UFO Busters’ Thursday!
July 9th, 2009 by Sue HeckerReport time! How did you do this week?
I completed 7 more blocks for Judy L’s Shine On Bayou Cane quilt = 16 blocks completed, 40 to go. I need 56 blocks to make it a bed-sized quilt, which is divisible by 8, so my goal is to complete 8 of these a week. That computes out to 5 more weeks of Bayou Cane blocks. Not so bad, huh?

I bravely added my short list of UFOs to my UFO menu tab at the top of my site. There is a UFO tab, and I have my first 10 (we won’t discuss how many more to go after that) that I will be working on.
When we start on a quilt, it’s so exciting to choose the pattern, the colors, and the anticipation to see how it’s all going to go together. Nobody starts a quilt with the idea that they are going to lose interest in it and relegate shelf space somewhere for perpetual storage of an uncompleted item.
Somewhere these quilts got lost. As I pulled them out for their photo-op (don’t have the pictures all added yet, so check back on the UFO tab in the future), I could remember why each one ended up in the closet.
- One-Block Wonder. Hated it (not the pattern, but my fabric choice). Solution: I’m going to rework the blocks into a smaller configuration, doing a lot of editing out of blocks. I’ll be happy with a small baby quilt.
- Checkered Table Topper. Wasn’t able to get matching black fabric for the binding. Solution: Put ANY black binding on. Really, what a no-brainer.
- Roses Wall Hanging. (This UFO is so old, the lady who helped me pick out the fabrics has worked at two other shops since then. Jenny, do you read me?) Couldn’t decide how to quilt it. Solution: I’m going to try my hand at handquilting it. It’s a nice small size for a non-handquilter like me.
- Lucky Stars. This quilt was made from fabric purchased on an Alaskan cruise some years back. I made this for my DH’s next “zero” birthday, which was a very long time away when I made this. It’s now next month. Solution: Quilt the darn thing already!
- Shine On Bayou Cane. I think I got overwhelmed by making two quilts at the same time (60 blocks), then I broke my wrist, into the closet it went. Solution: Good News! DS#3 likes it, and I’m going to make one big quilt instead of two smaller ones.
- Posies & Pinwheels: Has some *shudder* applique’. Been working at it off and on, mostly off. Solution: Keep working at those little leaves. I’m going to hit it hard the next two weeks! I love applique’, I love applique’, I love applique. . .
- Posh Charm Pack quilt. I made this one for fun, for no particular person. Translates to no deadline, no urgency, into the closet. Solution: It’s now for Marilyn. A real person. Just needs quilting & binding.
I found it was helpful to travel in the way-back machine and try to remember why a UFO got stalled out to begin with. That is helpful in finding a solution and getting that project back on track. Now, to keep it on track!!! Don’t put it all the away out of sight. Give yourself some homework each week on that project, and DO IT!!!
Good luck, and please share your progress, either by way of a comment or photos (or both) — you can post photos on our Flickr site. Hang in there!
–Sue
(ooops! a couple of times lately I’ve forgotten to click “allow comments” when preparing my posts! Sorry. Too much hurry up!)


