Currently Stitching: UFO'S! (Unfinished Objects)
"Today's the day," she said to herself in a determined whisper. Shuffling through her sorted fabrics, instructions and copious notes, she let out a huff of breath. Feeling resolved not to lose her patience with the work ahead, she pulled out the partially sewn project.
Lining up the completed blocks on the display wall, she unfolded the creased directions. Some of the pages were becoming difficult to read. They were crinkled from previous starts and being shoved away in the back of the closet. The remaining legible words were swimming as she looked at them again. Her eyes were glazing over.
She reached for her cup of coffee and took a long sip. Releasing a sigh, she sat down in front of her sewing machine with the un-sewn pieces. Hitting the power switch, the machine clicked and lit up. After threading and checking the bobbin, she lined up the first pieces of cut fabric, and got to work.
. . .
This is how I imagine myself if I were a character in a book. Resolute, caffeinated, and behind on work. I found myself in my studio, avoiding a growing pile in the corner... It's all projects I've gotten two thirds of the way through. Ugh it's so shameful!
In this episode I will be attempting to finish at least two or three of these. Some of them are really close to being done. Some of them are not too big a project to begin with. And then there's a few that have basically nothing done at all. SIGH. I know most quilters have a pile of UFO's (unfinished objects) in their closets too, but I don't like it. Ironically, having a stash of fabric with and without plans, kits and whatever else, does not bother me in the least.
This one, you may remember, I've worked on at multiple retreats. Eek! I don't know what it is that's been taking me so long to get it finished. I am so close to done! If I had to guess it would be because of all the pinning involved in getting the points to line up. Which I am not a huge fan of, but the end product is worthwhile.
I also lost the two corner pieces which ticked me off. How does that happen?! I feel like I ask myself that question a lot #facepalm. I'm still counting it as completed...at least until I find more of the fabric to finish the last two pieces. I will not be quilting this myself once it's completed. I will ask the long-armer to make a continuation of the patriotic pattern and color scheme!
The next one on my list was this "beach tone" quilt. I got all of the squares completed at retreat (finally)! I also worked through all the sashing strips and got the rows put together. All that's left is squaring it up and the top borders. I cannot wait to have this one off my docket! As beautiful as it is, it has taken me a long while to work through. Plus I ended up laying it out like five times until I found an arrangement I wanted.
However, after a month, plus a couple of days, it's really looking the way I want. The colors remind me of a seaside vacation. I really like the way the patterned blocks look put together! So truthfully I shouldn't be complaining! I will also not be quilting this one myself. I think a nice light blue thread that looks like wind or waves would be lovely.
I was very pleased to get these zipper bags finished! I started all of them over the last month, or at retreat. I am so pleased I finished these little cuties! They're so cheerful and very satisfying to get taken care of.
It really does bring me a lot of joy to match up the front with the variety of linings and zippers. Each one has its own personality! I like to vary the quilting stitch work too.
Last on my list to work on again is this tyrannosaurus rex pieced quilt! I think started on this one three or four years ago.... I began work at an overnight retreat and then never touched it again. It took me a long time to work through the first few parts of the pattern. It's well written, it's just a lot of steps!
I hope watching me work through these partially finished projects inspires you to get yours out and keep going! It's so satisfying to see them come together after a long time!
