Goals 2012

Now that I reviewed how I did in 2011, what are my goals for 2012? Well, they are a lot like 2011, that is for sure.  Overall I'd like to expand my sewing skills.

1. Make a piece of clothing for myself, and one for my daughter
Along the lines of expanding my skills and doing more "projects", I'd like to make myself a skirt and maybe something cute for my daughter. I think that the techniques involved in making clothes have always scared me a little (lots of curves! darts! pleats! zippers! smocking!), so working on clothes will be a good start to expanding those skills.

2.  Make at least one project involving handwork.  
It was on my list last year and I'd really like to get it done this year.  I may sign up for an embroidery class, or if there is some book or tutorial that folks recommend, I am interested in trying it. Give me your best links!

3. Use more of my scraps.
Added to the list again this year because I failed so miserably last year! I think string quilts are in my future, or at least a few string-based projects.

4. Make 7 8 quilts.
I know, the number keeps going down!  But I have two finished tops, three that just need binding, and then I can easily come up with two more after that. Ok I'll make it 8 again.  Ha ha.

5. Finally make a tree skirt.
I have been secretly wanting to do this for a LONG time, so I really need to get on it. Every year I put up the Christmas tree I think how naked it looks with no skirt. I'll really do it this year!!

What about you? What are your goals for 2012?

Goals 2011 recap

So how did I do?
1. Conquer my fear of zippers
I think I did pretty well on this one! I made a few wetbags for cloth diapers and the zippers really weren't so scary. They aren't perfect, but hey, I was making a bag to store dirty diapers--the beauty of the zipper is not so important as long as it keeps in the mess and stink.

2. More projects, less quilts
I think I did really well with this one! I made seven bags--two small tote bags, three wetbags, a diaper bag for myself and one for Dad. Oh, and a table runner as well.

3.  Make at least one project involving handwork.  
I have to admit I failed at this one. I didn't make anything with handwork this year! The more reason to add it to my list again, right?

4. Use more of my scraps.
Alas, also a failure! I've got a list of different projects that use scraps, though, so that will come in handy as I work on it this year.

5. Finish 8 quilts.
Yikes. I only finished 5. However, as I mentioned before, I have three quilted tops as well as two unquilted tops finished. So overall not bad!


6. Make a "seasonal" quilt.
I am not sure if I intentionally did this or not. I completed a forest looking quilt (which I will blog shortly, I promise!). It evokes fall but I didn't set out to make it as a fall quilt. I'll count it though.

How about you? Did you meet your goals for 2011 (quilting related or otherwise)?
 

Goals 2011

As promised, I've been thinking about what I'd like to accomplish this year in terms of my quilting/crafting.  Here is what I've come up with so far, knowing that in March my life is going to change quite dramatically and I may not be able to finish as many things as I'd like to.

1. Conquer my fear of zippers
I know this isn't a quilt goal, but for a long time, any time I see a project with zippers I pass on it. I have a zipper foot, so I know that I have the tools needed.  I just need to do it!!!  I know that a few years ago I just had to practice free motion quilting, and now I do it all the time.

2. More projects, less quilts
While I realize this is a quilt blog, there are lots of projects I'd like to do, especially with a baby on the way.  I also feel like given the amount of time I'll have in the next year, smaller projects might be more manageable.  A few things on my list: a Christmas tree skirt, a table runner for a friend, baby booties, a baby sleep sack, a diaper bag for me, a diaper bag for DH (that looks more manly), bibs, etc.  I think that doing more projects will really expand my skills.  I haven't worked much with bias tape, zippers, interfacing, or velcro, but all the projects on my list are going to force me to work with those, which will be really good for me to learn.  Who knows? I may even make more clothes for myself or baby.

3.  Make at least one project involving handwork.  
This could be hand applique, paper piecing hexagons, sashiko, embroidery, hand piecing, etc.  I've seen some beautiful applique with the Joseph's coat quilt along, lots of hexagons people do, and some gorgeous sashiko projects.  I don't have good handwork skills, other than the cross-stitch I did when I was a little girl, or the binding I put on quilts.  I have a lot of learning to do in this area. I haven't yet decided which type of handwork, but I'm sure I can find something--there are so many choices!  If you have recommendations or tutorials to recommend, please pass them along!

4. Use more of my scraps.
I have a lot of scrap bins, yet I don't make much with them. I made one baby quilt last year almost entirely with scraps, so that was a start, but I haven't made much impact in that area.  I think if I get into applique or hexagons then I can use a lot of scraps.  If I make a string quilt then I can use a lot of strips as well. We'll see what comes of that. A lot of "scrap" patterns call for strips, and my scrap bin is overflowing with non-strip scraps.  If I make more improv quilts than I can probably use a lot of scraps as well. Please send along suggestions for using scraps (tutorials, books, patterns, general ideas, etc)

5. Finish 8 quilts.
I feel like my quilt goals keep going down!  Mostly I know that I need to finish 4 before April for various babies, plus one baby due in June.  So I added two for whatever else might come my way (there is a wedding in May I'd like to make a quilt for as well).  One of my quilts is "at the quilter" as part of Ebony's free quilting initiative.  So I'll get that one back by the end of the year and it will count as a finish too.  I realize that after March I might have a lot less time on my hands, so I want to be realistic.


6. Make a "seasonal" quilt.
At my parent's house, there is a wall in the dining room which has one wall for seasonal quilts.  Depending on the season, there are different quilts up (4th of July, Fall, Christmas, Easter, etc).  I have an idea for what I want to be the winter one.  There is a beautiful "White Birches" quilt in an issue of Quilters World I have.  It is white and grey with little red birds, so that might be the one.

Year in Review: Goals 2010

Last year I posted my goals for 2010, so here's the update:

1. Complete 12 quilts.
I'm proud to say I met this one.  Granted, I was planning to make more "large" quilts but that wasn't to be with morning sickness and the full slate of friends having babies that needed quilts made.  That's ok by me though.  I still met my goal.

2. Give away at least two quilts for charity.
I'm proud to say I met this one as well.  I actually crossed it off the list pretty early in the year.  Sometimes that goal really pushes you to tackle it early. 

3. Make a quilt with circles/curves.
I made two!  One was the Love Beads quilt, and one was the Pasteis de Belem quilt.  I am no longer intimidated by circles.  To make them even less scary, I purchased the CurveMaster foot, but I have yet to use it.  I hear great things about it though.

4. Use more solids in my quilts.
I made one quilt entirely of solids, and I've been adding them more.

5. No quilt pattern repeats!
Sort of made it on this one.  I guess you could say I didn't.  The last finish of 2010 was something I have done before with charm squares.  Granted, I didn't use a pattern either time, so I'm not sure that it is a repeat. :)

6. Make a "stack the deck" quilt.
Didn't do this.  Alas, I couldn't find the right pattern/fabric/occasion to do so.  I still like the book and will do one in the future, just didn't make it this year.

7. Make more improvised quilts.
Definitely did this!  I made two (here and here) at Beaver Island Quilt Retreat, and made one prior to that which was my own made up pattern, while my Pasteis quilt was also totally made up.  Not completely improvised but I'm becoming a lot more free with my quilt patterns.  Sort of like recipes in cooking, I often use the basic outline and adjust as I want, or I just make up my own.

How did you do with your 2010 goals?  Looking back at mine and how I did, I am pretty happy with how it turned out.  I set goals not to fail or "break" my resolutions, but to give me something to work towards.  As you can see, I didn't meet all of mine, but I am ok with that, as other priorities became more important.  For example, I greatly improved my free motion quilting skills, helped start the Chicago Modern Quilt Guild, and made my first piece of clothing ever!   I also got out of my comfort zone on three quilts (here, here, and here) in terms of color palettes. Those are great accomplishments and things that weren't on my radar at the beginning of the year.  Tomorrow I'll be posting my goals for 2011!

another charity quilt done!

I just finished this last night, and threw it in the laundry.  It's nice and soft and crinkled.

Here's a shot of the pieced backing.

And a close up detail.

I'm packing this up with the cat & mouse quilt and sending off to Quilts for Kids. That means that one of my goals for the year is complete!

I've been pretty busy lately--I am trying to find meeting space for the Chicago Modern Quilt Guild.  Lots of phone calls and messages with various people.  But I want to make sure I've explored the options!

Chicago area quilters?

With the success of the LA Modern Quilt Guild, I was wondering if there were people out there interested in starting such a group in Chicago. Please comment here or send me an email. Once I get enough folks interested I'll start figuring out days/times/locations.

EDITED TO ADD: Please leave me a way to contact you.  Sara and ModQuilter, you are "no reply" comment bloggers so I don't have any way to keep you updated.   If you use Blogger, to change this, go to Edit Profile, check mark in front of Show my Email, then SAVE. This will only show the word email on your profile page. This way if you leave a comment there is an email address that comes with the comment to my inbox. Alternately you can reply again and leave an email. I'd love to include you!

New Year's Goals 2010

After looking back at my goals for 2009, I think I'm ready to make some goals for 2010.

1. Complete 12 quilts.
I know, this is less than I made in 2009. This is because I want to focus on more large, complex quilts. Granted, I know at least two babies that need quilts made for them this year, but I'd like to focus on more "large"quilts. Also, I have two quilts tops that just need to be quilted, as well as two quilts that are already in progress.

2. Give away at least two quilts for charity.
Yes, this was a goal last year but hey, I didn't meet that goal, so I'd like to work towards it again.

3. Make a quilt with circles/curves.
Circles have always intimidated me, so I need to overcome that. And yes, this was on my list last year. I've already started to make "Love Beads" from the Modern Quilt Workshop. I'd also like to make a Drunkard's Path pattern. If you're not sure what a drunkard's path quilt looks like, type it into Google Images or Flickr and you'll see tons of examples

4. Use more solids in my quilts.
This is something I've started to do, but I'd like to do more of in the coming year.

5. No quilt pattern repeats!
I chose this again because I really have a ton of quilting books and patterns--enough to keep me busy for quite a awhile. I've also got all sorts of ideas for quilts without patterns. I really need to make quilts using those books and patterns or just go improv and make up something as I go.

6. Make a "stack the deck" quilt.
Along the lines of using my books, I have a book all about stack the deck quilts--these are similar to crazy nine patch quilts in that once you have all the pieces arranged, you cut things up and sew them back together again. More explanation to come when I get to those, but here is the gallery of the woman who makes these.

7. Make more improvised quilts.
My mom and I are registered for Gwen Marston's Beaver Island Quilt Retreat in September, so I need to have something to bring for show and tell!

What about you? What are your goals (in general or artistic) for this year?

New Year's "Goals" 2009--A Year in Review

I don't like to have New Year's Resolutions. Call me lazy--I just feel like it is too restrictive to say a resolution. I do have goals, though, which means that I am working towards them regularly, and they are achievable. For 2009, I had a few quilt-related goals. I didn't have a blog at the time, so I didn't share them then. But here they are, along with how I did:

1. Finish ten quilts
I finished 16! Even I am surprised at this. Granted, a few of those were tops that just needed to be quilted, but I've got a few tops that need to be quilted now, so it all rolls over I guess. While not a goal for me originally, I am very proud that I made more quilts with triangles--I have mostly shied away from anything but squares and rectangles.

2. Give away at least 2 charity quilts
I am disappointed to say I did not meet this goal. I have one waiting to be given away but I didn't give it away, nor did I make a second one. I did partake in a group project, making two quilts for Quilts of Valor. I don't think that totally counts, although it is in the same spirit.

3. Make an x-blocks quilt
I made a baby quilt using the x-blocks template. Picture is here.

4. Make an improvisational quilt
I made two of these. See them here and here.

5. Practice free-motion quilting
Boy, did I do this!!! I quilted all the quilts I made this year, except for one. So one could say that I got lots of practice.

6. A quilt with curves
I started one yesterday, and made a bunch of half-circles. I'll post a picture soon. So it's on its way but I can't say that I made a quilt with curves until it is done. So I sort of met this goal.

7. A quilt from the Modern Quilt Workshop book
I sort of completed this one. I actually made a quilt from a pattern in The Quiltmaker's Color Workshop, written by the same people, Weeks Ringle and Bill Kerr. So I think it counts. And since it is my own goal list, I get to say what counts. :) Also, the half-circles I started yesterday are from that book, so I'm on my way.

8. No quilt pattern repeats
I didn't start any quilts this year that were a repeat pattern of a quilt I've made before. In my "quilts completed 2009" you'll see "bundle of joy" and "pink rail fence". Those are patterns I've made before, but as the tops were finished in 2008, they were started before I made that goal.

I think in general, I did pretty well! So what are my goals for 2010? Tune in tomorrow for that one.

How about you? Did you have goals for 2009? How did you do?