The following is reprinted with permission from Lynn Paisley. 

First … know what you're up against!! 

v     Make a list of your UFOs. This is your inventory. Give yourself permission to abandon some of these projects. They're bygone projects, not children! If you decide it's not worth finishing, donate it to community service or an online charitable organization like    UFO-rphanage.com

§         Of the remaining UFOs, sort your list by what's holding you up.  Is it borders? Binding? Technique you no longer like? Just plain ugly? Do you have a friend that can get you past your sticking point?

§         Looking at you list, can you make a plan for the final destination of this projects? Gifts, charity, etc.? Sometimes knowing where it's intended to go can spur you on to finish it or part with it.

v     Or … make a smaller list. Start with just your top five or ten UFO projects. Spend one hour (or amount of time you decide upon) on project #1. The next time you'll be working on UFOs, spend time on project #2. Once you get through all the projects on this list, you can start a new project (as a reward) and add it to the bottom of the total list.  Then start back at the top of the list and rotate through them again. This idea is completely adjustable, allowing you to choose the number of UFOs to complete before reward and the amount of time you'll spend. Having the new project at the bottom of the list can is a nice "carrot" to encourage you to work through the list.

v     Look at each project with a critical eye. Is it something that you can revamp and turn into a finished project more easily that the original plan? In other words, instead of sewing those 16" blocks into a top, make them into pillows for gift-giving. Add some strips to the sides of 12" blocks making them approximately 12 x 18 and make them into placemats. Turn that partially pieced top into a vest or a tote bag, or make it a baby quilt or a lap quilt instead of a full bed quilt size. Remember -- quilts for premature babies aren't much bigger than placemats.

Did you know a quilt only 38 x 48 makes a perfect wheelchair quilt? That's even smaller than a crib quilt! You can do that!! 

Then … make a plan to get them done AND STICK TO THE PLAN!

Try one or more of these suggestions:

 v     If it's hand work, keep it by the phone and work on it every time you are on the phone. Of take it with you and work on it while waiting for appointments, soccer practices, and during other down-time activities. Or work on it while you're watching a quilting show on television.

v     If it is something you just cringe over, set the kitchen timer for fifteen minutes and work on it until the timer dings. When it dings, stop. If you can do this once a week (or more often as you gain momentum) it will soon get it past the cringe stage and back to a work in progress.

v     Downsize projects whenever appropriate. Downsize the project to a size you can (and will!) complete.

v     Keep it by the sewing machine, and every time you work on a current project, before leaving the machine, do something on the UFO project, too. Even a single seam is something.

v     Keep a couple of projects in the car or in your purse, in plastic bags so you are ready for unexpected wait time.

v     Use the Carrot & Stick method … 15 minutes of UFO time = 15 minutes new project time.

v     Think about the yuckiest, ickiest most awful chore you need to do in your house and decide if you would rather do that or work on your UFO. If the chore wins the UFO is probably unwanted and should be donated to community service or another charitable organization that will accept it.

v     Make a pact with yourself that the only fabric you will buy will be for the UFOs … then make sure they are used on the UFOs. You get the Ooooo I have new fabric experience, but it's applied to your UFOs.

v     If a project is REALLY giving you a hard time, give it a time out. Also set a release date, and make sure it is out of sight during time out time and back in clear sight on release day.

v     One or two days a week, get up 1/2 hour earlier  or go to bed 1/2 hour later, and use that extra time to work on UFO projects.  If you do this it is typically a good idea to set a timer so you don't lose track of the time.

v     Consider starting a new small project!  Yes, you read it correctly!  Sometimes starting and completing a small project,  like a table runner or wallhanging can be just the thing you need to gain momentum enough to finish the old projects. 

Maybe share the ideas with your friends … and have them help you get through your list!

v     Trade UFOs with a friend and do one another's. Sometimes just the change of scenery is enough to energize both of you to finish the project in a surprisingly short period of time. A variation is to get together and make an afternoon or evening of it -- things go much easier with company!  If you can't arrange a trade, at least arrange to exchange ideas about how to complete the project.

v     Set up a retreat day with one or more quilting friends, where you can all go and work on your project. Make it a pot luck, and have a place where interruptions by family are minimal. Call it a class if that helps you create time and space.

Good job! Reward yourself!

v     For each completed UFO, reward yourself. Maybe  with a trip to the  … ta dah !!!  A QUILT SHOP (or maybe just a small bit of chocolate would be nice …)