let someone else finish it!
Let's give ourselves grace and hang in there! Just finished a rag quilt that was on my design wall for weeks. Found some homemade kits mixed into my UFO bins so ended up going through my kits at the same time. New this go-around - counting my UFOs, which helps drive home to my brain that I have way too many things unfinished. 30 minutes at a time will make it easier. Also, put fabric back in my stash from two of those "kits" since they haven't been cut yet and I may do something different with it when I get the others completed. Donated some UFOs and threw out an odd headband project. My UFOs and kits are a mix of quilting, home decor, and garment projects.
One of the statements I heard in a different decluttering video a few years ago is to not hoard because you think the item will be useful "someday" when it would be useful to someone else today. I remind myself that as I go through any decluttering of other areas in my home as well. Before something becomes sun-faded, stained, mildewed, or otherwise unusable, let someone else enjoy it, wear it, or make something beautiful.
Love the mental tips and tricks.
I like the idea of calling uncut projects kits. Thanks! I tend to get a design idea in my head, sketch it out on quad paper, and start gathering possible fabrics first from my stash, then keeping an eye out each time I make a trip to my local fabric store. All this gets collected in a separate project box until that quilt will be next in line. At that point I gather any remaining stuff i need and it's ready for me to set to work as soon as my current project is done. Right now I have one i am quilting, one flimsy waiting for quilting, one set of panel blocks cut (and an extra layer of batting sewn behind each central feature) waiting for coping strips and sashing, two kits, and four kits being gathered. (The one with extra batting will be a butterfly quilt for our legally blind beloved daughter-in-law. I wanted something more tactile for her than just a flat surface.)
My UFOs are out of control 🤪I debated even if I wanted to watch this video. I love you but the subject matter strikes to close to home 😂😢😅❤
I was thinking about UFOs and realize I have only one. I don't finish it because my sewing table is always cluttered with bills, books, and other items I just set down there. That's why I love your declutter videos!
Yes I am finishing up my project
I cheated and spent some of December looking at UFOs. Where I store them, which are on the short list to finish and which ones can simply wait. I have finished 2 quilts this year - binding and all :) but I needed that time between Christmas and New Year’s when nothing is pressing to have the headspace to think on it.
That fancy batik paper piecing project where I have … excuse me, had, just enough fabric pieces cut to finish it and then ruined a block … you mean I can toss that and keep the pretty blue precut pieces for a log cabin table runner instead? Just let it go? Quit looking at it year after year? Just toss it in the trash like that I did that fancy blouse for that fancy blouse clothes making class I never finished that went away in 1988? You mean … admit defeat (hard but not impossible) and free myself and move on? I was barely doing the challenge this year because I am Miss Organized Sewing Room Clean Freak (because that’s how I work best) but there is always something. I freed myself of the box taking up valuable real estate that has crochet and knitting items - including yarn I got from my Mom in 1985. 😂 I kept a small box of my crochet hooks and the knitting needles from a Girl Scout project (nostalgia) but they tucked into my notions drawer. We will see if they make it through next year’s challenge! Let it go. It is a hobby, not a critical work project. What a concept! Thank you.
You're writing on your project boxes. Is that dry erase marker? Sharpie over tape?
Thanks Karen for the declutter challenge. It has helped me to stay focused on what I like to do and accomplish.
I just did this for my UFOs. I need to remember this process throughout the year as I work through projects. I tend to forget to focus on next up in the list. After all, the list is there for a reason. That being, so I don’t wind up chasing the latest squirrel to catch my attention. 😂
From past declutter challenges I knew this was coming and I’ve actually been looking forward to it. Making a list of what UFOs I have is my priority this year. Trying not to begin too many new projects until I clear out the old ones is going to give me such a sense of accomplishment! I am actually finishing the binding, and label for a quilt today, so one off my list already! I can’t wait to see how I do. Thanks again Karen.👍❤️
Doing the American Patchwork Challenge again this year. I have already finished some simple projects that just need simple finishing and binding. Another quilt was taken to the long armer. I do have one project from HeXX that is driving me nuts .... over 3/4 done but it is on the diagonal and I have lost my way and keep making the same mistake so it is out of square.... I have thrown it in the corner where I can still see it .... but the only thing I do with it is stick my tongue out and give it a raspberry. .... It would be useful and great if I ever finish it ... I just have to buckle down.
Just curious, what is a WOMBAT?
Waste of Money Batting. & Time. I replayed it. 😊
WOMBAT ….I have used this often for choosing a project that no longer appeals to me. Fabric back to the stash you go. 😅
Waste of money batting and time
Last year was my first time with the Declutter Challenge and it helped me tremendously. Today's and tomorrow's are going to really challenge me. Thanks for the organizing tips to help me truly work through the stash, my numerous ideas and a method to plan project completions better.
Here’s my struggle. I have UFOs that I’m willing to give up, but what do do with them? I hate the idea of just throwing them out. Do you have recommendations for getting them out of your sewing space and getting them into someone else’s?😊
Local quilt guild, senior center, church groups, local project Linus group
Had you considered donating them to a thrift store that supports a charity that you feel is worthwhile? That's where my declutter fabric and notions are going.🙂
I have a Zelda quilt I started back in 2016, this is #1 on my list. I have the blocks make I just need to cut the fabric to put it together. Kind of like sashing. The next one is a star quilt which I also started in 2016, I wanted to make it a bit bigger, but I will probably just finish it for a baby quilt. This Last one is hard. It's an EPP project I won it on Instagram, probably 2016 or 2017. Can you sew these together with your sewing machine? I'm not one that has patience to hand quilt them together.
Wondering if this question was ssked or I missed it. I have both baby flannel and cotton fabric, can I mix both fabrics for a small quilt? I dont want to have to buy anymore to make a quilt. Need to use up what I have thank you
❤
I think there are a couple more shoeboxes I can empty because I really don't see my self spending my time on what's inside them.
I have a few quilt tops I Do want to finish, and get quilted. But, these boxes contain small strips that I just don't see quilting by hand, even with big stitch quilting.
I think I will breath easier if I just say goodbye to the stuff in them, since I just shuffle it around between boxes, when trying to declutter. A lot of it is just narrow strips, which so much is taken in the seams. How does one even press that????