Good Morning, Quilters!
In the last lesson of my new Craftsy video: Creating a Quilting Plan, Approaches for Any Quilt, I offer a challenge to YOU and to myself.
The challenge is to finish one quilt before you start piecing another one.
That means you must choose one quilt and quilt it, bind it and label it…BEFORE you buy another pattern, begin piecing another quilt top or start another project!
Before you can even create a quilting plan, you must plan to quilt!
Choose one quilt–either choose a quilt that is really important to you OR choose a quilt that you are really excited about right now--one that is calling your name–(is it calling or begging?)
I am as guilty of this as anyone! Maybe even more so!
Today, I am making a pledge. I will complete my Boxes and Vines quilt that I started more than five years ago and added the last border one year ago. I will quilt it. Bind it. Label it. and Sleep under it–before I begin any other quilts
By saying that today I have over 10,000 Accountability Partners!
YOU will hold me to my promise.
I finished stabilizing the quilt last week and I will show you weekly updates.
What about YOU?
Would YOU like 10,000 Accountability Partners? If so, JOIN US!!! Take the pledge! (It won’t hurt, I promise!)
Make your declaration! Say it in BOLD LETTERS!
What quilt will YOU commit to completing today?
We’d LOVE to hear!!!
#fromfoldedtofinished
#nomoreUFOs
Lori
PS…If you are looking for a jumpstart, check out my new Craftsy mini class: Creating a Quilting Plan: Approaches for Any Quilt It is a real bargain at $9.99 and you can learn a lot in one hour! BE SURE to download the Class Materials: The Quilting Roadmap, The Design Worksheet, and the Quilt Evaluation!!!
78 comments
Janice King
I can do this. Love your quilts also.
barbgrandon
I will Complete my mystery quilt before starting to piece another quilt. Question: what did you mean by “stabilize your quilt”?
Beth Turner
I like this challenge. I finally got my garage cleaned up so now my goal is to uncover my machines in my sewing room. By Dec. 1st, I will complete the quilting on one of the several tops which are pieced and waiting for quilting.
Janet
I like this challenge.
I have a good number of quilts started which includes patterns and fabric gathered for quilts that I plan to make. I do have to print out a quilt label for a quilt that I finished quilting earlier this week. I am eager to piece the backing for another quilt so with this challenge I will have to get the label on the finished one first and then photo document the quilt. Photo documenting is always my last step of making a quilt.
I plan on sewing on black Friday afternoon, after I get home from work. It should be a good time to sew.
Gypsybaker
But, I don’t see anything in the pledge regarding buying more fabric…I love buying
fabric! I think I should have “Before you can even create a quilting plan, you must
plan to quilt” written on the inside of my arm! Parenthetically, before proofing this,
I just typed “quit” after “plan to”..ROTFL!!!
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Lol!! Let your conscience be your guide regarding fabric!
Linda Ahn
Yeah right! Good luck with that!
Granny Suzy
You never know Linda – she might make it! Let’s give her a little encouragement.
Go for it Susan!!
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Lolol!!!
Susan A
Thanks for the push…I’m joining since I have 15 quilts I’m working on simultaneously and not asking enough progress…. now on to finishing one before working on the next
quilter1522
My New Year’s Resolution for the past 3 years! Ha! I can never stick to it as new and exciting projects keep tempting me. I currently have 4 tops to quilt, including one from 2009 (sigh) and last year’s Bonnie Hunter Mystery – and the new one starts this week – yikes! Do I get credit for finishing all of my InBoxJaunt quilt-a-longs? Always enjoy your blog, Lori, and all your videos, tutorials, Craftsy classes, etc. Would you consider an open-line Friday on creative ways your readers hang/display their finished quilts? So sorry for the loss of your friend, Nancy Zieman. She was truly an inspiring leader in the world of sewing and quilting.
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Great idea!
Wendy Johnston
I have a quilt that is ready for binding, and I am piecing a quilt. I also have some completed quilts with no labels. I will finish my two quilts and put labels on completed quilts before I start a new quilt.
Kerry
Well all fired up with enthusiasm – and after a morning spent working in the garden with my husband – I raced upstairs and got that quilt backing out. Ironed it, spread it across my craft table, placed the quilt top over to see where it needed to start and finish – and the darned backing had been sliced too short – in spite of me going to the quilt shop, getting an extra wide backing so I didn’t need to piece it and even showing the lady the measurements (mine ended up a tad smaller than it was supposed to be!?) – and I guess she got muddled with yardage/metres and it is about 4 inches too short! However there is plenty in the width and I can cut at least 20 inches from that side and join to the bottom. Defeated the object though. That is not the first time she’s done that either – and I’ve had to go out to a different shop in a hurry. I’m thinking that’s the last time she does that. I’m hoping she’s charged me for what I have rather than what I wanted! So in a hissy fit I just stomped out and closed the door behind me. Or I would have done but my pirate flag got in the way – arrrrrr!
Lesson to be learnt – double check measurements first and don’t put it away for a year before Lori gives a challenge! 😉 xxx
I’m going upstairs now and I’m going to blooming well sandwich that quilt today if it’s the last thing I do!
helenmarie
I am trying to do just that right now. I have my nephew’s overdue wedding/anniversary quilt to finish piecing (half done) and Bonnie Hunter’s new mystery starts on black friday! Yikes! I’ve gathered the fabrics, but won’t be starting until my nephew’s quilt is done!
Barb
I have 5 quits & a wall hanging just WAITING to be quilted! Instead I started a quilt for my 10 year old granddaughter. I intended to quilt one day & sew the next. That’s not happening so I need this accountability pledge!!! I will quilt the drunkard’s path I made 3 years ago before finishing ANYTHING else!!! (I hope….)
Bella
Oh, I so wish I could take the challenge.
Sadly…
All my cut & ready to piece quilts (that I started in California) are in the POD and on their way to the storage facility.
There are 2 tops cut (and partially pieced) in Washington that I’ll finish piecing when I get there. The backing & binding for those are in storage too, so I can’t go any farther on them.
Where does that leave me?
I’m finishing the hand quilting on a baby quilt (please, somebody, please tell me I’m not the only one who is finishing a quilt they started 30 years ago) but I can only stitch by hand and hour or so before my hand says, “quittin’ time!”
Also, I have a question….
I sew during the day (on my days off) when everyone is at work and/or school. But once people are home, there’s piano practice and homework and all the things that would be disrupted by the sewing machine noise. Then the “early to bed set” is trying to sleep.
How do y’all keep from cutting out another quilt in insomniac times like that?
boe77Brit
No, you are not the only one to finish a quilt after three decades. I finished my 30 year old UFO tonight. We bought a quilt top at a family auction in 1988. I added batting and backing and started hand quilting, but never finished until now. I still have the label (a provenance label), but I need to do some research first to determine if it is a 1930s or 1940s quilt top.
Phyllis
That was my goal for a quilt made in 2013 and just put the label on it before Bonnie Hunter’s mystery quilt starts Nov. 24th. After this mystery is revealed will complete that quilt before moving on. Will now be concentrating on Christmas projects.
brendaintheboro
i bought your class last week and today I pressed a top I made from the Quilt Show over a year ago – it was based on a quilt made by women being transported to Australia from England. I intend to get it layered up by Monday, unless my cycling takes precedence . I have prepared some foam pipe insulation with wooden dowels for stiffness and intend to try this method for the layering. The quilt has many small half square triangles and little hour glass elements. its not one I want to repeat!!
brendaintheboro
I have written a blog post to show how I have layered up my quilt and I am very pleased with how it went . http://www.cyclinginthesixthdecade.com
Phyllis
Let us know how that works for you. Want to try that also.
brendaintheboro
i will do
Sheila G
I am one of the minority, I don’t have ufo’s as I only do one quilt at a time. My personal challenge is to not keep on buying material! My 2018 resolution is to only use material that is in my stash to make any quilts????
Granny Suzy
Oh my! I’m like you Shiela, I can’t pass a Joanne’s or anywhere that fabric is sold without going in to look and I usually end up buying. My husband tells me to repeat to myself “I will not buy and more fabric”, “I will not buy any more fabric”, at least 21 times in a row. Supposedly, 21 times is the ‘magic’ number – it comes out of your own mouth, goes into your brain and stays. Ha! We’ll see.
(don’t hold your breath) :- }
worldpresscom986
I had a “cake” that needed to be turned into a quilt. I bought white fabric to make triangles. I meant to go from light to dark or pink and red to blues, but I didn’t. I got the triangles done and put together and put large borders on it to make it KS, but I didn’t do one border at a time all the way around. Now I am debating whether to leave it as is and piece the batting from many other projects or take the borders apart and do it right. I also am undecided about binding. I think I need Adderall or the other ADD medication!!
Cecilia Nilsson
Working on finishing my “Merci la VIe” quilt before I’m allowed to start that next yummie project – paper pieced stars – bought your latest class though to help me with the free-motion quilting as I’m afraid to ruin it with bad FMQ after all the work that went into it…. 🙂
Linda Paredez
I’ll be honest! I already started a new baby quilt based on Lori Holt’s Farm Girl Vintage for a baby that was born in September. I have 4 UFOs, but won’t proceed on those until I get a new sewing machine….my current machine is notorious for breaking thread while FMQing, though it is perfect for piecing. I tried everything, and after finishing a tree quilt challenge for my Guild last week, with a ton of frustration and broken threads, I have decided not to quilt another quilt until my new machine arrives….any day now!
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How exciting!!
Pat
On my honor, I pledge to finish 2 quilts – I am writing them on my weekly calendar “To Do” list in the “Works in Progress” aka WIP column AND I will continue to write them on my list every week until they are completed. I think that will help to keep me accountable to my goal- it may also be considered “self-nagging”… But it is so worth it as it feels so good to complete projects.
Could we all check in one month to see how everyone is doing?
Beverly Aguilar
I am quilting my grand daughter’s Unicorn quilt and will finish quilting my DIL Christmas gift wall hanging next. Both need to be done by Thanksgiving. Then I will be completing a quilt my niece has commissioned. All before starting another project.
Lynn
I’m probably a triple A personality type, so my normal mode of operation is to go from start to finish on one quilt at a time. Then I treat myself to a small, quick project. That said, I went to a 3-day seminar and left with four partial quilts and still had one at home to finish. Then my grandson’s birthday popped up and I had to start one for him. So at the moment I have three pieced quilts to finish. And then there are the Christmas gifts waiting to start. Oh dear, sign me up!
boe77Brit
I started quilting again after a hiatus of three decades due to a non functioning machine and life in general. I had one UFO from back then and it is just about finished. It is a quilt top from the late 1930s or 1940s according to family lore. It is hand quilted and I am now putting on the binding. What will be left is the label, but I need to do research on the fabric to determine if it is from the 1940s or 1930s first.
Otherwise, I finish the quilts I start. But I have fabric purchased for a Beatrix Potter quilt for a granddaughter. I need to settle on the design and make it before she outgrows her fondness for these stories.
L84quilting
OMG, Lori! You must’ve read my mind! I have been house/cat sitting for my son, for the past week, 2000 miles away, but I also have been working on a kit that I bought over 10 years ago! I, also, decided to make what I have, rather than buy more, because I have nowhere to put things! (I know, you can never have enough fabric, etc…!LOL). The problem has been, is that the kit wasn’t complete, and, because I waited this long, I knew that the focus fabric would be hard to find. (ANOTHER reason to complete your projects, before committing to a new one.) As always, Lori, KISMET! Thank you for your encouragement and for your faith in us! I am committing to finishing ALL of my UFO’S, before starting new ones, so that I am not at a loss for the missing/defunct fabrics! YAY!
Barbara Bischof
I have been terrified to quilt with my sewing machine. (41/2″ harp space) I’ve practiced on more table runners and I now do have the fanciest collection of pot holders in the state! I quilted a smallish quilt for my daughter and my son’s jersey quilt was stitch in the ditch! Now for “real” quilting.
I’ve taken a couple of classes on Craftsy and I just took your newest class, I would highly recommend it to any timid quilters out there. Lori your calm reassuring approach, and excellent instructions are great. Thank you- I have seven quilt tops that will be quilted by Christmas!
Heartland Honey
Now where’s the fun in that?!? Currently I’m piecing two quilts for a friends girls; have another quilt on the frame; and another in a lap frame that I sit under while hand quilting at night. All will get finished in due time. i like being able to switch from one project to another if/when my back or neck begin to ache or if I need to take time away for “inspiration.”
Mary Jean K
Yes I have a baby quilt I pledge to finish before I start another quilt!
Melissa Polk
Thank you for the push! I RESOLVE TO FINISH MY FLORAL FLANNEL QUILT before starting any other quilting project! Good luck everyone!
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I like your boldness!!!
Linda Bott
I have a stack of tops that need quilting. Decided to do the ones for my 5 grandkids and 7 great grandkids. then finish the rest after the new year. wish me luck
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Luck!
Sue H
I would love to make the pledge and really ought to do it BUT the Bonnie Hunter Mystery starts a week from today. Doubt I could make good on the pledge. Maybe after I start just that one …..?
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Lolol! You my friend are heading down the slippery slope! But we all get it!!!
Lucy Blum
I just finished one that HAD to be completed. I have another ready to quilt but I’m still working out the quilting design/plan. There is no deadline to finish but I’ve been practicing FMQ so would like to work on this one while my stills are sharp! BUT I gave fabrics for a flannel rag quilt for my daughter for a Christmas present. So I really need to get going on it.
Can I work on both at the same time? I can cut pieces when I need a break from FMQ!
My bad habit right now is buy fabrics Online!
I pledge to not buy ANY fabrics, patterns, or quilting books until after these two quilts are finished!!! And I’ll only purchase thread and supplies (batting) if needed for these two quilts (I think I have everything I need)!!
Debbie
I often forget to put a label on my quilts – I like to sew 2 of the label edges on with the binding. I plan to start making the label when I am piecing so it is ready when it is time to do the binding. Like another quilter said, I only have one project on the go at a time.
Debbie Horton
That’s what I’m doing right now! I finished a Quilt- but not the matching shams. I’m making myself design, stitch and applique them – then quilt and bind them before I start another project. Happy to report that I’m almost done appliquing. I’m half way there!
Lori Hope
I pledge to quilt the aforementioned Christmas quilt before I buy/plan/commit to another quilt. 🙂
Kari
Interesting challenge and cool idea, Lori….but I am always happy to start new quilts even if I haven’t finished the ones I’m working on, and I don’t feel any guilt or worry about that or even see it as a problem. I know that I’m completely in the minority on this. Good luck to all who want to take the challenge – I wish you much success!!!
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How many quilt tops do you have?
Kari
Haven’t counted recently, but maybe 25? I have a lot of finished ones too. 🙂 I also knit, spin, and weave. And have a full-time job. So finishing things is not my priority – it’s about the process of creativity for me.
Pat Knight
I will not be able to start until after Christmas but I will complete a quilt I pieced using Downton Abbey fabrics a year ago. I like a challenge!
Mary B
Thanks for the motivational nudge!! I have two quilts that have sat for a couple of months. So, I just pulled them out to look at them. I love them!!! I can’t believe I didn’t finish them!! But, I think I figured out my own personal procrastination problem. I think after sewing together the blocks, sashing and borders, I got tired of looking at them. So, I set them aside to work on something new. Anyways, I’m going to finish up my Christmas pillow first (if I can get the cat off of it) and maybe get started (no promises, yet) finishing these quilts.
Patty
This has been my mantra this year—finish one, then start one. Just finished quilting a Christmas table topper from last year—awaiting binding, and almost finished quilting a block of the month. Finished 4 this year. However, I fail on labels—thanks for reminding me
Elaine in North Texas
This week I have finished quilting on 2 small Christmas redwork wall hangings. My plan between now and when Lent starts is to work on quilting 6 more quilts that are any where from wall quilts to twin size quilts. Whew! I always get stalled when I start a new quilt as to how to quilt it. Usually once I knuckle down and just plain start, the quilt will talk to me about how to quilt it. Love your blog.
Lucy Blum
Elaine, I’m the same way! I finally bought a new printer and printed the photo of a quilt that has been basted for 6 months! I keep looking at the photo waiting for it to talk to me!
Lucy
Lori, yes, exactly! Your class has been very helpful. I printed the design worksheet today! Sometimes it’s a process of elimination. It’s a masculine quilt so I know I don’t want flowers! I also printed a photo of the quilt to drawn different designs on it to see how it looks.
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Quilts don’t talk unless you interview them!!! (See the design worksheet). Who are you for? How will you be used? What theme? Etc
Ellen Vandruff
I’ll take your challenge! But to be honest, this is how I usually roll. My quilting space is pretty tight, so I tend to go from construction to quilting to binding before I move on to my next project. I currently have a project that is in the planning stage and I need to have it finished and ready to give away on 2 December. I’ll let you know if I reach my goal.
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I admire your work flow! You can get that quilt done!!!
Maureen B. in B.C.
Pssssttt, look over here … aren’t I pretty, wouldn’t you like to work on me?
Pssssttt, ignore that pile, come here and cut up us pretty Christmas blocks, we could be a fun I-Spy quilt for little kids…
Heeeeyyyy, what about US … We’re going to be your sister’s Christmas quilt, you should work on US first…..
HELP, Lori, how do you quiet all the little voices in your head ????????
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If I knew I wouldn’t be taking pledges that require 10000 accountability partners LOL’
Maureen B. in B.C.
That made me laugh right out loud. Good luck with the accountability … you know what wimps we all are about pressing someone else to hold to a line we can’t hold ourselves. ????
Lori
I WILL FINISH TWO QUILT TOPS BEFORE i begin piecing another top. The class is absolutely motivating and removes the doubt or running a quilt top that was created so carefully. Thank you Laurie
Vicki Mooren
I guess I must be the odd one out. I am so OCD and anal that I can only work on one quilt at a time. I have to complete what I’m working on before I start something new. I do have a lot sitting waiting to be cut, pieced and quilted but they will sit until I’m done with what ever I’m working on. For that reason I have a real problem with any quilt alongs as I get real anxious waiting on the next block to be published. Knowing I can’t work on anything else in the mean time. I tried and it’s just not me. Oh well I guess we all have our quirks.
Granny Suzy
Thank Heaven, I’m not the only OCD quilter!!!
Bless you Vicki! I’ve tried to start a second and I make myself crazy. I just have to finish the 1st one first. (even if it’s just a table runner or small wall hanging)
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Vicki I admire your quirks!!
Norma
Thanks for the challenge. I will finish my Lori Holt Bloom applique quilt and hang it in my sewing room before I start another quilt.
Pam Peterson
My daughter is having a baby in December. I will complete the BABY QUILT Before the baby is born! I also have to create and complete the baby’s CHRISTMAS STOCKING since it is due before Christmas. Pressure!
Kerry
I have a neonatal quilt ready sandwiched that I must finish this year. Just recently I pulled out a partial top (Craftsy kit with roosters) from a couple of years ago. I sewed it in a frenzy last year but never got round to doing the borders. A couple of weeks ago I pulled it out and added the borders (final outer border done – no! Upside down arghhh!) so on Monday I unpicked and finally completed the top. I already have batting and the backing ready to go. Then Bonnie Hunter’s mystery quilt starts soon – eek! Better get cracking!
Um is there a loophole that says – use this machine for quilting and the treadle for piecing another in between? 😉
Wendy
Ha, so each machine can have its own project? I am in trouble!
Kerry
It’s a cunning plan Wendy! I have 2 treadles and 3 hand cranks (or is it 4?) – the featherweight is a new arrival and needs a service and an electrical check and I really need a bigger room! LOL.
Diana Knight
I just held a Quilt Bazaar with 5 other ladies (each of us trying to sell quilt-related items or crafts). I had several UFO’s for sell. The one that did NOT sell was a pile of about 115 6-inch blocks that were already pieced and just needed to be sewn together. I thought about taking the pile to my local quilt guild meeting and offering to give it away, but I finally laid out the blocks in a pleasing arrangement and am about to sew them together! This quilt WILL get made and finished…ASAP. Thank you for the challenge!
Barbara
I really need to do that. One at a time I now have 5 to quilt and then bind. I need help, I see fabric and just have to cut it up lol.
Terri Crothers
I turned 60 this year and my vintage quilt started as a round robin wallhanging. I love it so much it will be the quilt for my quilt studio guest bed. Just took over the basement from a small quilt room and I will complete this quilt before starting any other projects. Thanks for the challenge Lori!
Becky Shaffer
Right now I am piecing a memory quilt for my daughter whose dog passed away in September. I will finish it for Christmas. Then I will finish a Bonnie Hunter quilt that I pieced two years ago. I won’t start anything else until that quilt is on the bed! So, sadly, it looks like I won’t finish my guild’s challenge quilt in time for the Christmas party.☹️
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