Episode 59: When to Shelve a Project and Listener Tips 

Rather than consider it procrastination, I call it a creative pause. I come back and try to remember what my passion was in the beginning. If that passion no longer exists, I look at it with new eyes and repurpose the project. Sometimes, it is making a smaller project, sometimes a gift, sometimes I need to add new fabrics. If it becomes a donation, I let go with joy! 💕

I started a quilt back in the late 90's. It was definitely too hard for me. I started to referring to it as my retirement project to help me feel less guilty about not finishing it. When the pandemic started, I pulled it out and found I was able to finish it, and that I was happy to work on it. It was a sampler quilt, and I did redo a few of the blocks that were really bad, but mostly I just left it, and I can see how my skills improved over time, and even as I continued to work on it in 2020. Now it's one of my favorites.

What a terrific team you three are! I enjoy the quilting content, of course, but here is a special shout out: Billy is an excellent moderator and facilitator!

I have used old blocks on the back of new quilts, sewing them into backing sections like Kimberly does. Sometimes I use them as labels. Nothing needs to go to waste: potholders, mug rugs, wall hanging, placemats for meals on wheels, table runners, etc. I also like to use these repurposed blocks to give me a break from big quilt projects.

Wow, I have a quilt that I started in my early 20’s, and life happed. I picked it back up in my 60’s not liking my fabric/colour choices, but decided I had to finish it. I did, and is it perfect definitely not. Now every time I’m cold I use it, I have more appreciation and pride today making the extra effort justified. Look forward to seeing Chelsea’s unfinished quilt. Thanks for sharing 👍❤️😊

I felt like a fly on the wall as I listened to your family discussion. What a beautiful family. God bless y’all. 💕

I’m a new quilter and recently had wavy borders on a quilt I loved…it was a lesson on ensuring my blocks are accurate size. I ended up talking with my local quilter and she recommended I scrap it or take it all apart. I loved the quilt and had but a lot of love into it…so I took every block apart, ensured the sizes were accurate and then put it all back together. I’m so very happy with it now that it is back from the quilter. I love listening to you ladies! Thanks for encouraging us to finish projects and just learn from our mistakes and for me to know that experienced quilters were at the same place I am at now is so helpful. Thank you!

Hi. I love listening to your discussions. I am the mother of 9 and the grandmother to 4 granddaughters (aged 1-8) with more on the way. I have been quilting and sewing for over 30 years, obviously less when my children were young. Last year, my granddaughters were playing with some cloth dolls (that I made) and were using wash clothes and dish towels for blankets. How in the WORLD can my grandchildren not have enough blankets for their dolls with a nana who quilts all of the time?! I took all of my orphan blocks and extra strips and made a bunch of doll and stuffed animal quilts/blankets. Also, I have been sending children off to college and to apartments recently. I also use orphan blocks and extra fabric to make them pot holders (often from leftover fabric from the quilts I made that particular child!) Win Win!!!!

Great podcast! Regarding books. I have been reading my whole life (I am 73 now)and rarely have I not finished a book. But recently I quit a book that was by an author who I really liked in the past. I absolutely could not finish it and my kindle said I had read 70% of it! At my age I really do have to think about time! I do have some quilting projects unfinished, but they aren't in a never pile. I love you 3 and your topics and interactions ❤.

I had a quilt that I didn’t work on for several years because I messed up the last couple blocks. Last year I decided to clean ups the WIP pile & plow through it. I kept thinking how much I hated the quilt & just wanted it done & gone. Well, I got it all done, had it quilted & put the binding in right away & guess what? I fell in love with the quilt! I’m so glad that I had stuck it out & completed. Unfortunately, I already had decided to give it as a gift, so I didn’t get to keep it. 😊

OMG - Christmas will be here before you know it......time to get busy sewing for Christmas!!!!

Boy….did this topic hit a nerve with me. I have so many quilts kits that I purchased before I retired and just haven’t gotten to them. Currently due to a recent move they are in another location. Thank you for the topic because I’m certainly going to be assessing them and making some decisions. Donating, keeping & finishing.

Thank you for sharing the tips/tricks from your listeners/watchers. That is a big help and wonderful ideas! Yes, please do continue to share these tips/tricks with your podcast/YTChannel. This is my only outlet to you Chelsi & Billy. And of course, purchasing your quilt books. I would also like to say you mentioned donating unfinished projects. I had 3 yards of fabric that wasn't my style. I was telling a quilter (who I don't know) about this fabric that I wasn't using and had no plans for. This kind woman offered to take that yardage off my hands and said, she can make a quilt and donate it to a homeless shelter. She emailed a photo to me, and she did a great job! I'm sure someone will appreciate her great work. I ONLY LISTENT TO MUSIC TO CHELSI...other than listening to you and your mom! ;0) HAPPY INDEPENDANCE DAY QUILTERS!!

Listening/ watching as I sit and sew with you chatting with me. xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

It's great to hear that you go through the same things as the rest of us. Therapy session successful. Lol.

Chelsi, here’s something similar to your comment about “I can’t just design a fabric line,” and the creative time that it takes. I did PR at a theatre company and worked with an amazingly talented artistic director and playwright. One time I met with him to get background so that I could write a feature about an upcoming play, and he told me, “It’s almost done. All I have to do is write it.” It was such a great picture of the creative process! So in the future maybe you can tell your mom about an upcoming fabric line, “It’s almost done. All I have to do is design it!” I always love the outcome of your creative process!!!

I loved this episode. So many great points. Many years ago ,as a new quilter, I decided to do a pattern quilt that I thought was simple. It was a rail fence with each block compromised of 4 smaller blocks each made up with 6 one inch strips. ALOT of sewing. It was a king size and bought all the fabrics at a local quilt shop. I had invested alot of money just in the fabrics. Part way through I absolutely hated the amount of work involved. I worked on it periodically and unhappily until I finally set it aside for good.....6-1/2 years later I decided ,with the help of a quilting friend, to pick it back up. I finally finished it, had it professionally quilted, bound it and labeled as "6-1/2 Year Quilt" with my name, laundry instructions and the year it was completed. I fell in love with it and actually redesigned a spare bedroom, here at my farm, around this gorgeous quilt. I have probably 30 or so quilts in various stages of work with a few completed tops that have been sandwiched and quilted and have the labels made and have binding fabric and that is all that needs to be done and I love them. Yet they sit unfinished. It is just something in me.... But I am determined to go through and figure out what I will fully finish and what I will donate to other quilters. I try to think all quilts deserve to be finished so they can be seen, used and loved!

Great episode, although they always are! Thank you for sharing and being so honest about your quilting journey both positive & negative - so relatable! You three make such a wonderful team!

I had started my first ever quilt in 2001. Hand piecing. Shelved until this January and I brought it back out discovering machine quilting. I have finished a wall hanging and am working on 3 quilts now. So excited to re-begin my quilting journey! Love y'all's podcast and expertise!

I use a silicone mat (for baking) under my wool mat to protect my wood surface. It works great!

Love the tips idea. I have labeled stickers on my cords because I have several machines. But will now add address for those I take to class.

Oh Chelsi, you were hilarious today... so much fun!

I just listened for the first time to your podcast #59., It enjoyed it so much especially your advice on when to give up on a project. After listening I plan on reconfiguring a quilt/tablecloth which was one of my first classes back in 1987 if you can imagine. I plan on making a doll quilt for my granddaughters as my seams and choice of fabric have improved. Thanks for the incentive.

Have more UFOs than I need. Trying to get mojo back, by watching RU-vidrs who inspire me, like you girls. Thanks xxx🇦🇺

I clean my sewing room and that always motivates me to sew.

Thank you for the topic today. I have a quilt top I made with my son in mind. At the time his room was going to be in tones of green. But he changed to blue. Now I have a forest green quilt top that I’m not motivated to finish! So I think I’ll make it into tablecloth topper! Also, in January I was printing out your churn dash quilt squares and in the beginning of June I bit the bullet and started making them! I love them!! And the fabric collection!!! Can wait until Thursday for the next block!

I have a paper pieced quilt took me over 5 months to complete. By the end, I was ready to toss it into the trash! Another quilter told me to set it aside for 6 months before looking at it again. I was able to line quilt it and now I really happy I didn’t toss it into the trash. I would love to share the finished quit on the post, but I can’t seem to past a copy. Thank all 3 of you for this great video.

I'm almost obsessed with finishing projects. Not only do I finish projects that I begin to dislike. I have even finished projects for friends that they have grown tired of, just because I think they should be finished.

Our guild does an auction of projects unfinished in all types of stages. Which works great. Some members that want projects are able to purchase them, and prices are typically less. Those who have placed items for auction recuperated some money back, and get to see the finished results. It’s inspiring to all.💕

I take my sewing machine on vacations. I started a “vacation” quilt- a simple scrappy block that I don’t have to really think about. I started this a couple of years ago. As it progresses, I’m not sure it’s tying in together. I’ve thought about stopping or making a table topper, but, darn-it, I’m going to finish it. What a great story of where all bLocks were all made!

These videos are really like therapy for me. They're so fun to watch but also so helpful because I feel all the same ways about my quilting.

I have been sewing for over 50 years but I made clothing. Four years ago I decided to give quilting a go since my husband wanted a lap quilt. I got hooked immediately and have made over 100 quilts but of course I have some unfinished works but primarily they only need borders and backing. I decided to dedicate the month of July to only unfinished quilt projects. I have 10 unfinished quilts but I have finished five this week. Now on to the other five.

That’s that, I’ve got two major UFO’s that are going to stop being a thorn in my underpants every time I see them taking up space. And that book that I’m struggling to read three pages at a time because it’s so bad? Gone too. Thanks Chelsea.

Chelsie, just restart. My first quilt in 1980 was Too advanced for me so I shelved it. In 2018 I restarted the quilt and became I have learned so much I finished it and it is my favorite of all. It boosted my confidence that I have developed in quilting.

I loved this episode! I don’t have any projects that are unfinished except I do have some extra blocks that I don’t know how to use. This is mainly because I started quilting only 2 years ago. Thanks for doing this podcast!

I came across a local charity that gives quilts to foster and at-risk children. My plan is to finish up the WIPS I started as a new quilter and donate them to foster kids who need to feel safe and warm. They won’t care if the fabric isn’t from the newest line or if my points don’t match up.

Well I listened to episode 59.....I find I'm more like Chelsi. I found an old project in my closet nicely placed in a nice container. I took it out and and looked at it, the fabric was OK, the blocks (houses) are a bit challenging and I SO disliked the fabric I had for sashing and borders. I was about to put it back in the box and move on.....BUT I just was so angry with myself that it was not completed!!!!! At the time I really wanted the quilt.....Thanks to both Sherri and Chelsi I took a deep breath and found a sashing fabric I really liked. I rearranged the quilt to make it a bit smaller and still pushing myself but I will be proud of me when it's completed!!!! Thanks for sharing you have so much to offer :) Have a "HAPPY 4th.....

I finally quit pointing out my mistakes to everyone. It just doesn’t matter to anyone but me and it shouldn’t even bother me! I find no joy in trying to be perfect but do learn with each project and ask myself, why did I not know that? I sympathize with Chelsie when I’m fussing with myself as I’m ripping out a mistake. I do take it a step beyond as I make the same mistake over and over. Time to walk away but oh no I give myself a pep talk and make myself finish. I’ve been sick the whole month of June and only go to the sewing room to charge my iPad. I’m missing my quilting and am so behind all the quilt a longs. Thinking of taking Sherri’s advice and just amend the project.

Sherri, I totally understand your delima with the Christmas quilt with the sashing. I made a quilt (Pat Sloan qal) 5 years ago and ended up hating the sashing that I put on it but loved the blocks. It sat in a bin until 2 months ago. I pinned it up and looked like it for a few days. I still liked the blocks but still hated the sashing so I bit the bullet and started ripping. It took me three evenings to remove all the sashing but I’m happy I did. I ironed all the blocks and have been searching for the “perfect” binding that I have pictured in my head. I know it’s out there…somewhere.

My forays into quilting are limited but I enjoy watching and planning. I am beyond excited that my "Home for the Holidays" is arriving today. I'm 🇬🇧 and pre-ordered it immediately after you showed in a podcast. Just in time for Christmas in July 🌲⛄ 🎅

I have given an entire project to someone who was willing to rip and fix. Everytime I saw that quilt I wanted to cry. Felt good to get rid of it

Liked hearing about projects that you share.

I took a class on Cathedral Window quilt. I started had about a table runner size done and put in a bin. Then the pandemic hit and I need to focus on something other than the news because it was to scary. I retreated to my sewing room and picked up a project to finish. I became focused on this Cathedral quilt and am proud to say it’s finished. Not sure when I really would have finished otherwise but sew (so) great full to have the project just waiting for me to finish.

I’d love to see you you use letters on a quilt. Yes, please!

Great podcast. Great tips, best idea, use orphan blocks on back of quilts or table runners or toppers. I am a reader from way way back, always finish any book I start..then I finally realized if I didn’t enjoy it..I didn’t have to finish it..!🤩

I so enjoy your podcasts. I always learn something. I find that I am getting tired of the podcasts that just show one project after another. I find with yours that it is geared more towards the creative process and there is always something for all of us to gleam from you. Thank you

What great ideas. I certainly have some finished blocks that I should put together into a wall hanging. Thanks so much for the help. Your podcasts are always so helpful.

Another great podcast! Regarding quilting tops not in the “maybe never to finish” category, you may want to just get them quilted and donate to Sew Yeah in Las Vegas. They use them for their Alaska project by taking the finished quilts to Alaska and pass them out to the homeless shelters. Just a thought as you live in close proximity to their shop.

You could have a giveaway with the tips that are finished but not quilted. I know I would adore getting one and quilting it!

I love Chelsi’s “You started this, you have to finish it.” Oh yeah, I know this guilt trip.

I have had older projects that I’ve shelved either because I couldn’t get to them, or I didn’t like the fabric or pattern anymore. Some I’ve finished but others I just donated. I learned to not feel guilty about donating something that didn’t or wouldn’t bring me joy. You end up giving the project too much thought and energy for something that’s not going to make you happy. Donate and move onto something that will bring you joy!! ❤️

Good morning. I started my first and only paper piecing project. The Fractured Star. Absolutely beautiful. But I had to "hang" it up after the piece work was done for about 4 or 5 months. Finally finished it and after a month (yes one month) on the long arm frame, I took it off yesterday and it's ready to bind. My fear for finishing it was that I didn't want to make mistakes and after all the work to complete the piece work, I was terrified of long arming it and messing it up! There are many mistakes in the quilting but I'm going to count it a win. Longest ever project! 😫 oh, and I'm just learning the long arm. Great podcast and subject!

Any of us would be thrilled if you sent us just a few of the brown blocks. Just knowIng you made them. We love you.

Love this Podcast. I listen every Monday you air, although mostly not live. Please keep this going. It’s the calm to my day and keeps me motivated. Thank you! ❤️🫂

hi i was listen when you start the program, i was working in a piece that has one year and i was very stimulated with this talk thanks

I love listening to your pod cast. I feel like I am a friend sitting in your kitchen listening to you all talk. :)

Hello. I had a busy day in my sewing room and now I get to watch your video. I just want you to know that I like your content. I hope you have a joyful week ahead! Thanks for sharing!

I really enjoyed this episode. Giving some tips from listeners is a cool way to pass on good solutions fellow quilters have used successfully. Looking forward to the next episode. ❤️❤️

I use a n aluminum 1/2 sheet backing pan under my ironing mat. It stops the moisture from damaging the surface below and it helps dissipate the heat that also seeps that can also damage the wood. When traveling the pan is an easy way to pack the pad, rulers and other items flat when packed vertically.

Great thoughts! Thanks for sharing!

Another thought on your ironing board. I put a layer of the hot pad( silver lining) lining, the wool batting ( I used 2 layers), then my cloth. All stapled on to the backside of my plywood. I have had no issues to date!

I just now watched this episode. Billy, I was so interested to hear which history podcasts you like. I wondered if you would like my son's favorite one, and you do! Dan Carlin's Hardcore History! He absolutely loves it, all the little-known facts, etc.

Really enjoyed today’s visit!

Another great podcast!!! I have quite a few quilts that I need to finish. I started quilting about 5 or 6 years ago and I wanted to sew everything!! I guess I could finish and donate them. Maybe by the time I’m completely finished I will like them again!! Thanks Sherri, Chelsi and Billy!!

Many quilt groups give baby quilts to local hospitals. So if you just finish enough for a baby quilt and the back and batting and I’m sure someone in the quilt group will quilt it for you. Gives them practice and goes to a good home. That’s or foster care the kids sometime walk away with nothing.

I have a project that I started in 2002 and had a lot of appliqué which I wasn’t good at. You guys made me realize that I could just make it into a wall hanging instead and skip the blocks that have appliqué.

Call me weird but I love taking things apart. I took apart a whole quilt top my Grandma made that needed some restoration. Sherri, send it to me! I’m serious!

I love listening to you two share when I’m cross stitching

Your episodes have been so inspirational, fun, and educational! I loved the viewers tip for the wool mat. I will use it. Another fabulous job Sherri, Chelsi, & Billy!

Podcasts are so personal, and fortunately there is something for everyone. I’m an eclectic listener; however, I’m like Billy and also subscribe to “Revisionist History,” but also LOVE “Under the Influence” with Terry O’Reilly, which dives into the world of advertising. Others on my list are “99% Invisible” with Roman Mars, and “Writing Excuses,” which is only 15 minutes long. I could go on, but my current fascination is non-fiction audio books because as an English major, I love to read because finding the time proves challenging.

I think there are lots of different tolerances for UFO’s. I have a friend who can’t have multiple projects started. She has to start and finish one thing. I am not like that at all. I like having a variety of projects to work on. I sometimes have deadlines for projects so I motivate myself to complete things by setting a time line and when I finish what I need to for that day or week I reward myself by working on something else. Sometimes I get in a zone and will work longer on the project, but I feel free to be creative. I have UFO’s from years ago. I intend on finishing them, and I have learned a lot about that from you! I now set myself goals and this helps me finish some of those things!

This discussion was so timely! In 2016 I saw a really cute appliqué pattern for a 4th of July wallhanging. I bought the pattern, put together all the fabrics plus the embellishment buttons, trim, etc Then Totally Panicked! Some of the pieces were less than a 1/4 inch--way above my confidence level. I stuck it in a project box & Finally got it DONE this week--just 6 years later! & in time to hang for the holiday. I am so Glad that I waited--I have so many more skills now, I know it would not have turned out nearly as nice as it did. Sometimes you Need to Procrastinate!

I really like Dan Carlin! I have been a huge Podcast listener for years and added yours back at number 1 (although I prefer to “listen” to yours via RU-vid so I can “see” the quilts). I alternate between audio books and podcasts while I sew and stitch. Thanks for hours of enjoyment and diversion😊

Billy.... I have been following your youtube and podcast for a couple of years... especially during covid. I have caught up on all the episodes while driving from NJ to Florida visiting my grandchildren. I love them!!! The only thing I am having issues with is the "a quilting life" website. The amount of advertising is not worth the effort. It's sometimes hard to see the content when the ads are blocking it. I'm sorry to say that I don't go on the site very often because of it all. Thanks for all the youtube and podcasts though. I will continue to be a listener/watcher :)

ENJOY THE PROCESS… that’s my motto. I have a lot of WIPs. - hand piecing, machine piecing, hand and machine applique, paper piecing, miniature and large blocks , hand and machine quilting. So whatever mood I am in I can pull something out. And yes I do get quilts finished. Before retirement I would work on one quilt at time. I still will start and finish a quilt if for a gift etc. at this point in my life I want to spend my hobby hours purely enjoying what I love. If I know I will never finish a quilt after a time it might become a wall hanging . Love the podcast and hearing various points of view

Thank you for this video. I recently found fabrics that I no longer like, some fabrics that were given to me and some items that I had already made into blocks. I have started to cut the fabrics into 10 inch squares or 2 1/2 inch strips. With the blocks I am forgetting about the initial pattern if I no longer like it and just sewing the blocks together with my own ideas. Some have come out better then the original pattern. I plan to bring the items to my sewing group when we startup again in the fall.

I think you should go back and finish that one quilt or just do one more block and see how it goes. I started a quilt many years ago didn’t finish yet for obvious reasons but since then I did finish it and I had a quilted and I’m so happy it was the very first quilt I made and I love itBeth

Great episode❣️ any time you talk about UFOs to Quilters they really jump on it. It is nice for Billy to analyze why we have UFOs or WIPs👏🏻

I'm watching some older videos and want to get the vintage charm quilt pattern. I see that its fat eighth friendly. I have a jelly roll that would be perfect for this quilt. Would it be possible to make this quilt with a jelly roll? I don't want to buy the pattern only to find that the collection that I want to make this with won't work. This pattern is so so cute!! Also I love watching you guys and love that this keeps your family together on a weekly basis. I love being with my grown children but their lives are busy so it's not always possible for them to come to out house. So watching your family being able to be together is wonderful!

I'm going to finish a quilt I've had from 5years ago.. I started and have a quilt top I was making for a friend ,however ; I found a fabric collection I knew she would love better so i made another quilt. You both have me tmotivation to go back a a finish that quilt. I also had a quilt that i got stuck on went back to it a few years latter and with more experience under my belt and finished it.

I did finish a quilt after it sat in a drawer for 10 years. One day I saw it, decided to finish it, and love it. Other times I’ve taken a couple of quilt tops (I have so many) and put them together and get a great reversible quilt. I either add to one side or cut one off to make them fit together.

I think our "need" to finish a book or project stems from our time when we were students. When in school, you are given an assigned book or project that you have to complete. You have no choice. It took a long time after I graduated from college to realize this. I no longer feel the need to finish a book before I give up. Life is too short for me to spend my time reading a book I don't like. There are so many books that I want to get to. I get the majority of my books from the library, so I only have time invested, and not money. This makes it easier to put a book down and start another. With that said, I do not have any WIPS. I work on one project at a time. If I am losing my "sewjo," I take a break from it with a small project or do something to increase my quilt knowledge.

I use that idea for several years using the address stitchers on my machine and everything lol

I had never listened to a podcast before but I have listed/watched Sherri & Chelsi since the beginning and love it so much. I'm like Chelsi though & only listen to music (soft rock esp. the 80s) while quilting! Keep up the great work you three & podcast on!

Thank you for another great podcast. I’m team Chelsea-get those wips out 🎉 looking forward to seeing them. Lol. Seriously it’s ok to let go and move on as well. Love how honest and open you all are. Quilts completed have a special place in someone’s heart. A kids fort, a picnic or pool blanket a donation to a Womens /childrens Shelter…. 💕 Love the content. Thank you.

Chelsi -- you are too funny! "This is the hope I need." I can see the lightbulb go off in your eyes when you said that after talking about your mom's wall hanging bound with your fabric. You have to finish that whole WIP quilt now because we all want to see it!

Chelsea I considered doing pillow covers or table runners or cute small zipped bags with quilt blocks from unfinished quilts, that may be another option. Also, thanks for mentioning my sewing tip on motivation. It really surprised me and put a smile on my face.

One tip I picked up on WIPS you find hard to go back to is to use a timer, & work 15 or 30 minutes at a time - even 10 minutes will get it finished

You could call upon the expertise of your longarmers to quilt the sashing on the Christmas quilt with a different colors thread to change the perceived color of the sashing.

For Chelsi: To finish a quilt you think you might love, you might try committing to 20 - 30 min a day to just that quilt. (Set a timer and give yourself permission to quit when the timer goes off.) You can do anything for 20 - 30 min! You may find you fall in love with it again.

I have made a couple quilts that I didn’t love after I had pieced them. I went ahead and longarmed them and ended up loving the finished quilts!

Tip for ripping seams. I use a small dog electric battery operated hair trimer. Mine has a small curve. I turn it upside down and it just cuts the seams so smooth I bought it on amazon for $20 or less love it

For me this is excellent because I do not like making anything to big. I need to think in smaller projects. Wide table runners for the back of my couch and table toppers pillows!

I practice free motion quilting on 2' x 2' squares, then I serge the edges and donate them to the animal shelter. It just occurred to me that I could practice on larger pieces and cut them to size afterward. They use the 2 x 2 size in the cat cages.

Sherri, could you cut new sashing fabric for the Christmas quilt you mentioned and appliqué it over the old sashing? Chelsi, I love your sense of humor. I always laugh out loud at your jokes when watching these podcasts.

Chelsi, you are making me laugh. I do talk to myself too and quite colorfully. ❤️

I joined a #52block52weeks project in 2019 and I recently took out the blocks and am now finishing with sashing and border. I think it shows how far I’ve come in piecing and over all design.

There's something to be said for completing what you started, but let's face it...quilters ALWAYS have more projects they want to do and often have multiple projects going at once. I will stop a project and pass it on if I have negative feelings about it. It's not worth it to me, I've forced myself for years to complete stuff I don't like and it rarely makes me feel good when I finally complete it. Really assess the WHY behind your lack of interest in it. Some things are easy fixes, others it's just better to suck it up and let someone else complete it. Regardless, I find it ALL a learning experience. Maybe it was challenging myself to try something different or work with different fabrics, etc...and sometimes the learning is simply learning what you do and do not like. I've become much more discerning of what I start now and enjoy myself so much more

For the quilt you love but don’t love the sashing…i find removing the stitches while watching (listening) to TV in the evenings so I can be with my husband and still be working on a quilting project 😉😁 It would be painful to me to walk away from a project with the cost of materials and time already invested.

I made the mistake of using my wool mat on top of my cutting mat, and after pressing I discovered it had warped my mat! Foolish mistake on my part. The listener tips today were great. Fun idea to highlight them!