Finish Along 2019

Sunflower Stitcheries and Quilting Finish Along 2019

So despite my actual organisation yesterday the internet decided to foil my plans. Now that I am back with the land of connectivity let’s get all the details out for you about our Finish Along 2019.

What is it?

Our Finish Along is an event where you can publicly declare your intention to complete a certain project or 2 or 3 within a set time frame.

We have broken the year into 4 Rounds. Basically each quarter is a round where we aim to complete something from our UFO or WIP pile. Go on, we all have them and they are begging to be completed, hear them? I can hear mine.

What can I do?

You can make your declaration about any project or projects to complete in each round. Whatever craft you are enjoying and have an unfinished project of, you can nominate this project for the Finish Along.

So that we’re really clear, you can do any project you have, quilting, cross-stitch, applique, garment making, embroidery, whatever you have that is not yet done, let’s put it on the list.  You can always save others for the next Round.  I don’t want this to be overwhelming or stressful, but a help and encouragement to complete some long standing or recent projects.

How Does the Finish Along work?

Solid work by you and sharing on social media for accountability.

There will be dates to share a picture of your of declaration of intent, progress pictures and the finished project. Please use the hashtag for the finish along so we can find your pictures on Instagram, and the Finish Along will be hosted in The Sunflower Garden, our Facebook community group. I would love for you to join me in The Garden to get lots of encouragement with completing your projects.

So who keeps me going?

You do; as you have made a public declaration that you intend to complete ‘X’ project’s in each Round. 

In short we will be a source of encouragement and cheer you along as you work on your project/s. It’s well known that when we commit publicly to completing an action that we are more likely to actually complete that action.

Also as you see the project growing and getting closer it becomes a self motivating thing as you are so close to completion, go on, do that last seam, stitch, button, etc…

What Do I need to do?

At the beginning of each Round we will post a declaration of intent for the project/s we intend to finish in the Round. We will post a current picture of our project or list of projects.  These can be posted on your Instagram account or in the thread in The Sunflower Garden group. Please use the hashtags #ssqfinishalong2019  #ssqfinishalong on IG so we can see your pictures.

Then you are asked to post 2 progress pictures of your projects under construction. Reminders for this will be posted.  If you have declared more than one project for a Round then you are asked to post 2 pictures of each project as you work on them.  Remember to use the hashtags #ssqfinishalong2019  #ssqfinishalong

Towards the end of each Round we will ask for a picture of the completed project/s.  Again using the hashtags means we can find the picture easier. #ssqfinishalong2019  #ssqfinishalong

So in total there is up to 4 pictures per project; Declaration picture, 2 progress pictures, one completed project picture.  If you are intending to complete more than one project then your Declaration post can contain all projects for that Round.

What do I do now?

Start thinking of which project/s you want to finish and consider their priority for completion.  Would you like to be able to use that quilt as a gift in June, then maybe it should be in Round 1, need that embroidery for Spring next year, add that for Round 2, got a gift for Christmas, probs best to add that to Round 3 or earlier.

Join me in The Sunflower Garden group and follow me on Instagram.  I’ll be sharing in both these social media places.

Consider what you might need to be able to complete the projects, have you got the fabric, thread, tools you need to finish the item?  Gather your supplies. Go on, you’ll thank me later.

What are the dates we need to know?

There will be 4 ‘Rounds’ in 2019.  Each Round will be for 3 months. There will be reminder posts on Instagram and in the FB group for when to post your pictures.

Round 1 January, February and March.

January- post declaration picture.

January and February – post progress pictures

End of March- post finished project picture.

Round 2 April, May and June.

Beginning of April- post declaration picture.

April and May – post progress pictures,

End of June- post finished project pictures.

Round 3 July, August and September.

Beginning of July- post declaration picture

July and August – post progress pictures,

End of September- post finished project pictures.

Round 4 October, November and December.

Beginning of October- post declaration picture,

October and November- post progress pictures,

December- post finished project pictures.

To help you…

I have created a Planner and Project Sheet for you to use for each project so you can determine your steps to completion and then tick them off when they’re done.

Consider your coming schedule for Round 1.  Be realistic with what you can achieve. Much better to err on the side of declaring less and being more likely to achieve 100% completion.

So, Will you join me?  Let’s get some finishing started!