Jill, When I start a new quilt, I like to at least finish the top or get it to the point of the borders. It really doesn't bother me after that point. And, if it's out of sight, they don't bother me at all! Do you think you might finish the quilts in the future? Sometimes we start a quilt and decide we really don't like it. In that case, give the thing to another quilter to get it out of the house. There are times a need arises on the forum and if you have a quilt top handy, you can send it on to someone to complete. I don't think you have anything to worry about. I don't think there is any quilter that will live long enough to make all the quilts they want to! I know I won't. One thing I've done is to work on a different UFO every month and trying to finish it....but if not, no big deal. You shouldn't have to take medication to enjoy quilting. Maybe you should find another hobby because you really shouldn't be doing something that is detrimental to your health.

SharonG/FL

I'm just sort of smiling, and shaking my head in agreement because some of this sounds familiar. My problem has been that I fall out of love with a pattern halfway through a quilt. IOW, I did enough of them to satisfy my curiosity. LOL.

By the very nature of our art/craft patience is necessary. Well, not all of us are patient people and some of us like instant gratification. rofl. I have pretty much got a handle on the issue and instead of making the huge king and queen sizes decided to make smaller day bed sized quilts through the winter. They go so much more quickly. Then, for the first time ever, I took one huge top I had laying around for two years to a professional quilter. OMG........she made a silk purse out of my sow's ear. Another quilt I started before any others is still hanging on a wall, about a yard square. Well, guess what is going to be a pillow?

I decided to make closure on all my UFOs and I'm getting there. Why don't you try some smaller projects? A set of patchwork pillowcases. Some pot holders. A purse. And give the full sized quilts a rest and then purge yourself of them, even if it means turning a quilt into a sofa throw. Then start fresh.

Oh, I understand completely. I fold the towels and put them away, then see the tub needs cleaning, then the mirror, then may as well do the one in the other bathroom, but the drawers are a mess, ...

That is one reason all my quilts are lap size. Doesn't take forever to finish.

If anyone has UFO's they would like to donate, I will gladly find them a new and loving home.

beverly

See, you aren't alone in this! We all suffer from it, just deal with it in different ways. I have to set rules and boundaries and make myself adhere to them if I seriously want to focus and finish a project. In other words, it's too easy for me to just loll around and try all kinds of different things and leave them in all stages of completion, but I can't live like that. I have to see the end or I can't enjoy starting a new project. Others are perfectly at peace with it and I wish I could be like that. That's why I am amazed when people list so many quilting goals and then some get done, some don't - some aren't even started! (I obviously have goal-setting issues!) I think the advice you have been given earlier in the post is good, start doing some smaller projects for awhile so that you can sharpen your focusing skills and stick with something to the end. Completion of a project is very satisfying!

I still consider myself a "newbie" to quilting and I am developing this affliction! My problem seems to stem from the fact that there are so many beautiful quilts out there, and I want to make all of them, and right now! I've purchased the bones of about 3 different quilts. They all sit in the bags waiting. I keep telling myself, I have to finished some of what I've started before I begin another one. My family had to drag me to the lake yesterday. I did get to sit in the shade and stitch on my BA square (that was their suggestion :-) )

I have no suggestions, but I sure can sympathize.

We all do suffer from this malady -- so I have to agree with Calliope -- stop the big quilts and go to the smaller projects -- right now I am seriously addicted to purses --- can't control it, as I'm working on one I have another one in my mind to start just as soon as I can. Also, throw in some cute little table runners for a change -- this method really works:) Have a great day!

Thanks everyone, for all the support & good advice. I truly do still love quilting & couldn't live without it. It's just the most prominent area of my disorder (I also have a stack of about 10 books in progress on my nite stand :) )
I love the suggestion of making smaller quilts, many of the ones I have going are king size. I am pretty good at gleaning too & donate many tops to our guilds charity groups.
I think I have to set some rules for myself & stick with them.
Lately I see all these hoarding shows & I feel like that could be me under the right circumstances, so it's been on my mind.
Thanks for everything, Jill

One rule I made for myself awhile back that helped a great deal is that I would spend one hour a day, every day working on my quilt tops. One full hour no one was to bother me in my sewing room. I started getting quilt tops done. Maybe try that along with doing smaller projects. If you can't spare a hour every day try maybe a hour every other day.

I am currently struggling to work on a log cabin quilt top. It is so tedious especially since I decided that I prefer small "cabins". They look fine, but I am already dreaming up ways to speed the dang thing up. If I put it down, I don't know if I'll pick it up again! I am making it as a gift, so I am trying to continue. I may have to discipline myself to work on it everyday like Carol. I am only doing weekends now, since I work during the week.

One of the things that I do to keep my interest is using one day to set up the work for the next. eg. Cutting out a number of blocks that I will be able to finish the next day. I set them up in a workable order and then the task seems simpler the next time. I do that with my applique blocks as well, setting up the materials, defining the pattern and then putting it together. Jayne

We're not all quite that afflicted (at least most of the time I'm not).

But smartly, I learned to quilt small (being self-taught) I thought it better to start small in case I didn't like the design, or had trouble w/ the block's assembly (like Y-seams which I don't really know how to do) etc.

Anyway, is it too simplistic to just say to yourself stop? Just say "no more, that's it, 'til I finish ___" (fill in the blank w/ whatever, in my case it was the UFOs). I had 1.75 years unemployed & when not searching for work I made myself finish off some UFOs, one by one. Told myself "no new quilts 'til I finished some of the older ones".

I also didn't allow myself to buy any yardage other than fat quarters (gotta have a little fun).

I also used the technique sometimes of 1 hour a day on current projects. Got through 3 UFOs pretty nicely that Spring ('09), then got my first baby quilt commission so I let the rules go for a bit.

Also about ADHD & brain function stuff:

it's currently thought that what we tell ourselves is what gets hardwired into our brains & what we think about often really gets in there. I try not to reinforce things in myself which aren't positive or helpful.

Ex: from "I have ADHD" to "I'm easily distracted but am working on improving that".

One can also see health professionals (or I'd suggest a therapist not a doctor) & DECLINE to take any meds they offer to prescribe. But I suggest you don't go in & say "I have ADHD"; just present what you feel are the issues/symptoms & let them tell you if you have it or not.

Perhaps a bit of talk therapy is in order, since you said this issue appears in other places in your life. Maybe look at the issues & talk about why? Maybe work w/ some behavior modification techniques to try & ease your way to more constructive habits?

Just try to share some helpful ideas. HTH

Oops, pls. make that "just trying to share some helpful ideas"

PS: I'm sure we wouldn't dream of booting you off this forum (we'd probably lose 1/2 our members over this issue) ;>)

I really like everyone's suggestions.
Pirate girl, good ideas about the professionals. I have a tendency to assume I know what they will say. I also tell my self if I work on this then that will get better too, & talk myself out of doing anything. It's hard to just say no, I tend to reward myself with fabric :)
I work full time & don't plan to retire since I still love my job so much. I used to try to sew for an hr before work, it was a tip given by Nancy Zieman once & it worked great for me. But I don't rise as early as I used to, maybe I could do an hr after work.
Thanks again everyone for all the support! Jill

Hi Jill,

I feel your pain--I too suffer from this affliction. It sounds like you may need a UFO Rehab clinic--which would be a weekend quilting or crafting retreat. It's a great way to have uninterrupted UFO time. I went on a retreat with a couple of friends earlier this spring. Quilters had the option of working on a Mystery Quilt OR to bring their own projects. My one friend brought a quilt that she's been working on for years and the other brought ufos--She ended up going home with 2 finished pairs of pj pants, one of those nifty neck things that you fill with rice, heat up and put around your neck, and sewed borders on 2 different quilts.
As for me, well, do as I say, not as I do, because I opted to do the Mystery Quilt. The good thing is, I did finish the top and it's now basted and ready to quilt, which I plan to do this week. The bad thing is, last year's mystery quilt is still a mystery!
But anyway, if you have a chance--a weekend away, or even a weekend where you can just tell your family to leave you the heck alone can do wonders for UFO therapy.
Be strong girl--we're all behind ya!

Let's take a vote!!! Just kidding Jill, lol!!!!!!!!! I think you are being way too hard on yourself.
You also work!! I was very organized until I retired and everything went to somewhere in a hand basket!
I have bought fabric and patterns and I really didn't need them. Try to set a time just for your hobby.
I am not buying anything else until I have finished some of the UFO's. That also includes knitting and crocheting.
I also get distracted by the gorgeous quilts our members tempt me with and today I just picked up 2 Timbleberry books with about 20 projects I want to make.
We are all so different. I can not cut out all of the fabric at one time, and then sew all of the blocks. Maybe that is why I am drawn to samplers. And I always have several projects going on.
You sound perfectly normal to me!
Don't worry about it, but if you do feel you have a prob discuss it with a professional.
Rosa

If you talk to a professional, make sure they quilt. lol

SharonG/FL

I think we are all nuts and you should see a professional and be sure to tell him/her that you know a bunch of quilting nuts that would love a group rate!

Now I am laughing so hard!!! Thanks guys!

Sharon you are so right!!!!!!!!!!
No one but a fellow quilter would understand cutting fabric into small pieces and sewing it back together again.
Rosa

Jill,
I love all the answers you've gotten and don't know that I have much to add. Many of us are in exactly the same spot you are.

But here's how I deal with it: I realize that quilting is my hobby and my passion. It's the whole process, not just the part about having a finished quilt. It's the planning and the drawing and the fabric selection and the cutting and playing and sewing and "OOOOooooo! look at THAT fabric! What can I make with THAT one?!?!" Finishing a quilt is just one step in the process and it's not the best part.

One of my friends often says she isn't so much a quilter as a fabric collector. She's OK with that.

Kate