My focus word for 2023 is: Intentional.
For personal projects, two objectives currently drive my process: (1) tame the UFO pile and (2) continue right-sizing the stash. I have a number quilt tops that are *almost* completed and need to move from UFO project boxes to the Quilt Me pile. Most of them only lack sashing and borders as the blocks are already finished. I’ve also made a sizable dent in the fabric and notions stash over the past six months, but there’s still much work to be done. Once my UFO pile goes down considerably, I’ll tackle the various projects/techniques I’ve been wanting to try.
That said, I still need projects for Friday Sew Days and BYO project retreats.
Friday Sew Day Projects:
Scrappiness is Happiness QAL hosted by Lori Holt and FQS resumes 1/2 and ends in June
Barn Star QAL hosted by Fat Quarter Shop starts 1/27 with completion date TBA
BOM Sampler Quilt hosted by A Quilting Life starts 1/2 and ends in December
Then there’s the personal goal of improving my machine quilting skills.
Machine Quilting:
Time to practice FMQ and walking foot quilting designs on some tops that have been hanging around far too long. Goal is to complete at least one top per month. Most are crib to lap size quilts. Two of the quilts currently in the UFO projects boxes are twin/full size, but I plan to quilt those myself. Going to try my hand at the Baptist Fan design using FMQ with rulers on the Great Granny Squared quilt. That will definitely be a stretch and one I intend to keep for myself. Most everything else is likely to be gifted or donated.
My focus word of intentional also applies to quilty spending. Being retired in a sucky economy just means you have to get a little creative at times to make your quilty dollars stretch to do all the things you really want to do. A BOM Sampler quilt is something I’ve wanted to do, but the projects currently offered by my LQS don’t appeal to me and online BOMs are expensive. Sherri McConnell’s (A Quilting Life) free BOM projects caught my eye. I really liked her 2022 BOM quilt. It’s my preferred size (lap), stash friendly and the right price. I printed the 2022 instructions and will make this quilt following her 2023 BOM timeline. It’s a win-win. I have a project for Friday sew days, am using my stash and supported my LQS (needed background fabric) for about 20% of what the online BOM would have cost. Had I still been working full-time, I probably would have signed up for the online BOM, but wouldn’t have had the time to make it. I much prefer being the boss of my own time! 🙂
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