UFO – Finish or Not Finish?

Each year American Patchwork & Quilting (APQ) issues a challenge inviting their readers to finish some UFOs (unfinished objects)! This is the 3rd or 4th year I have participated. Sometimes I’ve been somewhat successful and other years I barely make a dent. But I keep on trying. It is a fun way to try to organize and make progress on my UFOs. The UFO Challenge Facebook Page is a place to share progress and receive support and encouragement.

Every once in a while, mainly from a newcomer, there is posted a question: What is defined as a “finish? Well, there are no Quilt Police, and the definition is purely personal. For some it may mean completely finishing a project and gifting it/using it. While for others, it may mean making progress or finishing a step like completing the flimsy (a flimsy is a quilt top that has been pieced including borders, but not sandwiched/quilted/binding added). For me, the definition changes with each project.

My APQ 2021 UFO List

To begin the year, we make a numbered list of 12 (or more) UFOs. At the beginning of a month a random number is announced. For January 2021, the random number is 7. I actually have a couple of projects listed for each number. I chose to work on Wishes the Fat Quarter Shop’s 2014 Charity QAL (Quilt Along). I had the last 3 blocks to make, add sashing & add the last row to the rest. There are two borders to this quilt. One is the background fabric and the last border is a checkerboard of 2″ blocks.

Wishes – Last 3 Blocks with Sashing (Last Row)

Since the last border is pieced and the backing also requires some special checkerboard piecing, my goal is to finish the Flimsy up to the final border. I wanted to give myself time to work on other projects.

Wishes – Flimsy almost Finished (Needs final Border)

Finally, I have prepped the squares to work on the checkerboard. I will use these as Leaders/Enders while working on other stitching projects. My ultimate goal is to complete this and send to my Longarm Quilter. It would be marvelous to have this Finished/Finished this year! So, I’m glad this was picked for January. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel and this UFO will (hopefully) be finished in 2021 and not carried over to next year’s list. Only 7 years in the making. LOL!

Wishes – Checkerboard last Border and Backing Insert as Leaders/Enders

So, am I Finished or Not Finished? I will mark it down as a Finish for January for me. Now to move on to my OMG (One Monthly Goal).

This week – What is your finish?

Happy Stitching!

Quilt Mouse