The Great Project Swap
Well, finishing is not necessarily my greatest crafting attribute. I am a great starter: with enthusiasm and joy I choose my materials, think through my pattern (to varying success), and begin on the greatest _________ ever made! The finish, however, has always been a bit more of a challenge. I discovered recently that I may just come by this trait honestly. My lovely mother is also finishingly challenged. She takes some serious time to finish her quilts (to excellent results mind you) and one has been festering for a number of years now.
I am sad to say that I even took a quilting class to improve my sadly lacking skills and I still did not manage to finish my quilt. The binding was sewn on and all that was left was some backstitching. That is my least favorite part of quilting. This dislike of backstitching may stem from the last two (and only) quilts I have finished. Always at the last minute stitching away with blistered fingers and late nights. Not a fond memory shall we say? My quilt sat in my closet always looking at me and taunting. I knew I had to finish it but I dreaded it too.
Some years ago when I was a slightly more amature knitter I encouraged my mom the start a blanket with me. Mine was finished years ago and many many projects have come and gone in between. Finally we two had had enough: we would finish our projects if it killed us! Instead of the usual social crafting blitz (another favorite past time of ours) we decided to simply swap projects. Mom would do the border on my quilt (and the next one too she promises) and I would knit up the last 7 balls of her blanket. Unfortunately, mom had some down time on vacation and my quilt is now finito while I still have 4 balls to go on the blanket.
Swapping projects has been great. It doesn’t feel like a chore and when it comes to doing things for others I have a vastly greater finishing record. I think this trade will work well for both. Something to consider when you and a friend re-organize your crafting area, or re-assessing your stash!
