Stephanie left a comment yesterday on my I Can’t Resist a Quilting Challenge post from last month that said “I think it’s because you’re motivated by deadlines.” Which is…pretty spot on! I’m definitely motivated by deadlines, even when they are self-imposed. I may not always meet them, but they get me moving and help me come up with a plan. (And if I don’t meet them, it causes me significant stress!)
These quarterly goal posts are a big part of my sewing motivation as well. I may not set firm deadlines for a lot of the things on my list, but the simple act of putting them on my list is a huge step in that direction.
Some people are motivated by deadlines and goals; some people aren’t. My goals are usually on the ambitious side, but not so crazy that it doesn’t allow me space to work in other projects or opportunities as they arise. For me, and specifically for my quilting, this quarterly system continues to work well.
On to the goals! First, a wrap-up of my goals for fall:
- MQG fabric challenge. Done!
- Secret sewing project. Done! Will be able to share soon.
- Make a tree skirt and pattern. Done!
- Finish my Bars quilt. Done!
- Solid Seven bee blocks. Done!
- Make a rainbow bargello quilt. Nope…
- Also done:
- Spoke with the Quilters Candy Pattern Writing class about quilt math and using Adobe Illustrator for pattern design.
- Released my revamped Pathfinder pattern.
- Got a longarm!!
- Finished my Flying Confetti quilt (a UFO).
- Finished my Clean Room quilt.
- Made my Countdown quilt.
- Made 3 blocks for the Gulf Coast MQG community outreach quilt.
- Completed quite a few tech edits and did a bit of pattern ghostwriting.
Here’s what I’m planning for January-March, keeping my larger yearly goals in mind as I go.
- Enjoy QuiltCon Together! I am signed up for a few classes and want to make sure I follow through since they are on-demand (which historically I am not great at). I am also looking forward to a few virtual socials.
- Release Modular Maze and Notes to Self patterns. These are planned for next Monday and mid-February, respectively.
- Quilt 2 banners for the Social Justice Sewing Academy. This needs to be done in the next week or so.
- Give lectures to 3 quilt guilds. I’m excited to add this to my list of quilty activities this year! Talking to other people about quilts is one of my favorite things.
- Make a mini for the MQG swap. I need to get this done by the end of January.
- Make a quilt for an upcoming fabric collection blog hop. I finally decided what I’m going to make, so just need to get it done by early February.
And certainly there will be many more things on the list before the end of winter quarter!
