Sewing and the (dreaded) UFO

Loyal readers, you know we don't talk about UFO's here on MPB very often.  (I'm an accentuate the positive type of guy.)   And I have only two "unfinished objects" to my name, sort of.

First, my cranberry corduroy jacket (ugh):



Second,  a black polyester crepe skirt for my mother (belch):



How about Michael's suit, you ask?  I think to qualify as a UFO you have to have cut into the fabric, don't you?

What happens to me -- and it doesn't happen often -- is that I either run out of steam, run out of interest, or both.

Friends, I fear my rose-print dress is veering toward UFO status, though I am trying -- trying -- not to let that happen.  But I'm experiencing strong resistance and the headwinds are formidable.



The first challenge is that I have to make a crinoline for it -- that's spooking me, though I have all the materials already: the tulle, the net, the ribbon, the lace, polyester fabric for the top, elastic for a waistband.  I even have a pattern.

The second issue is that I'm still not sure what color I want the bodice to be.  I blame you for that, and myself for asking your opinions.  Who knew you'd be so persuasive -- and so polarized?

Next, I've fallen out of love with the pattern (particularly the raglan-sleeved bodice) -- and the fabric.  I think it's all too girlish for Cathy.  I fear she'll end up looking like Miss Yvonne.

Finally, the so-called Comeback event came and went -- and in an old dress with some new accessories, go figure.  Now it's over and the momentum has vanished.

I do want to finish this project, and it doesn't even have to be that big a deal.  I could probably finish it in a day or two and I don't have to make the crinoline; I can purchase one.  I mean, I don't knit Cathy's pantyhose!

I'm a big believer in going where my energy is (following my bliss, as it were).   I hate the feeling of pushing uphill and it always works out better in the end to work on what I enjoy.

So yesterday I poked my head into the fabric store and I left with five yards of this:





 

It's some sort of poly sateen (?)  with a bold peony pattern.  It's lustrous and dramatic and the wrong side is arguably better than the right side:



At $2/yd., why not?  So I thought of revisiting this pattern from a while back, a formal cocktail dress with matching jacket.



I'd tried making this a year ago with the poly brocade-from-hell.  It was a nightmare to work with and I threw the whole thing out.



Like it or not, this project sounds more gratifying to me than that rose-print dress right now.

Of course, this would mean another UFO to my name.  Eek.

Friends, I ask you: what is your policy regarding UFO's?  Do you have a lot of them?  Where do you keep them?  Do they depress you to even think about?

Do you ever re-visit them at a later date and complete them?

If I do assign UFO status to the rose-print Comeback dress, should I schedule a re-visit now (in two weeks, say?) or just stick it in a box and forget about it?

Guidance, please!  (Motivational mantras especially appreciated.)