Blocks complete. Now it's time to sew the top toge Blocks complete. Now it's time to sew the top together. Look for this fun new quilt pattern coming soon from @sewhookedontreasures!

#holidaytrimmingsquilt #quiltpatterntester #patchworksampler
Fun fabric pull to test the lovely #holidaytrimmin Fun fabric pull to test the lovely #holidaytrimmingsquilt by Shereece @sewhookedontreasures. 

Does the new Hustle and Bustle fabric by @official_basicgrey on a Grunge Hits the Spot background put you in the holiday spirit?
This is my most recent finish. I stitched the last This is my most recent finish. I stitched the last bit of binding just about a half hour ago! I love the fabrics in this quilt and they were just random fabrics from my stash. The pattern is #theellaquilt by @kitchentablequilting. I may have to hang this in my family room until it finds a new home.

#igquiltfest2022 #igquiltfest2022day14 #patchworksampler
Today's prompt is pressing matters. I love flat bl Today's prompt is pressing matters. I love flat blocks and these three items are my essentials for achieving that: white fluffy bath towel, cheap Black & Decker iron that steams like crazy, and a Jackson's Woodworks square clapper.

I have a wool pressing mat, but I like the bath towel better. It has enough nap to "grab" the fabrics for a super flat press and it can be tossed in the washer and dryer. 

#igquiltfest2022 #igquiltfest2022day12 #patchworksampler
One of my cherished quilts is one I didn't make. T One of my cherished quilts is one I didn't make. This album quilt was made by members of a club I ran for many years when I had a brick and mortar shop. Several members continued to meet in my home monthly until COVID hit. 

It is special to me because it is a reminder of what is important; the friendships, camaraderie, and encouragement that developed within the group. 

#igquiltfest2022 #igquiltfest2022day9 #patchworksampler
This super scrappy quilt is one of my favorites fo This super scrappy quilt is one of my favorites for a couple of reasons. First it is proof that any fabric works when you cut it small enough and second I pieced it on a little mini retreat with a couple of friends. The pattern is Rectangle Wrangle by Bonnie Hunter.

I love, love, love scrap quilts, the more fabrics the better, and that's how I justify buying all the fabric I do.

This particular quilt was chosen for today's prompt because tomorrow it will be on its way to Poland along with nine others from my "quilt room" (see day 3 prompt).

#igquiltfest2022 #igquiltfest2022day8 #patchworksampler #scrapquilt
Lesson learned. I could write a book on all the th Lesson learned. I could write a book on all the things I've learned through quilting, but one I can't seem to get through my head is that I don't like foundation piecing, paper piecing, or hand piecing.  Slow stitching is a concept I can't wrap my head around.

This String Spiderweb was started at a retreat so I jumped on the bandwagon without thinking it through. I have a bunch of these units made but no interest in continuing. As I was snapping the photo though, I had an idea. Stay tuned.

Are there quilting techniques or methods you don't enjoy?

#igquiltfest2022 #igquiltfest2022day7 #patchworksampler
I'm not really sure what to say about my quilting I'm not really sure what to say about my quilting origins. No one else in my family was or is a quilter. For some reason my Grandma Ruby had this old quilt top, had it finished, and gave it to me. She didn't make it and I don't know who did, but I still cherish it.

As for me, I walked into a quilt shop in 1988 and the rest is history. My heart still races when I walk into a shop!!

#igquiltfest2022 #igquiltfest2022day6 #patchworksampler
Why I quilt: 1) Fabric. It is so fun to cut littl Why I quilt: 
1) Fabric. It is so fun to cut little pieces of fabric only to sew them back together and see how the colors and texture work together. 

2) To fill a need. I enjoy donating pretty quilts to those who need them. 

3) Community. Early in my marriage we moved every three years or so. I always found new friends in guilds and classes. It's even easier to connect with other quilters with the internet.

There are many other reasons like fun and creativity, but those are my top three.

#igquiltfest2022 #igquiltfestday5 #patchworksampler
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Patchwork Sampler

Make quilts. Use fabric. Have fun.

quilting · January 17, 2022

Monday Motivation: A Carefree Summer

To Do List

Early in the summer of 2021, I saw an Instagram post where someone explained her carefree summer. That phrase captured my imagination. YES! I also wanted a carefree summer. I didn’t want any pressure to start new projects or get things finished. A summer with fun and no obligations? Sign me up.

That’s pretty much what happened. Only the carefree summer turned into carefree fall and has continued into carefree winter. As a result, I had my least productive year quilting-wise since I started quilting 33 years ago. I maybe finished 10 quilts all year. MAYBE. I’m terrible at keeping track.

With the new year, though, comes new resolve and my to-do list looks something like this:

  1. Finish one quilt per week
  2. Finish 12 UFOs
  3. Sort scraps and cut into the most useful sizes
  4. Clean and declutter sewing room
  5. Use 200 yards of stash fabric

I wish I could make all this happen, but I know I won’t, and here’s why.

  1. It always takes longer to finish a project than I think it will.
  2. Even if I finish a UFO every month, I will probably create a new one.
  3. With every project comes new scraps. Scrap management is a never-ending process. Not to mention, it is tedious. I love scrap quilts, though, so will continue to save scraps.
  4. I have faced the fact that I am not a tidy quilter. It inspires me to see fabric and patterns sitting out. I also like having projects ready to go when I have just a few minutes to sew. And the reality is, I have more stuff in my studio than I have room for. It is so hard for me to part with fabric. I just KNOW I will find a use for it someday.
  5. I probably will use 200 yards of stash fabric but will have to show tremendous restraint to not replace it with 300 yards of new fabric.

Writing this post makes me think about the way I want to approach quilting in 2022 and beyond. I will try to reduce UFOs and stash fabric. It’s time to get rid of projects I no longer have any interest in finished (talking to you Thimbleberries!). Unless I’m making a quilt specifically for donation, I rarely use my traditional fabric stash, so I could part with much of that to make room for fresher, brighter, more modern fabric. I still like these fabrics, but after making hundreds of quilts in this style, there is a certain “sameness” to them.

Now that the weather is cold I look forward to more time in my sewing room. Last night I listed a few quilts I would like to make in the next month or so. I stopped writing after 12. Looks like my next planning session should be on setting priorities!

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In: quilting · Tagged: 2022 goals, monday motivation, to do list

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Comments

  1. Monica Wildermuth says

    January 18, 2022 at 10:29 pm

    That is a very ambitious list…but I applaud your ideas. In your mind does piecing a quilt count as finishing a quilt ..or does it have to be topstitched and have the binding sewn on as well? (Just asking!) I agree there is a lot of cool material out there. I like to think that some of my old fabrics can play nice with any new fabrics I buy, but maybe that is wishful thinking. I look forward to hearing of your 2022 quilting endeavors! January (in general) is a great month to sit inside and sew.

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