I’m going through a phase where I’m not really wanting to stitch any of the embroidery projects that I’ve got waiting to be started or that are in an un-finished state.

If you are a regular crafter, creative, writer, DIYer etc you've probably also got some projects lying around in various states of completion. Sometimes we start off a project with enthusiasm that dips or disappears for a range of different reasons - it's totally normal but what can you do about it?

1. How many projects do you have on the go or want to start?

At one point I had so many projects on the go (or thought I did) that just the idea of working through any of them was overwhelming. What helped me was to get them altogether, take a look at them and pick a few that I really wanted to make. I knew I would come back to the others when I was ready. That helped manage the pressure that I had to finish all of them straight away.

2. Is there something about the project that is putting you off?

I’ve got a gorgeous metalwork embroidery kit that I started with gusto, but has been sitting un-touched for months. I found it again when tidying up and looked at it and saw there was an area that I just wasn’t happy with. Unpicking that area has rejuvenated the feelings for the project and I’m now back stitching it again and enjoying learning the metalwork techniques.

3. Is the project too difficult?

Sometimes we pick projects that are a little above our skill level. There was a gorgeous baby dress I wanted to knit for my niece which had a lace patterned neckline. I could follow the pattern, but for the life of me I couldn’t get the lace pattern to end up with the right number of stitches at the end of the row. I attempted the pattern 8 times before going and researching how to knit lace patterns. The next time I tried, I used stitch markers to mark every repeat and bingo I got to the end of the row with the right number of stitches.

4. Can’t find the time?

Sometimes projects get abandoned simply because there aren’t enough hours in the day to fit in everything. Personally I find having a craft project on the go helps me feel calm and relaxed. Finding some time each week to work on a project is therefore a priority for me. Even if it is only 10 minute a week, I find this helps keep the project going and feel like it hasn’t stagnated.

5. A better project comes along

I’m finisher at heart, I like to see projects through to the end but I do also get my attention distracted when a shiny new project comes along. I find that getting that shiny new project done and out of the way helps me to get back to my original project. Understanding a bit about yourself and how you like to work will help you understand how to deal with your pile of unfinished projects

6. Abandon it

Ultimately, it if is too difficult, you don’t like it or you don’t have time there is no shame in just abandoning it. It could be leaving it in the un-finished objects pile for now or forever. Or it could be something more drastic like breaking it down to it’s component parts and using those for something else. I’ve even heard of people giving away half finished projects to others to finish.

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