Recycling UFOs

[CayenneCat]

I read an interesting stitching article with ideas on how to be more thrifty with a stitching hobby: http://www.stitchingthenightaway.com/36 ... -a-budget/" target="_blank

I decided I would take the advice of "recycling" UFOs (unfinished objects) and use the floss and fabric for designs that I want to kit up. However, I ended up struggling with trying to decide what was a UFO and what was a WIP (work in progress) that I still intend to stitch.

I was surprised that it was emotionally hard to "give up" on certain designs, and come to grips with the fact that my tastes have changed and that I would rather stitch other designs.

After much going back and forth as to whether a design was a UFO or not, I finally made my choices and started organizing the floss into floss-away bags and cataloging what the colors were. I did cheat a bit and put the fabric and pattern in a sheet protector just in case I change my mind and want to stitch that design again.

What happened next also surprised me - I felt a weight lifted off my shoulders when I realized I have a far more manageable number of kits left. I "recycled" 10, am keeping 5, and am still undecided about 5. Of course, with all of this floss and fabric leftover, I'm starting to think about what new designs I might want to kit up, but at least for the moment I'll enjoy this feeling.

Just thought you stitchers might understand what this experience has been like for me.

[calico]

Great idea and good for you for being proactive! It can be so mentally refreshing to organize, reuse/recycle and purge things that are building up in our lives!
Some useful reminders in that article about checking thrift stores for frames!

[geekishly]

What a clever idea. I wind up giving my leftover kit floss (from finished projects) to my BFF's daughter whom I've been teaching to cross-stitch. This way it's not wasted and it saves her mom a little bit of money.

[BizzieLizzie]

it was emotionally hard to "give up" on certain designs.

I know that feeling well! When my Shakespeare Sampler went wrong I put it away in a drawer and started something else. I felt really guilty about it as though I'd fallen out with a loved one and wasn't talking to them anymore. I wonder sometimes if I'll ever fish it out and finish it, but I know I probably won't. It's been overtaken by a whole pile of HAED patterns that I'm desperate to start. I guess part of life (and stitching) is learning when to let go and move on.

Thanks for the article - there are some very good ideas there.

[meerkat]

I made a similar decision on Sunday. I looked through my kits, I rarely buy kits any more, and put aside the unopened ones I have had for ever. I donated them on Monday to the Cancer Research shop along with numerous DVD's and half a library of books Some people have a shoe collecting obsession, mine is books..even more than stash I will recycle one already started stitching project that I have"gone off" ages ago,but you are right CayennCat,the feeling is a good one,not least for me because I actually stuck to my plan and didn't waver. That being said,I had to take my stuff to the shop as soon as possible,or I might have rooted through the bags and taken a few books back out that I'll almost certainly not read again

[Mrs Milkybar Kid]

I keep going backward and forwards over my Starry Night with Tardis - it rarely gets stitched on these days as I have other projects that capture my interest more. However I still really love the chart and the thought of having it up and framed on the wall - it is the only project I have that could be a UFO and it bugs me!

[CayenneCat]

I know that feeling well! When my Shakespeare Sampler went wrong I put it away in a drawer and started something else. I felt really guilty about it as though I'd fallen out with a loved one and wasn't talking to them anymore. I wonder sometimes if I'll ever fish it out and finish it, but I know I probably won't. It's been overtaken by a whole pile of HAED patterns that I'm desperate to start. I guess part of life (and stitching) is learning when to let go and move on.

Yes, it did feel like I'd fallen out with a loved one. And I think you're right that I'm learning to let go and move on.

[CayenneCat]

meerkat - Good for you to donate all of that stuff! And I understand wanting to let go of them ASAP or you won't be able to - I've still got the five that I'm waffling on.

Mrs Milkybar Kid - That's tough - you still love the design, but love others more, and there's never enough time to stitch everything.

[Lizzieh]

I have a UFO confession to make. I had a major UFO which shall remain nameless but I couldn't get on with it. I kept coming across it so one day I stuffed it in a carrier bag and took it to a charity shop. It has been a real relief to get it out of the house!

[Mabel Figworthy]

I was surprised that it was emotionally hard to "give up" on certain designs

Too recognisable! Yes, I feel bad about deciding that a project once started is simply never going to happen, but in the end it feels like such a relief when I do decide to take it out of its folder, put any salvageable fabric away and re-use the threads!