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Sunday, December 31, 2017

2017 Review and 2018 Planning

Since today is the last day of 2017, it's only appropriate to review the year and assess the quiltmaking and sewing that's been done.

While I know several quilters who make a quilt top and then call it "a finish," I prefer that my quilts are completely done and ready to use. My personal policy means that a quilt is quilted and bound before being called finished, and shown at a guild meeting Show and Tell. I know of at least one MQG chapter that requires that it's members show only completed quilts!

In the past, I've been known to choose a word of the year. Not so for 2018. Some bloggers like to post their goals. Not so for 2018. Given the multitude of quilts I've made in my lifetime (easily more than 300), I don't feel the need to create self-imposed goals for the upcoming year. At my age, it's nice to feel no pressure to do anything!

2017 in Review
All tallied, I made 14 quilts in 2017, a number that is very similar to last year, and the year before.
Seven of my finishes were what I consider small quilts - baby-sized and smaller.

The remaining seven quilts were larger.
I'm counting my five small Wayward Transparency quilts (at the bottom of the collage) as one quilt because they're hanging together in one spot. I'll blog about them in January.

Not pictured are a half-dozen tops I sewed for myself, four pairs of pajamas for grandsons, two pillows, six placemats, two Zip Up Tray Pouches, a Dainty Tote, an Essential Wristlet, a Sew Together Bag, and a case for my music stand. Those are the small "in between" projects I like for their fast finish-ablity.

A Word About WIPs
Works In Progress - Mine are genuinely being worked on fairly regularly, and I feel no compunction to rush to finish. They're truly on-going projects, and I like keeping them that way. Don't you agree that it's good to have a variety of WIPs on hand to suit any occasion? Like when you're away-from-home sewing with others, or a passenger on a long car trip, or at home in a cozy chair in front of the TV?

By my current count, I have seven on-going WIPs, some for which instructions are still being released over several months. English paper piecing also makes a couple appearances here. But no hurry. No worries.

I do, however, like to review plans for the coming year, and determine where I'm headed with quilts that need to be made, and quilts I'd like to make. Prompted by QuiltingJetGirl who is hosting a linky party, I've made a plan.

Contrary to my usual reaction to "lists," I even made one in Excel! The first seven items are my WIPs. The next two are UFOs, one of which I've got my hands on today for FMQ. The last two items are quilts I'm honored to make for the upcoming releases of two different quilting books (not mine). Eleven items... the list doesn't seem too daunting.

While I'd like to believe this is the extent of my 2018 list, I'd be kidding myself if I didn't think I'd participating in a challenge or two, or some other "let's make this project!"

Happily for me, none of the sewing, creating, or making has been a hardship, nor am I yet getting sick of it. So in 2018 I'll move ahead with my plan, but in the end, go with the flow.

I am determined though that this year I'll "shop from my stash." No fabric-buying unless it's essential for a 2018 finish. It's not so much about spending money on fabric, but rather using the stash that's been accumulating over the past five years, including several healthy piles of solids.

Happy new year to you reader-friends and relatives who are part of the online world that's an integral part of my life. Thank you for your interest in my doin's and for comments/chats where we get to know each other better. God bless you in 2018! Linda

11 comments:

  1. What a delightful post Linda! I’ve spent some morning coffee time pouring over your finishes and your ‘plan’! There are some beauties there, full of your signature colour! I look forward to seeing your upcoming quilts and other adventures!

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  2. It's always interesting to look back and see what we've been up to. I agree with you on the quilt top not being a finish...I don't see how it could fall into that category. You've had a productive and enjoyable year. I look forward to seeing what you are up to in 2018. Praying a happy and healthy year for you Linda :o)

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  3. Looks like a wonderful year and some fun projects in 2018. Happy New Year to you too!

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  4. You are ever so organized, and that is a good thing. I agree, WIPs are good to have to keep from being bored with only one project ongoing. And I'm glad I'm not the only one with an accumulation of solids, but I saw a quilt on a facebook group that enticed me to try something similar, to at least delve into the solids (and a more modern approach) so we'll see what happens. I do love seeing your finishes for the year again! Happy New Year!

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  5. I am definitely excited to hear more about your Wayward Transparency finish - it looks great above your door! Thank you so much for sharing and linking up and I hope you have a lot of quilting joy ahead in 2018. Happy New Year!

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  6. What a nice review. I really appreciate your perspective!

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  7. I wish I could have your attitude to WIPs. I dont have them at all, if I start a quilt I finish it, I may find and get ready for next project, but I have to finish the first one. It's like self blackmail ... Nothing new before you finish the old. I'm scared I would get excited with new project and never return to the old one. A finish to me is a quilt top, because I can either quilt it myself or pay for quilting, but even these are quilted before too long. I have only two quilt tops not quilted and both are off for machine basting as they are too big for me to handle to layout and pin. I will quilt them myself this year though. I love how we are all different. I too am working my way through my stash, but oh what to do with all my old fashioned looking repros! I've also gone colourful. I'm moving back to NZ to live this year so perhaps not so much sewing but lots inspiration ahead I hope. Best wishes for 2018.

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  8. Linda, you are such an inspiration.
    I hope this year I finish more things.
    I adore all of your creations this year, and I do remember the non-quilt projects too. You are such a joy to have as a friend
    Gods blessings to you and all of your loved ones

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  9. Ooo! Linda, your WIP's are so colorful! I can't wait to see your 2018 finishes! I listed some goals for myself, but hey! Any finish is a huge victory to me even if I don't meet all the goals I listed, I am determined to have fun along the way. Best wishes for an AWESOME and blessed new year!

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  10. Your blog is one of my favorites, Linda. And therefore, I think of you as a friend. Your piecing is amazing and the quilting...well, stunning! I have been quilting from my stash for the last 2 years, but did buy for a few baby quilts for unexpected new family additions. Now, there are more scraps, I am determined to use them up! Happy New Year to you.

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  11. What a lovely round-up of plans and completions and thoughts about WIPS. It makes for very relaxed reading, and certainly inspirational. I'm with you--I don't list my quilts on my lifetime list until they are quilted. I do have one top there, unquilted, but that's the only one in close to 200 quilts, and I listed it only so my beemates could find it if they were interested. Such a great post--thank you!

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