Planning for 2025

Here is my preliminary list of quilting goals for the coming year. I do not want to plan to complete any quilts. Well. Maybe a couple. I do plan to move some forward. I want to improve my machine quilting skills. And I want to start some new ones. I am planning a couple of big trips next year. So in no particular order, here are my thoughts for now.

Improve Machine Quilting Skills

A visit to Angela Walters shop in Liberty Missouri in October has me itching to get back to machine quilting just for fun not necessarily to quilt a big quilt. Because you actually have to have a finish in order to quilt it. I bought one of her Free Motion Challenge panels to practice on. And a T-shirt. And a couple of rulers. In order to do this, I have to clean up that never not dishevelled Blue Room that refuses to stay tidy. And didn't I wake up dreaming about layering a quilt with a green backing this morning. 

SAHRR - Stay At Home Round Robin  from Quilting Gail

I have been watching all the fun over the past few winters as quilters create some of the most incredible mystery quilts with a weekly prompt. I have several orphan blocks to choose from. I have countless blocks I have made for many different quilts over the years that I may never complete. I never considered them orphan blocks before. So, why not be creative and try something new? This begins January. The first month is to choose the center block. At least it is already made. Whichever one I choose. 

Q@F Retreat 

Possibly the middle of June or whenever I get around to deciding. We had lots of fun twice last year with quilting friends coming over for a few days hang out and quilt and talk and eat and shop. 

Make Progress on UFOs. 

I have a list of ufos to work on. But do I want to commit?? I am a coward most days. And a roaring lion other days. I want to complete Ella Maria Deacon. I worked diligently on this one from Sentimental Stitches as 4 blocks a month were released back in 2020-21. 

I also want to complete Serendipity. I rummaged through all the bins and patterns and printed off a few foundation papers and have it all prepped and ready to focus on. Sometime. I plan to get it longarm quilted using a Baptist Fan pattern. 

Having said all that, I want to make serious progress on the Morrell Quilt. There are 60 ten inch blocks and half of them are applique and broderie perse, which I have been doing by machine. I have about 24 blocks done so far. I think. What I want to do is to do a blitz of cutting out the chintz florals I have collected for years to use for the many broderie perse applique blocks. These I have been doing by machine. Maybe if I have lots of fused and cut out flowers and leaves, I could get help from my creative friends at my Quitling at the Farm retreat. Now there is an interesting thought. 

New Fast Quilt 

I have been spending a lot of time "researching" you tube quick quilts. All because I went to Missouri Star Quilts in October. I have several patterns and more than enough pre-cuts to make several.

15 - Minutes to Stitch 

I kept track of some of my stitching time throughout the year and my track record is about 30%. So if I change the perameters and stitch 3 times per week I might get a better looking chart. 

Rainbow Scrap Challenge 

I have the Kiwi Birds paired up with solid colours and thought I could make a few each month in the given colour. There will be leaves. No big hurry here. I also have a couple of other possibilities. But I would have to give this more thought as there will be some prep work to be able to start in January. 

So, for now, January looks very busy. I am planning a 2 week ministry trip to India. I can take a bit of handwork with me. And my daughter and I are planning a Norwegian cruise in May. 

And Christmas is coming and you know what that means. Chris will have a houseful of family for most of the holiday season. Good thing I have learned to delegate. 

Blessings,

Chris