So there you are – I’ve admitted it! I entered a piece – in a year with record numbers, fortunately – but It Won’t Be Finished. Oh no, I hear you say, it’s only July xx, you’ve still got time, especially as you’ll be taking it down on July 27th…

Well yes, but I’ve got three birthdays, one theatre trip, one film outing for two of the aforementioned birthdays, a weekend with my son and grandson… in other words, life getting majorly in the way! But you must have known that in advance – I mean, birthdays aren’t exactly a surprise, are they?

Of course not – but what is a surprise is the number of things that can get in the way of Finishing A Quilt. For example – New Ideas. I had one of those yesterday, while looking at the quilt, and instead of chasing it off, I gave it some thought and decided it was a good new idea – so I’ll need to work on it a bit. Another thing could be – Deciding I Have To Dye Some More Fabric. This also needs strenuous resistance – and some careful stash browsing. I found some fabrics that will do perfectly – but it all takes time and then add in a few Last-Minute Requests To Look After Grandchild(ren)…

More Quilting Than I Thought – now, the main technique I am using is raw-edged appliqué, quite heavily stitched with contour quilting, sometimes shaded colours as well as shapes – ooh it’s lovely and so enjoyable… but it does take time.

Good Grief Will the Finishing Really Take That Long? YES. IT ALWAYS TAKES LONGER – and this time I am joining nine panels – all slightly different sizes – in QAYG style, before I even make a decision about binding or facing….. It’ll be facing, I’m almost sure, but that still requires a hand-stitched finish.

Well, You’ll Have To Sit Up Until Midnight – no, not happening. Not never, no way. I’m already getting up at 5.30am to leave at 6.30, to drive down to the NEC to spend the day unpacking all YOUR lovely competition entries. I want to arrive alive!

So why, really, am I not getting it finished on time? Well, I forgot to mention the completely unexpected inguinal hernia operation in March, which knocked me out for most of the month – followed by the two-week cruise to recuperate…. See? I could have done it! It was fate, not incompetence…. But it will be finished – and it will be there next year!

Carol Fieldhouse