Today I’m talking about my quilting goals for 2018! It’s right around the corner y’all! It’s about time to reflect on what was done & think about what’s coming up next year. I’m linking up with Quilting Jetgirl’s 2018 Planning Party today, so be sure to check out all the other quilty plans for the upcoming year. : )
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Wall of QALs!
I recently rearranged some things in my craft room & now have this shelf, which is full of mostly QALs! Some are self imposed QALs & some are from other awesome quilt designers. I may have a little problem, since some of these are from 2016 & still need to be finished! 
Let’s take a look at what’s staying & what needs to go.
2017 QALs
Quilting Life Mystery Block of the Month {10/12 blocks completed} ~> These are 6″ blocks, so I’ll be making them into a mini wall quilt.
Milky Way Sampler QAL {6/12 blocks complete} ~> Had to add a new background fabric, but I will complete because I love it!
Mystery Children’s Library QAL {6/12 blocks completed} ~> Ran out of fabric, need to order more, but will complete.
Aurifil Designer of the Month {9/12 blocks complete} ~> Finish blocks & pick neutral background.
Down the Rabbit Hole {0/12 blocks completed} ~> Okay, I have lots cut out, but nothing sewn because it took so long for me to pick out the center fabric! I will complete this one day, but after I finish some other quilts.
Murder Mystery {6/12 blocks complete} ~> I haven’t even read the book that goes with this yet! The flimsy from last year’s murder mystery needs to be quilted. I will complete this – eventually!
2016 QALs
Splendid Sampler ~> There are several blocks cut out & labeled, but no where close to the 100+ blocks. I will sew together what I have cut out & decide what to do when I see how many blocks I actually have. Then this QAL will be put to rest!
Stars in the Night ~> I have some larger blocks done & need to finish the huge stack of smaller ones you can see in the bin. You may also notice my seam is on top of the block & yep – they are all like that! Not intentional, but it’s not a mistake, it’s a “design opportunity”. ; D This is the one that I’ll add my star block from the sew along to. I’ll finish enough to make a lap size, but not the 108″ x 120″ it’s supposed to be.
Seminole Sampler ~> I have exactly ONE row of this sewn! This should be an easy quilt to finish up, since it’s mostly sewing, so it’s staying.
The Ultimate Sampler Quilt 365 Challenge from Kathryn Kerr~> I’ve tried to make this for two years in a row & all I’ve managed to sew up is January’s blocks! These will be sewn into a mini quilt to hang on the wall because I’m not trying again!
Crossroads Quilt ~> I have all the blocks sewn for this & just need to pick out sashing fabric and finish it!
2018 Quilting Goals
All those QALs above don’t include the singular projects, but here are my basic goals for the coming year:
- Finish up as many QAL blocks as possible before the end of year.
- I’ve only committed to ONE QAL at the moment for next year.
- Spend next year using up some of my scraps because my bins are overflowing!
- Sew more of my own quilt designs.
- Clean up my fabric shelf & divide smaller bits into bins.
- Try to remember I can’t do all the QALs no matter how awesome they are!
- Practice free motion quilting!
- And the most important one is to have fun & makes lots of new quilting friends!
What are your quilting plans for 2018? I’d love to hear all about them in the comments below! If you have a blog post about it, be sure to link up with Quilting Jetgirl’s 2018 Planning linky party! : D
22 Comments on Quilting Goals for 2018
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I had to laugh when I got to this “Try to remember I can’t do all the QALs no matter how awesome they are!” That is what I have to keep saying to myself every time I see a new one. Happy Holidays. I wish you the best with your goals.
Right?? There’s so many to choose from & I want to do them all! 😀
Oh Kristie, we are definitely on the same page 😃 this is exactly what’s been on my mind and what I’ve been organising and sorting lists for. I too must remember that I can’t do all of them. For example, I’ve got all the fabric and patterns printed for the splendid sampler waiting to be started, I’m thinking I’d better just choose my favourite blocks, all the ‘sewing’ blocks and technique builders for a quilting journey quilt instead. Luckily so far there’s no QALs for next year that have caught my eye – they know 😂 I’ve got boxes of projects planned that I need to do. And planning gifts better – earlier and more focused. And I think that’s what my word will be for next year (I don’t do resolutions), Focus. This year it was Doing, and I certainly fulfilled that 😂 I want to focus my creativity, enhance my skills, get things completed. Oh and a new word I’ve learnt – flimsy, is that just a non basted quilt top ? I can’t wait to follow along with your adventures next year 😃😁😊
Maybe we should start a Facebook group for finishing UFOs next year! And yes, flimsy is an un-quilted quilt top. I picked it up in another quilt group! 😊
Goodness, you and I have some of the same issues. I must say you have some beautiful blocks already done. I quit at 70 blocks for the Splendid Sampler and it is sewn, washed and ready for quilting. Same with the Solstice quilt. I think, for me, that I need to not do any more projects u til I comp,etc some of the things I have going. Looking forward to seeing your completed projects.
Wow! I don’t have anywhere near that many Splendid Sampler blocks done. Probably less than 20! Congrats to you for finishing that many! I’m thinking about making a Facebook group for finishing UFOs to help us all finish some up.
Oh wow, you are very brave to admit to all those unfinished projects Kristie! But I think it is a really good idea to make a plan on what to do with them…I should probably follow your example 🙂
Haha! I only showed a portion of my “unfinished” projects. This didn’t include any other sewing, crochet, or DIY, so maybe I’m not that brave! 😁 I’m thinking a Facebook group to help us all get through our UFOs is in order next year!
It is oh so easy to join in the fun, but following through is another matter. You can do this, your goals are admirable, I especially like the having fun and making new friends one, oh and the practicing FMQ, I fell down on that one. Wishing you lots of luck in achieving them in 2018, have a wonderful Christmas.
Thank you Kate! I’m trying to be more focused in my making & think it will make me more productive. Merry Christmas to you too! 😊
I definitely have learned I need to be picky and choosey about the QALs I participate in, but it can be so hard not to join in when others are clearly having so much fun! Thank you so much for linking up and I hope you have a wonderful 2018.
I think that’s what always gets me – seeing others having fun! It will probably be more fun for me if I do less. 😀
I’m really liking your idea for a group to finish UFOs. A great way to stay focused with a nice group of peeps to keep me/us all on track. I tried this year with the UFO challenge hash tag but I fell off halfway through with moving, plus it was so big to be able to have decent conversations, etc. (I so much like smallish or at least smaller groups that I’m now participating in 😊) I didn’t like the idea of having a set list though, it didn’t work for my chaotic way of working hehe. My planning looks alot better this year too, got my books sorted, and a better system 😊
I like the smaller groups too! It’s easy to get lost in the smaller ones. I’m still working out the details for the UFO group & will post about it in my yearly round up. 😉
Having fun is always very important. You have a lot of quilt alongs to finish up there ….good luck showing restraint in signing up this year!
Thanks Lisa! I think 2018 will be the year of finishing UFOs! 🙂
Incredible amount of work done! How nice it will be to have some more finished. You have so many beautiful projects that will be wonderful. Best of luck!
Thank you June!
I posted my list – and now am going thru adding things as I am reading other folks entries. Will be fun.
It’s always fun to read others lists. It usually adds more to my list too! 😉
I know what you mean about the QALS! I have so many UFOs from previous ones. I restrained myself pretty well this year and have finished what I started so far. I plan to be more selective in 2018 as well. I have plenty of UFOs. If I ever get them finished, then I can do more. Thanks for sharing.
I will definitely be more selective as well this year & try to finish my UFO pile. Thanks for stopping by! 🙂