I’m Finally Dealing with My Unfinished Sewing Projects (UFOs)

I had a lot of time to reflect, as I practically spent last month recovering from illness. I was either too weak or dizzy to do any sewing. 

And my unfinished projects were just piling up. But to be honest, I’ve had some of these for years.

So I’m going to take inventory and discuss what’s going on with these items. You might be able to relate to my plight too!

Dealing with Unfinished Projects

Many people use the term UFO in sewing, and that means Un-Finished Project. Well, I have enough of those to last me a long time.

But why don’t I just go ahead and finish them, you may wonder. Well, that’s for many reasons, but I’ll give you some insight.

Out of Sight and Mind

I hide some of the UFOs very well. They are tucked into the depths of the closet or under my bed, beyond mountains of other stuff. 

I know where to find them, but yet they are out of sight. And out of mind.

My hope is that one day, inspo with strike me or maybe they’ll mysteriously fit right?

Maybe I’m keeping them there because I plan to bring them back to life one day. As if I don’t have many other projects going on.

I keep them around just in case. And whenever that time comes, I know where to find them.

Pre-Cutting Too Much

I have a whole shelf full of cut sewing patterns. This is because cutting is my least favorite task in the process.

So, I binge cut things I want to sew. But that’s on that day.

I end up with baggies full of projects that just sit around. And many of these have been here for a couple years.

By the time I get around to them, I don’t want to sew them anymore, or my tastes have changed.

So now, I’ve decided to cut right before a project and not a moment before. But in the meantime, I’ll probably make these or turn them into something else.

My Dressform as a Hanger

And here’s my dressform, which doubles as a hanger for unfinished duds. Now these are supposedly the things I’m working on at the moment.

I was working hard on this cute dress and still want to see it through. After redoing the bib three times and it still didn’t fit, my motivation withered away.

Nothing kills my creativity more than doing something over and over, and it not working out. So, it’s just going to marinate there until I get tired of looking at it.

Plus, I started working on a button-up shirt for someone else. But my plans are to come back to this dress because I really want to wear it.

By the way, before I started on this dress, I had a jacket that was there for months while I worked on other projects. That’s just me.

Little Fixes Here and There

I’ve got some unfinished stuff that needs a little fixing up, and it’s done. And it really takes effort to go through and do this.

It’s a zipper here, new elastic there. This stuff can add up, and since I have plenty of clothes to wear, I’m in no hurry.

Also, I might not be super excited about these garments. Some might not fit amazingly well, or I just don’t care about them anymore.

Like this sports bra I made years ago. It only needs elastic on the band, and I still haven’t put it in. 

I think the reason I didn’t finish this is that I was unhappy with the fit. Why I’m keeping it, I don’t even know, but I’ve barely worn it.

The Upcycling Stash

I’ve got a bunch of clothes that have been dumped into my upcycling heap. They need to be deconstructed before I can reuse them.

So, last month when I couldn’t sew, I pulled myself together to rip some seams. I made some progress, but this stack grows fast.

I have the idea to make a patchwork skirt soon, but I need to get my scraps in order. 

Under my bed, I have storage bags with more clothes to refashion. I plan to make them into something really great, but this will be in the far, far future, you know?

I’ve had this stash for years, and I need to do something with it. I’ve got all the ideas in the world, but ideas are just that unless you put them into action.

Big Crafty Passion Project

Okay, I have a big idea to make a textile art piece. And it involves making hundreds of yo-yos. 

Well, I started on this, and I very much enjoy handsewing these little things. I lost count of how many I have, but I do need a lot more.

And I’ll get back around to this project, but I was making good progress! Now I just have to make more on my “days off.”

When I first started this idea, I had my old sewing machine, and wasn’t making as many clothes as I do now. 

I put my passion project on the back burner, but need to get back into it. Plus, making yo-yos is very relaxing and fun.

The Why Behind It All

Maybe the main problem I have UFOs is that I have too many projects on? I want to do too many things.

Or I just get bored really quickly. Maybe I should start a project and just see it through, no matter what?

But that takes the fun out of being an artsy person. When we’re not feeling it, it’s not there. It’s okay to pivot.

And if I’m going with the flow of how I’m feeling, that’s just how it’s going to be. Will all my projects get done eventually? Who knows!

Final Thoughts

Okay, I’ve dealt with my UFOs. I went through them, analyzed why I have them, and they’re still there. 

I’ve decided to sew them or upcycle, but I don’t want to be bothered with that right now. But for today, I’ve got new ideas and am itchin’ to start a totally new project!

More About Sewing

I have other related blog posts that you might find interesting. You might want to check them out.

• I’ll tell you how sewing pulled me through some hard times. 

• My first sewing job was interesting, but I’ll tell you why I left.

• Want to know about my quest to teach sewing in public school?

I’d love to hear what you’re up to in your sewing room!

Originally published: December 2, 2025