Tidying Up 2021
- Karen
- Nov 7, 2021
- 3 min read
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.
Take a moment and check out these other quilters participating in #UFOvember2021
Another option (for another time) is to use the blocks to make other gifts - bags, vests, cushion covers, etc. Any extra fabric can be part of the stash-busting exercise.
I have just about finished two stash-busting quilts (lap size), one with very small bits (idea from one of your videos) and another with strips of scraps and plain strips between. Then some bags for Xmas gifts - and there is STILL leftover fabric!
but fun times.
I just got my first big quilt top ( 88 appliqued and blanket stitched butterflies)sandwiched and basted, only to realize that under the florescent lighting at the local senior center, it is very obvious that the old sheet I used for background material had some stains that hadn't shown up at home when I was piecing the quilt. I tell myself the quilt is just for me, but it's still really a bummer and making it hard for me to get enthusiastic about all of the hand quilting ahead of me! Sob, sob!
I have started several projects to manage my scraps, thanks to your greatvideos. Some of them are almost completed, some are easily growing and I'm so happy that you gave me so many good ideas ! Thank you so much and "bon courage" to complete your challenges (I don't know how to say it in English ;-))
Anne from France tempusfugit.over-blog.com
P.S. : I love both your videos and your blog
what was the fabric you bought that was back in stock - just curious
I sweared I don't start any new projects until I finished all ufos. The decisions we made are just known by us, not by others. A quilt warms up a poor person or a friend - an unfinished is useless, and may it have the most beautiful design if we just would find the time, mood and the right fabric. Finished is better than perfect, according to Angela Walters. And she is right.