Announcing the 2019 Finish-A-Long

As we are approaching the end of the year, I should be finishing up the last projects for 2018. In reality I am not finishing any... Instead I am making plans for the coming year!

Fortunately I already had one finish this quarter: I posted about the quilt I made for charity in a previous post, and I am very pleased about that.
And again fortunately, Marci and I have been busy to make sure there will be another Finish-A-Long for 2019, for much-needed encouragement to finish some more Works-in-Progress (WIPs). I am so excited to be joining the Finish-A-Long again in the coming year!!
(If you are not sure what the Finish-A-Long is, have a look at my Finish-A-Long page).

So let's see what the Finish-A-Long has in store for the coming year, shall we?!

The 2019 Finish-A-Long Hosts

The hosts this year are not as international as they have been for some years, but we have a wonderful team again:

Sandra of Sew of Course - Ireland

Marci of Marci Girl Designs - USA Louisiana

Leanne of She Can Quilt - Canada

Ella of Throw a Wench in the Works - USA Georgia

Karen of Capitola Quilter - USA California

Lynne of Tinking Along - USA Maryland

Izzy of Dizzy Quilts - Canada

Sarah of Sarah Goer Quilts - USA California

Julie of That's Sew Julie - USA Iowa

Sarah of Cedar Fork Stitches - USA Montana

Sharla of Thistle Thicket Studio - USA Kansas

Nicole of Handwrought Quilts - Canada

As you can see, I am representing all of you outside the North Americas... It is just the way it worked out this year!

The 2019 Finish-A-Long Schedule:

Q1
10 January (Thu) Proposed Finishes List - Linkup opens
18 January (Fri) Proposed Finishes List - Linkup closes

1 April (Mon) Finishes - Linkup opens
2-6 April - Tutorial Week
9 April (Tue) Finishes - Linkup closes

Q2
10 Apr 2019 (Wed) Proposed Finishes List - Linkup opens
18 Apr 2019 (Thu) Proposed Finishes List - Linkup closes

1 July (Mon) Finishes - Linkup opens
2-6 July - Tutorial Week
9 July (Tue) Finishes - Linkup closes

Q3
10 July (Wed) Proposed Finishes List - Linkup opens
18 July (Thu) Proposed Finishes List - Linkup closes

1 October (Tue) Finishes - Linkup opens
2-6 October - Tutorial Week
9 October (Wed) Finishes - Linkup closes

Q4
10 October (Thu) Proposed Finishes List - Linkup opens
18 October (Fri) Proposed Finishes List - Linkup closes

1 January 2020 (Wed) Finishes - Linkup opens
9 January 2020 (Thu) Finishes - Linkup closes

So join us, write your list of WIPs, and link it up at the start of the first quarter.

You can make your list any way that works for you. But if you like a ready-made planning page, I have made an up-to-date planner for you to use, too. Download the 2019 Finish-A-Long Planner for free and use it to make your FAL list. It also has all the important FAL dates and hashtags...

The link-up for your list opens on 10th January, here on the blog (and on any of our hosts' blogs). If you are joining us, feel free to use one of the buttons below:

And if you have been participating with the 2018 Finish-A-Long in the fourth quarter, the link-up for finishes will open on January 1st 2019 and close on the 9th, so you still have a few more days to get another finish done!

 Sandra

Making a charity quilt

Recently I received a call for craft items for an auction at work to benefit a local cancer charity. And since I had been thinking of making a simple quilt from some fat quarters I had, I suddenly found myself with a deadline.

Not a bad thing, since I seem to need a fixed deadline to finish a project these days...

So I started cutting...

Making it a challenge to cut as many blocks from a Fat Quarter, I managed to make five blocks out of most of them, ending up with 59 blocks. Of course it should have been 60, but well, let's say mistakes were made...

I decided on a 7 x 8 layout, and used the remaining 3 blocks on the back.

I quilted with straight lines on my domestic machine, bound with a solid light green, and of course finished with a label.

The auction was a great success, and the organisers donated the money last week. I have no idea how much the quilt itself made in the auction since I wasn't able to go to the auction myself. However, I have no illusion it will have fetched as much as it would be worth commercially.

But this is the way I look at it:

• I have made a quilt I loved making
• I had the opportunity to refresh my memory of a pattern I enjoy
• I have used fabrics from my stash
• I have contributed to a great charity
• I have contributed to the success of a fund-raising event which is now to be repeated next year
• Someone has ended up with a quilty hug to enjoy!

 Win-win-win in my book!

Also, I am considering writing the pattern for this, would anyone be interested?!

Details:
Size: 46" x 52" approx.
Fabrics: 12 (metric) fat quarters for the top
Wadding: lightweight cotton
Threads: Aurifil 50 wt colour 2479, used for piecing and quilting
Photos: phone camera in poor indoor lighting (sorry, the weather isn't on my side these days)!

This is a finish from my Finish-A-Long Quarter 4 list, too, and is linked up with the Finish-A-Long. My full Q4 FAL list can be found at this post.

Sandra

Finish-a-long Q3 winners

Today we are celebrating 359 (!!) finished projects in Quarter 3 of the 2018 Finish-A-Long. So many of you are joining in and getting their UFOs or WIPs out of that dark corner, and into the limelight to be shown off as a finish. If you are in need of inspiration go on over and have a look, there were so many great makes. And of course, thanks to our many generous sponsors, we are finishing off the quarter by announcing the lucky winners!!

Without further ado, the winners picked by the Random Number Generator of the 2018 Q3 FAL prizes are:

The Q3 Winner of the $50 Gift Certificate from Fat Quarter Shop is Sarah who blogs at Cedar Fork Stitches and she finished this graphic colorful quilt:

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The Q3 Winner of the 3 PDF Patterns from During Quiet Time is Celine who blogs at Espritpatch and she finished this lovely pencil case for her daughter:

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The Q3 prize of the $25 Gift Certificate from Sew Sisters Quilt Shop goes to Charlene on Flickr cyanh2o and she finished this lovely quilted bag to hold her sewing machine:

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The Q3 Winner of the 2 PDF Patterns from Quilting Jet Girl is Crystal who blogs at Crystal's Creations and she finished this sweet memory bear:

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The Q3 Winner of the $20 Gift Certificate from Sew Me a Song is Beth on IG @blue_dragonfly5 and she finished this stunning quilt:

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The Q3 Winner of the 3 PDF Patterns from Happy Quilting is Allison on IG @catsquilter and she finished this handy knitting/project bag:

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The Q3 Winner of the 2 PDF Patterns from Charm About You is Cathy who blogs at Sane, Crazy, Crumby Quilting and she finished this all scrap postage stamp Sue quilt:

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The Q3 Winners (3x) of the 6 Month Subscription to Make Modern Magazine are:

1.  Sheila who blogs at Chez Budsmam.  She finished this adorable bunting:

2.  Kathleen who blogs at Kathleen McMusing.  She finished this colorful scrappy benefit quilt:

3. Marilyn who blogs at Marly's Quilts.  She finished this lovely knitted shawl:

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The Q3 prize of the $25 Gift Certificate from Studio 39 Fabrics goes to Kristin who blogs at Gumdrops and she finished this lovely grey baby quilt (no the photo isn't in B&W!):

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 The Q3 Winner of the $25 Gift Certificate from Tartan Kiwi is Helen via IG @archiewonderdog and she finished these lovely wool socks:

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The Q3 Winner of the Minikins bundle from Sew Sweetness is Mary who blogs at Mary Emmens and she finished these really fun Luna pants:

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The Q3 prize of the $50 Gift Certificate from Mad About Patchwork goes to Julie via IG @julieschloemer and she finished this super sweet baby quilt:

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The Q3 Winner of the 2 PDF Patterns from Blossom Heart Quilts is Alison via Flickr @Alison Elliot and she finished this great scrap quilt that was donated to the Cancer Society:

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The Q3 Winner of the $30 Gift Certificate from Clover & Violet is Dawn who blogs at DawnyK Designs and she finished this lap robe for her 100 year old grandmother:

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The Q3 Winner of the $40 Gift Certificate from Bunny's Designs is Emily who blogs at The Darling Dogwood and she finished this lovely quilt that used just two mini charm packs:

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Congratulations to all the winners!  Thank you for playing along with us in the third quarter, and we hope you continue joining in for the rest of the year. We love to encourage you to finish up all those WIPs and UFOs, and to see what great makes will be finished next time.

I better get sewing on the projects on my own Q4 Finish-A-Long list...

Sandra

Finish-A-Long Quarter 4 - My List

- the Finish-A-Long Q4 List Linkup can be found in my previous post -

In a few days the link-up for quarter 4 of the Finish-A-Long will be closing, so I better make my own list quick!

Above, my list from quarter 3. I know, it is a bit crumpled (not stored carefully enough)! But you can see I had two projects ticked off my list in Q3 (coloured all the way along).

- and if you want to have a project list like this of your own, download it for free -

For quarter 4 I am keeping my list as it is, but of course without the finished items. This means my list is shorter, so hopefully I get more focused on finishing those WIPs. And it has my favourite projects on anyway! You can see, I indicated the relevant projects in column Q4 by colouring the squares.

And here is my Q4 FAL list in a little more detail:

1. Building Bridges wall hanging - finished in Q3

2. Feathered Star quilt

Well yes, this still needs quilting, but I really want to finish this one! It is one of my favourite tops.

3. Cubes quilt

This is the quilt closest to a finish. To finish quilting the borders, binding, and a label of course.

4. Sunflowers quilt

The blocks are together for years, I intended to quilt it for free motion quilting practice. The idea is that the riot of colours and shapes will not show up my lack of experience too much... I'm keeping it in here, because I really should get practising my FMQ.

5. Log cabin quilt

The top is finished, and I am very happy with it. I had it basted, and started quilting, but I wasn't pleased with it. The tension of my machine played up, and I disliked the wadding I used. So I have taken it apart, bought new wadding and hope to get it quilted soon.

6. Shawl/wrap for myself - finished Q3

7. Black and White quilt

I am still not sure whether I will add some of the red fabrics into it, but the current idea is to work with equilateral triangles, in a limited scrappy way, I think... I have a dinky cutting template, time to give it a go! Though I also have my eye on a larger template, I may have to make some test pieces.

8. Baby quilt - square in a square pattern

A last minute addition, because I have found myself starting a new project... umm... today!

Twelve FQs in pink and green, not quite my usual choice of fabrics or colours, just a bit of quick satisfaction, and perfect as teaching sample. It should be done quickly.
I better update my Project list to include it, too!

Linking up with the 2018 Finish-A-Long for Quarter 4 at the post on my own blog.

#2018FALQ4sewofcourse

I am aiming to have my best quarter yet, I better get to it.

Sandra

Finish-A-Long Quarter 4 Link-up

There we go again! Its time to link up your list of unfinished projects that you propose to finish in Q4 of the Finish-A-Long. We are hoping that the FAL community will inspire you to work on your unfinished projects this quarter and to get them finished before the end of the year! If you want, use the Finish-A-Long project list (free download), it even has all 2018 FAL link-up dates as well!

The 2018 FAL is hosted by a community of bloggers across the world. Our hosts are:

• Marci - Marci Girl Designs - USA

• Sandra (also Social Media Director) - Studio Sew of Course - Ireland

• Leanne - She Can Quilt  - Canada 

• Ella - Throw a Wench in the Works - USA

• Felicity - Felicity Quilts - Canada

• Karen - Capitola Quilter - USA

• Izzy - Dizzy Quilts - Canada

• Lynne - Tinking Along - USA

For those of you who are new to the FAL, it is a place to find motivation and encouragement to complete those unfinished projects that are hanging around. At the start of the quarter you post and link up a list of projects you hope to finish in the next three months, and then at the end of the quarter you link up each successful finish from your original list.

Each linked up finish is an entry into the draw for wonderful prizes from our sponsors. There is no penalty for not finishing a listed project, so feel free to make your list as long or short as you wish. The 2018 Schedule and Rules for the FAL are on my permanent 2018 FAL page, let me know if you have any questions.

Here are the fantastic and generous sponsors for Q4 of the Finish-A-Long, you can see each of their prizes listed under their logo. Please think about visiting them and saying thank you for their support of the FAL.

$50 Gift Certificate

3 PDF Patterns

$25 Gift Certificate

2 PDF Patterns

$20 Gift Certificate

3 PDF Patterns

2 PDF Patterns

3 Six Month Subscr.

$25 Gift Certificate

$25 Gift Certificate

A Minikins Bundle

$50 Gift Certificate

2 PDF Patterns

$30 Gift Certificate

$40 Gift Certificate

So now it is time to round up those projects that you want to finish over the next three months! Take a photo of each one and make your list (you can use the Finish-A-Long Project List if you like). Please ensure that you have at least started your projects - pulled fabric with a pattern is considered a UFO - and remember it is only finished projects that will get you an entry toward the above listed prizes. So while we love to see your bee blocks, the "finish" is when they are a completed, usable project.

If posting on social media (Flickr & Instagram), it will be very helpful if you tag your list with #2018FALQ4yourname (where yourname is unique to you). Using the same hashtag over the quarter when sharing project progress or finishes helps the host to make the connection to your original list quickly and easily.
IMPORTANT: Don't forget to link up your finishes at the end of the quarter!

The 2018 Q4 list for your list of proposed finishes is now open, below, on my blog and each of the hosting blogs. You need only link your list once, on one host blog, and the link will show up on all the host blogs. If you are using Flickr or Instagram, post a photo mosaic of your projects and put your list in the description. Don't forget to include your unique hashtag. Katy of The Littlest Thistle has a great tutorial on how to link up if you need it, or Marci of Marci Girl Designs has a tutorial to link up an Instagram post specifically.

We also ask that you become part of the FAL community. Please check out the links of others - visit and comment on their lists. We all need encouragement to get those finishes done, so please share some of your own too.

If you want you can follow us on Facebook, Finish-A-Long and/or on Instagram, @finishalong, too. We'll post encouragement during the quarter and reminders when the finishes link up opens at the end of the quarter.

When creating your list there is one thing to remember - no deductions for not completing something - so, aim high! Nothing to lose!! Well now, get your list together and get linked up.

Feel free to use and share the FAL button above and this one too:

The Q4 proposed finish linky party will stay open until 11 pm EST, Thursday, October 18, 2018 - as we are global, you might want to check your time zone to determine your last possible time to link (you can also see how much time is left below the linked up images on the right.)

Remember: you only need to link up at ONE hosting blog and it will automatically show up on all hosting blogs.

An InLinkz Link-up

Sandra