I think I have SOS – Shiny Object Syndrome. I have such a hard time finishing before I’m off to start another pretty quilt. You too?
I have to pat myself on the back this month, though. Binding is my downfall, my kryptonite, my version of an algebra test. It’s not that I dislike it; I just don’t find it fun. However, I knuckled down for two solid days and finished the binding on 7 quilts. Yes, 7 quilts. I did not hand-bind them, mind you. This was all machine-bound. (My hand just isn’t able to hand-stitch for long.) I can’t tell you how satisfying it felt to finally cross those seven quilts off my list.
Last month, I blogged briefly about the average quilter. That statistic bounced around my brain all month.
The average quilter is a 65 year old woman that starts 11 projects a year, and finishes 9, spending six hours per week dedicated to working on quilting projects. Most projects are small, such as lap quilts, and are made in a traditional style (according to the Aug 30, 2025 Quilters Survey).
If the average quilter starts 11 projects each year and finishes only 9, what happens to the other two?
Those unfinished projects become UFOs (UnFinished Objects). They fill project bags, baskets, shelves, and corners of our sewing rooms. Over time, they create stress. The sewing room feels cluttered. The list of things we “should” finish gets longer. Eventually, the chaos begins to steal some of the joy from our favorite hobby.
So why does it happen?
1. The New Project Temptation
Let’s be honest. Starting a new quilt is fun! New fabric, a new pattern, and endless possibilities. Once the cutting is done and the repetitive sewing begins, it’s easy to get distracted by the next shiny project.
How to break the cycle: Before starting something new, challenge yourself to complete one small step on an existing UFO. Sew one row. Finish one block. Add a border. A little progress keeps older projects moving forward while still leaving room for new inspiration.
2. Perfection Gets in the Way
Sometimes we set a project aside because it isn’t turning out exactly as we imagined. Maybe the points don’t match, the colors aren’t perfect, or a mistake is frustrating us.
How to break the cycle: Give yourself permission to be a quilter, not a machine. Every quilt teaches us something. Finished quilts bring far more satisfaction than perfect projects sitting unfinished in a bin.
3. We Lose Sight of the Finish Line
Many quilts feel manageable when we’re making blocks. But once it comes time to assemble rows, add borders, quilt, and bind, the project can suddenly feel overwhelming.
How to break the cycle: Focus on the next task, not the entire quilt. Instead of “I need to finish this quilt,” tell yourself, “Today I’m sewing the rows together.” Small goals create momentum, and momentum helps us cross the finish line.
In a B.I.N.D.
Began, Invested, Near Completion, Distracted
Most UFOs don’t happen because we lack talent, motivation, or time. They happen because we get distracted. We begin with excitement, invest time and effort, get tantalizingly close to completion, and then something shiny catches our eye.
Sound familiar?
The good news is that creativity isn’t the problem. In fact, creativity is what keeps quilting fun. New fabric collections, new patterns, quilt shows, sew-alongs, and classes are part of what we love about this hobby.
The goal isn’t to stop starting new projects. The goal is to finish more often.
Before you dive into your next “must-make” quilt, consider crossing one UFO off your list. Add the binding. Sew on the label. Finish the quilt. Pick the project that’s closest to the finish line and give it one afternoon.
Then reward yourself by starting something new.
After all, I finished binding seven quilts this month. I’m sure you can finish one.
Every finished quilt creates space—not just on a shelf, but in your mind. And that makes room for the next great idea.
2026 Bona Fide Sew Along
The month 5 block is ready to download! Click on this link or select 2026 Sew Along – Bona Fide in the header. Lora wrote the Sew Along blog this time! You’ll want to read what she wrote “How Many Seam Rippers Does It Take to Make A Quilt” under the June 15 posting.
Red, White, and Beautiful
Enjoy our 250th Independence Day celebration with a 30% discount on all our paper patriotic patterns. Sale will be from June 15 – July 15, 2026.
20% off PDF Patterns
Visit the Material Girlfriends Etsy store to enjoy 20% off store wide! Sale ends July 15.
As the fireworks light up the sky this Independence Day, I hope your holiday is filled with family, friends, good food, and a little quilting time, too. Finish a UFO if you’re feeling ambitious, but don’t forget to leave room for a new project that sparks your creativity. After all, every finished quilt makes space for the next great idea.
From our family to yours, have a safe, happy, and inspiring Independence Day!
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