Flipped - ISU version- and the power of finishing

I know many quilters have much longer lists of UFOs (unfinished objects) than I do, but when my list gets too long, it paralyzes me.  I end up not sewing at all because I can't decide which project deserves my full attention, and I feel guilty starting anything new.

Making my visual list of UFOs for my last post helped me focus on finishing something.  Finishing something triggers happy feelings.  Happy feelings make me want to sew again.  Sewing again helps me finish things.  It's a lovely little cycle, once I get it started!

Flipped by Canuck Quilter Designs

Flipped in ISU school colors was at the top of my UFO list.  I just needed to convince myself that simple straight-line quilting with my walking foot would be enough.  Really, most of the quilting will be covered up by the place setting anyway, so there is no need to spend hours on intricate quilting.  Not that intricate quilting isn't lovely, but it isn't necessary.  Simple quilting would get this finished and intricate plans would make it languish.  Simple wins!

I stitched in the ditch between the different fabrics then added some outline quilting 1/4" away from those seams.  Sets of double line echoes the angles for a little extra quilting to keep things tidy and not too puffy.

Flipped placemat

Flipped runner

I don't know what the design principle is concerning those double lines, but to my eye they make things look more polished.

I think the binding probably took a longer than the quilting, just because there are a lot of inches all around 4 placemats and a runner.  If you follow me on Instagram or Facebook  you probably saw pictures of the binding in progress, with a bazillion clips, like this:

Machine binding with Clover Wonderclips

I have a machine binding tutorial here that explains why I like so many clips.

So there we go, the UFO list is one project shorter.

Next up:  Fresh Wrapped, Christmas edition.  I finished the quilting a couple of days ago.  Now I need to bind. 

I'm on a roll, and getting closer to yet another finish is getting me excited to quilt the Accidental Quilt.  I even have a quilting plan already!  And while I'm stitching away, ideas are starting to perk about how to salvage the butterfly quilt I wasn't so excited about anymore.  Shrinking the UFO stack is definitely reviving my creativity!

What's your UFO status, and does it affect your creativity?  Please share in the comments.

Happy quilting,

Joanne

Choosing what to finish next...

As I mentioned earlier, I'm committed to not starting anything new for the next month or so.  I'm under no illusion that I'll completely eliminate my stack of UFOs (unfinished objects) but I'll be happy to make it a little smaller.  So far I've moved Chef's Kiss and Party Crackers over to the finished pile.

What's next?  I think a pictorial list might help me narrow things down.

Flimsies waiting for quilting
Clockwise from top left:
1. Flipped placemats and runner
2. Fresh Wrapped placemats and runner
3. Rush in Island Batik scraps
4. The Accidental Quilt

Flimsies waiting for quilting
Clockwise from top left
1. Stellar Breeze test blocks quilt
2. Focal Point runner
3. Tiles
4. Prairie Point runner

Flimsies that need a little more work
1. Guild round robin
2. Un-named bonus quilt

Quilts with quilting started but interrupted
1. Anne Quilt
2. RSC Butterflies

Fabric committed to projects
1. Flipped placemat set for Canada Day
2. Connecting Geese blue version
3. Quartz Clusters with dark background

I think the four quilts in the first grouping are most likely to be finished first.  I'm still pretty excited about those.  I've just been short on time to work on them.

The next four have all been sitting a very long time, probably because I'm less excited about them.  The smaller three projects might get done because they're small and potentially quick to finish.  I'm less certain about Tiles.  I remember being very excited about this one.  It was going to be a pattern, until I started writing it and fell out of love.  Maybe finishing it will make me love it again, but it's not at the top of my list by any means.

The two unfinished flimsies will get done eventually, but it may take a while.

I'm sad the two partially quilted quilts are on this list.  

The Anne quilt is made with Anne of Green Gables fabric and I love the quiet simplicity of the design.  I started hand quilting it when I had more time.  Now I get tingling fingers when I hand quilt, so I'm debating picking out my stitching and machine quilting it instead.  I really like the hand quilted look on this one though.

Unfortunately, I've fallen out of love with the butterfly quilt.  I had a vision for it, but my tastes have changed.  I wish I'd given it a simpler setting.  Also, my machine is not playing well with freemotion and ruler quilting right now.  Maybe by the time I get that sorted I'll be more eager to start quilting this one again.

Finally, the fabric pulls.  I suppose they don't count as UFOs since they aren't technically started yet?  Working on those would only slow down the UFO-busting mission, but they're so tempting...

I'll keep you posted on what moves forward!  What's the state of your UFO collection?