Wednesday, January 22, 2014

2014 Goals

So I shared my UFO's and Finishes from 2013, now it's time to talk about what I would like to work on in 2014.

I don't keep a strict To Do list, but I do like to have a general idea of what I would like to accomplish each year.  Last year my list was pretty short, it had 4 items and they weren't even all that specific; "dot quilt, churn dash, pineapple and two color".   That's exactly what I had on my list.  I did start a dot quilt and continue to work on it, I call it Clown Pants.  I did start a mini churn dash quilt, it's a UFO.  Pineapple, another UFO.  At least I started and finished my two color quilt, Blue and White, Lifetime Quilt # 112.

The reason my actual list isn't more extensive is because I also keep an "Up Next" binder.  I use binders  to store my patterns and I'm up to seven binders now; Up Next, two binders for patterns of projects that are finished, a giant catch all binder, a binder for all my Miss Rosie, Schnibbles and Little Bites patterns, a binder for my Primitive Gatherings, Red Crinoline and other civil war/primitive quilt patterns, and a binder for holiday themed projects and quilts.   I should really take the patterns in the catch all binder and make 4 smaller ones, I have enough star patterns and 9 block/square patterns to fill two separate binders.  Maybe that should be on my To Do list, organize quilt pattern binders.

Sorry I digress, so the first thing I do each year is go through the Up Next binder and take out what's not going to be up next and add patterns that are.  Some patterns get to stay in the binder, I'll talk about those first.

I love basket quilts, I want to make a new basket quilt each year.




I thought I would make either Sweet Caroline or Petit Fours, both by Fig Tree, in 2013, but Canasta beat them out. I'm guessing I'll add a basket quilt to my Lifetime Quilt List in 2014, hopefully one of these.

This is Papillon, also by Fig Tree, this pattern has been in my Up Next binder for at least two years.  



I still love that quilt and want to make it. I've come close a couple of times, but honestly, I'm worried about the way this quilt is assembled and am afraid my blocks won't line up nice and neat like in the pattern cover, maybe this is the year I at least give this block a try.  I love the bow tie blocks and I love how the background changes but the blocks do not.  If you've made this quilt would you please let me know if you had any problems getting everything to match up correctly?

Debonaire, another pattern that has been in my Up Next binder for more than one year.


This pattern was released in 2011!  Where does time go.  It's my very favorite Sew Emma pattern.  It was designed by Rachel Griffith.  Initially it was the red and beige combo that caught  my fancy, but now I think I would enjoy this quilt even more made with a different combination of colors.

Toulouse, by Miss Rosie Quilt Co., is one of my top ten all time favorite quilts that I've finished.


I love this pattern and goose in the pond is my all time favorite block.  My Toulouse is a Christmas quilt, so one of my all time favorite quilts is only out for one month a year.  I would love to make another Toulouse from fabric that is not holiday themed so I could enjoy it every month except December.  Then I would have a Toulouse for every month of the year!  With so many wonderful patterns filling 7 binders, let alone a book shelf full of pattern books,  it's hard to think about making the same pattern twice, except in this case.  I keep hoping someone will start a sew along for me to join, you know how I like a good sew-along.  I think this quilt pattern is perfect for all quilters and if I was teaching a beginner class, I would teach this pattern.  It covers all the basics, hsts, 9 patches, split rails and flying geese blocks.  Simple blocks put together in a way that makes them look amazing.

These Miss Rosie Quilt Co. patterns have been in my Up Next binder for a couple of years too,


Due South, Brown-Eyed Girl, Scarlett Queen and Opening Day.  And they are staying in there.  I will get to them, sometime.

Madder Stars.



This is the last of the patterns that were in my binder and are staying.  This pattern is in the Elegant Quilts, Country Charm book by Leonie Bateman and Deirdre Bond-Abel.  Even though my tastes are leaning towards more modern and lighter and brighter quilts, I still love this pattern and want to make this quilt.

Here are some patterns that I added to my Up Next binder:




Some geometrical designs by American Jane.  Right now I couldn't even pick one out of the three, I love them all.

Hook, by Miss Rosie's Quilt Co.


I'll make this top whether Sinta and Sherri pick it for their Schnibbles sew-along or not, but I'm hoping they do!

I am intrigued by this Urban 9 Patch block from Sew Kind of Wonderful.


I've seen some amazing color combinations and variations of this block.  I've got the ruler, I just need to spend an afternoon playing around with it.  I think once I do I'll be hooked.

Bangles


This pattern is in the Hand Quilted with Love book by Sarah Fielke.  I loved this pattern when I first bought the book and fell a little harder when I saw Cindy's version at Hyacinth Quilt Designs.  (click here)  One thing worrying me is the Y-seams, but Cindy tackled them with no problems, and while I'm not as experienced as Cindy, I think every quilter should try a pattern that requires Y-seams at least once, hopefully this one will be my once this year.

Can anyone have too many red and white quilts?



I don't think so, A Red Letter Day and Red Prelude by Roxie and Joe Wood for ThimbleCreek Quilts  are on my list.

This pattern is from the Material Obsession 2 book by Kathy Doughty and Sarah Fielke.




It's called Playground and I love it.  I'm not sure if it's the colors or the big blocks, this quilt finishes at 78" x 91", a little bigger than my desired size of 75" x75", but if I go with 4 rows of 4 blocks I think I'll still have a good look and be closer to my perfect size. 

For several years now I've been thinking I needed to make either a wedding ring or pickle dish quilt, a right of passage quilt for all quilters. This last year several pickle dish quilts have caught my attention and 2014 will be the year I start one, I've caught the pickle dish fever.

There are several different ways to piece a pickle dish quilt so my first order of business is to pick a pattern.  




This one is by Kaffe Fassett and finishes at 67" x 67".

This one is called Gypsy Kisses,



and is by Kathy Doughty from the Material Obsession 2 book.  It finishes at 92" x 103". Besides deciding on a pattern I need to find the perfect focus fabric.  I can't imagine spending all that time piecing this quilt to end up with an ugly quilt when you're done!!

Cindy at Hyacinth is working on a pickle dish quilt using April Showers by Bonnie and Camille for Moda.  (click here)  And Jessica at Twin Fibers made a Gypsy Kisses using Happy Go Lucky by Bonnie and Camille for Moda. (click here)  I'm head over heals in love with both versions and would love to copy them, but I'll come up with something else for my quilt, I want mine to be different.  This is another quilt that I think would make a good sew-along project.

So besides ALL these ideas I also plan to participate in Sinta and Sherri's  Schnibbles sew-along and have started the January project, Jersey Girl.  My general goal is one finish a month, that's 12 projects, I may have some carry overs for 2015! But that's OK, if I finish half the quilts on my list, 2014 will be an amazing and productive quilting year.  I hope the same for you.

On an entirely different subject, if you want to see what's going on in my sewing room on a daily basis, I usually post something to Instagram daily, follow me, Thelmacupcake, if you're interested.

29 comments:

  1. Looks like it's going to be a fabulous year!!! Playground is on my list also! Maybe I'll see you at the Playground?

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'm looking forward to seeing what you will achieve, whatever you do achieve will be amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh boy Thelma, those are all fabulous goals! I feel myself wanting to copy just about everything you do. You always make it look so effortless and beautiful. Really, I might have to jot those down. Thank you for always sharing, it inspires and shows others something different than they might not have seen before.
    Andrea

    ReplyDelete
  4. Well, it's all your fault I ordered the Pickle Dish book. I'll take a look at it when it comes in and decide whether to jump - or dive head first. Your 2014 list is awesome.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Good choices all! I could be tempted to join you in a sew along on Urban 9-patch, Bangles, or a basket quilt.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I made Eldon, by Laundry Basket Quilts, and it was full of Y seams. I found that as long as you mark the point where the seam needs to start and stop--you won't have any problems. It is just annoying that you can't chain piece them. Don't let them intimidate you!

    ReplyDelete
  7. So lovely! :)
    Greetings from Finland!
    Hugs, Ulla

    ReplyDelete
  8. I love the Up Next binder and am going to use this idea myself. I have Petit Fours and Debonaire patterns and they need to go into the binder. I also love Red Prelude but don't have the pattern for that quilt yet.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Ah! The Pickle Dish defined! I have that Kaffe Fasset book. I was thinking of the "other" Pickle Dish. The one where the "rind" is of small triangles. I think Inklingo has that one. Both are beautiful. Check out Inklingo Projects online for a peek. I love both versions!

    I also love basket quilts. I have on my list the Jo Morton "Double Handle Basket" pattern. Like the look of an applique handle? Like the look of a "cake top"? This has both! Inspired by an antique quilt, of course.

    My main list consists of finishing binding. Finishing a couple of borders and basically finishing projects. All projects were stored away before Christmas and now I'd like to pull them out to work on them.

    I look forward to your postings and seeing what transpires! Thanks for sharing with us!

    ReplyDelete
  10. You're going to have a busy year!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I'm curious about your binders,,, do you actually put the patter in the binder, in a sleeve or something? or is it a picture...I love this idea...just wandering. BTW I LOVE red and white quilts too.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Oh my... my mouth is watering at all those great quilts and love everyone of them. I would have a very hard time figuring which one to start first....the possibilities!!!! I will have to reread this over a couple of time to get absorb it all....thanks Thelma.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I LOVE your list of quilts and am envious that I'm not as organized as you as far as quilt-making goes. Don't know if you get the ThimbleCreek Gazette every Tuesday but Joe and Roxie unveiled a new red and white quilt yesterday. Might want to take a look at that one! (http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?ca=6947e2ec-0cf1-429f-b4b0-b6e513d086f7&c=ad4d5850-43ac-11e3-8875-d4ae52a45a09&ch=aebaa3f0-43ac-11e3-8938-d4ae52a45a09). I'm in Southern California for the Road 2 Calif quilt show tomorrow and will be giving my friends Joe and Roxie a big hug in their booth there. Happy Quilting!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Oh Thelma.....so much eye candy. I am totally excited about the pickle dish......I bet you will make it superbly perfect! However, if we readers get a vote......I would love love love to see Madden Stars get back in the Up Next binder...........I think it would be beyond fabulous. What are the chances? Thanks for sharing so much with it........nothing goes unnoticed. Kristy
    soardkgatfusedotnet

    ReplyDelete
  15. Pretty, pretty, pretty! So many quilts, so little time. I, too, love Gypsy Kisses. I have to book and drool over it regularly. If you decide to have a QAL, I'm in.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Lots of lovelies on your list, Thelma! I too have had Papillon by Fig Tree on my to-do list for a couple of years. I took Joanna Figueroa's Craftsy.com class in which she shows how to make the fan blades on another design but the concept is completely transferrable to Papillon. It was a great class! Let me know if you want to pursue Papillon at some point; I would love to sew along with you!

    ReplyDelete
  17. For the Papillon pattern, it looks like it's square set, so should not be too fiddly to assemble. I think however that anyone who has made over a hundred quilts should be able to do it quite handily!

    Thanks for showing Playground. I am quilting my way through my stash this year, and that pattern will be next! Just as soon as I finish my two queen size scrappy triple Irish chain quilts though..... (top one is done, top 2 is started. I'll piece them both, then tackle the quilting).

    Do a sew along for the playground pattern though!

    ReplyDelete
  18. I can't wait to see which project you tackle first!!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Love seeing all your to do list quilts! I did the same thing today on my blog! LOVING the red and white - always so excited to see what you have in store next.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Oh my goodness Thelma.... so many ideas for one short year! LOL
    I love the pickle dish/eyelashes blocks... hope you pick that one!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Ah Toulouse! I would love to make that quilt. I don't suppose you can be persuaded to start a sew-along for it? If you do, I'll jump right in with you!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Ooh, I like the Papillon pattern. You should host a sew along.

    ReplyDelete
  23. I love your list. I have quite a few on my list as well. My favorite, if I had to choose only one, would be debonaire. I think YOU should pick one and do a quilt along. I'll be right there with ya! If you want to do a quilt along, go to Melissa at happy quilting. She is starting one next week.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Looks like a fun year ahead for you Thelma. I look forward to seeing what you accomplish. I'm always inspired by your projects.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Wow, wow Thelma lots of beauties in your plans. I'll be here watching your progress. Have fun!

    ReplyDelete
  26. That's quite an eclectic list! I always find when I'm looking through my patterns that that there are so many I want to make right now; it's hard for me to settle on just one. As for the Y-seams, I think any quilter can tackle them as long as you mark it accurately. Have fun whichever ones you decide to make!

    ReplyDelete
  27. I believe Due South is in my future. Something about flying geese gets me every time.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Hello Thelma-

    I just ran across your post and wanted to encourage you that the PAPILLON pattern is totally doable. Because of the way the blades are contructed and added to a background, there is almost no way that they CAN'T LINE UP for you. It is actually quite easy to assemble this quilt top once you have done all the blades. Let me know if you have any questions at all and I would be happy to answer them. Plus I am kinda biased, but I love that pattern. As for the baskets, I think you should go for the Sweet Caroline if you like angles and a little bias and the Petite Fours if you want to work with a little trick of getting the handles into the block. Have fun! Joanna [Fig Tree]

    ReplyDelete
  29. Oh look at that! I am commenting after Ms. Fig Tree! I love all of your potential projects. I have several on my "list" as well. I would love to see you make Madder Stars. It's really pretty. I like your thoughts on Toulouse... it would be a great beginner class but a wonderful quilt to have in your collection... on and off season. The Thimble Creek patterns look pretty hardcore... if you know what I mean! I wouldn't even begin to attempt those...but I am sure you could handle it! The American Jane patterns are fun... do you have the template/rulers for those?
    I think 2014 will be a fantastic year for you!

    ReplyDelete

I try to respond to all my comments but sometimes I just don't get the job done. Please know that I am reading your comments and appreciate you taking the time to add a little of yourself to my blog.