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Stitch it or Ditch it!

7/9/2022

14 Comments

 
Get rid of unfinished projects that are giving you a guilt complex!
​I've on a mission to tackle some unfinished projects (AKA UFO's), and move on to new shiny objects that I'm more interested in right now. Can you relate to having partially made projects stuffed away in a closet or bin? If I was dishing out advice to a new sewing enthusiast I would encourage them to follow the rule of three. That is, “try” to have no more than three projects you are working on at once. And, if you start something, and it isn't working out, and has no chance of working out, forgive yourself for starting and not finishing, then promptly get rid of it!
 
Forgive yourself you say? Yes! You see, I think sewing folks are some of the most kind hearted and generous folks in the world, but that also means we are good at piling guilt on ourselves when we perceive something is wasteful. I'm a big fan of recycling and hate to just throw things away. How to get rid of the guilt? If you can finish the item and donate it, great! Perhaps someone else will wear it or use it with joy. I remember a suit I made long ago that turned out great but just wasn't me. What was I thinking was all I could thing when I tired it on. I finished it up, promptly donated it, and always wondered who fell in love with it at the thrift shop.

Can't stand to finish up a UFO? A local thrift shop in town collects fabric scraps by the bagful. Not quite sure how they re-purpose the materials but I was told by one person that they re-cycle it, and then a clerk told me they can use it for packing material. Check your local thrift shops and ask if they take fabric remnants and scraps.
 
If I would have received and heeded the “rule of three” advice, I would not be in the predicament I am right now. I readily admit that I have way to many so called UFO's. I'm happy to say that I've been motivated to finish a few this week and finishing is a sure way to get rid of the guilt. I found three unfinished baby blankets stored away when I was doing lots for the Project Linus organization. While I did finish quite a few. My enthusiasm for the project meant that I cut more than I sewed. These UFO's have been hanging around for too long and weighed on my conscience. So, I finished then as quickly as I could and they are now ready for a new home where they can be used and loved. Thought I'd share a few photos with a description of each, with the hope of inspiring you. 
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Blankie #1 is made of waffle weave cotton knit. This is the same kind of fabric that used to be common for long underwear. Somewhere in my past, I came across this pretty purplish/pink yardage. I thought it would be a soft and cozy blanket, but it did prove to be a little difficult to handle as it's very stretchy. I stabilized the embroidered area with medium weight cut-away attached with adhesive spray, and embroidered this cute applique from who knows where. Yes, that part was done many moons ago but came out quite nice. I had two identically sized pieces of the fabric all cut and layered together so I simply sewed right sides together leaving an opening, turned, pressed, and topstitched along the edge with a two step zig zag stitch. I knew the fabric would be hard to keep flat. The zigzag actually made it wave a bit on purpose and gave it a cute and durable finish, with opening closed up with the topstitching. Lining the entire piece gave the blanket extra body and covered up all the "uglies" from the backside of the embroidery.
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Blankie #2 was a result of my desire to pair a cotton fabric panel with a backing cut from Minky. I remember wanting to try quilting the layers using the Brother Digital Dual Feed foot as it seemed perfect for the task. Indeed, it was! I sewed, turned, and topstitched the two pieces like I did for the previous blanket, this time, using the Dual Feed foot to control the unusual combination of fabrics. Then I quilted it, using a  3.5 straight stitch, stitching down the horizontal and vertical centers and then stitching more lines around the pre-printed blocks. The result was nice smooth Minky backing with virtually no ripples.
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My third and final blankie was just a small pice of unfinished fleece. But oh my! What a cute print!  To get this one done in a flash I threaded my serger for a three thread balanced stitch and zipped all around the edge, finishing in less than five minutes! By the way, if you're looking for more fleece finishing ideas I have a Five Ways to Finish Fleece tip sheet HERE.

I'm so happy to see these finished and ready to go to a good home! I'm even happier that a friend of mine who specializes in sewing for charity will see that they are taken to a local hospital that welcomes the donations.

Hope you enjoyed reading about the blankets. Please share your UFO stories an ideas you have for getting rid of the guilt!
14 Comments
Margaret Johnson
7/10/2022 03:10:28

Some good tips. now to sort my scraps and left over fabric and make a dent in the stash thank you

Reply
Joanne Banko
7/10/2022 20:40:14

Thanks for leaving a comment Margaret! Scrap sorting is on my "to do" list. If I come up with any clever ways to sort and store I will be sure to share them. Feel free to share your thoughts as well.

Reply
Martha Wheaton
7/10/2022 07:14:41

When I have unfinishable projects (UFO,s), I package all the components and take them to the Free Table at a Creative Clothing Club of Michigan meeting. Someone always is intrigued, either by the project or fabric and they take it home. I have a good feeling that another sewist was intrigued by the same idea as I was. Smiles!

Reply
Joanne Banko
7/10/2022 20:41:18

Hi Martha! How nice that you have the opportunity to share with fellow sewing enthusiasts! Smiles indeed!!!

Reply
Lynnie Siefferman
7/10/2022 07:28:31

Years ago my sister adopted a baby, and I started making her a Noah’s Ark quilt. Sadly, after a few weeks the baby had to be returned to her biological mother due to some legal matters. I hung the unfinished quilt in my closet. 22 years later, a dear friend’s daughter had a son and named him Noah. I knew it was time to finish the quilt and give it to him.

Reply
Joanne Banko
7/10/2022 20:43:36

Wow! That's quite a story Lynnie! Your happy ending with a quilt for baby Noah was very heartwarming. Thanks you for sharing!

Reply
Janet Espeleta
7/10/2022 11:18:43

I had to chuckle when I saw this post today as just yesterday I decided to make a list of my UFOs and HSSYs (haven't started yet - pronounced hissy). I found a wall hanging I started in 1992 including the receipt. The fabric for a 48" sq wall hanging was $37.75. Boy don't we all wish fabric was that inexpensive today!!

Reply
Joanne Banko
7/10/2022 20:45:44

Hi Janet! So nice to read your comments! You gave me a new word to use . . . HSSYs, I love it!!! It would be scary for me to make a list but your idea is a good one. When we see something on paper it registers better in our brains I think. Happy sewing!

Reply
Kathleen
7/10/2022 11:28:02

Ms. Banko, this tip sheet for fleece came at just the right time to answer questions for one of my projects that I have yet to start because of questions I had about the embroidery and edges. Thanks for the timely tips. Keep them coming

Reply
Joanne Banko
7/10/2022 20:49:00

Hi Kathleen! I'm very happy to know that the fleece tip sheet came around at a good time for you. Fleece is such a popular fabric. I have a video on my Youtube channel that you may also enjoy with more fleece tips. Here is the link: https://youtu.be/igubnimEzVE

Reply
Caroline Booth
7/11/2022 00:40:12

I’m a list maker. It not only helps me keep track of my current projects or UFO’s but it also serves as a way to keep track of projects or ideas for things I want to make (maybe that’s where the HSSY should be…love that term!). I recently came across an old list and it served as a reminder for some gifts I had made so I don’t repeat and gift that person something I already did. Love all your tips!

Reply
Christy Pocek
7/11/2022 09:20:57

My husband surprised me with a new cutting table. As I was re-arranging and cleaning and going through my stash, I came across some UFO’s that were buried. Oh my !!! Some were quite old… when my boys were little!!! And I have Grandkids now🥴🥴🥴 I do plan on finishing them right after my other projects are done …. Maybe😁😁

Reply
Donna Noll
7/12/2022 18:43:42

Mine are as numerous as the stars. I'm now beginning to wonder if I will live long enough to finish them all.

Reply
Minnie pesl
7/18/2022 12:46:03

Yesterday a dear friend who was quite a sewing enthusiast passed away. When her children were speaking about her at the visitation they all remarked how their mom had fabric and plans for sewing projects stashed in every nook and cranny of her apt. At assisted living. It made her so happy to make things for others and even be planning projects for others. Isn’t that really what it is about? Being happy and doing for others. She was quite a lady and now her treasures and the memories will be shared with family and friends.

Reply



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