All Quilt Projects, Great and Small

 The end of the year means two things: wrapping up current projects and planning projects for 2024.  Sew Powerful purses are at the top of the 2024 list.  But I cannot stop myself from starting new quilts.  Look at this pattern by Robin Pickens.  The first real modern design I did was Double Plus Good by Rossi Hutchinson, back in 2009.  And look where I am today with Definite Plus, another plus quilt! Its hard to see the jelly roll next to a cream and grey, but these are the fabrics for this quilt.  It's snowy and a major football day.  I may go ahead and get started on this!

This scrap quilt is one I just finished quilting.  I started it as a kind of throw away project, just to use up scraps.  But as I began to needle it, I kind of fell in love with it.  Once it was completed and washed and the textured emerged, it is now one of those quilts that will need to find a very special home. so now I am moving on this this one using an off-center spiral.

 

One of my hand quilting tricks, and I know so many others do this, is to load several needles at once.  This little rug mug is my needle holder.  and if I'm working in multiple colors, this little basket made by quilt member Janette is perfect for keeping those various balls of Perle cotton.

But here's a quilt I would never attempt to hand quilt.  It is for my stepdaughter Jen and is a king - 116" x 116". The backing required 12 yards.  The pattern is Weighted by Alex Hoffman and called for 17 fabrics, not including the background.  The top starts with greens and folds into grays and develop into purples.  I love this pattern and am eager to have it long armed by Sarah Evans.  Below is my Christmas present from Jen who gave me a gift certificate to Quiltagious, a pretty neat little shop in Mukwanago, Wisconsin.  Three absolutely unique prints and a pattern that will show them off nicely without cutting them into bits. 

I'm looking forward to 2024.  2023 had a major sadness, the death of my little brother.  Even before Doug died, but especially afterwards, Ive been keenly aware of two things.  One is how good I have been feeling.  My health allows me to do everything I want to do, and I am able to do the things without pain or difficulty.  The second change is that my life rhythm is changing.  For a long time I have been a kind of maniacal sewer:  "get this one done and start another" was the unspoken mantra.  Now?  I'm finding pleasure in each step of the process:  the planning, the gathering, the preparation, the execution, the completion. I'm content to work on a new project without an old one being complete.  Yes, Red Door, I know you need to be finished. It's more than ever about enjoyment.  And I'm thankful for each day that I have and sad Doug didn't have the luxury of these kinds of days.

I'm a bit fearful of 2024 and what it holds.  What I want it to hold is another autumn and another winter.  I have always loved winter, but I especially love it here in this condo.  I hope for continued health for both of us.  And I do know that I will continue sewing.  As Doug was dying, my sister and I read "Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters In The End" by Atul Gawande.  It should be required reading for all of mankind.  Dr. Gawande asks the reader to identify what makes life worth living.  One guy in the book said as long as he could eat chocolate ice cream and watch baseball games, life was worth it.  For me it is the ability to sew and create.  That I can do this with the support of my life's partner?  I am content.  

Projects - Past, Present, and Future

 

This is an organizational post.  I’m losing track of what I’ve done, what I’m working on, and what I want to do. I loved so much how the small backpack - Sew Sweetness Park Sloan pattern - turned out that I made the bigger version.  What I’ve discovered is that this bag is not cross body for me - instead it is over one shoulder, which works fine. The  other discovery is that unlike other back packs, this one is not meant to carry heavy books.  It can.  But my great niece is using hers as a dance bag, and I think it’s perfect for that use!  Does this mean I have to take dance classes? 

This scrap quilt, started last winter at a CMQG quilt retreat, has been completed, bound with a scrappy binding, and hand quilted.  It is on its way to former Hyde Park student Bridgette,  she who motivates me daily to get out and walk or elliptical or do weights, with monthly  challenges to her team of warriors.  I’m committed to walking 130 miles a month.  Last month I almost made it. This month, even with a soft issue issue on the top of my foot. I think I’ll make it.  I’m thankful for her daily support and her friendship.  

Buddy Lauren gave me a lovely pack of Cherrywood fat quarters, and this top has been pin-basted and has had some machine quilting.  Now I’m adding some handwork to each one of the blocks, following the subtle shadow line.  Instead of using wool, I’ve used Quilters Dream, a poly cotton batting.  And the quilting is a bit slow.  There’s nothing like sewing with a wool batting. But wool batting is pricier.  

My red door just needs an outer border on three sides.  And then?  Perhaps some hand quilting.  I think I’ve identified where I want to hang this, despite objections from the other person in this house.

The remaining fabrics I need for the Windham fabric challenge using their artisan shot cottons have arrived.  So now I need to make more of these twisted pleat blocks and figure out a layout and finishing techniques.  Some quilters in my guild are so good at sketching things out and having a plan from the beginning.  Although I can work like that, usually I don’t.  And with this project? It’s taking shape as I go.

  

I love working with jelly rolls because they let me touch various fabrics that I normally wouldn’t buy.  And look at this Jelly roll pattern.  It’s striking!  And the pattern was a free download. This is on my to do list and would be perfect for retreat sewing,  and we just happen to have a retreat coming up in November! 

Last spring we stopped in Paducah on our way to Atlanta.  This pattern was at the check out counter.  And of course there was a kit to go with it.  I picked up the pattern and have been looking through my black and whites to see if perhaps this pattern might work.  These blocks are mosty a variation of a log cabin, just set on point.   To be determined…

These fabrics from Zen Chic are lovely, just not in my house.  I am reverting to my favorite pattern, Trip Around The World.  Who will this be for?  Like most of what I do, I don’t know but somehow quilts find their way to owners. 

So what is this mess above?  It is a box of scrap strips that will eventually used for a design like these scrappy blocks.  These blocks are for a charity quilt organized by guild member Jane.  And I loved making them.  

Ok. This post helps me to keep in mind what I am doing and what I want to do.  The end!