Are you ready to work on your Quilt UFOs and WIPs?
First, let’s talk about Quilt UFOs and WIPs. What are they? A Quilt UFO is an unfinished project. I like to think of it as one I started and then set aside as I started to work on something else. Some day, I will learn to focus on one project at a time. A Quilt WIP is a work-in-progress project. Think of this as your current project or projects, depending on your sewing style.
Second, let’s discuss how to finish them up or at least make a good dent in all these projects. Finishing those projects can be overwhelming and tedious, especially if something exciting has caught your eye, like a mystery quilt.
I am trying to decide how to approach my Quilt UFOs and WIPs for the coming year. Assigning projects to each month wasn’t as successful for me. It could have been the projects I chose or that 2024 was filled with obligations. It is time to take a good look at what I have to finish up.
Choose a Method
One method to help with finishing UFOs and WIPs is to assign a project to each month throughout the year and focus on that project during the month. Ideally, you should have 12 completed projects at the end of the year.
You can also add project names to a jar or bag and pull one once you have finished a project. Some months, you may be able to finish multiple projects; other times, it may take a couple of months to finish a project. I am leaning toward this option.
Another method that I have enjoyed in the past is assigning a project to numbers 1-12. Each month, a number is pulled, and the project associated with that number is the focus for the month. There is the element of surprise for this option. Please let me know if you have a favorite game or method for finishing up projects!
Types of Quilt UFOs and WIPs Projects
I have about five bindings that need to be completed in 2025. They will be added to my projects. Bindings go relatively quickly compared to other projects. I need to see progress to keep myself motivated. So, I will throw some quick, easy projects into the mix for the coming year.
Bindings are good to work on in the colder months of the year. It looks like I have a couple of months covered!
Next, at least at this point, I have about eight quilts that need to be machine quilted. This number often changes as I complete quilts and add more quilts. I try to add the backing and batting with the quilt top so it is easy to grab and add to the machine when I have time.
WIPs Projects
For WIPs, I have four five that I am working on: two mysteries, Jack’s Chain, and both foundation piecing projects from 2024. I truly need to stop starting new projects before I finish old ones. I like to keep these projects handy and work on them when I have a couple of hours free.
My UFOs have decreased dramatically since I have been focusing on completing projects. It is nice to look at the shelf and see far fewer than there were a year ago. The top of this list will be a quilt that only needs a border added, and then it will go into the machine quilting pile. For some reason, I set it aside at a quilt retreat last spring and started working on something else! I was so close to finishing this top.
I do have four other projects for which I have pulled all the fabric, but that is as far as I have gotten. Are they actually UFOs? Not really, but they are projects I want to do sometime. Two of them are scrappy projects. I am sure at some point this year I will turn them into either a Quilt UFO, WIP, Machine Quilting or Binding.
2025 Goals
What are your quilting goals for the new year? I have a couple that aren’t specifically sewing but organizing.
One: My scrappy fabrics have gotten out of hand. It is time to take a day to sort them out – at least by color. At this point, I won’t cut them down into common sizes.
Two: My sewing room needs a deep clean and some serious organization. The room isn’t the biggest, so it doesn’t take long for me to be overwhelmed by the creative chaos.
Three: Focus on creating scrappy quilt patterns. It is time for me to add to the Scrappy Pattern page.
What are your goals for the coming year? Is there a project that you want to or have to finish in the coming year? Share your ideas and encouragement for others. Together, we can support each other through this. I find it easier to be accountable to someone.
Until next time.
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