And if it's any consolation my very first quilt took me 10 years to complete. Mainly the problem was that I started on a king-size quilt (bad idea but how many of us did that?), each block was appliqued and there were supposed to be 25 blocks. Once I began I realized that I had started something I really didn't know how to finish. I cut out all my applique pieces for all the blocks before I even began to sew - completely overwhelming! So, ten years later I had learned a little more about doing this patchwork and quilting and was able to eventually complete the quilt. Instead of 25 blocks I reduced it to 16 which was much more manageable. It is not my finest work but it was quite an achievement to get it finished. Rita.

Most of us have many projects that we are working on. I totally agree with BettyAnn on learning a technique, and then if I don't care to finish the project, then just let it go! If I still like it, but have temporarily lost interest, I set it aside and start another project. When you return to the first project you will have renewed interest in it, and it is already partly done. So, finishing it comes quicker. Don't feel like a failure if you put one, two, three, or even 4 projects aside. You will be surprised how many of us make a New Year's resolution to finish some of our UFOs. We all have them!

Dawn
In beautiful Northwest Montana

I agree with Rita. The only thing I would add is to look at what you are trying to do and see exactly where you keep getting side-tracked. Is it because it is too hard, is it because it is not turning out like you thought, or maybe because something is missing. Sometimes you just have to put it aside until what it needs becomes obvious to you. Ask questions when you are stuck--there are lots of really intelligent quilts on this site who can give you really detailed help.

Hi Margie, I know how you feel and I am sure everybody else who quilts does too. I hope it is not too presumptuous of me to say that I think that SpiritsFold is right when suggesting that you might need to get a few more techniques into the tool-belt before you try to create your own unique work. I know that for me the biggest learning curve was doing the BOM 2011 because I learned so many new techniques that I had not done before. I have learned so much from just watching the different shows on TQS. For example, I was blown away by Gloria Loughman's work in programme 612 because I love the idea of doing art quilts someday. And she shows us the techniques she uses to create her quilts. Yvonne Purcella's work is equally inspiring and I have used her funny portrait ideas since to create amusing portraits of my family. Every single show has something new to offer or a new spin on old ideas. I only joined TQS in March 2011 and I was just like you then. It is hard to be patient and give time to learning the techniques but my suggestion is that you give it that time and you will be rewarded many times over.

Don't give up this time - stick at it and you will be rewarded eventually. Great works of art don't happen overnight they take years of practice and dedication.

Good luck, Rita.

I have decided that for some of my projects the goal was to "learn" a technique or try out a new idea. The goal is then learning and experimenting. Finishing the project was not the goal. This realization has allowed me to let go of UFOs guilt free. Having them hanging over my head often weighed so heavily that my creative juices dried up. I just did a major clean out of my studio and donated many "learning processes" to my guild's boutique committe. Half to three quarters of the work is done. Some one else in the guild will find the enthusiam to finish the project. We all win.
You may find it helpful to work smaller at first. You can achive completion sooner. As you get more comfortable with a technique you can enlarge your vision. The most important thing is to keep at it. Come here for help, encouragement, advice and sympathy if necessary. Remember most anything you are going thru as a quilter, one are more of us here on the TQS network have been there too. Keep on Keepin' on. Betty Ann

When I studied art when I was young I despised the sketchbook exercises we were assigned each week and was only interested in freely following my creative instinct. I was nearly 50 years old when I began quilting. After my first modest project, a nine patch cradle quilt by hand, I decided that I was only going to be successful at projects freely following my creative instincts if I first chose a series of projects specifically in order to learn the skills and processes I need to know to produce the quality pieces I aspire to create. So I choose a skill I want to learn, I read and research the process on this site and by reading books and visiting websites by those I admire for that type of skill, and choose a project I can produce while I perfect that skill. I add that technique to my tool belt, as Alex and Ricky say, and move on to another technique. The projects from this process are generally gifts for someone in my family so I'm also accomplishing something toward my Christmas or birthday giving list. Meanwhile, I keep jotting down and sketching ideas for some of the totally fun and freely creative things I hope to begin to create in a year or so. I've been at this for about five years now. I look at it sort of like going to art school again but now I create my own curriculum. Ultimately I would love to create art quilts similar to David Taylor and Esterita Austin. I've also learned to love some of the more traditional blocks but I'd like to put a little of my own spin on them. Good luck with your journey, I hope you find as much fulfillment in it as I have so far!

there are so many things to say, but I find I really don't know where to start. So find someone experienced to sew with, a class at a local shop, a guild. they'll help you fix the things that go wrong.

you don't say what kind of quilts you are trying to make: traditional, contemporary or art? that would help.

I'm new to quilting only because I have given up so many times in the past. I find that I have an idea of what I want to do and when something goes wrong, I change the idea and concept. After working on it for awhile I soon realize I don't like the new concept and get flustered and quit. I am now trying again and I can feel I am losing my focus on the big picture. My question is how do you keep your ideas alive. How can I keep myself from going in all directions. I can feel the creativity flowing through my head but I can't seem to stop it long enough to complete something. Margie