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Finish a UFO before starting something new

Happy Wednesday! I’m in that place where I would love to start a new project, but I’m forcing myself to finish a UFO (or two) before I do. That sounds reasonable, right? If I did that all the time, I wouldn’t have such a long list of UFO’s (unfinished quilt projects). I think this could be another one of those perfect mottos, Finish a UFO before starting something new. It’s right up there with Finished is better than perfect.

Last week I finished my Possibilities Quilt with a flanged binding (my second this month) and it’s all ready for some good photos. I did snap a few pictures in my yard, but I still need to get a full shot of the front and a few others.

The dark blue flange is a nice accent when you are using the same fabric for the binding as the border. It’s so easy to do, too. I’ve been using the Shortcut Binding Tool to do this, but more for the instructions that came with it than the actual tool itself. Lorna at Sew Fresh Quilts has a great tutorial for adding a flanged binding.

Possibilities Quilt made and designed by Julie Cefalu @ The Crafty Quilter
Possibilities Quilt, designed & made by Julie Cefalu @ The Crafty Quilter

Flange binding is a great accent to your quilt's edge!

The UFO that I’m currently working on is a bonus quilt that I made while teaching a class last year. It has a lot of wide open space for free motion quilting and that’s where I’m at. I had finished quilting the center medallion and now I’m working on the corners.

Bonus quilt with free motion quilting by Julie Cefalu @ The Crafty Quilter
Bonus quilt with free motion quilting by Julie Cefalu @ The Crafty Quilter

I chose to do an orange peel design in the background triangles. This starts with marking a grid (1″) that acts as a guide for the curves. Before I started stitching, I watched this YouTube video by Karen Miller of Red Bird Quilt Co. showing how she approaches it. Then I practiced on a white board before stitching. Below you can see the stitching before I removed the grid lines and after.

Bonus quilt with free motion quilting by Julie Cefalu @ The Crafty Quilter
Bonus quilt with free motion quilting by Julie Cefalu @ The Crafty Quilter

That’s all the news from my sewing room. I’m reading a fun book right now, Coffee Self-Talk by Kristin Helmstetter. The idea is to spend 5 minutes a day while you’re drinking your coffee to practice positive self-talk which will lead to a more fulfilling and positive life. It’s not that I’m not currently experiencing those things, I just was intrigued by the idea. Plus, it sounded like something I’d like to try while sipping my morning coffee/tea. What can I lose? So far, I’m really enjoying it!

Coffee Self-Talk is a great way to start the day (along with my homemade Maple Pecan Granola Recipe).

I really look forward to my morning routine and lately it has included a little yoga followed by a healthy breakfast. That almost always includes a little of my Maple Pecan Granola Recipe. Usually this goes on top of Greek yogurt, but I’ve given up dairy (as of 9 days ago) so now I make a thick smoothie with chia seeds and add the granola on top. It’s just as good!

Thanks for stopping by and reading about my latest quilting (and food) adventures. I hope you’re having a wonderful week!


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11 Comments

  1. I love these projects and I love finishing UFOs. I especially love the piping binding – so worth it! The quilting is fabulous on your piece. Love the breakfast…so nourishing!

  2. Your binding and quilting are beautiful and inspirational! Thanks for the granola recipe. Definitely going to try it out!

  3. That is some really nice quilting on your UFO. I think you’re going to be really happy with this when it is finished.

  4. Julie,
    You are always such an inspiration! Thank you for posting about your UFO’s and the Free motion quilting that you are doing … something that I find soooo intimidating – you make it look so doable and for the links to the You Tube – I will take a look and do some practicing!

  5. Good morning. Your quilt is beautiful and I love the quilting you have done on the smaller quilt. My goal is to become better at the actual quilting of the quilt. Practicing positive self-talk is something that I need!

  6. Julie, your quilting is magnificent, Thank U for the 2 Videos, good info, Love the binding idea, will apply it soon on a little project I’m working on.

  7. Oh Julie how beautiful is your quilting! It is so very pretty and you did an awesome job! Thank you for sharing.

  8. The quilting on your bonus quilt is stunning and am going to put the possibilities quilt on my to do list. Thank you for sharing.

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