2024 Quilting Ambitions

Making a plan on what the next year looks like in the sewing room dates back to almost as long as I've been making quilts. When I started, Grad Girl was just 4 and I was working more than full time (lots and lots of overtime), with an hour commute each way. With not a lot of stitching time, it was important to decide what my priorities were each year. Not that I stuck to them, but I at least made the attempt. So why should 2024 be any different.  I'm going to make another list of ambitions and share them over at Quilting Jetgirl's 2024 Planning Party.  

I tend to be more accountable if I share my plans on the blog.  Here is this year's list.  

1. Make quilts.  The plan is to finish a few, move others closer to finished and start a few.  The number of finished quilt is only one metric and it's one we put so much emphasis on.  Sometimes we forget that progress counts a lot too. I can't work on one quilt at a time, just doesn't work for me, but I think I found a mix of project types that work for me.  Here's the quilt plan for 2024:

There's a mix of quilts that just need backing and prep before they can be sent out for quilting, quilts that need have the blocks all made, but need to be assembled into quilt tops, projects that need the blocks to be finished and then a set of all new projects to keep some fun going in the process. My goal is move the bar closer to finished quilt for each project on the list. I'm hoping that approach will also lead to a few finishes this year.

2. Learn to quilt. This was on my list for 2023 and I wimped out.  It's just been hard to make myself want to start.  So I definitely need a  plan for this year.  One of my UFO's, Grandmother's Choice (yes this is the Barbara Brackman block of the week from 2012), is a good candidate for quilt as you go.  

I only made 5 blocks and to be honest, I'm not in love with it. Finishing 20ish blocks would produce a decent sized donation quilt. I probably won't finish it this year, but if I can get at least one of the already completed blocks quilted, I'll have met this goal. 

3. 15 Minutes To Stitch (Stitching Stuff). I first challenged my self to stitch just 15 minutes a day back in 2011.  I've had an associated linky party off and on over the last 12 years.  I considered if it was time to end this challenge. But decided that I still need the motivation to go sew, it's all too easy being retired to say I can do it tomorrow.  There is a new button for 2024. 

 My goal is to stitch for 15 minutes at least 75% of the days in 2024.  

4. Stash Organization: The plan to do something about my scrap bags and yardage in the fabric closet was on last year's list too.  In October I finally got serious about cutting, sorting and storing scraps and pressing fabrics that have been just sitting in piles around the sewing room. These are the scraps that still need to be processed. 

I completely forgot about the drawer in my filing cabinet that had scraps in it too when I was making my goals for last year. 

The fabric closet needs lots of work too. 

Hopefully I can keep up the momentum from this year into next year and make more progress on getting my stash into ready to use state. 

5.  Stretch Goal:  Pattern creation/editing?????  I've played with the idea of creating and submitting a quilt pattern to a magazine. I've also put some thought into doing pattern editing.  After years of working overtime and the associated stress, retirement has been so nice.  Am I ready to take on deadlines and the associated stress again?  That will be up for consideration this year.  No firm goal, just something to ponder and explore for 2024.  

That's my list of ambitions for 2024.  Nothing too extreme, continued progress is all I'm after.  Good luck with your ambitions for the new year.