Which UFO to work on - how to choose.

[Gina E.]

Rosemary and Elizabeth left comments on Liz's discussion about this year's UFO challenges. They have the same problem that we are all faced with - how do you decide which UFO to work on, and how do you keep motivated?  Fiona and Elena have been chatting on the comment wall over similar issues.  I would like to offer some suggestions that may help:

The first thing to do is pull out ALL your UFOs from wherever they are.  Lay them out on the floor where you can clearly see each one.  (If they are big items like quilts, fold them so they don't take up space).

1. Have a note book or sheet of paper and pen handy, and make a list of all the UFOs, e.g.:

Tiger Cross Stitch kit

Picture of Fairies Cross stitch from (name of chart or book)

Patchwork pillow/Quilt

(and so on)

Leave two or three lines between each title. 

2. When you have done the list, go back over it and fill in details, e.g.

Tiger Cross Stitch kit - all threads, needle and chart are/are not with kit.  (If there is anything missing, make a note of it).

Patchwork Pillow/Quilt.  Need batting. 

3. Now you can start thinking about making a firm decision, based on the materials you have available for each project.  At this point you could re-write your list, putting it in order of which projects have everything needed to complete them.  There may be other factors which influence your choice of first project, such as something you promised as a gift for somebody.

4.  Once you have decided on which UFO to work on first, put all the others away (TIDILY) in one place if possible.  Get all the requirements for the UFO and  keep everything  out on view in a spot where you can see it all the time, and work on it when you feel the urge.  Depending on your circumstances, this might not be feasible, but the important thing is NOT to put it away with your other UFOs.  Keep it separate from any other craft project.  This will enable you to focus on the one

project without becoming distracted by something else that looks more interesting!

5.  Finally, just DO it.  Force yourself to work on this one item, and you will find that as you get closer to finishing it, the faster you will go, and the more interesting it will become

6.  Show off completed UFO to friends, family and bloggers, and celebrate with champagne and/or chocolate!

7.  Pull out the next UFO on your list, and go back to Step 4 ;-)

 

[merrilyn]

Thankyou
I'll definately give it a try

[Rosemary]

I've got a basket that fits the smaller WIPs in, that sits on/by the sofa and is supposed to contain the scissors, needles etc - except tonight it didn't: the needles have disappeared. I am soo close to finishing a scrumbled scarf but after a day of picnicking by Sydney Harbour I was too tired to get up and find the needle I needed for that last little bit... terrible when the hedonistic pleasure of food and drink in the outdoors gets in the way of WIPs!

[Liz in Kansas]

Gina, those are some great tips. And we know they work, because you have been finishing UFOs like crazy! Now I will just need to get busy making my list. I did a list when I first joined this group (2 years ago? Yikes!) but it is definitely time to do another one. And stick with it this time!

While I'm on the subject . . . how do you define the difference between a UFO and a WIP? I have several WIPs that - for a variety of reasons - have been put aside temporarily. They are still on the top of the pile, but have not been touched in a week (or longer). I've been trying to come up with a time limit when they morph into UFOs. Maybe I should be looking at the level of guilt instead? LOL!

[Gina E.]

Good point, Liz. There are WIPS and WISPS (work in progress and work in slow progress, for those who are scratching heads over all these acronyms!). I am not one of those superfast stitchers who can start and finish a project within a day/week/month...so a WIP to me is something that I am working on, and has a definite timeframe, such as an exchange, or gift. A WISP is similar, but not needed in such a hurry (e.g. if I started something now which was going to be a Christmas gift!).
For me, a UFO is something that I started, but lost interest in. This could happen because (a) it was taking too long, (b) it got too difficult, (c) I messed it up to the point where I gave up, (d) something new grabbed my attention, so the old project got put aside and forgotten.

[Liz in Kansas]

Well, I can see I have a LOT of UFOs that fall into category (d)! Something new is always coming along! Another reason for my UFOs (altho they could be WISPs!) is the next step is a new technique and I decide I need more "practice." So, off I go to play with the technique and the original project starts slowly sinking down the ToDo list!

Gina E. said:

For me, a UFO is something that I started, but lost interest in. This could happen because (a) it was taking too long, (b) it got too difficult, (c) I messed it up to the point where I gave up, (d) something new grabbed my attention, so the old project got put aside and forgotten.