Report 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!)
The Roses Wall Hanging is lovely. I know you can do it (hand quilting, that is).
Aunt Bert
That’s going to be so pretty!
(This comment came from Eileen H. She’s one of our dearest “Winter Texas Friends”, although she’s from Illinois! I mistakenly didn’t have this post open to comments yet, and so she posted a comment a previous day’s post. I always love hearing from Eileen, so I copied her comment here. Thanks, Eileen!)
“I love reading your blogs. I even checked back 3 times today to see if you had the picture in yet. I’m glad to see you will be very versed on applique, the holly goose chase quilt that I want to do has quite a bit of that. I don’t want to get the material till I get back to Rockport and also have your expert HELP. Just can’t wait for January. Hope to do something small for our 50th down there. There are three of us that will be having our 50th next year. We have our plans made and will finalize them and put the finishing touches when we return home next spring. Take Care and HI! to Jim. Eileen”
I love this quilt. I went to Judy’s blog but did not see this pattern in her free or purchase patterns. Is it an older pattern??
on that ‘one block wonder’ quilt…
if you separate those blocks and square them up by putting 4 black triangles on them and then sash them in black with colorful cornerstones, you might be surprized at how nice they look.
they remind me of glass paperweights.
good luck with all the UFO’s.
Like that Roses wall hanging and the hand quilting would give you something to do in front of the TV. I hand quilted two baby quilts for my granddaughters and it wasn’t too bad except for the sore fingers! I’m curious what you used for the backing for the bears quilt? As for my own UFO’s- well the sewing room is put together except for setting up the machine but since I have to sew the binding on the king size quilt, I have to set up in the dining room temporarily so I’m hoping to get that on this weekend. I hope to do some applique myself one of these days but I have to learn to hide my stitches- never quite figured that out yet.
Why do my projects become UFO’s?? Hmm–I get them into rows, then hate to handle the big project. Or, I get them sewn together, and hate to deal with borders. I am getting better, but still enjoy the cutting and assembling of blocks.