Archive for January, 2019

January 27th, 2019 - The Year of The Stash

Or so I hope. So far, so good. I have not added any fabric even though I was really tempted yesterday. It was Support Your Local Quilt Shop Day and one of the shops had some great deals. But I resisted. Also I decided that I can’t make any more quilts until I get some of these tops quilted. So I have been playing around with some itty bitty bonus HSTs and making some itty bitty things from them.

How could you throw away that many cut off triangles? These are all from On Ringo Lake, Bonnie Hunter’s 2018 mystery quilt. Now what to make with them.

Anyway, there are 1278 HSTs plus lots of other bits and pieces. And I had to press and trim all those HSTs. That took me a few days. If these blocks finish at 3.5″, how many do I need for a quilt? I don’t have enough to make a lap quilt but I’m sure there’s enough for a doll quilt or two. And lots of pin cushions. And it’s fun to try all the decorative stitches on my machine that I never use.

Even though I decided to not make any more quilt tops, I do have a few that are in the process of being finished. I finished up some Heart applique blocks that just need to be assembled and it’s a top. Plus 2 Christmas quilts that I didn’t finish from last year.

I finished this Christmas quilt top. My friend had this pattern and loved it but thought the instructions were over her head. So she asked if I could make head or tails of the instructions. So I had to make a quilt and see how difficult it was. The hardest part was the fabric selection. And then once I pieced the top together, I noticed I didn’t center the long skinny gifts correctly. Oh well, no one will notice once it’s quilted.

Now for those numbers.

Fabric used this week: 12.97 yds

Fabric added this week: 0 yds

Net fabric busted: 12.97 yds

In the 15 Minutes to Stitch department, I have managed to sew every day this year but 1 day. Even if it’s only cutting off the little dog ears from the bonus HSTs, I was in my sewing room doing something.

Week 1: 14 hours with no missed days

Week 2: 22 hours with no missed days

Week #3: 24 hours with 1 missed day

Week #4: 21 hours with no missed days

I think I’m getting the hang of sewing every day. Let’s hope I can keep it up.

I’m linking up with Kate at Life in Pieces for the 15 Minutes to Sew Challenge and with Donna at quiltpaintcreate for the Stash Report.

I’m linking up with Kate at Life In Pieces for the 15 Minutes to Sew Challenge and with Donna at quiltpaintcreate for the Stash Report.

Have a great week! Stay warm and toasty in your sewing room!

January 13th, 2019 - The Stash

I think this is my first post of the year. I hope everyone is having  a great new year so far. I know I am. I didn’t make any resolutions either and I feel really good about it. I just want to sew, use up my scraps and not spend too much on quilting stuff. I have spent the first 2 weeks of the year in my sewing room, organizing and tidying up. There was a bit of a mess from stuff I didn’t put away properly and I still have a few things to go through. I started a charity box and once it was full, before I changed my mind, I got rid of it. No second guessing.

I have a large bag of fabric swatches that I have not touched at all. I made a tote bag out of one pile and I do have a lot of ideas for the other piles. Seeing as it is mostly decorator weight fabric, I will probably be making more tote bags out of it. These will be some really fancy grocery bags.  This is my only fabric usage (lining) and finish for the year.

Now for those numbers.

Fabric used this week and YTD: .72 yds

Fabric added this week and YTD: 0 yds

Net fabric busted: .72 yds

In the 15 Minutes To Stitch department. I have sewn or been doing some sewing related task every day this year. I average 2.5 hours per day. Even if I’m too tired to start actually sewing, I forced myself to go do something. Hence all the organizing and cleaning.

I’m linking up with Donna at quiltpaintcreate for the stash report and with Kate at Life in Pieces for the 15 Minutes to Sew challenge.

I hope you have a great week!