Submitted by Liz M.
There are many terms for projects that are partially completed: Works in Progress (WIPs), Unfinished Objects (UFO), Projects in Grocery Bags (PIGs) and others. If you have been quilting for awhile, you may have accumulated a group of projects or patterns that need some work to finish them up.
I have been quilting for over 40 years (wow!) and have quite a collection. Most of my WIPs are completed tops that simply need to be layered and quilted. They have not been finished for a few reasons: my piecing skills surpass my quilting skills, I enjoy piecing and starting new projects! I also have a number of projects with many blocks completed but not assembled. I see new blocks or techniques and head off in their direction.
Recently, I was cleaning my sewing space and unearthed some of my WIPs. I counted 8 quilt tops ready for layering/quilting, one partially finished top and several groups of blocks. These are in addition to patterns and fabric in the “to do” stack. Hmmmm-time to make a plan.
The blogosphere has multiple ideas to work on our project stash. They include One Monthly Goal (OMG), One Weekly Goal (OWG), Finish It Up Friday, UFO Busting and One Thing Challenge. I considered each of these and decided I would start small with the One Thing Challenge hosted by Amy Ellis: https://www.amyscreativeside.com/2019/05/06/one-thing-challenge/ Her suggestion is to make a commitment to doing one thing a week, even if it is only 10 minutes of something.
I dug out the hexagon quilt I have been working on for years and realized I had less than a quarter of the top to finish. In the past two months, I have worked on it each week and I finished hand piecing the hexagons this week! The next step is to find a border fabric and then appliqué the hexagons down. The final decision will be how to quilt it! My goal is to finish this quilt in 2020 which should be doable if I stick to the once a week commitment.
How many WIPs do you have? How do you organize your WIPs? Do you have a system for working on your WIPs? What suggestions do you have for other quilters? Please leave your ideas in the comments below!
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Yikes! I found more WIPs! My daughter was over to “shop my stash” and get some help with baby quilts for a friend who is having twins. We found a completed top and a stack of “plus” blocks that would work well for complementary sibling quilts. She will make them her own by doing the quilting on both and assemble the blocks into a top. Just another way to finish up a WIP or two…
I am easily overwhelmed by all my projects. The One Thing Challenge might help me tame the beast.
One a month challenge has been my goal for 2019. I missed one month, but so far, I am on track. That also speaks to how many unfinished projects I have. In this process I have taken a keen eye to my list and I have abandoned a few. Like Dianne, I LOVE the excitement of starting a quilt! Nothing like the creativity it sparks and the fun of trying a new tool or technique!
Fridays I try to put in some time quilting, half hour to as much as I can get a way with without disturbing family. Quilts for weddings and babies have a very short window and they add to getting the project completed. Momentum!
May I give a shout out for retreats?! If you can get a way, a quilting retreat, stay focused and you can get a lot of work completed! The space is clear when you arrive. What a time saver! You can jump from project to project and there is always someone who knows more than you and can help you out of your worst jam! You can sew as long as you can, meals are prepared and the dishes cleaned for you!
MPS Spring retreat is April 17-19, 2020 at Alton Collins.
I have a dedicated room for my quilting and it is always a mess! This last project is a Instagram #SummerSampler2019, just three blocks to go then to design the top. By golly, I am going to get this top completed before year end!
Then I have a bunch of projects with all the parts required, fabric, pattern, tools and just waiting for me to pick that project…..
How apropos! Thank you for your inspiring words. I am doing a deep clean/ de-clutter and re-organization of my sewing / craft room ….finding all kinds of things I forgot about , making a guild donation bag(s) of kits and “what was I thinking” fabric and while I’m tidying coming up with ideas for finishing , finding backing, lessening the stress of too much……I can focus on what I really want to complete and really love…I even found some small quilts for hand quilting….
I am reminded that Robin O’Neil sandwiches two quilts back to front. Then she has a new quilt showing by simply turning a quilt over. That way, two quilts will be finished with one “sandwich”. I am doing that currently with a vintage quilt of butterflies that I rescued. I then used other left over vintage blocks on the “back” for a whole new quilt.
Wow! I love the One Thing Challenge! I’m going to give that a try.
I, too, have many completed quilt tops. I went through a period of profound grief and piecing through the sleepless nights was my lifeline. Now it’s time to “sandwich” them and quilt them.
Thanks for the inspiration!
-Nancy K.