Monday, September 06, 2010

Design Wall Monday #34

I have been working on the #1 project on my UFO wish list - Journey of a Quilter.  This is a quilt pattern by Leanne Beasley (click here for her blog) which I have been working on since the summer of 2007 - yep...4 summers of hauling this project from camping trip to camping trip, hoping for some quiet time for stitching.
Here are the first 6 blocks up on my design wall that are completely finished.
In this photo, it looks I have a bit too much red for my liking...I might reframe that "Give Thanks" block with greens.  It has been quite the interesting journey of constructing this quilt, since I have pieced each block separately over the years and haven't paid much attention to how each block will look beside the others.
This week I worked on the hand stitching in block #7 and began machine piecing block #8.
I really liked this quilt, and still do, and want it to be a finished quilt instead of blocks in a box, but I'm getting tired of it.  I am hoping that putting the blocks up will inspire me to work harder to finish up this quilt top. Do you have any ideas of how to motivate yourself to push a project into the "finishing stream" versus the "permanent UFO cupboard"???
To see other design walls posted on Judy's blog - click here...I am #50 today!

17 comments:

AnnieO said...

I love all the red and green! What a great long term project this has been, but I know how you feel.

Try sewing one row together--one of the middle ones, LOL!

Kathie said...

Wow it looks great. If you are tired of it maybe you can make one block every two weeks or something like that and before long you would have it done but you could also be working on other things.

Yvette said...

I think it looks great!

I have had this pattern set in a drawer for a long time but haven't picked out fabrics yet. I think yours look great!

Carol B in NH said...

I like it! Very nice.

scraphappy said...

What an excellent question. I spent last year focusing on finishing UFOs, but didn't accomplish much else. This year I have worked on new projects and neglected the UFOs. There has to be a balance somewhere. One UFO at a time out of the cupboard for inspiration? At some point it is time to just get it done, even if it means modifying the scope of the original plan. This is a great quilt, good luck getting it finished up once and for all.

Darlene said...

Opening your blog brought a flood of memories - mine still sits waiting to be quilted. Sigh! Maybe I should dig it out this week and 'git er dun'. :-)

I've had Leann's House to do, as well.

Mary Lou Casada said...

I think you are on the right track, putting it up on the design wall...I sometimes won't "let" myself put anything up 'til the UFO can be called done (I just finished an exchange Sunbonnet -- and I don't like her, but I like the ladies who made the blocks! LOL -- after it languished in my closet since 2006.) Or you could designate 1st week of the month or something. My mother always said, "The steady drip wears the rock!"
Blessings,
Mary Lou

Gari in AL said...

My way of dealing with UFOs is that I allow myself to work on three projects at a time: 1 new project, 1 UFO, and one charity quilt. Things can move in and out but usually they get done.

The Cozy Quilter said...

This will be a beautiful quilt! Keep going! The rest of us want to see the finished product too!

Gail

Diane said...

definately a wonderful quilt. I would think if you dedicated a couple weeks to it you'll make so much progress it will rejuvinate you on it.
that's what happens to me anyway.

Gina said...

Looks great.

The way I motivate myself to finish a top is to decide on a time limit. That way I make myself finish it. Either that or gift it for a birthday/christmas, even if it's only in your own mind. That might work

Love and hugs Gina xxx

Millie said...

Looks great and it will be a beautiful quilt.

Susan said...

That is so lovely.

I am trying to finish LeAnne's house before I start on Journey of a Quilter.

Your quilt is wonderful.

Jeanne said...

You're making great progress, Kathy! The blocks are awesome.

Cathi said...

This is going to be such a stunning quilt!! Maybe keeping it up on the design wall will help keep you motivated?

Rose Marie said...

Each week, pick two blocks that are easy and one that is more involved and before you know it, another section will be done. Don't stop .... keep going with this project! It is gorgeous.

Heather said...

for some projects that are giving me grief, I make up a chart that lists each small step needed to finish. then when I do one of those things I get to check it off. I find it easier to complete a whole bunch of little steps one at a time rather than to complete a huge step.