Every year, between Christmas and New Year, I get a fit of the ‘cleanies’ where I end up practically gutting my flat. There is also usually a trip to Ikea to buy more storage solutions. This year was no exception, and one of the bits that was particularly hit was my WIP pile. Now it happens that that was on top of the 4 x 2 Expedit shelves I got this time last year, and this year I got a 2 x 2 Expedit to go on top. No, it’s not quite so bad that I needed all that for my WIPs, but they did take up one whole hole.
I started to sort through all the WIPs, to catalogue them on whiteboards, along with planned finish quarters. And how many did I find, dear reader? 38. 38!!! That’s not even taking in to account all the things I’ve planned for and not quite got to yet – yikes! And to think, the lovely Leanne at She Can Quilt thought I didn’t ever leave things unfinished (it might be more fair to say I rarely share what I haven’t finished ;o) ) So to really out myself I took photos, so I could remain all accountable like…
1. Ironing board cover – I’ve been putting this off for about 8 months, but I *really* need to get on with it, my current board is in a shocking state!
2. Winterkissin’ – I’d hoped to get more of this done before Christmas, but the ick put paid to that
3. & 4. Indie stars – got all the measurements and instructions worked out, now to get to it!
5. Rainbow hexie cushion – I so enthusiastically sewed these together on several train journeys and at my gran’s, and then cast them aside for more pressing matters :o/
6. Messenger bag – this is actually about 75% finished, I started it as a trial for the pattern I was making for the Intrepid Thread newsletter and never finished it.
7. Porthole Monsterz – I started the portholes at FQR last June, and then promptly did nothing else with them…
8. Rocket art packet – I made this block as part of the FPPFTT sew along last year, and it has languished ever since.
9. QAYG Place Mats – I did the front of one of these for Merrily We Sew Along at the start of December and then the ick struck and other more pressing sewing intervened
10. Echo Bella – this poor thing gets picked up and laid down at random and infrequent intervals
11. Retro Brit Bee Flowers – My lovely Brit Bee mates made these blocks for me in July. I have a couple to make myself and then it can become a quilt.
12. Frog Prince Pouch – I cut all the bits of this at the same time as I made the inset circle prize pouch in July, and even packaged it to take to the sew along at Jo’s, but didn’t touch it, and haven’t since.
13. Precious Portholes – I got this lovely fabric from Kim at My Go Go Life at the beginning of last summer, and I know exactly what I want to do with it, but haven’t actually got to it yet
14. SS Cushions – I cut all these pieces for my Shapes & Angles class at Sewing Summit, and then they were in the delayed luggage, so I didn’t have them for the class after all :o/
15. Rainbow Road Bag – embarrassingly I started this last January. Then the lovely Lynne from Lily’s Quilts said she would send me some smoky transparent thread to quilt it, but when it arrived (a whole week later) I’d moved on to something else and never went back to it…
16. Cathedral Windows Bag – even more embarrassingly, I was playing with this last new year *ahem*
17. Pips In Nine – This was the first quilt I planned after I finished my first quilt in the Across The Sea QAL in autumn of 2011. I got one row of blocks done and then… actually I have no idea, I must just have got distracted. I’m hoping to get this one done to send to Siblings Together
18. EPP Seasons Cushion – moving on to a more recent abandonment, I made this as part of the Travellin’ Pic Stitch blog hop, but it needs 3 more ‘seasons’ to play with
19. Viewmaster Cushion – I asked my Piece Bee With You mates to make me viewmaster blocks from a tutorial that Kim had over the summer, and I think I’m going to make a cushion out of them as they’re quite small. I’m still waiting for some of these to come in though, so it may be a while!
20. Carl Chameleon Tote – I made Carl when pattern testing for Joanna at Shape Moth and then set him aside, and piled stuff on top of him, and the poor thing was hidden from sight completely!
21. Paris Map cushion – I started this for the Texting While Sewing comp, and then couldn’t get my vision realised *sigh* I think I have a way ahead for it now though.
22. Sew Happy Quilt – I made this as part of the Sew Happy Quilt along at the start of last year. I intended originally to send it to Kat for her baby quilts, but it turned out to be far too big, so I think it may make its way to Project Linus once I’ve backed, quilted and bound it.
23. Japanese x & + Cushion – I got these blocks in a swap early last year. There are 5 of them at the moment, but I think I might add another 4 and make them into a floor cushion.
24. New York Beauty Cushion – I made this as part of the New York Beauty Quilt Along from gorgeous Oakshotts, and then couldn’t work out what to do with it! I’ve decided it will become another cushion anyway.
25. Rainbow Mod Mosaic – I took part in a number of rainbow charm swaps to gather enough to make a mod mosaic quilt, however I’ve never quite got as far as assembling them yet, although I have chopped some up a bit…
26. Rainbow Windmill Cushion – I totally went off this, and I still don’t love it, so it’s been hidden away. I need to finish the quilting on it, and then I need to find an innocent victim recipient.
27. Sew Serendipity tunic – I’ve had this in the works since May 2010, and it’s still pattern pieces and bits of fabric *sigh*
28. Shirred sun dress – I start this in May 2010 as well, but my old machine didn’t shir nicely, and it’s all gone horribly wrong and will have to be unpicked. I haven’t had the strength for that yet…
29, 30 & 31. Circa 1930, Hometown & Reunion quilts – I’ve had the patterns for these sorted out for at least a year, but then I think I decided I liked more quirky quilts, while these were rather conventional, so I didn’t get any further with them. I’d like to just get them done now!
32. & 33. Prince Charming Bubbles Quilt x 2 – These have been a long time in rising to the surface, but I have the pattern worked out, and the templates printed, I just need to actually cut into the fabric and sew the things!
34. Etchings Quilt – I bought these with a particular purpose in mind, but then another idea worked just as well instead, so these got abandoned again, however I have a whole pattern worked out, I just need to make it…
35. Madrona Rd Corners – The vision for this came to me in a rather fever induced hallucination at the start of December, and I’m rather anxious to get what I jotted down as a pattern into fabric…
36. Boo Brr – Another pile of fabric, another set of notes, enough said…
37. Shirt from pattern drafting class – I need to finish the muslin on this, but the class last summer happened during rather a busy period in my life, and I never got to finish it.
38. Skirt from pattern drafting class – as per the shirt, too much to do, too little time :o/
Oh dear. So anyone else care to top that?! Actually don’t even try, it gives you a distinct sinking feeling…
I told you before, I'm not counting! You'd die of embarrassment for me! I WILL be doing the FAL!
Oh wow. That's a lot of inspiration…you've… had.
That's positive! I love the way they are all organized and kept together in bags and clips. If I have a UFO, parts get lost and it ends up in a wrinkled pile. Maybe you should do a blog on organizing,& cataloging. I love all of your projects though! They are going to be beautiful!
Blimey! That is a list!! But a lot are on their way to completion.
I love those monsterz portholes!!
The one big positive to be taken is how good this makes the rest of us feel.
That's quite a list!! I think you could reduce your count by not counting anything that isn't actually started…if you haven't cut into it/done any sewing on it then it doesn't count. At least that's what I'm telling myself…
Love them all though and can't wait to see some of them finished, especially the rainbow geese cushion, the Oakshott NYB and the Indie stars. Actually, I'm looking forward to all of them but was trying to narrow it down! Which project are you tackling first?
i'm so sorry… you're still waiting on my viewmaster. it's going to be a while longer. first off i have very few appropriate fabrics, i just moved to germany, and have had some family crises.
I sense a great deal of seeing in your future. Good luck!!! I'm sure it will be a lot of fun!
La la la . . I can't hear you! I'm thinking that my list would be terribly similar! But not to worry! Just take one at a time ♥
**snickers** my list is coming soon. **snickers** we are a hot mess but so much fun we have…and I just must add you are adding to my list with you sew along! **snickers**
And there was I thinking you were perfect – I am in shock! Do the ironing board cover, I put mine off for years (10 or more), it took an hour to do and it is so lovely and satisfying and makes ironing so much better that all your other WIPS will be done in no time atall!
Thanks for sharing your imperfection!
While cleaning and sorting I found a project I started in 1992 with pattern pieces attached. The problem is I'm not even certain what it is or who I was making it for. I think that it might hold the record for oldest WIP.
I agree with Helen. You absolutely definitely shouldn't count anything as a WIP if you haven't cut the fabric. You have to do it that way, otherwise my WIP count would make yours look like a grain of sand on the beach. How many cushions are you willing to make??? On the other hand you do have some beautiful WIPs in there.
Wow that's a lot of WIPs – well done for listing them all. If you finish them you definitely won't be short of cushions! I am curious what your plan was for reunion fabric – I've been hoarding some of this!
wow, that feels overwhelming. I will admit, when I do my WIP list, I don't count those projects that are just piles of fabrics and patterns. Only things that I've started cutting count as WIPs. I wouldn't add those. 🙂 Start with the projects that will be the quickest so it feels like you get a lot done fast!! Good luck.
Wow. Just…wow.
I was sorting my project box–I have to bind a quilt, finish a scarf, and I have a bunch of made quilt blocks yet to be sewn together, but they've been there for a while so they don't really exist anymore. Your list gives me palpitations. But at least it's all great stuff–can't wait to see your Winterkist project. I love that line!
Holy Crap! I know you said 38 before but now reading down the whole list it's scaring the wotsits out of me. I am loving the look of that unfinished messenger bag especially so you should finish that first 🙂
Oh LT, and you think you are THE only one with UFO's? NOT. Just call them "rainy day projects".
Hugs
I actually do think that I could top this…but the shock of posting it all in one place would probably turn me into a fabric puritan lol! I know that if I went through all my bins of fabric I could pull at least 20 projects that I haven't started yet, but have purchased fabric for. The ones that I have started might tip the list. Does that make you feel a little better? 😉
Wow. I think I will come very very close if I include piles with ideas – my theory is if you haven't actually cut anything it still isn't a wip yet. Helps keep me slightly sane ;o)
Testing again.. how about now? 🙂
Oh goodness. I feel slightly better about the mess I've uncovered in my own studio. There's a number of things in that list that if you just really can't stand to finish they could come my way, yanno 😉
Well that has made me feel a whole lot better!! Which are you starting with first?
To be fair, plenty of those are just planned works, not something you've started but not completed. I really don't think we should count all our planned/kitted projects. Too dangerous 🙂
Looking forward to seeing your progress on this list though. Based on what you accomplished in 2012, getting all 38 done in 2013 should be a breeze 😉
I don't feel so bad now although I definitely have more than you. I only have one that is a pile of fabric and pattern though. And for some reason I always look at precuts as wips, so I count my layer cake mountain (well, about 6 of them) as wisp even though I am not sure what I am going to make with them. Love all your cushion ideas maybe if I made a few cushions instead of quilts it would cut down my wip list. That seasons one will be fabulous!
You have made my day. I had a new year clear out and tidy up too…….and was rather depressed with the number of WIPs I located and am now determined to finish, at least some, before starting anything new. But guess what? Nothing like as many as you! Thanks, and good luck! Juliex
Crikey, see you next new year then when you come up for air! Seriously good luck though I'm sure you'll get through it, if you want to make your life easier feel free to send me any unwanted wip's, I love the rainbow windmill and +x blocks 😉
Holy wow, I enjoyed this list! LOL Made me feel better. I haven't really counted but I guess it's something like 10 or 15? Then again, maybe I'm delusional. Been thinking of blogging a list of my own WIP's to be held more accountable. Well, good luck on getting them all done! Think of the huge sense of accomplishment that will come with THAT!
Ummm ya….wow. I don't know what to tell you on that pile of ufo's..plenty to keep you out of trouble!
Wow is all I can say! Yikes. I'd love to see you finish the New York Beauty pillow next. It will be beautiful and it is almost there–it'll be a quick check off the list!
Gordon Bennett! I need a stiff drink after reading that! I think denial is under-rated! Jxo
wow, is all I can say!
Wow! I do remember during my days of sewing and crafting I had so much stuff to finish I had storage bins in a shower stall that was the length of a bathtub, that we never used. There's where the bins went. I just kept the shower curtain pulled. Everyone called it my den of sin.
It will be interesting to see what things you finish.
All of it is pretty!!
Hugs
Iris
If I made a list I'd freak myself out. You have so many awesome projects!!
I think you are making it harder for yourself. A pile of fabric cannot count as a WIP until you have started cutting. Well that's my theory anyway! Otherwise I'm in deep doo doos!
O_O
OOOh…I feel so much better now I've read that lot…tee hee hee!
My list looks kind of pissy small next to yours. You win !
But I did enjoy seeing what you;re going to be working on this year . There are some gorgeous projects in there!
You are being way too hard on yourself. It is a girl's prerogative to change her mind now and again, so some of your projects are "in transition" that sounds much more active!
I don't actually think it's that bad- a lot of your projects are nearly finished small things like pouches and bags and cushions, you could totally blitz those in a couple of weeks and feel super productive!
Do me a favour though, you will finish Carl won't you? 🙂
Yeah, I topped that, with one hand behind my back ;0) I think I'm up to 64… I keep finding more!
Mahoosive list there. I am sure that you will finish many of them. Di x