I usually find the summer difficult when it comes to completing projects, but for some reason the UFO bug held on well into Fall and Winter this past year. I got a bit of a dose of motivation when I completed the little hexagon quilt from this past week's Once Flower Wednesday post, and since then it's been nice to flip through old magazines, organize some UFOs, and get a game-plan together for what I will work on next.
I've decided that this year will be "Finish-It-First" year. This means I have to finish stuff that's been sitting around before I can start stuff. I have quite a number of UFOs which means it'll likely be quite the undertaking. I will heartily admit that I am more exhilarated with the starting of a project than I am with the follow-through and finishing. Quilting and binding are usually the hold-up. This is great for getting all my ideas into action, but not so great with the storing of UFOs that this disorder causes.
The first quilt I would like to organize and finish up is one I started some time ago (like maybe 2 years now), and am still absolutely in love with, but it's HUGE (99" square) and thus difficult to complete. The pattern is Harriet's Legacy, a free one from Windham Fabrics. I have it at least 1/3 cut, but it's been so long I will have to figure out what pieces go where and for which blocks they are needed.
The only trouble I found with this pattern is the method the author used for cutting and piecing. There is a lot more piecing than there needs to be, and there are much shorter methods for every block. The quilt still pieces together just fine by following what is laid out in the pattern, however I am a fabric and time saver which means I ended up doing the math and re-writing the whole pattern with different cutting and piecing details. So shoot me, I'm picky about piecing! *grin*
It shouldn't take TOO long to get the blocks together if I stick with it. I am going to work on it and try "leaders and enders" with a second project to keep me from getting bored. I designed a pattern to use this fun bicycle fabric and I think something springy will be a nice mix with the deep, rich colours of Harriet. The big polka-dot flower fabric is 60" wide, 100% heavy cotton for the backing. Love it! And yes, the whole thing is way out of my regular fabric choice box!
Over in the right margin, I have a short list (in no particular order) of the projects that I would most like to get finished in the first half of 2012. All of them are quite large, so wish me luck and a full bobbin starting with Harriet!
Heather
PS: Don't forget to come back on February 1st to see what's being tossed in the free-for-you pot for my giveaway!
PS: Don't forget to come back on February 1st to see what's being tossed in the free-for-you pot for my giveaway!
5 comments:
I just love the bicycle fabric and the color group you are using with it. It's way out of my usual too but is tempting! Good luck with your project list!
Oh my, but you and I are on the same page! I have created a priority spreadsheet of my UFOs, 18 of them. I gave away at least a half dozen, if you count the counted cross-stitch projects I will never finish. I've been purging quilting books and craft items too, and am really paring down. I started a Leaders and Enders too! And I have that darling bicycle fabric, in pink. Love your orange! It's great to know someone else is doing as I have been. Thanks for sharing your goals.
I love your orange and red fabrics Heather. Good luck in your 'Finish-It-First' goals.
The Harriets' Legacy quilt is a great design, I love the fabrics you are using for it! Good for you to go out on a limb and try using fabric right out of your usual choice, I like to do that sometimes too, and the results usually exceed your expectations!
Love the hexie!!!!
Thanks for the warning on the less-than-ideal instructions for the Harriet's Legacy quilt. I have that pattern saved and hope to start on it one of these days.
Gorgeous fabrics in every single photo.
I'm trying to get rid of my hidden guilt and get rid of my UFOs too. How refreshing to have an empty bag or an empty box to go with a finished quilt.
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