Attempting a PhD in quilting.

Projects Half Done? Yes, I have them. I have rather a collection of them. They range from being partially pieced to being oh so close (for several years now). I am inspired by  the PhD in 2021 Challenge offered by Quilting Gail.

I have selected 12 unfinished objects, many of which were blogged when I was last active over 7 years ago, if that gives you a sense of my backlog. I am not ranking the order for completion as I'm sure it will vary over time. And I'll be happy to complete even one as that will beat last year's total of 0 by a mile. 

Quilting will take place on Molly - my Sweet Sixteen. I've identified my three biggest roadblocks to getting quilts done. 

1. Borders. I find borders tedious. I am easily drawn to exciting new projects and don't stop to take the time to finish the important final step.
2. Planning the quilting design. I have a massive case of quilter's block when it comes to planning a design. So many possibilities. I lean towards custom quilting - though I have done some in the past with very simple designs and I am not opposed to do that again.
3. Fear of my machine - or of not being perfect. I am pushing myself to practice and become more comfortable with my machine. 

1. Marvel Lap Quilt

Started in 2017, partially completed in 2019, this one has jumped to the forefront as I decided that adding borders to this cutie will be my One Monthly Goal for January. This was a pre-cut quilt, as in all the pieces were pre-cut. This one will stay here as we are all Marvel fans. It needs borders, to be quilted and bound.

2. Coastal Pearls Picnic Quilt

This is the last quilt I blogged about, back in June 2013 and July 2013. This was started as the String of Pearls Quilt-Along led by Christa Quilts (2013). I did finish assembling this in 2013 and even sandwiched it. This is one that has been suffering Quilter's Block - instead periodically serving as a seat cushion while waiting not so patiently to be quilted.  I glue basted this one, so I haven't had to worry about sitting on pins. The backing for this quilt is a coverlet I found when we were clearing my grandmother's house back in 2013. This quilt will go to my youngest sister who has a love of beaches and flip flops. It needs to be quilted and bound.

3. Seminole Mountain

Started in 2014 at a Bonnie Hunter workshop sponsored by the Durham-Orange Quilt guild. The pattern is Smith Mountain Morning. The colors are those of my alma mater - and my go-to color palette. This quilt will stay with me and will eventually have its own retrospective blog post. It needs borders, to be quilted, and to be bound.

4. Sandy Breeze

This one is a bit embarrassing. It is a donation quilt - that has been sitting basted and waiting to to go under the needle for quite a few years now. I blogged about it several times in March-April 2013. It sticks me with pins periodically as I move it around. I am determined to get this one done and turned in to the guild this year. This one has suffered from quilter's block and perfectionism. I just need to get it done.

5. Gus's Camo Quilt

The least finished of the projects on my list. I picked out fabrics and started cutting in September 2019 at the Lake House retreat. The pattern is Pecking Order, a sweet pattern many in my bee have completed recently. My son has been asking for a Camouflage quilt for his room and gave me creative license to choose the pattern and the fabrics. Now that we are no longer doing travel sports, I don't get to drag him into local quilt or local yarn stores anymore and he doesn't go with me voluntarily to select fabric. I have decided to use these blocks as the leaders/enders for other projects and suddenly am making forward progress getting them assembled. The quilt will go to Gus, and it needs pretty much everything done for it.

6. Dogwood Runner

In June 2013 I took a class from Annette Ornelas - Southwind Designs - Carolina Dogwoods. This project is the closest to being finished as it just needs quilting in the borders and to be bound (original blog post). I have picked a motif for the borders and we are back to 'fear of my machine' that was the primary delay. Another quilt that sticks me with its pins each time I move it around. This will go to my mother once it is complete.

7. Penguin Patch

An oldie but a goodie - top was finished, sans borders, in May 2011. This is one of the Quilter's Academy lesson quilts. Another in need of borders, quilting and binding. I'm not sure where this one will end up.

8. Celestial Circles

Another lesson quilt from Quilter's Academy. This one was presented as a Table Topper, but as I loved the design, I went big - like really big. This quilt needs borders, quilting, and binding. It will go to my sister when it is eventually completed. Numerous blog posts: March 2011, March 2011, April 2011.

9. Asian Nights

Another Quilter's Academy lesson project from 2011 which needs borders, quilting and binding. I don't know where this one will eventually live, and I'm not certain I set aside fabric for the backing and binding for this one as I did with several others. Could be an adventure. As it was a learning quilt, there are several process posts from 2011:  Building February 2011; Pressing February 2011; Construction February 2011

10. Dr. Seuss Log Cabin

This is one of my favorite lingering projects. It is a Quilter's Academy lesson and was blogged about back in November 2010; Blocks. My original intention was that it go to my nephew... and he outgrew it, so I thought maybe I'll finish it in time for his younger brother to enjoy... and he outgrew it. So I'm hanging onto this one for a future grandchild. It has been sitting here for 10 years, what's a few more at this point. It needs borders (I'm thinking more red dots), quilting, and binding. I do have a black and white Dr. Seuss for the backing set aside.

11. Daisy Wonderland

This is the first of the class quilts in Quilter's Academy - started back in August 2010. It still needs borders, quilting and binding. And it needs a home. This one is lap sized. 

12. Triple Rail

Another early Quilter's Academy class quilt. Blogged about numerous times in September and October 2010. I've always liked the simplicity of this quilt. But is also says to me "I am a background for something more." It needs the obvious borders, quilting, and binding. But first, I think it needs a couple giant applique flowers. I have an idea of who this will live with in the future.

Happy Quilting!

Linking to Quilting Gail - PhD in 2021