So I have a problem. It seems common within our community, yet I haven’t come across a way to overcome it so far. I can’t finish anything in a timely fashion, unless it’s a pattern test or some other immovable deadline.
I am like Dory from Finding Nemo, continually distracted by shiny things and unable to contain all the ideas and things I want to sew inside my brain! I currently have a Jasika blazer, a pair of jeans, a Sinclair Gaia top, a Saldana tee and a bralette thing at various stages of construction.
The only thing that works for me is pattern testing (or something like going on holiday or a special event). Pattern testing includes many of my favourite things — sewing for me, helping someone else, nitpicking… and it looks like letting someone down is a line I don’t want to cross (which is good!). But I do still want to sew the bajillion patterns I have and even finish the ones I already started on!
So tell me, what tricks do you use to power through and get stuff finished? Or are you like me, with loads always on the go, some of it for much longer than intended? Does it bother you or do you just go with the flow of the sew?
Chloe is a Sewcialists Editor, who lives and sews in Australia. She blogs at chlo-thing.com and can be found on Instagram here.
Always have WIPs but I try and limit it to say 5 projects at once so my head doesn’t feel too cluttered. After all, is there a need to be in a hurry – do you REALLY need to wear that thing you’re making immediately? Is it sewing work for someone else or is it a hobby? – depending on the answer, I say just enjoy the sewing process and take the time to make things beautiful! As for the bajillion patterns, totally understand wanting to make them all. But I think my desire to make them comes and goes. Sometimes tracing something off on paper feels as good as actually sewing it up…
Five is a good idea – anything else and there isn’t room to store them all anyway! Maybe I go with that as a yardstick plus some push to finish the oldest project from time to time! Thanks 🙂
I could have written this myself. I must have at least 20 on going projects. My enthusiasm always outstrips my productivity and I am so easily distracted. Testing usually works and holidays – I travel a lot – although upcoming trips often generate projects! I don’t know the answer to this problem but I’ve actually decided to give challenges a miss this year as that seems to be a trigger to start many many things. If you come up with a solution I’d love to know!
I have been trying to only use challenges to finish an appropriate work in progress, though that hasn’t always worked 😎 I wondered about a start-one new, finish-one existing routine, but then what if I don’t have one I feel like finishing?!!! I will let you know if I find the secret 😁
My Father always had a million things on the go, and didn’t finish any, which I found really frustrating (including the house he built!). So I am very particular about finishing a project, and rarely have more than one thing going at a time. That being said, I get annoyed with myself sometimes as even if I hate a project, I have to keep going and what is the point of doing this to myself when its my hobby? I love the idea of walking into the sewing room and asking “what do I feel like working on today’ rather than ‘having’ to work on a project.
It’s like we need to merge ourselves! I am like you for books and TV shows (I must be the only person in the world who watched all six seasons of Lost because I had started!). Maybe you should challenge me to finish something (that isn’t a pattern test) and I challenge you to leave something unfinished and sew a flight of fancy!
oh gosh … Lost!
I keep a WIP box, everything I don’t finish gets dumped in there. I go on a sewing retreat twice a year, once in spring and once in autumn and instead of planning a project for the weekend, I just take the entire WIP box along and spend 3 days finishing off my projects. It is very satisfying. Usually, I find that problems or mistakes I couldn’t figure out months ago are easy to solves, when you look at them with fresh eyes. I also love going home with a bunch of “new” things to wear.
Oooo that’s a great idea! I do sometimes have a blitz on finishing and it feels good, plus it’s easier as you already started! I like the idea of that being a formal time, like a retreat!
Ah, that’s really clever! Now I just have to figure out how to go on a sewing retreat twice a year!
*whew* Startitis…I know this allllll tooooo welll. What has helped me focus is this:
1. Create a Sewing/knitting project planner sheet. On this worksheet, write the notions you need, all the steps you need to take to complete the project.
2. Block out your time – schedule your sewing time and do not underestimate the value of 10 minutes. You don’t need a big block of time. Just 10 minutes, and you will be motivated and encouraged that you are moving forward.
3. Write down what your sewing priorities are, for example, build a wardrobe, take on a new challenge, work with a new fabric…etc. Get Clarity and then use that as a guideline on how you spend your time.
4. Work on a big project AND a smaller, easy gratification project at the same time. When you get stuck on the big project, take a break and work on the smaller one. You will feel motivated and able to go back and focus on the big one.
5. Don’t beat yourself up.
Good tips! I like #2 especially – I don’t have heaps of sewing time but tend not to grab ten minutes when I have it, favouring larger blocks of time instead. I am going to try that!
I love this suggestion! I too have ‘startitis’ but not quite to such an expert level 😉 Usually have 2-3 things on the go but there are those bajillion other projects in my mental queue too. I’m going to try these steps.
Good Tips!
I’m working through my stash and started a spreadsheet. Measured all the fabrics (not too many, thank goodness!) and listed what I tentatively plan for each one.
Yesterday, I spent all day going through my closet – cleaned and purged. Now I know which sewing projects I want to do first – to fill in a few wardrobe gaps. Personally, I can only work on one thing at a time, or I go nuts!
🙂
Twice in my life I have moved, and plowed through a mountain of UFOs, most of whom ended up recycled. The first time was distressing enough, the second pushed me over the edge. So it’s been decades of one project at a time here. Sometimes I get stuck, but then I need to get going again and that forces me to burst through the obstacle. I found that ufo problems mostly centered along having developed better/different ideas of what to do with this fabric while it was sitting, which is why cutting last minute works for me. And now if I stop in the middle of something it’s usually because I have a sinking feeling that it’s not going to work out. Better to investigate and get it over with quickly, no matter the outcome. I am also finding that a smaller stash means less time lost to indecision between projects
I don’t have the option to cut last minute but I can see how that would help. I did just destash a bit and that is helping – I also have project indecision and am trying to get on and sew the fabric I like!
No tricks really. My personal “rule” is that I will not start a new apparel project until the current garment is completed. It works for me. That being said, I do have three quilt tops that are “almost finished” ! One is a hand appliqué queen, another is nearly solid project and the third is a structured modern.
I am not even counting quilting and knitting projects!! Why do you think you have quilt UFOs and not garment ones? It is just having the rule?
I’m in the middle of trying to finish off several projects too and want to do it to get space back (I’ve just finished a skirt kit that I’ve had for over 30 years!). And not changing the thread/bobbin is a good way of finishing things off too.
Good luck! 30 years on a skirt might be a record – did you still like it?
It’s OK – it’s back in fashion now. MIdi/ankle length skirt in dark pink. I left it undone as I had to bodge the waist wide enough post child and I didn’t need the skirt until recently.
My sewing time is fairly limited at my current life stage, so I try not to have too many projects going at once. I have about 5 cut out currently, which is a lot for me, but I also don’t have a good place to cut out at home and have to use the cutting table in my mom’s sewing room. And I generally don’t start actually sewing a new project until I finish one, unless it’s a case of only having hand sewing left. Then I’ll just start something new on the machine and hand sew while my kids are playing.
Interesting – I also have limited cutting space / opportunity but for me I think this makes it worse. I seize cutting time and start new things, rather than finishing off…
A few years back I committed myself to see a project through to the end before starting on something new. I haven’t had a UFO since and it works really well for me.
I feel like I have tried that and failed, but then perhaps I haven’t committed and just told myself I should, which is so different. Either way – good for you!
Such a good question! I used to be so serious about doing 1 thing at a time and finishing it before starting something new (particularly with knitting). Now, I frequently have 10 things planned – and 2 sewing plus 2 knitting things going at any one time. What can I say? It’s not that I’m scattered – I just really like planning! And it’s so fun to start! For me, the key is mess. The minute things get messy, I get squirrely. And then I’m compelled to finish what’s on the go before I start something new. I do find that I feel much better for cataloguing everything – sewing or knitting. It makes my project “real”.
Mess as motivation is good – I just stop sewing for a bit when it’s messy! Sounds like your system works for you 👍
I’m generally a finisher. I recognize that the finishing is tedious and I regularly give my self pep talks near the end of projects. Part of the challenge is often things don’t turn out as expected so finishing is harder. Starting something new is always more fun.
“Part of the challenge is often things don’t turn out as expected so finishing is harder.”
This is such a good point. It’s so much tougher finishing something you’re not feeling 100%.
I’ve tried a few things. I’ve stopped cutting out lots of things in advance and try to just cut one and then sew it. I’ve finished off a few really old UFOs this year because I was able to problem solve more effectively with the experience gained over the years. I try to do mending and minor alterations in between garment projects. Also if I’ve sewn a few things for others in a row I like to sew something just for me, to get the fun back.
I also have a shelf for stuff I have planned, so if I want to sew I know to go there first.
I think each sewist needs to find their own balance between creative chaos and ordered sewing. When you hit your sweet spot on the continuum your sewing will be the most joyful.
Such a great question, so many possible answers! Two that have helped me:
Try listening to the Lauren Taylor (Lladybird) interview on the Love to Sew podcast. She has interesting things to say about why to finish projects even when they’re not turning out well. Her words often run through my head when I’m in the late stages of a project.
Try also, when you feel the urge to start something new, indulge it for a few minutes or an hour by sketching, petting the fabric, rereading the pattern instructions, and so on. Then put it away and go back to your ongoing project.
I don’t have a dedicated sewing space (or actually a sewing storage space – my machine lives in the pantry) so can’t fit more than 1 in-progress project in my ‘space’ (basket) at a time, unless it’s something small like camisoles. I don’t think my way is necessarily the right way though! Sometimes I feel like cutting, sometimes sewing, but my space gets to decide rather than me!
I only sew what I really love and want to wear, so I can’t wait to finish. I have found out that if it is a “have to” project I will procrastinate finishing it. So I say, sew what you love, and if you don’t love it, chuck it in the scrap pile. Life is too short for unhappy makes.
I kind of get annoyed changing my thread/bobbin/needle, so that always helps convince me to finish sewing the project I’m currently working on.
I do like to get patterns ready in advance and cut things out too, but I generally only sew one new thing at a time.
The bobbin logic is good – I should tell myself that more! Especially if it’s the serger thread 😎
This doesn’t even trip me up….I’m a sewing teacher and I have 4 machines and 2 overlockers in my sewing room at all times!
I totally understand. I don’t usually have too many projects going on, maybe 3 at most, but I get so distracted by new patterns, or what everyone is making, or the patterns in my stash, or my fabric. It can be overwhelming. It feels really good to finish my UFOs. I feel a lingering sense of anxiety when they just sit there. I think I need to maybe take a break from social media. My job is very demanding, so it interferes with my sewing output also. Good luck!
I have two active project baskets that I keep in sight, and one small ‘on hold’ bag – although I could use this last one more effectively (eg making a habit of checking it if I finish a project). Each of the project baskets holds either one sewing project from scratch, or multiple small things like repairs and alterations or panties that can be done in batch.
I like the idea of having an involved and an easy project going on, I think I’ll that teh coming time
I like starting more than finishing, so I use a master project list to keep track of all my projects. When I have too many unfinished projects I’ll tell myself I can start a new project only once I finish a WIP (or decide to scrap it). I’ll set aside time to finish the WIP and just tell myself it’s the only sewing goal I have for the day.
This is so where I was about 20 years ago. I wanted to sew and do it all. I was caught by every new class, notion and idea I saw. I wanted them all to happen NOW. One day I looked around my life and realized, partly the hard way, that some simplification needed to happen, and that, on many fronts. My sewing room was covered with half made great ideas, some shamefully hidden away because I just didn’t like them anymore or because some other new treat looked more enticing. One day I just couldn’t take the stress of it all any more. That happened when I went to organize and clean my good sized space. I was shamed by what I found and what I had wasted. I was not a wasteful person, with time or money and knew then and there it had to stop. I threw out every single UFO I had, every one. It was painful. I even left the pins in them. Then I pledged this would never happen again and it hasn’t. I now only sew one garment at a time and DO NOT start a new one until that one it completely complete and wearable. The first thing that happened was the guilts disappeared. I found I spent more more on quality fabrics and trims when doing one project at a time. I was more thoughtful and careful about that project. My results and my productivity soared. Eash completion was a reward for the next exciting project swirling in my brain. It made sewing so much happier for me and the results do much more rewarding. I found I also went slower, savoring each project completely. The days of “whipping out” because five other projects were staring back at me were over. This works for me. I don’t how it would work for others but I do know I can highly recommend it. It did not take long at all to adjust to the change of routine. Give it a try.
UGH! I feel like crying right now. I can’t go on a sewing retreat and I don’t have much time as a full time pre school teacher and mother of a 1 year old. I WISH and day dream of spending long hours working on a project, My goal is to have my closet be 80% clothes that I have made but….when I get home from work, is cook and clean time and by the time I’m done, I just want to to go bed and I follow a lot of hashtags on Instagram of people sewing and I just feel like I watch other people be happy sewing 🙁
I’m sorry but I am confused… we are meant to finish projects we start??????
actually laughed out loud at this one!
Chloe, do you find that you have trouble finishing things in other aspects of your life, or is this situation unique to sewing?
I don’t allow myself to buy fabric unless I’ve completed a project in the last month! Totally motivated to finish stuff 😀
I have the same dilemma sometimes! I’ve found project managing my work to be fairly helpful, especially for big projects with a deadline. I make a list of what I hope to accomplish each day – whether it’s cutting my fabric pieces, sewing the side seams, adding buttons, or even the final price and thread snips! I’ve found it to be much easier that way so that I don’t overwork myself either. A little bit at a time to keep mistakes from happening!
I get bored easily so I usually have 2-3 projects going at once. I don’t really do UFOs though. If a project is stalled, I have to figure out what is holding me up and either finish it or toss it.
I don’t sew as much as I used to because as my skills have improved, clothing lasts longer and now, my closet is pretty full. But I also fully acknowledge that the reason why I’ve always been able to sew so much is that my kids were teens when I first started. And while there were some super busy periods that kept me away from my machine, I’ve had a lot of free time compared to when they were little; and now we’re empty nesters. That and having a dedicated sewing room. I can go in, sew a couple seams, leave everything as-is, and come back when I have time. I work full-time but in what is generally, a very low-stress job so I’m not too tuckered-out by the end of the day.
My motivation usually comes from wanting something SO badly! 🙂 And I either finish up the thing so I can have it…or I finish up the first thing so I can get the thing I really, really want! LOL!!!!
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