You know the saying “the days are long, but the years are short”? I don’t feel like that’s true at all! I think about it being March already and start to feel like 2018 is almost over. Maybe that’s just me. Who knows?! But I did get a lot done this month. You can read about last month too.
Know what I didn’t do? Take pictures of the two quilts I finished this month. We’ve had nothing but rain and cloudy days here, and it’s been horrible for photography. Even my indoor pictures need a little sunshine outside to brighten up the room. So this month’s finishes are showing pictures in progress.
This Month’s Projects
My Milky Way sampler quilt top.
Alyce from Blossom Heart Quilts hosted the Milky Way sampler quilt along last year. Every block was paper pieced, and I really struggle with this technique. I figured having a dedicated project would improve my skills and my confidence. I was right. This is one of the projects I haven’t been able to photograph yet. I echo quilted around the stars, and I can’t wait to get some good pictures of it soon!
Fire & Water: My 2017 Summer Sampler
I like quilting along with the Summer Sampler each year because I feel like the quilting world goes a little dark in the summer when kids are out of school, families are taking vacations, and the weather is just sometimes too nice to spend it indoors quilting. With one block released each week, this project is a fun way to keep quilting through the summer. As soon as I can get out with a camera, there will be an update post on this one for sure.
What could be in these magical boxes?
I was at the quilt store back in December for a Project Linus sewing day, and I saw these boxes while browsing the shop on a break. They claimed to have everything you need in the box for a quilt: piecing fabric, binding, backing, batting, and embroidery thread for quilting. How is this possible?! I thought. They cost less than $15! Turns out the quilt’s finished size is six inches. So I grabbed two to see what they were about.
The pieces and instructions come on a pre-printed panel.
These went together really quickly. Like an hour apiece from cutting to binding. I don’t think the instructions are very friendly for beginner quilters, but this could be a good way to get your feet wet.
My finished Matchbox quilts.
Mine are finished and are hanging up in my office at work. It’s nice to have something quilty on display.
Fabric & WIP Tracking
Twenty-stash-teen continues. I’m tracking my fabric usage and purchases this year in hopes of cutting my stash a bit. The reason it went up this month is because I restashed three yards of fabric from a WIP top I finished. Since I didn’t count WIP fabric when I did the inventory, I had to count it as it went in. So I’m still doing good on this goal.
- Starting fabric: 581.5 yards
- Brought in: 3 yards
- Used up: 2.25 yards
- Ending fabric: 582.25 yards
My WIP list is down to 10 projects after finishing Milky Way and the Summer Sampler. I took a look at the list this morning, and one project remaining is a tote bag and two are long-term hand appliqué projects. So I really only have seven real WIPs. With that knowledge, I did start a “wish list” for projects that’s already six projects long! I won’t add those to the WIP list until I actually pull the fabric for them.
Studio Assistant
As always, Mitchell continues to be very helpful in the studio. Here he is holding down my Milky Way quilt right before I was ready to quilt it.
Mitchell holding down my Milky Way project until I’m ready to quilt it. Which was five minutes before he laid on it!
I hope you met all your February goals and have a fabulous March.