Mary at Country Threads is hosting a “Dirty Dozen UFO Challenge”. Essentially you pick 12 unfinished projects and number them 1-12. Each month she picks a number and that’s the project you finish. Read more about it at Country Threads.
I thought this would be a good way to tackle a few of my UFOs. I started out adhering to the guideline and then went rogue finishing whatever I could. I wanted to give you all an update and check for myself to see how I am doing. So, here goes.
1-Virginia Bound: THIS ONE HAS NOT BEEN TOUCHED!!
This one is a top…sort of. I have the center section done.
This is the original quilt….
But..when Kelli and I were in Moline for a quilt retreat with the Mississippi Valley Quilters years ago, I saw this one that June did….this…
It’s applique around the outside. I think I want to do something like this. She had awesome quilts for the show and tell.
I love the look and like the challenge of trying something a little out of my box. I might not get it completely finished in a month but I sure can try.
2-Churn Dash Shirt Quilt: THIS IS FINISHED.
That was the before picture…this is the after.
I completely adore this quilt!! You can find more pictures along with a tutorial by following THIS LINK.
3-Hawk’s Nest-THIS IS FINISHED.
This wasn’t really very far along. I had the triangles..and I had the fabric.
Here is my finished version. You can see more pictures and read about it HERE.
It’s a Bonnie Hunter pattern found in the book Scraps and Shirttails II.
4-Hawaiian Sunset- I haven’t touched this.
If you’re a long time blog reader, you know I’ve wanted to do this for YEARS.
5-Scrap Bargello in Plaids-THIS IS FINISHED.
I’ve made this quilt before…but wanted to make another. Here is where I was when I started…
Here’s the finished quilt…
The pattern is in the book Scraps and Shirttails Book One. You can find it HERE.
6-Garlic Knots- I haven’t touched this.
Several years ago a blog reader gifted me a bunch of batik scraps. All were on the small side. About the same time, Bonnie Hunter was making this quilt, Garlic Knots. I thought the batiks would be perfect.
So over nap time over the course of a week or two, I cut out this quilt. It sat and then last fall I sewed about 10 of the blocks together, then it got put away again. It’s time to get it out and finish it.
7-Floribunda- I haven’t touched this.
This is Bonnie Hunter’s quilt: I have most everything here to make this. I collected floral scraps over the years. There was enough for me and Kelli to make the quilt. Kelli ended up taking the fabric and cutting strips for us both.
That’s as far as the quilt got.
It supposed to look like this. (Picture from Bonnie’s blog) The free pattern for this quilt is HERE.
8-Oregon or Bust- I haven’t touched this. Well, I’ve cut more shirts for it.
This is another Bonnie Hunter quilt. It’s from the book Scraps and Shirttails II. I have long wanted to make this ever since I found Mary from Country Threads version.
I collected shirts for several years as Mary’s version was made with only blue and orange 100% cotton upcycled shirts and I wanted to make mine like hers. I am as in love with Mary’s version. I have the shirts deboned but that’s as far as I am. I can’t wait to make this!!
9-Sofie’s Quilt- I haven’t touched this.
This is a quilt of a friend of mine. They found it in grandma’s cedar chest. They asked if I could quilt it. I’m super nervous about this as the white background is thin. I think I’ll consult with my friend Carla from Longarm Quilting Inspirations about this.
I LOVE the design. I’d like to replicate this quilt.
10-Sugar Bowl- I haven’t touched this.
This is another FREE Pattern from Bonnie Hunter you can find HERE.
I have some strips cut but that’s about it. This finished quilt (Picture from Bonnie’s blog) suppose to look like this….
11-Show Off- I haven’t touched this.
This is a free Quilted Twins pattern. This is a 100% cotton recycled quilt. (Find the pattern HERE)
Kelli just made on in all blues…
I have to admit, I wish mine was all in blues.
12-Holy Toledo
This was cut out but that’s it. This is another Bonnie Hunter quilt. This one is from Scraps and Shirttails II. I LOVE this book.
Here it is finished…
You can read more about it HERE.
I have a
1-red spider web quilt…I am currently working on this-blocks are done.
2-black spider web quilt started too but forgot to take a picture. Update: I can’t find this anywhere. I’m wondering if I passed it on.
3-I have this wool project…I’d love to get this done-THIS IS FINISHED.
I am so glad I darkened the background fabric. You can read more about it HERE.
4-I need to stitch the stems and make this into a pincushion. THIS IS FINISHED.
It was a quick finish…
You can read about it HERE.
5-I have scrap vortex that I started- It’s the project in the bag on the left in the photo below. Some asked what Scrap Vortex is. You can find more about it HERE. Scroll to the bottom..it was a quilt along. I haven’t touched this.
6-I have this project in the basket on the right, with the red square in the middle. I’d really love to finish that up. It was so fun to make. I haven’t touched this.
7-I have this baby quilt cut out….THIS IS FINISHED.
It turns out there were actually two of these quilts that were cut out. I finished this one too.
It’s a free pattern on our blog find it HERE.
8…and this baby quilt…same quilt as the above quilts. THIS IS FINISHED.
9-I also have this quilt I started for my grandson Scotty. THIS IS FINISHED.
I think this was the first of the UFO projects that I completed. You can read more about it HERE.
10-Double Wedding Ring Quilt
I hope to get to this soon. I want this finished.
This is how it was. It’s a top now. That last seam is sewn…and I found that binding fabric but that’s as far as I am. Some progress even if only a little.
11-This is my Quilted Twins Mystery. I have made a little progress on this. I have the top about halfway assembled. I am currently, slowly working on this.
I powered through and finished this up over the weekend. I’ll be showing this to you soon.
12-I have other things too…these were started back in January of 2020….
I have an idea for this that was sparked after a blog reader shared her quilt. We’ll see where it goes from here. An idea is a start!!
1. These were started last fall….THIS IS FINISHED.
I handed it off to the Cresco ladies. They forwarded the top to Ray and Ray finished it.
Here are a couple of projects I was putzing with. THIS IS FINISHED. I passed this on as well. 
…and of course, the dog quilt. I want to make that too. That will be #4.
There are more projects…These are the ones I just found….
#5-This is a simple rectangle quilt. THIS IS FINISHED.
This was designed by us and put in our shop. HERE is a link to the Shop.
This was so fun to make. I gifted this quilt to Kalissa for Christmas. See more pictures and read about it HERE.
#6- This is my finished Civil War Tribute top. THIS IS FINISHED.
You can read the whole post and see more pictures by following THIS LINK.
#7- Another top I’m afraid won’t get done is Bricks in the Barnyard. THIS IS FINISHED.
This quilt is Bricks in the Barnyard. It’s a Bonnie Hunter pattern in the book Scraps and Shirttails Book Two. You can find it HERE on Amazon. It’s one of my favorite books.
Mine is larger than the original. HERE is the link to see more pictures and info about the quilt.
#8- This is just a charm square top. THIS IS FINISHED.
This was made from a $10 bag of charm squares from a garage sale. I added a few more charms to get it to this size. Simple but nice.
You can read more about it HERE.
Oh, my word. Did you tally that all up? 12+12+8= 32…. I had 32 projects that I classified as UFOs. So where am I at 7 months into the challenge??
I have 19 projects that are done or I have passed on.
I have 13 more to finish.
I am thrilled with those numbers. Sadly, I’ve done most of the quick projects already and am left with the ones that are going to take more concentration. I am happy to see that the list is whittled down and hopefully if all goes well, I will be down to at least 12 by July 1st. That means I can join the UFO Challenge again and I might actually be able to tackle them in the following year. That is EXCITING!! I love the prospect of being in control of my UFOs!!
Organizing your project into bins makes so much sense. I have mine stored several Different ways. Thus the cluttered look in my room.
Way to go on finishing so many different and beautiful projects.
WOW! I love seeing all your finished quilts – just beautiful! It is an inspiration to get going on my UFO’s. Thanks for sharing – always an encouragement
WOW Jo!!! You totally amaze me on finishing so many UFO’s!! Go Jo Go!!!
So many UFO’s – I think you’ll live forever! :-) I have five right now – four finished tops and one in the process. Some days, I feel good just being able to cut the pieces out!
Loving your work!
Love and prayers
Just finished reading your post. I am thinking of doing something similar. Think that I just might find 12 patterns to put in envelopes and then randomly number them. It is a thought that just might become an actual plan. Your dedication and focus is admirable.
Wow! Just wow!
You make such beautiful quilts Jo, absolutely amazing that you get so many quilts made in a year.
You ROCKED the Dirty Dozen Challenge, Jo!!!! SEW many fabulous FINISHED quilts! :o))
Amazing! Thanks for the fantastic quilt show! You rock!
Great progress and such beautiful quilts! I am still amazed how much you accomplish each year, so many quilts!
One large stuffed dragon. Two big amigurumi otters. Four baby quilts. One huge string quilt for my bed. A Christmas quilt made with 2 charm packs. A summery quilt made from some panels. And one nearly complete crosstitch picture (just needs some backstitching). I’m happy to have at least one finish for each month of the challenge!
WOW!!!!
Inspiring.
So so proud of you! Lots of finishes and all beautiful results. This post was a virtual quilt show. Even better because we can all identify with the starts , stalls and finally successes. You inspire us all. Thanks for sharing.
Wow! You are the bomb! I am amazed at what all you accomplish! You are such an inspiration to all of us. Thank you for sharing and getting us motivated. HUGS… and stitches
Wow!! What great finishes!! You are truly an inspiration!! I need to round up my UFOs and count them up and perhaps join in next time. I was on a roll early last year but lost steam once summer hit. I too looked at the ones that were closer to finishing and got those done. I think I need to just get the unfinished tops out of the closet and make the backings. That’s the hold up on lots of my finished tops. But first I really need to clean up my space. Starting with a clean space is a real help!
Gosh, that’s amazing. Loved looking at all of your UFOs. Found a similar challenge for UFOs and was able to have 4 tops quilted and bound. Just listing all of the UFOs, kits and projects I have going was an eye opening experience. But fun too to think about and reminisce about the beautiful projects I have left to complete. Thank you for the inspiration to get back on the horse and start to work.
On your “stacking bricks” quilts did you add an extra neutral border on the sides to make the Quilt more square? I just started making this quilt, so this morning’s post was not only a candy store of quilts to look at, but very timely too. Thanks for thinking about this.
Here is the pattern for Stacking Bricks. https://joscountryjunction.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Stacking-Bricks.pdf
Hi, Jo.
That’s the pattern I have. When I look at your pictures of this quilt on your blog today, the left and right neutral borders look wider. That’s why I wondered if you added to make the Quilt more square than rectangle. I’ll play with the one I’m making and see what I like best.
Thanks for all you do!!!
WOW! Hella lot o’ work done Jo! I read you daily, twice daily so I’ve seen this work along the way. Collating it all into a single post makes clear the huge amount of work you’ve spent on your quilting projects. When I think about all of the other things you do over a week, I’m amazed.
Kuddos to you :-)
Just love looking at other folk’s UFO! Way to go whittling them down. It is definitely a time to do ufos!
Keep up the great and entertaining blog, I do agree with your son, ” You are a great blogger!”
Deb – A Scrappy Quilter https://quiltchatter.blogspot.com/
Just love your show of UFOs, It is definitely a time to work on those UFO projects. And keep up on the entertaining blog . I agree with your son, “You are a great blogger!”
I love your dirty dozen projects. Thanks for sharing your progress. I am a Bonnie Hunter fan, too. I have my 144 garlic blocks sewn together as leader and enders and her leader-ender project for two years ago sewn together. I am slowly going through scrap fabric and cutting finishing pieces. Last year my leader-ender blocks were my setting blocks for my Block Heads 3 quilt. I have been working on getting that quilt top finished and just need the outer border. Should be finished tomorrow. This year I have decided that 48 Ohio Star blocks are my leaders-enders. I have them cut out in baggies like Bonnie recommends. They are for Edyta Sitar’s Perfect Union quilt. I have two bindings to get December and February projects of Mary’s dirty dozen caught up. Since both are hand work, that leaves my four hours at the machine each day to get more tops finished for my LAQ. They will end up dirty dozen for next year, so guess I am working on a two-year goal. You are amazing with what you get accomplished!! And I agree you are a wonderful blogger. I’m amazed you blog twice a day. I get both blogs in the evening.
I enjoyed your beautiful quilt finish show! Such inspiration! I’m always amazed at what you accomplish daily especially that you are now a working girl but all the quilt finishes are truly amazing! Thanks for sharing!
Jo, all those finished quilts are beautiful and you’ve done so well cleaning up your UFO list! I have 19 projects in various stages on my UFO list and my little guest room/sewing room just can’t hold them all, so finishing a bunch and getting them out into the wild is definitely priority this year. I’m tired of the chaos in that room!