Friday, September 26, 2008

UFOs: True confessions

I have VERY many UFOs. I used to teach patchwork and quilting as well as hosting a monthly quilt group. For both things, I needed to prepare samples of my ideas. You have to always stay a step ahead of everyone and this meant often letting those samples sit unfinished while I moved on to the next idea. As a result, I have hangers full of neglected quilt tops in various stages. I also let quilts I wanted to make for myself sit as I was too busy with other quilts.

When I was talking to Heidi over at
BetweenStitches a while ago, we discussed UFOs. We had decided we should confess what we have with the hopes of concentrating on really finishing them. 2008 has been a year of concentrating on finishing many stitching and quilting projects I have sitting around. So far, I am really happy with my progress. I put myself on a stash diet for this year and also a start diet. I did do a fun thing in between with my Quaker Boo hornbook but have been really good about not adding to the list with lots of new starts. I will show you a new start I am doing for stitching next week. That is my reward to myself for finishing Silent Sampler, but I am still putting off a new quilt idea I have until I finish at least one more UFO.

I listed the WIPs and UFOs on the side bar of my blog. Now I do confess that it is not a totally complete list. Why? The list is simply too big to list them all. And if you take a look, you will see that there are more than enough on this list as is. *grins* I am going to spend the last few months of 2008 concentrating on a select few of the UFOs. Here they are.....


Puss In The Corner quilt. This needs sandwiched and quilted. I am considering giving machine quilting a try again on this one but not sure yet.


Roses quilt (Turning Twenty) in baby rib, satin and silks. This quilt has too many thick and unusual fabrics so I have decided it is best to tie this one. This is going to be my first project to turn to now. I will be sandwiching it today so I can get started. It is already laying on my ironing board ready for some love and attention...


Zoe's quilt is in the process of being hand quilted. For some reason, I keep getting bored with the quilting process and stopping. Only two more blocks to go and I can start the borders.


Bethlehem Star quilt which I would really love to have finished in time for the upcoming holidays. I even pieced the backing on this quilt. I think I am going to use gold metallic quilting thread for this one. One advantage to this is to see the thread well, you have to use large quilting stitches making it go a bit faster.

I sincerely hope that by the end of December I will be happily telling you that I have finished all four of these quilts. Perhaps you can prod me along every now and then?

16 comments:

Terri said...

Heidi! You are a quilting addict! LOL They each look more beautiful then the next, so I can see how tat could easily happen.

mainely stitching said...

Your quilting projects are gorgeous!

Elizabethd said...

Heidi, I admire your fortitude! Having four unfinished quilts is amazing, I cant even get on with one at the moment. But I do have lots of UFO cross stiiching........

Saskia said...

WOW!
A quick look tells me you have 17 UFO's.....
And thats not all, you say?
I will remind you every month of those, every time you want to start something new.
Should we lock you inside the house and throw away the key?, Or just take away all your fabrics and books...
My very, very small list of UFO's is nothing compared to you, so I can use new fabrics and ideas LOL
Hugs Saskia

Christine said...

Go Heidi, Go Heidi!! Wow I can't believe you had all these little beauties hidden away. I hope you get them all done soon so they can be displayed in their full glory.

Anonymous said...

Hi Heidi, how courageous of you to mention all your UFO's ! Perhaps I should also make such a list on my blog, but I am a bit affraid it will be a very long list ;-) The quilts you want to finish this year look great!

Ginny said...

Heidi, as always, your quilts are lovely. I can't wait to see them all quilted and edges bound!

Pondside said...

They say that 'confession is good for the soul' - do you feel better for your confession of your UFOs? Have fun!

Sweet Cottage Dreams said...

WOWIE!!!! You sure DO have a lot of UFO's don't you! BUT, that is what creative minds do. They see something that they love with all their heart and soul and cannot live without buying the fabrics and pattern and starting in on making it. Then you see something else that awakens that sewing bug deep inside and before you know it - another project! You are an amazing artist, Heidi!!! Keep up the beautiful work and get busy now!! I am off to work on a tote bag now. Tootles...

Hugs from across the miles from my home to yours..

kisses for Dagi..

Becky, Socks and Doogie P.

Suzann said...

So many beautiful projects!!
I am definitely going to only focus on doing what I have and not adding to my stash in 2009.

Unknown said...

You know your not alone in this UFO category. Just keeping plugging along and before you know it you'll have them done. They are all beautiful by the way and when you look at them now there probably like having a brand new project done.

Hugs - Karen

Carolien said...

Hi Heidi, well I think you are a star in finishing quilts anyway, you already did a lot of finishes this year! O, I can't wait to see Zoe's quilt as a finish, to be honest. I am sure she will treasure this quilt all her life! It looked so special with those children motives. When I have finished Fleur's elephants and the sampler I want to make a little doll quilt for my cradle, that was a good idea. I will make something 'Christmassy' later (was my first goal).

Take care & hugs, Carolien

Tracy said...

Hi, Heidi! Thanks so much for visiting me and joining in on the giveaway fun! :o) Your quilting UFO's are fantastic! I applaud your efforts to make good on them and finish them--great example you are! For is there a crafter out there that doesn't have any UFO's?? I am especially loveing the Roses Quilt...I like the many fabric types and textures...Happy Stitching! ((HUGS))

Heleen said...

Thanks for al the projects you show us! It's ok. to have some UFO's.

Beatrice said...

Oh my those are all stunning.
You go girl!!! I see lots of finishes in the near future.

Solstitches said...

Well, you already have one of these crossed off the to do list and I'm sure you'll achieve your goal to finish the others.
All of them such lovely projects.
As always it is a pleasure to see your lobely work.