What Are Quilters Blogging About Today?

It’s now the second half of the year. I’m happy with what I’ve completed so far, yet it feels a bit unbalanced. The rest of the year could use a wider variety of projects.

I finished stitching and framed Summer Flowers in June, then started a new stitch project.

I began The Short List many years ago to create short-term goals and a way to focus. I change things up as my priorities and interests change.

Project 1 (Stitching): Peace on Earth by Cottage Garden Samplings. This is the first I’ve stitched one of their patterns ...

FREEDOM!!!

OK -- so I'm not entirely off the hook as I have urgent paperwork to do this morning, but I spent most of yesterday just puttering and doing what I wanted, and it felt glorious! 

I am determined to keep things under control - OK - until the next crisis hits, but if I keep myself organized, those deadlines shouldn't be an issue? Perhaps I'm deluding myself. That's OK - I can live in a dream world. 

But the biggest issue for me is keeping the space clear. Why is that so hard? I seem to need a table ...

I’ve made baby steps forward pairing the shirt fabrics with patterns.

Although I chose a pattern for the blue fabric, I’m undecided. Looking at the view in the top left, the off the shoulder style concerns me. I’m not one to walk around with my bra straps showing. I would have to wear a cardigan or jacket and keep it on.

For the red fabric I chose an old favorite. It’s between one of the middle views, although I wouldn’t do the color blocking.

I’m also considering a long term stitch project, most likely ...

No change in the numbers.

There’s been a lot of thinking about new projects here. I pulled a couple cuts of clothing fabric out of stash for a second project to alternate with quilting Remember Me.

The red fabric is a woven from Fabric Mart. The blue fabric is a knit from Field’s Fabric. I have enough of both the make a shirt, but haven’t matched the fabrics to patterns yet.

I’m hoping a second project will motivate me to sew more.

Fabric In: 11 yards

Fabric out: 16.375 yards

Net Fabric Used: 5.375 ...

I had seen photos online of tote bags people had made from fabric, using men’s ties for the handles. I decided to go a little further and use one of my late husband’s shirts for the body of the bag.

Decide the approximate dimensions of the tote bag. I cut the shirt so that the front pocket was included, but in the end it became decorative only. I may adjust the tutorial in the future so that it would be a functional pocket. I now had two pieces of fabric of the same measurements.

Keeping the button placket ...

The challenge quilt has been my focus, but it no longer has a deadline. The group will not submit quilts to AQS this year after several members had a whole lot of life happen recently, not in a good way. Maybe next year.

My attention switched back to the pinwheel quilt, which should be finished in the next week. I will continue working on the challenge quilt (note to self – come up with a real name), but I need another project. The creative possibilities for the challenge increased when the time constraints disappeared. Sounds like an opportunity to experiment.

Sticking ...

I don’t usually do a plans post, but I definitely have them and decided to share. I’ve enjoyed seeing other people’s plans. They help motivate me to focus on what’s important to me creatively.

For better or worse, here’s the list.

Sewing Plans:

4 original quilts

2 garments

1 charity quilt

1 UFO

Stitching Plans:

Finish stitching 2 pieces

Fully finish 3 pieces (Frame, turn into a pillow, mount, etc.)

That’s an ambitious list for me based on how much I usually finish in a year.

Projects will fit into categories based on how ...

My OMG for July was to make a shirt from this fabric and pattern.

I finished it last week. The first picture shows the color more accurately.

I used a gauze fabric I bought at Joann’s a few years ago. It tended to have a mind of its own and shifted if I looked at it wrong. It doesn’t pay to but mediocre fabric. I’ve just about learned that lesson.

More importantly, it’s done.

I’m linking to the finish party at Elm Street Quilts.

No fabric in this week.

I finished the shirt for a yard out.

The color is off in the picture. The shirt is a true green. I’m not wearing it because it’s still wet from washing.

New projects in the works remain in the pressing and cutting stage. It takes a while to get rolling on something new.

Fabric In: 0.5 yards

Fabric Out: 8.875 yards

Net Fabric Out: 8.375 yards

How did you do this week?

 I think my neighbor heard me! While my lights came on at dusk, her house was dark! Maybe they are not on a timer. Or perhaps she only turns them on when she has company coming? Either way, I hope we don't get to see them often. I've spoken to the neighbor between us, and she hates them also as they shine into her house. Hopefully, we'll all be neighborly and get along, but the people living there are pretty elusive. You rarely see them. Actually, I think it's just one person who lives there. 

But ...

No fabric in or out this week.

The shirt is together but not finished. I still need to hem the sleeves and the bottom and add a button. I’ll finish it this week.

I’ve thought about the next project and keep changing my mind. I narrowed it down to four and then two. I chose one. I backtracked to one of the original four. Whatever sparkles the most the day I’m ready to start will be the next project. I’m not sure why I even wasted time thinking about it.

Fabric In: 0.5 yards

Fabric ...

The new month came quickly, leaving me scrambling to figure out the next projects. So many choices, limited time.

I met my goal last month of finishing the Pumpkin Patch top, and then finished the quilt shortly after. The next project on the mindless list is a quick sew.

Project One: I’m still stitching My Sewing Treasures by Bobby G Designs.

Project Two: I haven’t worked on the band sampler. I’m debating if I stitch the rest of the bands or just the final colored band to balance it out.

Project Three: I’m sewing a simple ...

We are half way through the year! How are you doing on your goal?

No fabric in this week except some wool scraps. I gifted a small piece of fabric to someone that needed it for a project. I’m not counting the wool because I don’t count less than an 1/8 yard either way.

I didn’t finish quilting Punkin’ Patch in time to count it this week.

I washed the fabric for my next project, a shirt.

The fabric is a rayon/polyester double gauze in the color green pepper. It is a true green. I ...

The months go by so fast, summer especially. It’s a bit harder to fit in creative time around all the outdoor activities.

I finished my goal last month of quilting Open Dialogue, and then finished the quilt a few days later.

Project One: I’ve stitched about half of My Sewing Treasures by Bobby G Designs. It’s still in the frame crooked.

Project Two: I haven’t worked on the band sampler. It’s patiently waiting its turn.

Project Three: I want to sew some clothes again. The next item will be a shirt, although I haven’t ...

No fabric in this week. I finished the nightgown for 2.5 yards out.

Thanks to my sister for gifting me the fabric. It is so soft and snuggly. It definitely keeps me warm at night.

The pattern is McCalls 2848, which is out of print. I bought this one uncut at a thrift store.

I sewed a medium and it’s way too big. Even a small would have been huge on me, the pattern is so oversized. I shortened the gown 5” and the sleeves 6”. Because the pattern uses the same pieces for men and women, it ...

Thanks to everyone who left a comment in the last post about the mystery notion. I enjoyed learning all the ways I can use it. What a great find!

The stash numbers are all over the place this week. Either everything moves or nothing moves here.

I used 1.25 yards of fabric making kitchen curtains. I picked the pattern up at the thrift a couple weeks ago and I’m thrilled to have used it so quickly.

I also received a box from my sister with a large cut of flannel in it. I’ll use it to make ...

I know the concept isn’t new, but I haven’t tried it yet. I’ve been preparing for this for a lot of years – I remember asking my son’s mother-in-law on his wedding day, while we were at the hair salon, what type of stabilizer I would need to buy. My son has been married 5 years now.

I weeded out some shirts from my husband’s side of the closet and bought him a slew of new ones. He enjoyed helping me to decide which can go into the quilt. This will be his lap quilt and ...

I didn’t finish anything in July. This may need to change to the Shorter List with fewer projects on it. No illusions of being a prolific quilter here.

The Short List categories are UFO, garment, original design, hand work, finishing, classes and other. I’ve used this system for 6+ years to keep me focused. The categories change as my goals and interests change. Categories with nothing in process will not be listed, only active categories.

Original Design – I’m quilting the group challenge with circles.

Other – Waugh Street Christmas is ready for borders.

Hand Work – Work continues on ...

Another month gone and two more projects finished. Time passes so quickly, or so it seems. Any month with finishes is a good month.

The Short List categories are UFO, garment, original design, hand work, finishing, classes and other. I’ve used this system for 6+ years to keep me focused. The categories change as my goals and interests change. Categories with nothing in process will not be listed, only active categories.

Original Design – The group challenge with circles is moving to this category.

Other – I decided on the pattern to use with the Sweet charm pack, but haven’t ...

No fabric out this week.

I thought I’d stay in positive numbers, but my order from Fabric Mart came early. They had half off their entire site over Memorial Day weekend.

I’m very impressed with the quality and the short delivery time. The blue check is a brushed cotton shirting and the red is a tencel. It’s more red than it looks in the picture and feels wonderful. I’m looking forward to cutting into it.

I have a sew-in this morning to play with the Victoria Findlay Wolfe technique. I cut everything last weekend because I ...