I am not finisher. I waste fabric. I have drawers of UFOs, most of which failed to leave the launch pad after one afternoon. I don't show you these things, because I don't want to be judged for my wanton ways with fabric. My close local friends know. They've seen in the drawers of shame. At one stage, the drawers used to haunt me. Why couldn't I keep enthusiasm up? Why did I drift off mid-project? And am I less of a crafter because things sit in chaotic states ...waiting for zippers ...waiting to be quilted ...waiting for their day in the sun? Worse yet, waiting to eventually be sold half-finished at craft destash markets where they can haunt other people.
I opened one of those drawers today.
I looked at these blocks, and then it dawned on me. They aren't really UFOs. I made something. I made myself happy. I enjoyed the process. I don't know about you, but I'll take happiness over a quilt any day.
Of course, both are made better with coffee....
Happy over a quilt - good trade. It's a gift to know yourself so well.
ReplyDeletethat is a great way to look at it. sometimes i pull out art supplies and just doodle for the fun of it and to test out the medium. you seem to doodle and sketch with fabric :)
ReplyDeleteSo rude of me, I forgot to suggest a book. If you like David Sedaris, I think you would also like David Rakoff's Don't Get Too Comfortable: The Indignities of Coach Class, The Torments of Low Thread Count, The Never- Ending Quest for Artisanal Olive Oil, and Other First World Problems.
ReplyDeleteI have the same experience of having a lot of unfinished quilts and wondering when/if I will finish them and feeling guilty about them. It is good to know I am not alone! I have thought to myself, like you, that it isn't necessarily a finished quilt that I needed but the experience of having fun and playing with different blocks or fabrics. I think it is helpful to be reminded of that.
ReplyDeleteI found I did the same thing.....then it occurred to me (just as my husband was INSISTANT he buy me the new Janome with 11 inches!,,,) that it wasn't that I didn't ave a big enough throat on my machine....it wasn't my lack of FMQ skills as I am quite good on a DM....but simply put, I need change! A quilt is a big process....and I get bored....bored with the color, the pattern, the quilting...too much
ReplyDeleteToo much of the same thing! So, I didn't get the Janome dream machine and I changed things up. I make small quilts, for dogs. They are for their crates. I make purses, I make totes, I make placemats, pillows and hats. I still. Love to quilt,I love the FMQ more than the piecing for sure, but I've found I need faster projects...besides, no one appreciates the time that goes not a big bed quilt, not when they can buy some crap at TJ MAXX for $50 that is up to date....so, my solution, smaller projects...and not ONE of them has gone u finished since I started.
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