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Patchwork Sampler

Make quilts. Use fabric. Have fun.

quilting · January 9, 2023

Monday Motivation: Keep Sewing

 

Long ago I stopped keeping track of UFOs and WIPs. Seldom do I make a quilt with a specific purpose in mind, so there is rarely a deadline. Most days I spend some time in the sewing room so I figure things will be finished…or they won’t. It would be nice to finish all my old UFOs, but it is not a priority. The things that ignited my passion for quilting are still the things that keep me going: new fabric, new patterns, and new techniques. Did I mention new fabric? As long they keep making new fabric, I will make new quilts!

I really like the Tamara Taylor quote above, but I would replace “going” with “sewing!” With every quilt you make, you improve your skills and learn techniques that work for you. Most of the quilts I’ve made have been a learning experience of one kind or another. I like having a variety of techniques in my arsenal when I start a new quilt. Half-square triangles are a good example. When I open a pattern and see instructions for cutting oversized triangles and then trimming them down to size, I make the appropriate adjustments. My mantra is cut accurately, sew accurately, and be done with it. I do not have enough years left to justify trimming slivers off triangles. Because I’ve made about a billion HSTs, I know several techniques to construct them and I use various techniques depending on the project. The point is, just keep sewing! You will make progress on something and hone your skills in the process. That is success.

One thing that DOES keep me on track is a quilting diary. I was jotting down this information in a notebook but found I was flipping back and forth trying to find my notes. I needed this all in one place, so I created a little printable quilting diary that I can keep in a separate part of my planner binder. It works well for me, so I am sharing it with you. Download your copy here:  Weekly Quilting Diary. 

how to use this diary

This is just a simple diary that is easy to use. I just write down what I work on each day along with a few other weekly items. Here is a sample page that I made up.

Sometimes, if I am trying to compare techniques to see which is faster, I keep more detail, like how many units I make and how long it took to make them. If I have a deadline, like a quilt I’m gifting or one I’m pattern testing, I write it as a priority. Another priority may be advancing a project to a particular point. In the notes section, I write down if I’m changing the size of a project, the fabrics used in a quilt, or a particular technique I’m using–pretty much anything I need to remember about a project.  In the accomplishments section, I write down quilts finished, tops complete, or whatever progress I’ve made on a quilt. Hopefully, you will find this useful and use it to gauge your overall progress.

my new quilt

I have been so excited about this reveal: The Reflection Quilt! It is my most recent finish and I will release the pattern very soon. Stay tuned for more details on this quilt.

Until next time, keep sewing!

 

 

 

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In: quilting · Tagged: monday motivation, quilting diary, quilting planner, the reflection quilt

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Comments

  1. Barbara says

    January 9, 2023 at 4:02 pm

    LOVE the new pattern! I see it in my future for sure!!

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What A Wonderful World

Recent Posts

  • Monday Motivation: Free Quilt Along Planner
  • The Reflection Quilt
  • Weekly WIP: Plain Sailing
  • Monday Motivation: Keep Sewing
  • What A Wonderful World
First three blocks of the Origins Quilt Along comp First three blocks of the Origins Quilt Along completed. Are you sewing along? If not, there's still time to head over to @liftinglimitsquilting to pick up the pattern and get started. It's a fun quilt to make!

#originsqal #patchworksampler #quiltersofinstagram #quiltsofinstagram #quiltalong
Lisa, the WIP Challenge was the push I needed to g Lisa, the WIP Challenge was the push I needed to get this project out of the bin. All the cutting is complete (close to 800 half-square triangles!). Sewing is the easy part, right? Now to reward myself with another flat white coffee.

@wildplumlane.quilts #2023wipchallenge #quiltingwip #quiltingufo #patchworksampler #plainsailingquilt
Just released! The Reflection Quilt pattern. It is Just released! The Reflection Quilt pattern. It is easy to piece and looks great made with only two fabrics or with fat quarters. The pattern includes baby, throw, and bed sizes. Available in my Etsy shop-link in bio.

#thereflectionquilt #patchworksampler #patchworksamplerpatterns #quiltersofinstagram #quiltsofinstagram
Who else loves a Quilt Along? Origins is a fun, ea Who else loves a Quilt Along? Origins is a fun, easy quilt that just needs 12 fat quarters for the lap size. Pick up the pattern @liftinglimitsquilting and join the fun!

#originsqal #patchworksampler
Thanks @wildplumlane.quilts for the motivation to Thanks @wildplumlane.quilts for the motivation to get back to this WIP. It's great to make some progress. Still many blocks to go, but any little step forward is good. 

#2023wipchallenge  #plainsailingquilt #quiltingwip #quiltingufo
Can't wait! Release date for The Reflection Quilt Can't wait! Release date for The Reflection Quilt pattern is Friday, January 20.

#thereflectionquilt #quiltersofinstagram #patchworksampler #quiltsofinstagram
Another sneak peak of the upcoming #thereflectionq Another sneak peak of the upcoming #thereflectionquilt. Bonus for matching mani to fabric!
It's almost here! On January 10th #thereflectionqu It's almost here! On January 10th #thereflectionquilt pattern will be released.
So excited to have a guest post on creating the il So excited to have a guest post on creating the illusion of curves in quilts on the @quilters_candy blog. Check it out to find out how to get the free pattern for #theencompassquilt
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