13 Quilt Projects in 2013 QuiltAlong

[Smeddley]

Okay, so this has already inspired me to pull out (again) my 20-ish year-old project.  I thought I'd walk you through the steps of it, in pictorial form (I hope this is okay!).

Step One: I see the box on the shelf.  It jumps out at me from time to time, being bright red and one of my oldest unfinished projects.



Step Two: I open the box.  I remember that I kinda liked the fabrics, and the patterns, even if it's really badly done (none of the corners line up, I was very new to quilting at the time!).



Step Three: I pull out the pieces, usually the center bit comes first and I lay that out and look at it and think how nice it would be to finish it.



Step Four: pull out the edge bits and corner bits and realize they don't exactly line up.  Scratch my head and try to figure out what I was doing.  Note: I don't have a pattern anywhere for this quilt.  I have no idea where I got the idea, I'm guessing I winged it from a pattern or finished quilt I saw somewhere?



Step Five: Stare at the leftover bits and panic, realizing I have absolutely no idea what I was doing.  It is usually at this point that I toss everything back in the box and it sits on the shelf for another few years until I repeat the process all over again.



But not this time!

Step Six: Really, how hard can this be.  Take a minute, lay it out, and realize that what you need is to add two strips to opposite sides of the corner pieces - one side needs to have a dark half-triangle, the other side will be all light pieces.  Sew the corner pieces to the longer side pieces, then sew the short side pieces to the center, and the long side pieces to that, quilt, bind, and finish.  And it will look something like this:



And one giant, adult-aged monkey will be off my back.  Okay, now I have the motivation, I just need to carve out the time and it WILL be done.  (I really do need challenges/deadlines to get anything done...)

[alwaysinmyroom]

oh my goodness...you need to finish it!  I can't believe it was done started when you were new to quilting...what a challenging pattern!

I like your process...I need to try it...maybe fresh eyes will help me see possibilities in my older projects!

[waggonswest]

I have an old top made using what I believe is the exact same green rose fabric in the WIP.  It was in a box that got into a basement flood, was washed acquired some rusty safety pins and a few very strange dark stains.  It is frayed and stained and I can't throw it away but it hardly seems worth finishing.  I LOVE that fabric. 

[meleriffic]

My oldest WIP was started back when I was in high school. 2002 I think. However, let's be honest. There is no way I'm going to finish it. It was a Young Women Values Quilt that was supposed to go on my bed in college, and well since then they've added a value, so it doesn't even work as that anymore.

I'll have to think and figure out my list for 2013.

[alwaysinmyroom]

We should do a challenge on converting a quilt top that we are never going to finish into something else....

[MickeymooMichelle]

Ok. Sounds good


Off the top of my head' these are the projects I hope to complete. (without hauling out the stash of fabric)

1.  Wip. A horse quilt for my 10 yo. Started planning about 8 months ago but only got fabric about 3 months ago. ( you don't get really awesome themed fabric here that often)
2.  another wip. A quilted table runner I was supposed to have done by Xmas. So let's put it on 2013 list an African Xmas
3.  a Noah's ark wall hanging
4. Some sewing machine mats for all the machines.
5. Another quilt for my 10year old
6. A 2nd quilt for my 3 year old

And I'm sure I'll add as I decide to make Xmas gifts
I am also inspired by a lot of the quilts here, so may plan one for myself!

[MickeymooMichelle]

We should do a challenge on converting a quilt top that we are never going to finish into something else....

Hhhhmmmm. Gr8 idea
Like what though?need some ideas!

[Ravengirl103]

I listed 6 I think for 2012 and got 1 quilt done!  So I'm going to set my goal for 3 and see how it goes.   

1.  Moroccan Quilt

2.  Owl Quilt

3. My WIP- Scrap Quilt. I know this one won't get finished by 1/31.  This quilt is one of the first ones I started without any help from my Mother who is a quilting Goddess.  The blocks are cut wrong and don't match up.  Ugh.   I started it 4 years ago.  My goal is to finish this disaster.  Here's a pic!

[waggonswest]

Somewhere in the vastness of the internet I came across a site where people sent in their never going to finish tops and a lady would re-design them.  A lot of what she did was cut them up and put them together with other fabrics or used elements of them in a larger design.  I'll see if I can find it again. 

It would be a good way to think about those early projects where things don't line up quite right. 

[meleriffic]

Completed Quilts
1.Baby Quilt A from Snow Flower charms  
2.Baby Quilt B from Snow Flower charms
3.Monkey Whole Cloth Quilt  
4.Sleepy Jean Quilt using Soiree by Moda  

Quilting Wish List
WIP Duck Quilt for baby (fabric bought 2008, started cutting in 2010).
Modified Version of Simply Silly Quilt using Sultry by Moda  
Sugar Garden Throw Quilt using Hartfield by Moda charm packs  
Jungle Baby Whole Cloth Quilt
Whole Cloth Quilt for Son #2
Butterfly Whole Cloth Quilt for baby girl
All Framed Up Baby Quilt
Charmalade Quilt
Disappearing Scraps Quilt
Garden Fence Quilt
Scrappy Log Cabin Quilt
On the Road to Spring Quilt
String Quilt
Value Quilt
HST Baby Quilt for Baby Girl
Paintbox Quilt
Modified Bento Box
One Block Wonder technique from Maxine Rosenthaal Quilt