Quilty Ambition #1: Use a quilt plan
The last two years I've played along with the American Patchwork and Quilting's UFO Challenge on Facebook. You select 12 UFOs, they pick a number each month and you work on that UFO. I did that in 2018. And though I made progress on all the projects, I didn't do so well on finishing projects. So this year the plan was to focus on one project till it was finished, then move on to the next project. I've used the approach in the years where there's been a lot of sewing to deadlines (graduation quilts) and it seems to result in more finishes. Here's this year's project list.
Quilts #1, #2 and #3 are all finished. Quilt #4 just needs two border strips added before it's a finished flimsy. Looking back at 2018, only one quilt was finished by midyear. That would suggest that focusing on one quilt from the list till it's done works better, at least for me. So even though I've not finished six quilts in six months, I'm doing better than last year, so in my book that counts as on track for this ambition.
Quilty Ambition #2: Stitch 15 minutes every day
As of June 30th, I'd manage to fit in 15 minutes of stitching 157 out of 180 days for a success rate of 87.22%. My goal is 90%, so I'm a little off track on that goal.
Quilty Ambition #3: Sew from the stash
I didn't set any goals for fabric in or out this year. Out of the 9 years I've been tracking fabric usage there's only been two where I used more than I bought. The focus here is on using what's in the fabric closet on new projects. Wild and Goosey is this year's Rainbow Scrap Challenge project and it uses up lots of those small cut off triangles.
Storm at Sea uses a teal that's been in the stash forever.
As of June 30th, I'd manage to fit in 15 minutes of stitching 157 out of 180 days for a success rate of 87.22%. My goal is 90%, so I'm a little off track on that goal.
Quilty Ambition #3: Sew from the stash
I didn't set any goals for fabric in or out this year. Out of the 9 years I've been tracking fabric usage there's only been two where I used more than I bought. The focus here is on using what's in the fabric closet on new projects. Wild and Goosey is this year's Rainbow Scrap Challenge project and it uses up lots of those small cut off triangles.
Storm at Sea uses a teal that's been in the stash forever.
While Daisy Chain used up left overs from a couple of other projects.
I've added to the stash a bit this year, but not on the scale I have some years. As of the end of June, there's more in than out, but I'm close to break even there. With six months left in the year, as long as I continue to ignore all those fabric shop emails, there should be more going out than coming in. That would be a success.
Motivators
These are those blog based quilt programs the can provide some structure and accountability to fulfilling your ambitions if you choose them wisely and play along faithfully.
I talked about the America Patchwork and Quilting Facebook group that was the inspiration for my quilt plan. I'm also working on my quilting PhD with Quilting Gail.
Motivators
These are those blog based quilt programs the can provide some structure and accountability to fulfilling your ambitions if you choose them wisely and play along faithfully.
I talked about the America Patchwork and Quilting Facebook group that was the inspiration for my quilt plan. I'm also working on my quilting PhD with Quilting Gail.
I'm not doing so hot on that front. I've done a bit on the finishing UFO part, but you also have to finish all the quilts you start in a given year. I'm pretty sure Daisy Chain and Storm at Sea will get completed, but Wild N Goosey is going to be a longer term project. I'd say getting my quilty PHD in 2019 is probably a long shot.
Participating in the One Monthly Goal this year has been going well.
I've been more careful this year to match up my monthly goal with the time I've got available each month. Work has impacted my schedule more this year than last, so I have to be realistic about what is really achievable each month. Last year was a pretty crappy year on this front (5 out of 12 OMGs met) and it was demotivating. It feels much better to have met six out of the six goals so far this year.
The last motivator is the 15 Minutes to Stitch linky party that I host each Sunday.
For some reason it's always been a big motivator if I have to post progress on the blog. Knowing that I'll have to report out my progress on Sunday is sometimes the only thing that convinces me I really do need to get in those 15 minutes. There's been 26 posts so far in 2019 and they've all gone up on Sunday. Sometimes not as early as I would have liked, but they all got up. There are 9 to 10 bloggers that link up most every week. It's motivating when someone else is doing well and making progress. It's also comforting when someone has a not so successful week of finding time to stitch. We all have those weeks where life just gets in the way. It's good to remember for most of us quilting is a hobby and it's OK to have an off week or a week we just want to go do something else. So thank you to the 15 Minute to Stitch regulars, you really do make my week.
So the year hasn't been perfect, but it's shaping up to be a better than average year on the stitching front. That works for me.
Participating in the One Monthly Goal this year has been going well.
I've been more careful this year to match up my monthly goal with the time I've got available each month. Work has impacted my schedule more this year than last, so I have to be realistic about what is really achievable each month. Last year was a pretty crappy year on this front (5 out of 12 OMGs met) and it was demotivating. It feels much better to have met six out of the six goals so far this year.
The last motivator is the 15 Minutes to Stitch linky party that I host each Sunday.
For some reason it's always been a big motivator if I have to post progress on the blog. Knowing that I'll have to report out my progress on Sunday is sometimes the only thing that convinces me I really do need to get in those 15 minutes. There's been 26 posts so far in 2019 and they've all gone up on Sunday. Sometimes not as early as I would have liked, but they all got up. There are 9 to 10 bloggers that link up most every week. It's motivating when someone else is doing well and making progress. It's also comforting when someone has a not so successful week of finding time to stitch. We all have those weeks where life just gets in the way. It's good to remember for most of us quilting is a hobby and it's OK to have an off week or a week we just want to go do something else. So thank you to the 15 Minute to Stitch regulars, you really do make my week.
So the year hasn't been perfect, but it's shaping up to be a better than average year on the stitching front. That works for me.
9 comments:
You’ve been doing great with your goals. (Clapping.) I’m most impressed by your organizing, however. I’m pretty good at staying organized, but you’ve got me beat. Even your organizing is organized, while I’m over here working with a messy whiteboard and things that got half erased when I erased something nearby. I started that American Patchwork & Quilting UFO challenge this year and filled out all the forms, then promptly forgot all about it. I’ll have to find those again and see how I’m doing. OMG is my best bet for finishing things up though.
Also, I’ve been doing one thing with Amy (one little goal each week), and that has helped with short-term goals and focus.
Good job, Kate, on achieving at least three finishes. I like your plan to be realistic about your free time. I also work full-time so I know what you mean. One of my goals is to make progress on various projects and to finish what I start. The trouble is I tend to start too many to finish right away. Maybe I should work on that! Sandy at sewhigh.blogspot.com.
With the demands of your work, you do a LOT! When I was a full-time teacher, I did not sew during school time, except for the longer holidays. During the last 4-5 years of my career (which I cut short, ha, done at 52 not 55) I made a pact that I'd sew on one of the weekend days. So I admire your 87%! I agree that setting our goals publicly is a great motivator.
Thank you so much for posting your thinking and how you have adjusted your goal focus. You have been so motivating and helped me keep on track with the 15-minutes a day plan. Thanks!!! I love watching your quilts come together.
Those are some lofty goals! Best of luck working through them, Kate.
I know your 15 minute link up is what has helped me stay motivated. I hate missing a day! But it helps that I am counting my knitting and sewing, so there is always an opportunity to work with stitches!
I love how organized and focused you are! It is great inspiration! and 15 minutes a day is awesome - your percentage is great....
You've done great so far this year!! It's also great that you are figuring out what method works best for you. I really like reading your 15 minutes progress every week, but I realized mid-year last year that that method wasn't working for me. I had the same reaction that you did to the OMG last year--missing the mark was de-motivating. It's so interesting to find out what works for different people. Congrats to great progress in 2019! And I have to say, I'm happy every time I see a picture of Dresses pop up on my feed! So glad that project is next! :)
I think you’ve done really well this year, especially while managing a full time job and transporting your daughter back and forth to school. I enjoy watching your progress and really look forward to seeing the new starts turn into finished tops!
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