The struggle to finish (and occasionally start)

[KatyMac]

Up front: I am not good emotionally right now

But: I finished about 5 projects last week/week before as I got access to a photographer to do a shoot - the projects had been lying around for weeks/months

Since then I have been loloping round doing nothing half-heartedly trying to sort and tidy

It's ridiculous

How do other creators keep on track and finish stuff

& how do you decide which of the many projects you should start next!!

This is so relatable- I never struggle to start any new project but probably have a completion rate of about 3%. I just don’t enjoy finishing things half as much as the buzz of getting an idea and beginning to work on it.

But it sounds like you could use some time off to refuel the creative batteries - or try something completely new?

I'm the same! I don't know what the answer is though... I've actually managed to finish three projects this week which is pretty much unheard of for me. I just find the ideas stage much more rewarding and then I lose interest in whatever I've made once it's finished.

I do find it helps to have a deadline - so if I'm making something to wear for a specific event, or I'm writing something for a competition or a deadline. Also it helps to have a dedicated workspace (sadly I don't) because sometimes the faff of having to get everything out and then put it away again is what puts me off.

I'm doing a bit better than 3% @Ylfa but I have had 2 projects that are defying me totally!! Stubborn things!!

I want to try new things but feel I should finish some stuff before treating myself - maybe I should split days into a small amount of new followed by a larger amount of finishing

I have a workroom and a sewing room but a recent (4 weeks ago) influx of supplies has made things untidy and over flowing - which is frustrating @Nowisthemonthofmaying - I agree starting is more fun

I also think I spelt Lolloping wrong, is that better?

I can relate to this! My head is buzzing with new ideas but I don't start them because there's so much to finish - but I'm not motivated to finish so I end up doing exactly what you describe, sorting and tidying. The only thing I've found helpful is making the unfinished project very accessible so that I can pick it up when I have a few minutes to spare - by removing the 'just got to find the right thread/interfacing/buttons' distraction, I am giving myself fewer excuses! And once I've eased my conscience with a bit of 'finishing', I don't feel so guilty about starting something new .

Ooo that's a good idea @BlueMoon44

And I just had another one, shall we all tell each other what needs finishing (on a more appropriately labelled thread maybe) and then we can hold each other accountable?

Would any of you fancy that?

Absolutely in for a works in progress accountability thread - this one is perfectly titled! I’ve got knitting, crochet, hand quilting and various others all waiting for me to finish them. Some date back YEARS 😳 some are possibly just too complicated with all their cabling etc for me to get back into and they might need a new purpose, like easy hats

Hmm - I'll start?

Cos-play commission
Wedding dress alteration
Wedding dress
Cos-play alteration
Turquoise silk/black corset creation (nearly finished)
Green linen & cream (not started)
3 jackets

& that's without looking! Oops!!

That’s quite an exciting list! I guess commissions take priority?

Also without looking, just a few things I feel especially guilty about (there are actually MILLIONS of things 😳😳😳):

Knitting - skappelgenser, dating back to when this was a thing (2012 ish? 😳) I’ve done the back and abandoned partway up the front, also it will need sleeves. It’s the easiest thing in the world and I would love to actually wear it one day! I also remember how £eyewatering the yarn was, silk and alpaca etc and I don’t know why I haven’t just finished it already!

Crochet:
God so many blankets, these I especially love to start and abandon halfway. I’d like to prioritise the one I’ve begun for child #3 before she goes to university this October. I don’t find the colours very interesting to work with but it’s really basic and mindless to do so no more excuses!

Sewing - started quilting by hand, I need to dig it out from wherever it’s stashed and assess brutally how likely I am to finish it or whether it could just become something else, like a quilted bag or something??

Some white cotton bedding to dye, but mega crisis of confidence in my ideas is paralysing me. See also curtains for garden room, I want to dye them using the leaves and bark from my eucalyptus tree but folded in traditional Shibori style. Maybe some elderberries too. Just scared of fucking it up and making it look shit!

Will check in later with some progress pics, even if this only incentivises me to complete one thing it will be amazing!

These are some recently finished

Can I join?
Dd really wants to sew a skater skirt with me.

I started making her a quilt in 2010.

I have a christmas quilt somewhere to finish.

A scarf in suffragette colours from about 2 years ago.

A book bag in really nice fabric.

Beeswax cloth for packed lunches for if we ever manage to leave semi-lockdown.

I have finished a few things recently. But usually if I can start and finish them on the same day. I made masks. I sewed a body pillow for dp. I knitted my dad a scarf for christmas.
But I have loads of fabric and lovely yarn and it would be nice to actually use it.

& these are the not so finished!

Great idea @SuperLoudPoppingAction

So we need a thing for when someone finishes something?

Do fixing sewing machine count in the list (I have 2)

I could mark the occasion of me ever actually finishing anything with a emoticon.

Lovely dressmaking dummy btw

Oh dear. I'm place marking. I'm going to have to come back to this thread with my list of shame. I think at last count there were around 3 quilt tops awaiting the next stage of basting, quilting and binding, one or two more quilts in progress, several knitting projects and quite a lot of dresses....😳

So it wasn't a very complex job but I've finished the beeswax cloths.
8 big ones and 2 small ones.

That's one less pile of fabric in the house!

Woo-hoo! You finished one!!! Well done

I finished the cos-play alterations/repairs paid for and (social distance collection tomorrow)

Just did a whole seam with no bobbin thread plus possible the believer zip I have done!!

I'm forever forgetting to check the bobbin thread.

Writing down some of my WIPs did make me feel a bit more accountable. Thank you for starting the thread!

That was not well typed was it?

I finished the cos-play alterations/repairs; paid for and (social distance) collection tomorrow

Just did a whole seam with no bobbin thread plus possibly the best zip I have done!!

Plus I pinned a waistband and both shoulders before bed - so I'm feeling quite calm!

Today I have done nothing much at all

I have taken a vote on the colour of a waistband from my friends (that sentence does not sound right!) And it looks like dark green rather than cream

Still pondering between an attached underskirt or a separate one for the aforementioned dress

Done a bit of tidying

Worked out my phone camera is officially broken and bought a new phone

And generally looped about

How about you guys @SuperLoudPoppingAction, @WildCherryBlossom & @Ylfa plus anyone else that wants to play?

I'm a guilty start and leave crocheter!

Currently got a baby blanket for a baby due in October four rows done, and immaboyt 80% a scarf. I'm bored of the scarf bit I know I need to finish it.

*I'm about

Will you do some tomorrow or over the weekend?

Oh thank goodness! I thought I was the only one! I have cross stitch that I started when I was in hospital giving birth to my eldest son. He turned 30 this year . It was on linen and I don't think my eyesight is good enough to complete it. Knitting (animals) crochet (scarf) diamond painting, rug making, card making, jewellery making and scrapbooking. None finished. And at the moment - when I have all the time I have absolutely ZERO enthusiasm.