:shock: :shock: :shock: 50 Nancy :shock: :shock: :shock:

That's a lot of NFYs

I don't think any have defeated me but I do dislike some or get bored with a project. Actually I lie, I was doing a portrait quilt and I just felt overwhelmed in the time I had so it went in the bin. When I look back at the pic I took, I think it was looking pretty good and would have worked given time. Hey ho too late now, another time follow BJ's advice

Maybe you remember a few years ago, I was so frustrated with a quilt that was the worst in my life. Everything was a challenge from the beginning to the end. I was so near throwing it in the trash, but finally I finished it and hang it on my wall. It was there for 26 hours, then a dear friend of mine came by, fell in love with it and since then it has been in her clinic. Funny thing is that I missed it, when it was gone.
I sew my label on by hand.

rehak wrote: I am in awe!

I guess I work a little differently. I generally have about 50 UFOs at any time. I switch around depending on deadlines, if I'm stuck on something, and what I'm interested in working on.

Since this is a hobby for me, the most important thing is that it be fun. It's certainly fun to finish things and I strive for that, but I rarely have time to finish anything for myself. So I generally plug away at things for me and finish up things for others. It really bothers a friend of mine who doesn't like having unfinished things sitting around, but it works for me. And I get so excited when I run across a project that I had forgotten about. It's like Christmas!

Nancy

I run at least three projects in progress at once for this very reason and because sometimes I run out of something I need. Recently, though, I had a situation where I ran out of something or needed a new color on something on all three projects, so I am thinking of adding a fourth for my regular routine. Also, I will say it is not defeat to move to a different method when one doesn't work...it's common sense.

If it is going to see a lot of washing I would recommend hand sewing as well as using the fusible to keep it in place (I am not a great fan of fusibles/adhesives mixed with fabrics for the long term. But they do have their uses & place).

As for nearly throwing in the towel with this quilt - why do you think so many quilters have more than one project on the go at a time sometimes you just need to step away from it for a while and give you and it a bit of breathing space. (Ok I have one quilt top that has had 3 years of breathing space , but I do intend to go back to it one day )

Patchworkjill wrote:
Oh, fusible is a great idea!! I think I even have some of the super duper "no stitch" stuff......brilliant!

twiglet wrote:
Wendy, my Diary Quilt took 3 years to finish, because of that very thing. Well, yes, partly it was the "sewing by hand" business, but still. One block in that quilt gave me such fits that I just set the whole thing aside for quite some time. Eventually I just did the part of the block I could do, then appliqued it to a background instead of trying to figure out those inset Y seams. Ditto that for the one that had curved piecing in it.

What I'm trying to say is, I prefer the term "NFY" -- Not Finished Yet -- instead of UFO. If there's any hope of ever, one day, going back and finishing them -- change their name If not, throw them back in your stash or pass on to someone or whatever so there's no more guilt.

At times to put a label on the back of a quilt especialy if I want it in the middle or so, I turn the edges under a 1/4 inch then I use double sided fusible and fuse the label down and then hand stitch......so much easier I have found.

In answer to your first post Yes, that's why I have so many UFO's

That's the way I usually handle things -- put it away for now and come back to it tomorrow. It's always good to sleep your frustration away!

Nancy

Carole, yes, I will probably put it on by hand later. For now, it just went into the dryer, so that tonight it can go on his bed.

Nancy, thank you for the info about the tension. I will mess with it and see if I can get it straightened up. Thank you!

I do think perhaps I should have said "temporarily" before the word defeated, as indefinitely don't ever quit for good. Just knew that, for today, I was d.o.n.e. done with that thing. Now I have a new understanding of the TQS tag line, tomorrow's a new day. Maybe tomorrow I will tackle putting the label on by hand.

To answer your zig-zag question, yes, it is a tension issue. You can use a sample piece to get your tension correct.

As for the label, I also generally put my labels on by hand. Every once in a while I'll put the label on the back before quilting, usually if the label is very large and should be quilted or if I'm using an extra block for the label and decide to piece it into the back.

I can't think of any defeats right now. I know I've been very frustrated while working on some things (more often than I'd like to admit), but once I finish up I tend to forget the frustration pretty quickly. My philosophy with quilts is that as long as it's put together so that it won't fall apart, then it can always provide warmth so it's a success. So, for me, nothing is a failure! But the design can definitely change along the way....

Nancy

Oh, and to answer your direct question, no, I haven't let one defeat me. I've made LOTS of changes mid-stream, though!