With the new year I filled out a new American Patchwork and Quilting UFO challenge form on January 1st. I have participated in the past, but I skipped 2019. I have way more than 12 WIPs, so I filled in 12 of them and then looked to see what had been chosen for January. It was #2. My most dreaded and probably oldest WIP. I don't even want to look to see when I started it. *checking* This is a true OMG (the other kind)... over 4 years ago.
I never should have quilted this twin sized quilt on my own. My machine has a 7" throat. Current me really wishes that past me would have let go of the control and shelled out the money to have it longarmed for my five year old son. Now, I'm not sure my 9 1/2 year old son even wants it (but at least it's just blue on the back). For the record, the kid has other quilts and commandeers lap/throw quilts for use on his bed. But he's never had a bed quilt that I made for him. And also, his younger sister does have one, because he made it for her (and we sent it to a longarm quilter -- thanks Tami!). So, this project is full of shame, and regret, and dread. But it's also the one on the list that I need the biggest kick in the pants to get done, so in that sense I'm thankful that it is the January project. His half birthday is mid-month. But I may need the whole month to finish it. Wish me luck!
I'm free motion quilting square spirals with circular spirals in the center it's very organic. It's underway, but without getting the project out I'd say it might be 20% quilted. Maybe less.
I'm choosing this project as my One Monthly Goal and linking up with Patty at Elm Street Quilts.
Sherry V.
It will be good to have this long standing project behind you.
I had a quilt that I was making for a co-worker and it took me f.o.r.e.v.e.r. In fact, it took so long that the co-worker was not even a co-worker any longer! As I was pushing myself to get it done (and not getting much else done because of my guilt of not getting that one done) she sent a note that I did not have to worry about getting it to her.
I felt bad, but since it was meant as a gift I decided that I would donate it. Pushed through, finished it, sent it off. . . . and suddenly the skies opened and my mojo came rushing back. I started working on other projects and have been going at a pretty steady pace since then.
I look forward to seeing the final result at the end of the month.
sarah
Post authorThank you, Sherry! I know it will be a huge relief to finish it. The last project of this caliber was a quilt I made for my brother that I finished fourteen years after I started it. I named it Finally. I'm glad you were able to get your project out the door and happily move on to other projects.
Lorinda Davis
I'm doing the challenge this year through my local shop. I hadn't seen what number had been picked yet... mine is a quilt for my nephew that has been lingering. I'm glad you got the one you were dreading early on... imagine if it had lingered til the end of the year! You're going to be so glad to have it done.
sarah
Post authorYes! It's a good thing that I'm being encouraged to make early progress on this one. I was pleased to find it was a bit more quilted than I though (maybe a third) and when I started I was reminded that I hadn't worked on this project with my new, hopping FMQ foot, so that is an improvement. Of course, then I had tension issues and thread breaks, so it's been a bit up and down this morning.
Lisa
I just finished a quilt that i started in 2013 so you aren't doing so bad with this one, although I see in the comments above you had one go on for 14 years. I'm glad you are working on it and will be able to let it go.
sarah
Post authorI think many of us have these projects. I admire the quilters who only work on one project at a time. (I just don't know how they do it!) Thanks for visiting, Lisa.
Kathleen McCormick
Lessons like this, I always feel like I could do without. I hope it goes quickly for you, considering all you have learned since you first started it. I am glad he is not quiltless waiting for this, and he will love it! I had one that took almost that amount of time, I wasn't so productive when my son was young and I was doing things all by hand. Glad we are all over that need! Put on your favorite sewing music and tame that quilt!
sarah
Post authorThe game changer is that I have a different foot for free motion quilting. I'm making good progress and not even super sore from pushing the quilt around. ;-) Thanks for visiting, Kathleen.
Karin
Good luck, Sarah! I remember seeing this one on your blog in the past. I've currently got a much newer UFO (started November 2018) out that I want to finish up before the month is over. It's about halfway quilted so I just told myself I can't take the free-motion foot off until I get it all the way done. I see a quilting marathon in my future once the kids finally go back to school Monday because I always have a million ideas floating around in my head once I'm forced to work on one thing.
sarah
Post authorThank you, Karin. Oh yeah... it's been on the list many, many times. That's a great idea about the free-motion foot. I took mine off for a change of pace to do some piecing (and I want to make a quilt for this week's Project QUILTING challenge), but it goes back on for this project on Sunday. I hope quilting is going swiftly and smoothly for you today!
Anja @ Anja Quilts
You can do it!! I love the quilting. Good luck.
sarah
Post authorProgress is being made. This is the first time I've worked on it that I feel optimistic about finishing it. Having fewer sewing commitments helps, as does my new-ish FMQ foot. Thanks for visiting, Anja.
Pamela Boatright
You can do this! And just think how great it will feel when it is finished! I'm embarrassed at how many projects I have that are at least 4 years old...I really need to work on my procrastination issues :)
sarah
Post authorIt's so hard when there are so many ideas, so many color combinations, and so many beautiful fabrics. I've gotten better about clearing out WIPs to friends and philanthropy that I've fallen out of love with, but there are still many. Thanks for the encouragement, Pamela. I'm happy to report things are going well.
Vera
Good luck! You'll feel great once completed ;)
sarah
Post authorYes, I will! Thanks for the encouragement, Vera.
Patty
Thanks for linking up with Elm Street Quilts One Monthly Goal and good luck with your project.
sarah
Post authorThank you for hosting, Patty. I'm glad to have already made some progress on it this month :-)
Michelle @ From Bolt to Beauty
Ha! This post gets to the heart of how most of us feel about a WIP or two we have on hand (or hidden in the back of our closet!). Good luck on tackling this "most dreaded" project.
sarah
Post authorSo true... I'm sure I'm in very good company with the dreaded project part. Thanks for visiting, Michelle.
Kate
It's hard to finish those quilts that didn't work out well to start and were for one of kiddos, but now they've maybe aged out of the theme. I had a go with a Little Mermaid quilt along those lines. Good luck with your OMG.
sarah
Post authorDarn character projects. At least I had the sense to make the back of the quilt blue (a blender from the VHC line) so it can be enjoyed upside down. Thanks for visiting, Kate.
Andrée G Faubert
Hi Sarah, good luck with FMQ your son's quilt. If you want, please consider linking up to Free Motion Mavericks. Muv and I take turn hosting. The more fun the merrier. And I just saw your Show Me Something (purple). That's a great linking party and will participate when ever I can :-)
sarah
Post authorThank you for visiting, Andrée. I'll check out the linkup! I'm excited for mine and looking forward to my upcoming themes as well. :-)
Elvira
Good luck Sarah! I am sure it's going to be a pretty quilt. Can't wait to see the final result.
sarah
Post authorThank you, Elvira. I made some good progress the first couple days of the month. I need to get back to it!