Thursday, January 11, 2018

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.

15 comments:

Libby in TN said...

You can do it; yes, you can!

Shelina (formerly known as Shasta) said...

Good luck with your goals. You can do it!

Alison V. said...

These are great goals! I'll be joining you in trying to get my Meadow top done before February 15th.

Sandra Walker said...

Well, as long as you don't chase any squirrels, LOL, I think this is do-able, considering you are working full-time too!

Katie Z. said...

Geek Chic looks awesome! Good luck with your quarterly goals; they look absolutely doable.

QUILTING IS BLISSFUL, DI said...

Four very pretty quilts on that finish list--and it seems most are in near finishes--so I am sure you will be able to this--(provided we don't start too many new projects!!)
enjoy, di

MissPat said...

Love the colors in your En Provence. Mine is at the flimsy stage, but I'm not particularly motivated to finish it. Good luck with your 1st quarter goals.
Pat

Tu-Na Quilts said...

Good luck on meeting your goals! I know you'll put your best effort forth. Those Vintage dresses have always been one of my favorite projects of yours to follow so it will be fun to see it more forward. Geek Chic is looking awesome. I can't wait to see more. I count any quilt/project a UFO if I haven't touched it in a couple of weeks. WIPs are those I am regularly working on. Just my definition of them.

Alycia~Quiltygirl said...

Great quilts!! Under Construction is on my Bucket list!! I love it and the way you have done it!!

Kate @ Smiles From Kate said...

Good Luck with your goals for this quarter Kate. En Provence is looking wonderful but vintage dresses has me swooning, it is stunning. In fact I love it so much I have decided to get to grips with my nemesis, paper piecing this year in the hopes that I can be good enough to attempt them. Would you believe I already have three books on paper piecing I have never used?

Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow said...

Good luck with these and they are all beautiful.

Jennifer said...

I bet you can do it! Love how Geek Chic is looking too :)

Daffycat said...

I bet you can do this! I like all of these but Vintage Dresses is my favorite! Too cute!

Sandy Panagos said...

Of course you can do as well this year. You've told the world about it so you must! It helps that you have such great projects to work on.

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