Help - WIP

[Braytonstitcher]

I like to stitch small and medium sized projects which can be completed within a few days or at least a couple of weeks. However, I am attracted to larger projects. I have two on the go at the moment - a Michael Powell scene and a wonderful poppy chart (my hope is to make a cushion). However, the smaller projects grab me and I put aside the larger ones saying I'll go back to that! Does anyone else have the same problem? How can I persuade myself to stick to it and finish them off?

[~threadbear~]

If you start a thread in the SAL section on here you'll get alot of encouragement which should keep you going.
I think as we post a progress picture and other comment on our progress etc, it really spurs you on to do more and get another update put up as soon as you can.

So why not start a SAL for your own projects and let us cheer you on to success!!

[mags]

I also prefer to do small projects, but have recently done one or two larger (to me) ones. I had specific reasons for doing them (not just for the sake of stitching them) and this spurred me on to finish them.

And as TB says, we are quite good at encouraging here.

[Dazbo666]

A vote from me too, for the benefits of the encouragement provided by other forum members. It really does make a difference having (and giving) the support with like minded stitchers.

All the help, advice and positive support recieved thru this site has kept me motivated during some difficult periods.

[kell]

I'm generally a small projects person myself as I don't have a lit of stitching time and I like to see quick progress to keep my motivation up. However, I've started quite a large wedding sampler which has a deadline of beginnig of September to be finished and framed, which I'm doing now alongside my smaller projects. I can't help starting new things and working on designs I want to try out! I'm busy designing a sampler for my son's nursery and also a piece for a friend who said she would love me to do something for her.

[crafterglen]

Remember why you started it in the first place? You must have liked it enough to start it so just add a few stitches every day, you may find you do a few more and before you know it you will have it finished, plus of course you have everybody here to keep you going once you have put a picture on here - well you just have to finish it!
Happy Stitching

[Rose]

I think there are a lot of good reasons to start an SAL thread and one of the best one is for yourself to see how much progress you are really making. Sometimes we don't realize just how much we have really progressed until we can see the next picture and then we can think wow that is a lot if I just do a bit more this section will be finished. Then you can look and say oh but just one more section and it wilol be half then 3/4 and then so quickly it is complete. So I say start an SAL post and see if the motivation helps with a finish.

[Mabel Figworthy]

Braytonstitcher, I'm exactly the same -- I have several larger projects either on the go or ready and waiting (fabric and threads picked and bought and all) but I keep coming back to quick little projects in the meantime; I find they keep me sane when there is too much going on to concentrate on anything large and I've decided to embrace them rather than think of them as a distraction, because they happen to make lovely cards in the process

[Serinde]

Bigger projects do require a slightly different mindset, and interspersing smaller ones will help when motivation is low. There are also times with big projects when a section seems awkward or difficult. Well, that's a perfect time to pick up something small. Then go back to the main event.

[maggs]

I tend to have both on the go. I stich my small projects when I have a short amount of time to spare, usually in the evenings after finishing work and cooking etc and do my big project at the weekend when I can devote more time to it. This way you get the best of both worlds and do not get board. Hope this helps

[Braytonstitcher]

Thank you for all the encouragement. I will get the camera out and start a SAL thread. Motivation is the thing I know. I started both these projects because the Michael Powell design reminded me of a holiday in Crete. The poppy design is for a cushion to compliment a tapestry cushion I made several years ago. The colours of both designs are striking in their own way. I really do want to finish them both!

I will take all your suggestions on board but particularly the SAL. Look out for it!!

[nettie]

Well the others have given you some great advice. Don't get disheartened by switching projects I have 3 wips and almost 20 ufos on the go but i still start more!

[Lizzy]

Well the others have given you some great advice. Don't get disheartened by switching projects I have 3 wips and almost 20 ufos on the go but i still start more!

Nettie 20? Wow that must be a record but at least you will never run out of stuff to stitch

Looking forward to your SAL, it will keep you motivated and encourage you to finish it. Happy stitching

[topbiddy]

I am just the same as others on this subject. I have several WIP's that I say I will finish before I start or even buy another, and then I go and see a chart or a kit I just can't resist and start on that. Stitching time is your time and I think you should stitch whatever the fancy takes you at the time. If I am getting a bit bogged down in a big project I always put it away for awhile and do some other smaller ones.

[nikecam]

I have never been able to switch projects due to the confusion over symbols. I’m working on a large xs-collectibles and tried to start on a “freebie” from mystic but found I kept messing up the colors. If A=939 on my original project, I kept trying to use 939 on the freebie even though it was some completely different color. I finally gave up working on two projects.

April

[wcposter]

Try to picture it finished.

[Fibreartist]

You have a rotation! I have about 25 in my rotation. I just start with what I like and set a goal of how much I want to complete in the picture, then go on to the next one. I alternate between easy and difficult patterns and sometimes when I get sick of one I leave it and continue with another one. Each pattern, fabric, extras (beads, charms etc as required) are in a big ziplock bag. My floss is all in a master set in a double sided "Jammers car garage" a two sided Plano plastic box with a handle. I just pull my thread from the master unless I'm doing a kit.
All the rotation is in a big basket beside my chair.

Sorry for the late reply.

[LadyS]

I agree with everyone who said to start a SAL. I've never stitched as fast as I've been and without letting my project turn into an UFO as since I put my SAL up right after joining the forums.

When you notice how long it's been since you've updated your project, or how others are doing with theirs and seeing theirs grow, you end up working on yours 'cus you wanna advance like they do and hear more support when you update (as small an update as it may be).

This is one the things I loved about this forum when I joined, all the encouragement and support!