Challenge

My Maine Guild has a challenge. We are to register up to three ufos and have them finished by next September. That should be easy, but the hard part was choosing the three ufos. I have too many to count.

The first choice is a Cynthia English paper piecing wall hanging. It was started over twenty years ago. Only a small portion is finished. The pieces are so small, it was very stressful to piece it.

The second was a box of birdhouse blocks that I won in a drawing at the Maine Guild. When I opened the box, I found other bird blocks that did not go with the birdhouses. Also, other things that I forgot that I had.

The third is an applique that I designed. It is designed to fit over my sofa in the living room. It is pin basted, ready to quilt. I was deciding whether to hand or machine quilt. The decision is made. My fingers do not work well enough to hand quilt so it will be machine quilted.

This will be an ongoing project with other quilts made in between finishing these. Now, the decision to decide which bin will be the first. The applique needed a lot of planning. The Cynthia English would be stressful, although I’m thinking of a way to piece it without stress. That leaves the birdhouses.

I laid the birdhouse blocks out on the design sheet. If they are pieced together closely, I can have a wall hanging. If I add more piecing, I can have a full-size quilt. At this point, I’m thinking that a full-size quilt would be nice. The other two pieces are wall hanging size. The blocks will be set aside for a while as I work on the other pieces in the craft box.

The two embroidered birds have been pieced separately. They have been quilted and are waiting for the binding and sleeve. When I finish them, I will post the pictures.

These two birds were embroidered on a tan linen.

They have been quilted and are finished.

Somehow, a little teapot got into the mix. It’s about 13 inches by 13 inches. It’s finished.

Several other pieces are quilted and waiting for the binding. As I finish them, I will post pictures.

One of the other things that I found in the bin were three folded star hexagons. One had button on the front and a pin clasp on the back. I don’t remember making them and I don’t have a pattern. I googled the internet and found a YouTube video that showed the technique. It’s easy and all hand sewing. They would make great Christmas ornaments. Before I finish this bin, I’ll make a few.

I also found an elegant embroidery of the initial B. It was done in gold thread on a black background. When I decide what to do with it, I’ll also post it. The black fabric is heavier than quilt fabric so I’m thinking it would make a nice tote bag. I found more than I thought in this bin. I’m glad that I chose this one first.

If I can finish these three ufos before September, I might add some others to the challenge. It would be nice to finish what I’ve started.

Have a great day and happy quilting.