Karen
- Nov 7, 2021
- 3 min read

Tidying Up 2021

Updated: Nov 19, 2021

It’s that time of year where I sit down with my bullet journal and Instagram feed to review what I have accomplished this year and what I still need to complete. I always feel a strong need to put the current year to rest and to start the next one with fresh ideas and plans.

This year, I finished my oldest #UFO, The Fourth of July Quilt. Not only do I love it on my bed, but every time I see it, I breathe a huge sigh of relief that it’s finally done.

For me, UFOs represent old decisions. I made choices in colours, fabrics and designs based on where I was at that moment in time, emotionally, mentally and financially. There are ones where I reached too far and ones where I played it safe. And ones where I just shake my head “What was I thinking”.

With #UFOvember, I want to re-examine my WIP’s now to be sure that they haven’t stalled. And those that I am falling out of love with, I'd rather deal with them now, rejig the pattern if necessary, and find them a new home so they no longer occupy space in my sewing room and in my mind.

I am pleased to say that I am no longer carrying over any UFOs from 2020. But I still have 5 from previous years (...at least it was 5 last week😂). This week I discovered a 20-year-old Halloween quilt that I had totally forgotten about. Turns out my spookiest quilt is also my oldest.

It’s time to resume the next project on my UFO list - my #100days100blocks QAL from 2018. That year, I made the blocks from The City Sampler by Tula Pink (Affiliate Link). And I need to get honest with myself on what is blocking my progress. I had intentions of using it for a quilt coat. I had wanted to use fabric from my stash. But no matter how I play with it, I am not coming up with a coat that I actually want to wear. So I need to think hard about what I am going to do about it. I could:

Buy more fabric in the colour I want
Alter the layout
Make a vest
Make a quilt
Give the blocks away

I had a long chat with myself and decided on Option #1. Get the right colour for the sashing and move forward. Earlier in the year, the colour I wanted was out of stock so I was trying to make due but I see now it’s back again. So I’m placing my order today.

It's important to remind yourself that quilting is a marathon, not a sprint. With the holidays coming up, I will be kind to myself. If I end up not having time to finish it before the end of the year, so be it. Between gift making and planning, you never know what surprises are going to come up.

Last year it took me well into February to finish most of the previous year's projects. Because there is only so much time.