Current Projects #3, 4 & 5 – Quilt Alongs & Block of the Months

Well, to be very honest, this is how I end up with UFOs. I browse the Internet and follow some very talented quilt designers. I find a Block of the Month (BOM) or Quilt Along (QAL) that I like and I try to start it. Then life gets in the way. I’ve tried to be organized this year – listing release dates on my calendar to remember to download and making weekly to-do lists which includes the blocks to be made as well as other projects on my list. Yes, this list also includes my UFO’s (Unfinished Objects), other current WIPs (Works in Progress), OMG (One Monthly Goal) and Tops for Fabric Cafe.

BOM, QAL, WIP, UFO, OMG, Tops for Fabric Cafe

So far, I have 5 BOM/QALs that I’ve labeled Active Current Projects. They are released on different days and on a different schedule, so I’m hoping they will get done. I did complete 4 Mystery QALs last fall – Project Linus (Lucy’s Love Notes- Large Throw Quilt), Autumn Jubilee (Queen Quilt), Fa La La (Table Topper) and QOV-Large Throw Quilt (Under the Starry Sky) and these mostly ran for 1 or 2 months. Many of these now Current Projects run for 4-6 months.

Active Current Projects –

Current Project #1 – Scrap Dance, Pachanga by Carole on her blog, From My Carolina Home – Started, and aiming for a Queen size quilt. This started January 9th and runs through June. She gives options for sizes from Table Topper to King size quilt. The pattern is designed to use up your scraps, but I’m using yardage for background fabric and fat quarters for the rest.

My fabric for Scrap Dance Pachanga – Using Black as Background

Current Project #2 – Quilt of Valor (QOV) A-12 (no name yet) hosted by Alycia on her blog Alycia Quilts/Quilty Girl I’m now picking Fabric, and sewing starts March 3rd. Clues will be released every week on Wednesday and Alycia says it shouldn’t take more than 2-1/2 hours to sew.

QOV 2021 A12 Mystery – Still deciding which blues to use. Need 1 dark & 1 Medium

Current Project #3 – Hand Piece Quilt Along co-sponsored by Kirstin & Patty, requires a pattern purchase of $10, and will have tutorials released on their blogs every Monday. I like to hand piece, but do most of my projects on the machine. This will help keep my hand-piecing skills sharp. There is an option for 28″ x 28″ wall hanging or 56″ x 56″ quilt. My hand quilting group normally meets on Thursday, so that will be my hand work day.

HPQAL 2021 – Harmony – Thinking Christmas Colors?

Possible Current Project #4 – 9-Patch Rows hosted on Pattern Pastiche (needs a free membership) & runs January – June. This quilt is a row-by-row quilt and will measure 80″ x 94″. Instructions are released every 2 weeks on Friday and each row is only available for 3 weeks.

2021 9-Patch Rows QAL – Fabric for 1st Row – Can’t decide on which cream

Possible Current Project #5 – Block of the Month (BOM) – My Hometown hosted by Jacqulynne on her blog The Art of Home. Patterns are released on the first Monday of the month through her email newsletter which you need to sign up to receive. After the BOM ends, I think the pattern will be available to purchase. This pattern has Embroidery or Applique options, but I’m just going to use some Focus Fabric.

My Hometown 2021 BOM – Will be using Fall colors & Cream

Other QALs & BOMs – I’m downloading these for later

Bright New Day by Jessica Dayon BOM sponsored by American Patchwork & Quilting. Blocks are released on the 15th of the month and runs monthly until February 2022.

2021 Serendipity – Sponsored by Fat Quarter Shop (FQS) – 8th Annual Charity QAL. FQS releases blocks on the 1st & 15th starting March 1st and runs through July. Patterns are free, but a donation to the Make-A-Wish foundation is requested.

Sewcialites – Sponsored by Fat Quarter Shop – A  free block of the week quilt along. This 38-week quilt along has blocks from 18 talented designers.  One block will be released every Friday, starting on Friday, September 25, 2020 and ending on Friday, June 25, 2021. Prior blocks are still available.

Home is… – Block of the Week Sponsored by Pat Sloan. Blocks are released every Wednesday (around noon) and runs January – June 2021 and earlier blocks are still available.

Riley Blake Designs BOM – Found on the blog, Polkadotchair. Blocks are released on Tuesdays (1st, 2nd & 3rd) from February to June. Blocks 1-3 have been released, but they can still be downloaded.

Starstruck – hosted on Pattern Pastiche – over halfway done, and earlier block patterns are no longer available. The blocks are released every 2 weeks through June 2021. You must have a login name & password, but the patterns are free.

Since I have 5 Current Projects, and there are 5 days Monday – Friday, I’m hoping to keep on schedule. That leaves the weekend for catch-up days. As a part of being organized (sort of), I’m hoping to keep track of my progress on my Blog. So to begin, I’ve shown the fabrics I will be using (unless I change my mind again lol).

Happy Stitching

Quilt Mouse