The 350 Blocks Project, 2024
Posted on January 16, 2024 by prairiemoonquilts in 350 Blocks ProjectReady to kick this off? I’ve already started keeping a January block tally — have you?
I’m on a personal mission to beat my last year’s total, so I gotta get off to a good start, right?
Again this year, I’m keeping things simple — the rules will remain the same.
Anyone is welcome to join (at any time), and here is how it works:
- • The blocks you count are your blocks, from projects of your own choosing, and they belong to you. You don’t have to send anything in. All you have to do is report to me how many blocks you made each month.
- • As for counting, you’re on the honor system — A quilt block counts as one block.
- • If you’re not quite sure how to count something, such as a complicated border, just divide it into sections that seem like blocks, and count them that way. For instance — four complicated borders? I’d count those as either 4 or 8 blocks, depending on how large and how complicated.
- • What if your quilt is a modern quilt that seems like one large block? If it’s really simple, just count it as one large block, but if it’s a bit more involved, break it up into sections and count each section as a block.
- • Your count can only include completed blocks made in 2024 (not block units), so you can go back to January 1st, and count any blocks you’ve made so far, but not back any further than that, and not the individual units that make up a completed block (units don’t count until they’re in a completed block, in other words).
Here are the general rules:
* Let me know you’re playing along
Simply comment on this post, or contact me to let me know you’re in. I delete all of the previous year’s info to start fresh, so if you are playing along again this year, please let me know again, and I’ll add you to the list. (It keeps me from getting confused — there’s a lot to keep track of.) I won’t automatically assume you want in, and this way, if you’re done playing along and want out, you can get out, no questions asked!
The web page for the 350 Blocks Project is HERE, where I list all the information regarding the project and how it’s progressing. If you’re participating, I’ll put your name (and a link to your blog if you have one) on the project page. You can jump in any time.
If you only want to do some of the months, that’s fine. You’ll be eligible for the prize that month. Can’t start till later? No problem, you can still do the months you’re able to. Just do what you can.
Our block goal for the month is posted on the Project page. It’s always just a random goal to work toward, a suggestion, really, should you need one, but you can make as many or as few blocks each month as you want to. I always encourage you to make more!
* Report in every month
I’ll put up a monthly blog post about the project, either on the last day of the month, or the first day of the next month, where I’ll show you some of the blocks I get done (if any). When you see one of those posts, you need to leave a comment on it, telling us all about your own progress, and either link back to your own blog post, or at least let me know how many blocks you’ve done. You can also email me directly with your current number of blocks, or use the contact page to let me know. You basically have most of the month to report in, because I announce each month’s prize winner during the report for the month after (for example, I announce the January prize winner at the end of February). But . . . be sure to leave a comment to be eligible for the prize, because . . . if you don’t let me know you’re playing along, I won’t know to include you in the drawings!
I’ll post your number of completed blocks next to your name on the project page, so you can see how you’re doing along with everyone else. (I usually update the page about 10 days after the monthly report, and then again at the end of the month.) This is NOT a race, however, so don’t let anyone else’s total worry you, since we all have varying amounts of sewing time and work on different types of projects. Everyone who reports in is eligible for the prizes. I repeat, it’s not a contest, it’s just for fun! And prizes!
* Monthly prizes
At the end of each month, I’ll have a prize drawing for those who have made progress that month. I’ll draw one random winner from everyone who reports in that month. What this means is: You MUST report in each month in order to be eligible for that month’s prize drawing, even if your total is ZERO, which happens to the best of us.
If you’d like to be reminded when the report goes up, you can subscribe to all the latest News From the Ranch by filling out the form at the top of the sidebar, and you’ll automatically get an email when there’s anything new!
* Grand Prizes
At the end of the year, there will be some Grand Prizes. If you actually meet the goal of 350 blocks, you’re eligible for the big Grand Prize, and if you don’t quite make it, you’re still eligible to win some prizes just for participating. Everyone who has reported in at least six times during the Project is eligible for the final prize drawings. This rule is in place simply to be more fair to those who report in regularly. I don’t feel it’s fair to award a prize to someone who reports in one time in January then never reports in again, over someone who reports in regularly.
So are you ready?
The main Project page can be found HERE, where you can see current information, a list of participants and their numbers, and links to past statistics and winners posts.
And yep, I’m once again using the free printable to track my blocks this year. It still works great for me. I already have the January list taped up in my studio.
Here’s an example of how I use mine:
Here’s the link again, if you’d like to use it, too. Simply click here to download it: 350BlockTracker
So here we go again! I hope you’ll join us this year!
count me in!
Count me in.
I’m in! I didn’t make the minimum goal last year but hopefully will do better in 2024! Thanks Shelley!
Dianne In Alabama
(I’ve been Dianne D for the last few years! Decided to change it up, if that’s ok. If not, Dianne D it is😜)
I’m in!!
I’m in!
I am determined to do this each month! I have started keeping track.
Looking forward to another year!
I’ll play along again this year.
Started counting already this month so please add me to the list. Thanks again for the inspiration!
Ok, I am in and hope life doesn’t interrupt 2024!
Count me in – I’ve already been keeping track. This really helps me in accountability. Thank you!
randy who lives in maine is in.
I am in again this year. I know there are months I will not be able to make any, but I will make as many as I can.
I would like to take part again…..been out of the loop for a couple of years….Covid, getting downsized, moving, etc……but I am getting “back in the saddle”.
Thank you.
I’m in!
I’m in again. I took want to increase my total from last year.
Me too! This time will take proper notes!
Count me in again!
I want to play along again this year. And I have been sewing!
I’m ready and already making my January blocks while stuck inside during this insane cold weather in Missouri!!
I’m in. I am keeping track already. Many of the quilts I just finished had big blocks, so that doesn’t count as much, but it doesn’t matter. It’s just fun to count.
I’m in too!
Can I play.
I like your system of counting! So I will do it.
I’m in! Thanks!
thank you! and yes I would like to play along again . susan in Alberta
Sign me up!
Shelly, I am looking forward to another year. I too have started keeping track of blocks in 2024! Thanks for all your hard work.
Yes, count me in! Thank you for doing this. I appreciate it so much, Tanya.
For the last hurrah, I’m in!
I’m in! I’ve already started counting my January blocks. Thanks for doing this, Shelly. Hope I have a better count for 2024. We get one extra day this leap year, so at least one more block!
Please count me in! Thank you for doing this one last year!
I’m in even though I wonder how much sewing I’ll actually get done.
Count me in! Shouldn’t be too hard to beat last year’s total…well maybe not as I haven’t sewn a stitch yet this year😱.
I’m in.
count me in
Count me in again, please.
Yes, I plan to do this again. I’ve already started completing and counting blocks.
This is always such great motivation. Thank you for hosting again! I don’t have a goal this year, just to keep on moving things along.
I’m in! Gonna bust this stash!
I am in 350 blocks
Count me in. I made a mistake in my earlier post (Elizabeth) I have participated in the past under the name Beth.
I’m in for one more year. Thanks Shelly!
I have never participated before, but it sounds like fun-count me in.
Thank you Shelly, I’d love to play along this year as well. Maybe I can hit the goal!!!
I’m in and also have started counting blocks. Took 3 quilt tops to be quilted Monday. One top finished in Dec. and two UFO’s finished this month. This year I am planning on mainly started tops and one I have already bought the fabric for.
I’m in.
Yes, please, count me in! Thanks Shelly.
I’d like to participate this year! I’m off to a good start so far this month, due to the cold weather…
Sign me up!
I am in again this year
Yes, I’m ready for another year of tracking blocks!
I am in for another year- hoping to do better than last year. So far a very slow start for January with extended family staying over from Christmas.
I did not know about this project, but I have already sewn 29 blocks so far….so I would like to join in, please!🤩
I have still been keeping track even though I did not sign up last year. I seen that this was the last year that you were going to do this and wanted to get in on the fun.
My life has been one of ups and downs the last year, I did not feel that I could get all my ducks in a row, but I was able to sew about 4 days a week, so far I have been sewing each day in January. So I am off to a good start, my goal is to sew each day for at least 20 mints of more.
So let the quilting block count come alive here in Carrollton, Missouri
I think I’m gonna give it a try. Made a few in January but hoping to do better as the year goes on.
I am in for 2024. I’ll have to go back to try to count January & February so far. 🙂
For February I completed 109 blocks.
20 blocks for June
Blocks for July—8
Blocks for October: 36. Not sure if this is the correct spot to post 350 blocks for October. Hopefully, you can add my total to the list before the end of the year. I am getting back to making blocks now; my life, quilting, has been one interruption after another.
Happy fall; Happy Thanksgiving.
Marilyn