Finishing

I, like many quilters (and other artists and craftsmen), have a lot of projects.  Some of them are "in the works", and I am actively working on them.  Most of them, however, are what we call in quilting jargon "UFOs".  UnFinished Objects.  Projects started and then set aside.  I also sometimes (all the time) can't say no when other people offer me their UFOs.  Projects where all the materials are pulled together and folded neatly with the pattern. When I moved, I discovered that I probably have enough UFOs to keep me occupied realistically for the next 5 to 10 years.  Please be clear, that doesn't mean I'm not starting new projects.  That's just crazy talk.  BUT..I am also trying to finish things started long ago, or let them go. I have not let anything go yet.  

In mid June, I found two projects that were started in 2001 and 2002, respectively.  One was a block swap among my online treadle sewing machine group called "United We Stand" and the other was a simple Stars and Rails quilt in red, white and blue from the Bonnie Hunter Quiltville website.  Both were in response to the events of 9/11, and neither one ever got finished.  I decided that I would finish them during the month of July, bc that seemed appropriate, and I could also use them on my porch swing. 

The first "patriotic" quilt finished was this one.  When it was unearthed, it was just a bag of blocks. The blocks were all made by different people using only people powered sewing machines, either treadle machines or hand crank machines.  Each block is signed by the maker, with the date, the name of the swap and the year and model of the machine that they used.  My husband suggested the sashing coloration.  I was dubious at first, but after I laid it all out, I was really pleased with the effect.  I'm not super thrilled with the outer border, but it's what i had and it works ok.  Better finished than perfect. 

The second quilt was actually very close to being done when I found it. All the rows were sewn together, and the instructions were folded up with it, so I had a photo of what it was supposed to look like.  I had to dig in my stash for border and binding fabrics, and am pleased with the final product.  This pattern is from Bonnie Hunter's website, Quiltville.com and is called Stars and Rails. I got the quilt top finished and quilted in July, but I just got it bound on Sunday (Aug 9th), but I figure July will roll around again and now it's done and ready to go.  

 

The back is pieced from my stash. I finally used my Obama fabric. 

I'm pretty pleased that I got two old tops completed.  I can think of one UFO in my stash that is actually older than these two, but there may be more. I KNOW there are many that are younger.  I think the momentum of these finishes will spur me forward to finish more older projects. 

What projects do you have that should have been finished long ago?  We can go on this Finishing Journey together!

Wash your hands.  Wear a mask.  Stay healthy.

D