New Year's Sewing/Quilting Resolutions

I have a lot of pretty fabric that I've been reluctant to cut-up. I am going to cut into some of that beautiful fabric next year and make beautiful things with it. I came to the realization that I need to do this today. I am making a Christmas Tree skirt as a gift for my brother and his girlfriend. I am using some Amanda Murphy fabric that I adore. I am getting a lot of pleasure out of seeing it come together and knowing that I am giving something that I think is truly pretty.

So my list is...
1. use some of the beautiful fabrics that I've been saving
2. make at least one project using a Jaybird pattern and her rulers (which I finally bought because I got a great deal)
3. do the quilt-along project from Leah Day that I paid for and never did.

For me, that is enough to commit to as my sewing time is limited, and if I commit to too much it will seem more like a chore. Hmmm, I think I might be able to roll #1 and #2 into one project and kill to birds with one stone.

What about you? What are your sewing/quilting resolutions to yourself?

Good topic. I thought about joining the UFO group, but some of my items will take longer than just a month to finish. Here's my list for next year

1. create my sewing room
   1. clean it out
   2. paint
   3. buy furniture
   4. populate with fabric (the best part!)
2. finish quilts I've started
   1. Sugar Block Club
   2. Grace's Tshirt quilt
   3. Periwinkle
   4. Anniversary Quilt
   5. Farmer's Wife
3. quilt tops I've made but not quilted
   1. Woven Wildflowers
   2. Bluebonnet Shop Hop
   3. 4 Mystery Quilts

I think I'll make my list into a note and update it as I progress.

I did pretty well this year finishing up a few UFOs and next year I will continue the same. I have a scottie wall quilt I would like to finish (my oldest UFO). I think I will make another Log Cabin quilt and another Dresden. I love making table runners and I see a few of these as future projects. I just got the Kiss Kiss charm pack for a Valentine's Day runner. I should also finish putting labels on all my quilts.

Clean and organize my sewing room! If I can accomplish this I will be happy!

I'm afraid to start . . . I may have a list that will cause the M* server to overload and disintegrate. I was sorting through some fabric yesterday afternoon, began to be overwhelmed, so pulled out my next project and stored the rest . . . again. I did take a moment to pet a huge stack of FQs that was my first real 'quilting related' purchase . . . and that was about 10 years ago. My excuse? I guess I haven't found the right project.

I am decorating my sewing room that just happens to have my grand piano in it. Also other musical instruments. The room was my hubs idea and he helped me immeasurably. Now we're going to the next level. Paint, hidden storage, beautiful table skirts, and girly. Will be so excited to work on.

One wicked witch panel wall hanging -cause you know that the message to this is....witch is just beginning to turn to smoke and if you consider her being all your bad things like depression and disappointment, then all of that is going up in smoke. I find that energizing. Another quilt I have is a Peter pan . A few totes nd that will take me through the first couple weeks. Haha. I would like to do that spool quilt in a small size. And the list goes on.

I resolve.............................to make more quilts. "nuff said.

I'm glad to know that others have a hard time cutting into fabric!
I have also learned this year that when fabric lines are gone they are GONE.
That makes me so sad because while surfing the Internet I find things I just
love and then find out it was 2 or more years ago and is no long available.

I started thinking about this, and I became overwhelmed. Not what I want to feel for an enjoyable hobby! There is so much that I want to get done. I joined the 2015 finishing club, so that will be a help. In addition:

1. Make my Pocono Ridge wall hanging
2. Make a good everyday purse for myself
3. Plan a bed quilt for myself (may have to wait until 2016 to make!)
4. Make a quilt for my friends in Chicago (finally know what to do with a kit I purchased 3 years ago!)
5. Complete at least one project a week for craft show
6. Make two throws with the Lady Edith and Silvia's Garden and Sonnet fabrics
7. Sew at least 4 days a week (pro action to remain sane and positive)
8. Plan and complete an EPP project.

As you can see, there is a theme going through this list - make some stuff for me! LOL! After 4 years of quilting, I want my home to say "a quilter lives here!"

In addition to the quilting goals, I want to go back to more home cooking. I was doing so well with this until 1/2 way through 2013, and then it went kaput! So, those 3 days a week that I may not be quilting, I will be cooking! I'd like to try 1 - 2 new recipes a month, and return to baking my own bread as well. Cooking is as rewarding as quilting to me - but it doesn't last as long, and there is more of a mess to clean up afterwards!

With all these plans, I will add that these are goals I aspire to, and if I cannot meet all of them, I can be happy that I did my best. There is no need for me to get stressed over anything on these lists that do not get done. These are supposed to be enjoyable activities.

I'm working to finish my last two UFOs, so I can start the New Year fresh! I have several projects in mind, but I'd like to focus on refining my techniques as well as trying some new ones.

I resolve to keep sewing and that's as far as I'm resolving. :)

Just taking it one stitch at a time here!

Just as a side note, my resolutions are things I would like to accomplish but not things I will beat myself up over if they don't get completed. My biggest resolution is to have fun and enjoy whatever projects I do. :)

1. Quilt for Joyce - Lover's Knot Queen Size (due January, 2015)
2. Quilt for Tanya - Maple Leaves Throw/Lap Size (due January, 2015)
3. Quilt for Leah's baby Shower (due February, 2015)
4. Quilt (or receiving blankets) for Christine's baby shower (due February, 2015)
5. Quilt Challenge from Cat77 (speaking of her, where is she?) due sometime in 2015
6. Quilt using a blogger's fabric swap
7. WIP - Cloudy Days, Blue Birds (half blocks done)
8. WIP - Welcome Home (all blocks done)
9. WIP - Walk in the Park Quilt (all blocks done)
10. Serendipity Quilt to make these blocks into 1 or 2 quilts - See tutorial here
Sew Preeti Quilts: Serendipity...

There are only seventeen (or 79) other ideas, audition blocks, doodles, notes, patterns in my head, iPad, notebook, computer files, printouts and one that is on the tiny piece of paper that had my stick of gum in it.

Thanks for starting this new thread......

1. Since I started selling purses and totes, I've quit quilting.... so my resolution is to MAKE time for a quilt. I love Jenny's newest tutorial and that's the one I want to do ..(I've got 2 batik jelly rolls and haven't found anything I want to do with those...until now.)

2. Replace old and non functional furniture in the sewing/computer/tv room... with something that works much better.

3. Take a couple of classes so I can learn about and enjoy the embroidery module on my new Bernina... (Haven't done that because of purse and tote orders).

...........wishing each of you and blessed and faith filled Christmas!

I saw Sandy's comment and thought her and I need a year long quilt retreat in a locked room with things we've started and we might get some of them finished. I've got a few tops that I'd like to finish, it's just getting them sandwiched and then quilted. They are larger quilts so I know they will be more difficult to get through my machine. I keep looking at those sit down long arms which would make things so much easier.

I won't resolve to do them as I know myself too well - the best way to get me to not do something is to tell me I have to do it.

I like to set SMART goals- Specific, Measureable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time Limited. In order to make my list achievable I resolve to finish my All Squared Up quilt for myself. So far I haven't made a quilt for myself so this year I get one. I hate to make any kind of a resolution and not keep it so I will say that I want this quilt completed by June at the latest.

I resolve to have my sewing room painted and organized before I go to Florida on holiday in February.

I also resolve that barring any uncontrollable situation I will attend the M*QC Forum Retreat in Fall 2015.

After that we will see. I plan to work on Christmas gifts all year long.

1. I resolve to continue learning how to sew in the first place....
2. To actually have a WIP/Resolve to finish list come the beginning of 2016. :D

These all sound like great plans and I've got mine too.
I knew I had beautiful fabrics downstairs and all it took was for me to reorganize after DH built me a very large quilting room in the basement for me to remember how much I have of what I have that I bought because they were so pretty and most I have plans for. When organizing, I separated about 90% of what I don't want someone else to choose when they have a need to pop over looking for a particular color. I don't mind sharing but there are just certain ones I prefer to keep aside for the purpose I bought them for. So, I plan for 2015:
- use those special fabrics for what I bought them for
- only jump on the computer once a week (which means I will probably miss out on lots of conversations but I spend too much time on it).
I do have a written list and plan to get lots crossed off. It might take me about 2 years to get these projects finished.

Endings...
1. Finish that circular quilt that seemed like such a good idea at the time. Definitely need some help with that so I'll post a pic in the new year,
2. Finish my Turning Twenty, started probably 6 or so years ago.
3. Finish the pinwheely top I made from Quilty.
Beginnings...
Oh I don't have enough space to tell you all the things I want to start.....

This year I managed to finish my two oldest UFO's...31 and 9 years old. Only finished them because I broke down and sent them to LAQ. For 2015 I really want to clear out the remaining UFO's...

1. A twister Valentine wall hanging I started hand quilting 2 years ago. The arthritis in my thumb and wrist kept me from finishing this. Since it is just a wall hanging I may finish it with the machine.

2 . An Irish Chain quilt that is 3/4 finished piecing.

3. A NYC themed quilt....applique of city skyline done and New York Beauty blocks completed. Need to put thing together. Keep changing my mind about what I want to do.

4. Quilt a Halloween tumbler and a fall log cabin...tops finished piecing.

5. Complete piecing and quilt Christmas OneBlock Wonder.

I won't even talk about what I want to start....

Oh, man.. so many things.

-Finish my SiL's anniversary quilt (The biggest one I've tried so far)
-Make 3 more belly rug/play mat disk quilts (but edge them like a drawstring bag)
-Finalize and start the giant self quilted hexie quilt of doom
-Also micro quilts. 1in blocks into teeny quilts for super mug rug gifting. So many. Excellent test runs for pixel art quilts.
-Clear out the sewing corner so I can sit and do small things when the baby naps

...sew more, create more in general, be less afraid, and take more pictures of the girls... they're already much too big.

Well, let's see...
--I have three quilt tops to sandwich and quilt and like Karen said, I'm considering a mid arm to make it easier to quilt.
--I want to make a quilt for my bed, a quilted bed for my fur kids and a host of other quilts for family members.
--I want to make some of the bow tucks totes now that I have the pattern.

---Now, to find the time to do this and so much more!!!

UFO's! This is the year to get them done and out! I need more room for fabric storage and these take up precious space. Then I vow to work my way through every quilting book I own and make every quilt! HA~ I would love to finish my 2 Farmer's Wife quilts. I vow to spend more time, daily, on my long arm and improve my techniques and learn new patterns. I would love to make at least one child's size or baby sized quilt per month for donation. I have lots on my plate, but I hope to dedicate more time this year to sewing and quilting and completing some things!

I don't believe in making promises I can't keep--even to myself!!!

I have a bad habit of being in the middle of one thing, and then starting on something else. I probably will never stop doing that, so to be realistic, I intend to tidy up my sewing room and put things away before moving on to the next. I did that today and was much more relaxed w/o all the clutter.
Also I need to finish hand sewing the binding on my very first quilt, started in winter of 2011. I have maybe 40” of binding left to sew on it and I just haven’t gotten around to it!

We all have wonderful doable dreams for our resolutions. I agree with jjkaiser. No promises exactly. I do know I am getting a new machine and I am going to have so much fun quilting all my pieced quilts. And I am going to continue enjoying this wonderful world of fabric and quilting. I surely am doing everything in my power to make the retreat this year and not letting anything get in my way! :). I also do know we will all be successful in the new year.

Now that I have my sewing room organized, I am getting to all the scraps that I pressed cut and into the sizes I like to use ... however I am not so sure that those scraps are like dust bunnies they multiply when I am not looking. I also joined the UFO group to get all the quilt tops finished. don't know why is so hard to get them done I have a long arm and am retired...

Good discussion, and love everyone's ideas.
For me, I think I need to stay focused more on completing each one, as I tend to jump around alot and finish nothing. :icon_sniff:
I found Jenny while trying to find unique ways to 'frame with fabric" some of my cross stitch pieces, so that is a definite MUST for this coming year.

I have enjoyed reading about everyone's plans for the coming year. I have worked for two years on finishing UFOs. I think this year I will finally be able to do that. I have the same problem as many of you, I like to start new projects. I finished 14 last year and 10 this year. Hopefully I will be able to finish the last 5 UFOs and several new quilts. If I ever catch up, I vow to finish what I start before starting a new project. I got a new machine last year that has really helped me finish more. Good luck to everyone for more complete quilts in 2015!

Once the Yuletide Season is over, I will not sew for anyone but myself. I'm kinda glad I put that "Christmas Gift Goal" up right off the bat, now I can concentrate on the more diverse/advanced items I'm itching to do. Gift projects are done, as are stocking stuffers. I promise myself more time to design and bring to fruition, all the ideas running thru my head, and quickly sketched out with notes to myself. Purchase more vibrant material (and will not do spur of the moment requests, unless folks are willing to pay for them). Purchase my new machine and Gracie frame. If I make the statement I'm making quilts for Christmas 2015, by all means, remind me I've taken leave of my sanity once again! :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Carrie J

If I make the statement I'm making quilts for Christmas 2015, by all means, remind me I've taken leave of my sanity once again! :D

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Will do!!!!

My one and only resolution is to make the Mariner's Compass quilt.

I am hoping to learn how to use my embroidery software purchase for my macbook pro that's compatible with my new HV Diamond Royale. Since I am somewhat technology challenged, this is slightly terrifying... But I am determined. It came with a year of free online/phone support so that should help.

What about you? What are your sewing/quilting resolutions to yourself

Since I've picked up quilting after a very long while, I have 3 big resolutions about it :)

1) start buying fabrics that match (not only that I like and never match a single thing)

2) buy white, cream and black fabrics which I have not (only small almost useless pieces)

3) organize the tiny space I have. I quilt in my kitchen's table and I have a few big plastic boxes where I keep my stuff. Let's organize that so I'll find everything in no time at all!

:)

My resolutions are:
1. No more fabric purchases until I use up my stash!
2. Give myself permission to cut into those pretty fabrics in my bookcase (almost too pretty to cut!) I keep telling myself if they look this good in my bookcase, just think how much better it would look in a quilt I can cuddle with).
3. Make quilts for ME (and DH, DD, DS) and to decorate MY home.
4. Make a block a day with that perpetual calendar

I resolve to keep sewing , quilting and garments. Have fun and enjoy the process. Learn new patterns.

I've read all the posts and realized we all have a lot of sewing on our plates! And yes, it's suppose to be fun and it's suppose to help us improve our skills! I have one UFO that I cannot finish until I get my bed replaced so that one will remain a UFO for a while longer. Since I just found out I need a new roof, I'm thinking it's gonna be quite a few months on hold!
This year I want to try a bargello and a OBW.
I also want to make a rag quilt for the living room and a table runner or runners for my dining room table.
I want to continue to do sewing for the dog rescue fund raisers. They need so much for these abandoned animals and puppy mill rescues.
I turn 65 in April and I want this year to be my year too. But DH's health is always a priority so I have to remember to take care of myself too. And that includes doing things I love.
I'd like to think I will make the fall retreat but I am wondering if I can leave DH alone for any length of time anymore. We will see!!!
But for the rest of this year I plan to finish the gifts still pending and enjoy the family time I have with the kids!
I wish you all happiness as the year comes to a close and no stress over the things needing to get done!!

1) Quilt the 6 tops that have not been quilted (or as many as possible)
2) Make baby quilt for my son's friends who just found out they are expecting
3) Spend more time quilting
4) Get rid of fabrics that I know I'm not going to use (some of the fabrics are not quilting fabrics but sweater knits I bought about 7 years ago)
5) Complete the hand quilting project that is on the frame

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Juliet Taylor

3) organize the tiny space I have. I quilt in my kitchen's table and I have a few big plastic boxes where I keep my stuff. Let's organize that so I'll find everything in no time at all!
:)

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Done this morning! Oh yeah :D at least this is done!