NOT a finisher

19 comments
My mom (Nanette) is always after me to post what I am working on. But I am always working on several things at once, a little bit at time, and it takes YEARS to finish something at that pace. I would rather post something I have finished but I am just not a finisher. I am a starter(Nanette is BOTH a prolific finisher and a prolific starter). I like to think up ideas and .... that is usually as far as I go. I have ideas for a quilted calender, an owl quilt, and a few other things that haven't even made it to the fabric cutting stage.




This is a hexagon quilt I have dreams of sewing completely by hand. I've traced close to 500 hexagons (a mere fraction of what is needed for a full size quilt of this type) and .... that is about it. I trace a few hexagons a month and store my bin of fabric and paper hexagons neatly away in my closet.


This is my project bag full of thread, scissors, tracing pencils and lots of other notions. You would think that having such a neat bag full of cool tools would motivate me to focus and finish SOMETHING, ANYTHING, but mostly it just encourages me to buy more, neat, cool tools.



This is the project I started most recently. I wanted to make a southwestern quilt inspired by a wet Arizona winter full of rich reds, oranges, pinks, yellows and crazy blues and greens. I had dreams of making a lap quilt for my boyfriend's sister and dad for Christmas. It is just not going to happen. Although this is the project I am most excited about currently, I am only getting three or four blocks done a week. At this rate I am hoping to have something ready for Christmas 2011. Wish me luck!



This is the grey quilt I continue to insist on hand quilting. A process I now thouroughly despise. But my vision is clear and I will not stray. I know lots of people were excited to see this finished but I am shooting to show it at Alpine Days next year (11 months away). I should be motivated to finish projects by my desire to post on the blog but I can never figure out how to get my pictures to work or my links to post so even that is a chore (I have to have my mom upload everything for me and then I write the text for my pictures!).


Remember this project? It is my bento box quilt! I would have unfolded it for a better picture but I remember that months ago I folded it just so in order to preserve the exact placement of un-pieced blocks. I can't risk unfurling the organization until I am ready to FINISH the bento box quilt. Not today, not for a while maybe. In the end though, I am totally okay with my finishing ineptitude. I like working on lots of projects. I like the creative process of putting an idea together. And I like having a lot of choices when I want to sit down and sew. --Natalie
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19 comments

Sandi Linn Andersen said...

Natalie,
I just loved your post. I thought I was reading about me! I am always starting more projects than I finish although I do eventually finish some of them. I seem to get great joy from assembling all the fabrics, planning the blocks, I start stitching and then - whooooooshhhhh, like the air going out of a baloon, I loose my energy for that project and move on to a new one! I really like the cactus blocks so I hope you can finish that one and share photos one day.

Val said...

You do a lot more than me! I think I am waiting on my house to be perfect so I can sit down to sew. I do try. At least you know what you have started. I think you do great! Thanks for visiting me!

Anina said...

I love it! It makes me feel "normal".
You know that you can print hexagons from the internet, right? Then you won't have to trace them.

Sandra :) said...

Hi, Natalie - your projects are sweet - most of us start more than we finish - as long as you finish *some* things and the UFO's don't totally take over the house, you should be fine!

Purple and Paisley said...

i start so many darn things and don't finish them...my mom finishes everything (just like your mom)...i've been wondering about your bento box! i love the colors! =)

Lily Boot said...

Dear Natalie, I'm so totally with you! It's the imagining and constructing in my head, and then the initial thrilling selection of fabrics and cutting and piecing that first block is just heaven! After several hours work, then it becomes a bit chore like and I begin dreaming up the next quilt whilst chain piecing the first! Hopeless - but I agree - you have to embrace you finishing "ineptitude"! :-) And what you're working on is fabulous - it will come together ... eventually!

MichelleB said...

Well, I'm more like you. I wish I could be more like your mom. I keep trying!

Lisa said...

I hear ya Sista! We all have varying degrees of the syndrome!

Patty said...

Natalie,

I do not know how old you are but I am assuming a teen or young adult. When I was younger, I am currently 44, I used to start many projects and never finish them. As I got older and more mature it was easier to start a project and complete it.

Never give up, just keep trying!

Unknown said...

natalie,
keep plugging away, you'll get them all finished!!! just work on something every day... even if only for a few minutes, it all adds up!

Mimi Sue said...

Don't we all have boxes and bags with unfinished stuff in them? I've moved twice in the past 14 months so I had to get rid of a bunch of outdated out of style projects. Still have more! Mimi

CJ said...

You have so many nice projects going though! I didn't get my mom's 'finish it' gene either. ;)

em's scrapbag said...

It's hard to finish when there are so many things you want to do. Your projects are fabulous.

quilterpolly said...

I am with you...not a finisher...I love to start new things...and I am 43:)
Polly

Anonymous said...

This is ME! I love it. Thanks for posting :o)

Heleen said...

Yes This is a bit like me. starting a new idea, and another, and another...but finishing always takes a bit longer! Ilove all the coloured fabric you show us.

Ginger Patches said...

Your projects are all so fun and cute and they'll get done at your own pace...it's not so much about finishing as enjoying the process, that's what I think anyway :)

Browndirtcottage said...

Hi Natalie....great post! With your full schedule I'm very impressed at your projects. No explanations or excuses needed. You are who you are...if your favorite part is starting....then ALWAYS be starting!!!! Look at me..I found a quilt I had started 25 yrs. ago and I have nearly completed the handquilting on it now. You do a really nice job on your projects. I agree with Ginger Patches...JUST HAVE FUN!!!

Eileen said...

Natalie, that is a wonderful collection of solids! I covet.

Hmmm.. all of your started and unfinished projects sound too familiar. :-/