How to Finish Your Needlepoint Projects: Stop Stashing, Start Stitching

Our best tips to overcome WIP burnout, reduce stash guilt, and fall back in love with your stitching.

We've all been there: You were excited. You picked your favorite design, gathered your supplies, and made a cup of tea. The first stitches felt so satisfying...the kind of slow, mindful joy only needlepoint can bring. But somewhere along the way…you stopped. Maybe life got busy. Maybe you lost motivation. Maybe it's easier and more addictive to grab your phone and start scrolling...

If you’ve got a needlepoint project languishing in a drawer or staring at you from a WIP basket, you’re not alone. It happens to all of us!

The good news? There’s no guilt needed, and plenty of simple ways to reignite your stitching spark. This blog post is your gentle guide to getting back into the rhythm (and falling in love with your project all over again).

Why Do We Start and Then Stop?

Needlepoint is super exciting! Starting a new piece feels like a creative rush. But after a while, the sparkle can fade. You hit a tricky part, or life gets busy, or a shiny new kit catches your eye.

What starts as inspiration can quickly become overwhelm when unfinished projects pile up.

And let’s be real: stash guilt is real. Seeing those untouched canvases can make you feel like you’ve failed, but you haven’t...you’re just human :)

Let’s work together on getting that spark back!!

Reframe the Goal: Done is Better Than Perfect

Instead of focusing on perfection, try this mindset shift:

“I’m going to bring this to life, even if imperfectly, and that’s more than enough.”

Finishing a piece (even if it has little mistakes) brings a sense of closure and accomplishment. This will make you feel more confident and motivated to tackle future projects!

Choose One Project to Commit To

Look at your WIPs and ask:

• Which one excites me most right now?

• Which one is closest to being finished?

• Which one would I really love to finish and display, gift, or use?

Pick just one and store the rest out of sight to give your brain more clarity. One project = fewer decision fatigue = more progress!

Reconnect With Why You Chose the Design

Go back to the start:
Why did you choose this piece? What did it mean to you?

Maybe it reminded you of someone. Maybe the colors made you happy. Maybe it was your first step into modern needlepoint. That connection is still there: you just need to pause and remember it.

Set Realistic Stitching Goals

Break your chosen WIP into smaller chunks:

• Stitch one section, shape, or color per session

• Commit to 10–15 minutes a day (instead of a full evening)

• Schedule a “stitch & tea/coffee” moment every weekend

These tiny wins add up very quickly. Before you know it, you’ll be holding a finished piece in your hands :)

Make the Process Fun Again

One reason WIPs stall is that we start associating them with pressure or boredom. Let’s flip that.

Try:

• Listening to a stitching-only playlist or podcast (we've recently made this playlist, perfect for a couple of hours of joyful stitching!)
  

• Pair your needlepoint sessions with pleasurable activities like hanging out with friends or watching your favorite tv show.
  
  

• Treating yourself to a new tool that makes stitching smoother or that you've been needing to update (like new, sharper scissors, a project bag or needle minder)

Make the process enjoyable again.

Change Your Environment

Sometimes a simple change of scene can make a big difference.
Try stitching:

• In a sunny spot near a window

• Outside in the park or on a balcony

• At a café with your journal and a tote of supplies

• On a blanket at the beach or while traveling

New environments = new energy. You don’t have to stay stuck in your usual corner!

Share the Journey (Not Just the Finish Line)

Post your work-in-progress online or with a stitching group. When you share your progress, people cheer you on and that encouragement is powerful.

Tag us on Instagram @unwind.studio or send us an email with your WIP (or questions, if you have any). We love seeing your creations :)

Bonus: Use Small Projects as Palette Cleansers

Quick finishes like bookmarks, key fobs, or coasters can help you feel creatively refreshed without abandoning your main WIP. These aren’t distractions, they’re just little confidence boosters that will improve your motivation and confidence to tackle your bigger projects.

• Explore our smaller kits here

Moral of the Story: You're not failing, this is part of creating!

There’s no rulebook for how many kits you can own or how long a project should take. But if your stash is making you feel anxious instead of inspired, it’s time to reconnect with why you started stitching in the first place.

Needlepoint is here to help you slow down, create beauty, and breathe, NOT to bring you more stress!! 

We hope this inspires you to go pick up your current WIP (yes, right now! go ahead!). Happy Stitching!