Project Simplify - Finish Line!
September 14, 2011 Ok. Deep breath. Got a lot to cover today so I'll just start. (If you're new here, you may enjoy reading the "Starting Line" post here.)
My main objectives for this Project were:
- reduce my fabric stash
- learn how to free-motion quilt
- make every quilt/pillow in Simplify with my daughters
- donate quilts & pillows to help raise money for non-profit organizations
Let's see how I did.
1) Stash Redux - CHECK!
My "before" stash ...
In terms of yardage & weight my stash lost:
75yds / 69m (holy crap!) and 27lbs / 12kg (wish I'D lost 27 lbs ...)
Here's what that looks like ...
empty shelf space!!!
I know I wasn't supposed to buy any fabric (who was I trying to kid?). I should have qualified that with "to use for the quilts & pillows in the book". I was successful by that standard. However, ...
Now this TOTALLY surprises me. I had no idea there was this much space left! That should give you an idea of how messy my sewing room is most of the time ... told ya I had to clean up to take these pictures! ;)
I really thought I'd bought at least as much as I'd used up and maybe even more. I'm very happy to still have some space. It would be really nice to hang on to that "breathing room" and fill it with things like pictures and other pretty dust collecters. But knowing me, that empty space will be filled with junk in about 30 seconds ... ;) (Girl's gotta have SOME secrets!)
I also finished 14 full or partial spools so my thread drawer is a little tidier.
I went through 85 bobbins (yes, I kept track).
I broke 5 needles.
Mostly from doing this ...
'cause I'm a career refuse-to-pull-pins-out-before-I-sew-over-them kinda quilter and am not likely to ever change (despite an emergency trip to the sewing repair guy a few years ago).
But a few from doing this ...
2) Learn FMQing - CHECK!
From this,
and this,
and this,
to this,
this,
and this! It still freaks me out that I can actually DO this now! :)
A word about FMQing. I'm not going to be obnoxious here and tell you that if I can do it, ANYONE can do it. I'm just going to say that I started this project with a strong desire to learn, and I practiced until I got it. Sounds hokey, I know. But I forced myself to work at it - and shamed myself into sticking with it by blogging about it!
3) Make every quilt & pillow in the book with my daughters - CHECK!
I made 9 quilts and 4 pillows and my girls helped me with 8 quilts (fairsies math ...) We had so much fun and I'm super proud of them for humoring their mama ;).
4) Donate quilts & pillows to help raise money for non-profit organizations - CHECK!
I donated these two quilts to my friend's literacy fundraiser. Together they raised $125.
Next I donated this quilt top to "Quilts for Quake Survivors".
I missed the deadline by like a day and didn't really know what happened to it until "Happy Zombie" Monica surprised the heck out of me with this post! How weird is THAT. I was blown away by that coincidence. :)
Still don't know what's going to happen with the quilt. But it will be used to make money for someone ... somehow ... I'll keep you posted.
Finally, I gave this quilt & pillow set to a fundraiser for Orchestra Iowa.
The silent auction event is in a few months. I'll let you know about that one too.
Well. I guess that's it ...
... or is it? Awh, come on. I wouldn't just end it like that, would I? ;)
I've actually been keeping a "little" surprise for you. I had a "little" flash of inspiration waaay back when I was making the very first quilt for Project Simplify so I have a "little" encore of sorts for you.
I'll fill you in on Monday.
But it just might have something to do with these ...
Need a size reference?
tee hee!
Project Simplify 
Reader Comments (27)
Wow, thanks for this post! Unbelievable how much you actually did in this past months I would need years for this! And what are you doing with these blocks? You're really teasing us;-)
Hildy
I came in halfway through the project and really enjoyed back tracking and reading from the beginning. Congratulations on your FMQ skills - wonderful!
Dang! What are you going to do now? I have that worry but then I push it back and try not to think about it. I'm only on 3/12 quilts in Mrs Fransson's quilt but I think what will I do when I'm done. . . . .
But overall - YOU DID A GREAT JOB!!!!
I had a joyous time reading these posts. I still sit with the Simplify book often dreaming of the space of time to make some of the projects. Your posts have been informative, funny....but most of all inspiring. Thanks for sharing the journey with me. I have enjoyed it SEW much!!!!
Still working on the first project from Simplify! And still working on the FMQ! You did a great job. Awesome, in fact.
K., you are The Quilt Fairy!!! I have learned SO MUCH through Project Simplify. I envy your productivity, but all your hard work really gives me the reassurance that I can do it, too. You are the best of quilting inspirations! And such a cool Happy Zombie story! :)
MIss AWESOME!! You truly are my idol!!!
Oh my word, those are some teensy blocks!! WOW- you are amazing!! And now that you FMQ, you'll want to quilt them all that way, at least I do- it makes them more "loved" to me :)
I have been following you along on this project. Everything is beautiful and to donate it all and make them with your daughters is a really great memory!
I Heart You! Have tears welling up, its been so much fun.
I've really enjoyed reading about your journey on this project - I would always think "ooh, goody!" when one of your posts popped up in my reader. I think it's hilarious/awesome that you counted up how many bobbins you used, and I can't get over how beautiful your stash looks. Congratulations on finishing the project AND for improving your FMQ'ing so much! Rock on!
Congrats on the project and the beautiful things you made.
Impressive! You have accomplished your goal, and it has been so fun to watch you along the way! I love your color choices and fabrics. Thanks for taking us on the journey with you, I'm glad we're not quite done yet - I'll be watching to see what's next!
I can't believe you did so much in such a short time - even if you did have your two lovely helpers. Looking forward to the 'final' final reveal!!
I love your FMQing. I have been able to make the daisy stitch too, and love how it turns out. Keep at it :-)
I love your finish line! And of course, loved that your missed deadline became a you+me event! I STILL can not get over that! And dang, woman… look at you go on your FMQing!!
I love to discover I'm not the only one who saves empty spools!
Ok, now I am intriqued....what will the encore be? Love your stash...so tidy...very impressive. The colors just are gorgeous.
STANDING OVATION!!!!! THOUNDERIOUS APPLAUSE!!! WOOP woops! Cinderella, you rock!! ;0
I love anything small....so, mini blocks to come??!! Hope so. ;0
WooHoo -- Congratulations -- you did a fantastic job! And oh my. That shelf space is NOT going to be there for long. Market will suck you right down the big wanty hole LOL!
Why did this post make me all weepy?
BIG congratulations Kristyne - I have so enjoyed following "Project Simplify".
It's kind of sad that it's all over. Even with the hole in the middle, I would still kill for your stash! LOL
Congratulations on achieveing your goal, and thank you for entertaining us all with your journey. I'm still amazed at what you achieved in such a relatively short period of time...girl, you rock!
Kristyne, what a fantastic project! I am so excited to see the minatures you have made.
What a wonderful round-up and finale for Project Simplify. So many beautiful quilts, so much well-used fabric and thread, so much great time spent with your daughters, so many good causes aided ... and so many great blog posts. Thank you for sharing your Project Simplify journey. And by the way, your stash looks great, even in its new smaller form. Lots of inspiration there for many new projects. I look forward to your yet-to-be-revealed final surprise.
I loved watching you go through the book, you made some amazing quilts and pillows!! It was fun going through your journey with you, thanks for sharing and being such a fun writer. I was with “Miss Happy Zombie” when she pulled your quilt out of the bag at the meeting, how fun is that? It was beautiful. Keep up the good work! BTW, I love your stash *drool*
Hi Kristyne, Congratulations, you did it! And you did an awesome job! I really enjoyed following you during Project Simplify. I added your blog to my favorites at the beginning of your 'journey', and am always looking forward to your posts. Even though this project has now come to a finish, I can't wait to see what you'll make next! High five!
LOVE the Project Simplify, the Mini-Series. Will you be writing up directions for the mini's?