Oldest UFO
UFO – an acronym for Unfinished Object
I admit I laughed out loud when I read this topic on the 31 Day Blog Challenge topic list. Mine goes all the way back to the first quilt guild I joined. That was, 1998, about twenty-one years ago.
A Sampler Quilt
The guild was featuring a 12" block sampler project to teach new quilters about various quilting techniques. I was no longer a "know-it-all" college student (see My First Quilt). There were gaps in my sewing experience, and I was now wise enough to recognize I could use some help.
The ladies at the guild were skilled and generous with their knowledge. Each meeting one or more members would present a block or two, share a demonstration and provide instructions. The blocks included basic star blocks to more complex blocks. Techniques taught included paper piecing, hand applique, machine applique and English paper piecing. It was a well thought-out project to help beginners like me (yes, I saw myself as a true beginner at this point).
During the 1990s the rebirth of quilting in America was in full swing. Quilting fabric was widely available. I purchased the supplies for the project and was on my way. I'm not sure I would make these same fabric choices today, but I do think they represent the colors I liked at that time in my life.
Distractions
After the first 15 or so blocks (there were 20 in the quilt), I got distracted by that "shiny object over there." Another subgroup had gathered to start a scrap exchange to make a Bear Mountain Cabin quilt and the pattern is still available today through Glad Creations. Admission to the group was the purchase of the pattern and exchanging fabrics. Trouble was, I didn't have any scraps to exchange. So instead of joining the group, I purchased the pattern and bought fabric to make my own.
I completed Bear Mountain Cabin as a Christmaspresent for my brother and sister-in-law. I'm very proud of that quilt andconsider it the first "modern-era" quilt that I made. To me, the modernera covers quilts made during the current quilting rebirth regardless of the style.
Status Today
From that project I continued to move on to others. The Sampler drifted to the back of the closet. It has made many moves with me and yet stayed in the box. My skills were improving along the way as I tried harder and more challenging patterns. I even created a few patterns of my own. And so, it sat.
I only have five more blocks to make. It appears I stopped at the hand-applique and English paper piecing block. It isn't lost on me that I may have been a bit intimidated by the techniques in that block. The Bear Mountain Cabin quilt probably looked easier at the time.
It was good for me to pull this project out again. I hadn't forgotten about it. I just never got back to it. Maybe this is the Universe telling me, "you have the skills now, it's time to finish it."
What is your oldest UFO?