2018 Finish Along - First Quarter Projects

This year has been dubbed the year of the UFO in my sewing room.  There are 18 quilting projects on my list that were started more than a year ago.  My goal for 2018 is to get the number of UFOs below 10.  So that means at least 9 finishes for 2018.  The most I've ever managed to finish is 7 quilts in one year, so completing 9 is definitely a stretch goal.  I'm using every source of motivation available to help keep me on track.  That includes participating in the 2018 Finish Along.  

It's time to select the projects for the first quarter of the challenge.  For this quarter I'm going to stick pretty close to the quilt plan I drew up at the end of December.  

Project 1:  Geek Chic (Chemistry Geek)

Chemistry Geek
Pattern is Under Construction by the Missouri Star Quilt Company
found in Missouri Star Quilt Company Block Idea Book (Summer Vol 4 Issue 3)
Started: September 5, 2017

Chemistry Geek was one of those squirrel moments.  I used to work with the lady who owns the local quilt shop and she knew that I'd love this chemistry themed fabric.  The Scientist in Training is studying chemistry and the fabric couldn't be more perfect.  This was supposed to get done for either Christmas or her birthday, but that didn't happen.  I'm hoping to get it finished in the next few weeks so she can have it for most of this semester.  This one isn't technically a UFO, but getting it finished will keep it off the list. 

Project 2.  Magnolia Mystery Quilt

Magnolia Mystery by Cheryl Brickey of
Meadow Mist Designs

This is the fourth mystery quilt from Cheryl Brickey who blogs over at Meadow Mist Designs.  I've participated in all but her first mystery.  This is another project that isn't technically a UFO on my list because it's not more than a year old. Getting it finished keeps it off the list.  Cheryl is having a parade of Magnolia quilts in March 2018 from last year's mystery, so this has to be at least a finished flimsy by February 15th.  

Project 3:  Vintage Dresses

 Vintage Dresses blocks by Charise Randell, Setting by Kate

Vintage Dresses was my 2016 Rainbow Scrap Challenge project.  My first effort to work with a complicated paper piecing project.  In 2017 the focus was on getting coping strips adding to all the blocks so they were the same size.  This year I'm hoping to get the blocks into a flimsy and then finished before May.  This quilt is intended as a graduation present. 

Project 4.  En Provence

 En Provence, A Bonnie Hunter Mystery (2016)

The 2016 Bonnie Hunter mystery quilt made it all the way to finished flimsy stage just before the end of 2017.  It needs a backing before it can go out for quilting.  This project is listed as my April UFO, but I'd be happy to get it finished before then.  I really doubt that happens, but I'll be hopeful and include it on the first quarter list. 

That's my list for the first quarter of 2018.  I did really well the with the challenge the first three quarters of 2017, finishing 3 quilts a quarter till the last one.  Can I do as well this year?  I hope so.  

Linking up with the 2018 Finish Along Q1 over at She Can Quilt.