What is this UFO Doing in My Closet?

What is a Quilters UFO?

No, it’s not a visitor from another planet although they sometimes behave like it! It’s an Unfinished Object – something that was never made into a final project. Sometimes known as PIGS (projects in grocery sacks), this might also be an orphan block.

Why does something become a UFO?

From personal experience I can tell you:

• Time constraints
• Didn’t like the way it was turning out (The colors were wrong, or I didn’t like the technique.)
• It ended up as a PIG without the pattern and now I don’t know where I was going
• Got tired of fixing mistakes ( I did finally fix the one below.)
• Ran out of fabric
• Never got around to taking it to the long-armer
• Waiting on binding

Looking through my collection of antique quilt tops and blocks, I can see that I am not the only sewist that has suffered from these problems. Although sometimes a block was made as an single orphan block as a way of sharing the pattern or the fabric with others. I have a box of orphan blocks that is a memory box. Each block is labeled with the owners name and sometimes with a comment that “this was an apron”.

Finishing Quilt UFOs: What Can I Do With a Quilt Top?

Challenge yourself to finish at least one thing before starting something new. Of course, that one thing could be repairing the hem of a pair of pants, or ironing a patch on a shirt. It’s the thought that counts.

Keeping all your UFO’s in one place will help you. Don’t hide them. Put each project in it’s own see-through bag so you can quickly grab one and get it done when you have a spare moment.

Put an audio book on or watch something on TV. Set a goal. If you find a UFO that you thoroughly dislike and can’t imagine finishing, skip to item 5.

1. You could finish it. Just stop right where you are and call it done. If it’s the wrong size, or you really don’t like it, donate the top to your guilds share table. I guarantee you that someone will love those colors and that style. (Cindy just finished the 8 year old UFO to the right.)

2. If it’s really horrible, use it to practice a technique, like machine applique, a mitered border, or dimensional binding. You could use it to practice your machine quilting.Throw it away when you are done, or make mats for your local animal shelter.

3. Could you take it apart and make smaller quilts? How about table runners or placemats? Throw pillows, stuffed animals, pillowcases, doll quilts? How about a reusable grocery bag? A rice bag?

4. Could you make it bigger by setting it on point? How about using it as a Stack and Slash? You could set blocks in sashing with or without a cornerstone and add a wide border.

5. Why not make it into a Quilted Tote Bag?

6. Throw it away and don’t look back.

Finishing Quilt UFOs: What Can I do with a Quilt Block?

• Frame it as wall decor
• Potholders/Coasters/Hot Pads/Mug Rugs
• placemats
• cut it up and put it back together in a different way.
• make a zip pouch
• give it to someone else
• decorate bland grocery bag
• Pincushions/sachets

• Needle roll or sewing kit
• Pillow covers
• Pockets on a skirt or tote bag – or a Quillow!
• Doll Quilt — or tiny wall quilt/door decoration
• Christmas ornaments
• Fabric Postcards
• Label or pocket on the back of a quilt
• Use in a picture frame
• Wrap around a mason jar for decoration
• Applique to a hand towel or the back of a shirt, even a hat.
• Center of a braided runner or medallion quilt
• Make it into a sampler quilt, like this Accidental Quilt.

Practice Finishing Quilt UFOs with this block

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