Why Quilters Collect UFOs (and How to Finally Finish Them)
If you’ve been quilting for any length of time, chances are you’ve got at least a few UFOs (UnFinished Objects) tucked away in your sewing space. Maybe they’re in a bin, maybe they’re in a project bag… or maybe they’re stacked right on your cutting table, staring at you.
So why do quilters have so many unfinished projects? Is it lack of motivation? Laziness? Time?
I’ve decided the answer is… creativity.
The Real Reason UFOs Multiply
When I’m in the middle of a project, a new pattern, fabric, or technique will catch my eye. Suddenly, what I’m working on feels a little… stale. It’s not that my attention span is short (although some days I do wonder), it’s just that I’m ready for the next exciting challenge.
And here’s the problem: I can’t truly dive into the new without first finishing the old—especially when it comes to customer quilts. The result? Paralysis. Too many projects, not sure where to start, and the new shiny idea is calling my name.
You don’t have to finish it all today—just start.
1. The One-Thread Challenge
Thread your needle and stitch just one thread’s worth. Chances are, you’ll keep going.
2. The 15-Minute Sprint
Set a timer for 15 minutes. Sew without distractions—no phone, no “just checking Pinterest.”
3. Clear a Space, Clear Your Mind
Tidy a small area of your sewing space first. A clean workspace makes starting easier.
4. The Reward Stitch
Promise yourself a fun reward (snack, walk, or 20 minutes on a new project) after you make visible progress.
5. The Social Push
Snap a “before” picture and post it in a quilting group or on your social media for accountability.
6. The 3-Block Rule
Commit to sewing just three blocks, rows, or sections. Momentum will carry you further.
7. Prep for Tomorrow
If you can’t finish today, set your project up for tomorrow—bobbin loaded, pieces laid out, machine threaded.
Finding Motivation to Finish
So how do I get myself to finish UFOs without losing that spark for something new?
Here’s what works for me:
The Two-for-One Rule – For every customer quilt or previously started project I finish, I reward myself with two hours on something new and exciting.
Change It Up – Just like switching up a workout routine, small changes can keep things fresh. In quilting, that might mean adding applique to a pieced top, turning a plain border into a strip-pieced one, or trying a new quilting design on an old project.
Just Start – This is the simplest and hardest advice. The longer a project sits, the more it becomes “that thing I really should finish.” The trick is to just get up, and just take the first stitch.
It’s easy to tell yourself you’ll get to it after the holidays, or when life slows down. But life never really slows down. If you want that UFO finished, whether it’s a quilt, a goal, or a habit, the best time to start is now.
And who knows? You might even remember why you fell in love with the project in the first place. At the very least, you’ll clear space for your next big idea.
Need Ideas to Get That UFO Across the Finish Line?
Sometimes the hardest part of finishing a quilt isn’t finding the time. It’s figuring out what to do next. You’ve got your quilt top pieced (yay!), but now you’re staring at it thinking… How am I going to quilt this thing?
That’s exactly why I wrote QAD: So I Got It Pieced… Now What? It’s full of design ideas, layout tips, and inspiration to help you decide how to quilt your project so it looks intentional and polished without getting stuck in “quilter’s block.”
From beginner to advanced, traditional to modern, you’ll find examples to spark your imagination and help you move from unfinished to unforgettable.
If you’re feeling stuck, flip through a few pages, pick an idea that excites you, and try it out on your UFO. Sometimes all you need is a little visual nudge to get moving again.
💬 Let’s Chat:
What’s your oldest UFO, and what’s stopping you from finishing it? Share in the comments. I’d love to hear your stories (and maybe give you a gentle nudge!).
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10 Ways to Make Your Quilting Business More Productive
Do you feel like you are working all the time, but never really getting anything done? Do you think that there are never enough hours in any day to do all the things that need to get done? Want to take on more quilts, but just don’t know where you will find the time? The answer to these questions is to work smarter not harder. Sounds simple, right? But how do you actually go about achieving this plan. I’m going to share ten secrets to help you organize your work load and improve your overall efficiency; tips that will allow you to expand your business or even (gasp!) just let you take the occasional day off.
Increasing your productivity/efficiency is not just a question of doing more work in less time; it is also about focusing so that you can produce quality work with less effort. There are a variety of factors that influence overall efficiency. These include external factors such as the physical work environment as well as internal factors such as fatigue and time management skills. While the following 10 tips won’t cure all your problems, they can help you to increase your productivity and hopefully decrease your stress level.
- Keep your studio clean and organized.
A cluttered studio not only looks unprofessional, but it can also make it hard to want to work on the projects you need to complete. A disorderly work area is a work area that can hinder your productivity. If you’re constantly struggling to find specific tools in a mountain of clutter, serious work time is being wasted. Only keep items that you use daily out and about – everything else should be stored where it’s out of the way but also quickly retrievable.
Set aside 20-30 minutes at the end of every work day to clean up any clutter that has accumulated during the day. If you do a little bit every day, you can stay ahead of total chaos. Walking into a neat studio every morning also makes it easier to go straight to work. Organize and group tools that you use frequently where you have easy access, but where they won’t be in your way while quilting. Simple nails can be used to hang rulers within reach and where they are easily located when needed. A small suction type bath caddy can be attached to your frame to store small items such as scissors, seam ripper etc.
- Make a List
Why make lists? List help you prioritize and keep you on track. By making a list of what you need to accomplish for the day, what has to be done, what would be nice to finish and what can wait, you set up a system to better prioritize and manage your time. Working from a list will help you be more efficient and keep you from becoming sidetracked with little things that aren’t necessarily important.
Spend the first 5-10 minutes of your day planning out what you want to achieve. Make sure that you are realistic in what needs to be done and what can actually be finished. Checking items off your list as you finish them is also a great way to foster a feeling of accomplishment.
- Turn off your email/phone
In today’s day and age, everyone is plugged in and constantly available. This can make it very hard to get anything done. How many times have you sat down at the computer to just check one thing and then two hours later you are still there? I recommend setting 1-2 times a day to check and return emails, and business phone calls. If you have to keep your phone on, you don’t have to answer it. It’s ok to let it go to voice mail if it’s not urgent.
- Plan out Quilts/Have a Checklist
Plan out the quilt you plan to work on that day or that week in advance. If you have two or three that are using the same type/color thread plan to load them one after the other rather than continuing to switch thread between each quilt. Have a checklist that you use when you load each quilt. It should include things such as type of thread, orientation of top/backing, type of batting. There is nothing worse than getting half way through a row and realizing that you have the wrong bobbin thread, batting, the back is directional the wrong way etc. Taking a little bit of time to double check that everything is how it is supposed to be before you start can save hours in the long run.
- Take Breaks
Make sure you a take breaks throughout the day. This helps to eliminate fatigue and makes it easier to focus when you are working. Just make sure that you limited them to 5-10 minutes, so as not to get distracted. I like to do a little stretching to keep my back and shoulders from getting too sore while working long hours at my machine.