This year I made 7 baby-size and larger quilts (including 2 long UFOs), 8 mini quilts, and 2 tree skirts. I spearheaded my guild’s QuiltCon 2020 charity quilt. I made a bag, and did some embroidery. I released or re-released 5 patterns, and did plenty of tech editing and graphics work for others. I taught two classes and took a virtual workshop.
Annnd I made 178 quilted postcards.
As I’ve done in previous years, I’m linking up with Cheryl’s Best of 2020 blog party. I look forward to her round-up every year as an opportunity to review all of the things I made and posts I wrote!
Most Popular Blog Post:
No surprise here — it was the fabric postcard tutorial I wrote in the middle of my 100 day project! I’ve gotten so many appreciate notes from people who have used it to make their own cards, or to organize swaps with their guilds. Postcards are 100% the best thing(s) I made this year, and absolutely changed my quilting life for the better.
Most Enjoyable Quilty Learning Experience:
I thoroughly enjoyed making my Geometric Rosette wholecloth quilt from start to finish — from figuring out how to transfer the intricate pattern to my fabric, to stitching the maze of lines, to finishing it off and sharing it. I definitely want to use these techniques again.
Biggest Quilty Game-Changer:
This will also be remembered as the year I got a longarm!! I still have so much to learn and try with this machine, but I’m looking forward to the adventure.
Most Popular Pattern:
My Spinning Star Tree Skirt wins this title even though I just released it in November! I’d been wanting to write this pattern for a while, so I was happy (and also relieved!) to see that other people liked it as much as I did. (Pathfinder was a close second.)
Most Impactful:
It’d be easy to reminisce about QuiltCon in February, and how lucky we were to have that experience mere weeks before covid hit…but really, I think the best thing that happened in my quilting life this year was the connections and friendships I formed with so many other quilters. And ironically, I’m not sure it would have happened without covid!
I’ve taken great joy in virtual guild meetings, virtual hangouts, virtual sewing sessions, and group DMs and WhatsApp conversations. (My friend Jessica captured all of this so brilliantly in her quilt, pictured above!) Quilting is a topic of conversation, of course, but we’ve also helped each other through parenting woes and covid stress and general anxiety and relationship issues. I’m so lucky to have so many wonderful friends near and far.
Here’s to more sewing and more friendships in 2021!
p.s. I’m doing a 31 day blogging challenge.
p.p.s. Highlights from previous years: 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013
Karin says
Your whole cloth quilt is so cool! What a fun idea and it turned out brilliantly!
Sarah says
Thanks! It’s definitely one of my faves from this year.
Dawn in Portland says
Your wholecloth quilt looks like a feat of engineering! Love your varied quilting projects!
Sarah says
It was a fun learning exercise for sure!
Melanie says
178 fabric postcards – …. wait …. – really?!? 178 fabric postcards?! I am astonished, amazed, impressed… and lost for words. I will sure take a look at the tutorial because they are so cute. Maybe I can manage a handful next year 🙂 xo Melanie
Sarah says
Yep, 178 at last count. Fair to say I got kind of obsessed with them!
Mel Beach says
I have loved seeing your postcards and your other spectacular finishes this year! Way to stay creative and bring joy to so many people!!
Sarah says
Thanks Mel! Congrats to you as well on your 100 day projects!
Susan says
Your wholecloth quilt is beautiful & so is the tree skirt. Enjoy your “big” new toy & it can definitely be a game changer, especially on the time front, but also on your hands. Take care, stay safe & hugs from down under.
cheryljbrickey says
Great recap of 2020, congrats on the longarm! Thanks for linking up and Happy New Year!
Sarah says
Thanks for hosting the linkup Cheryl!
Heide says
Super finishes. Love those postcard quilts. Happy New Year!
Sarah says
Thanks Heide!
Lynda Heines says
OMG! 178!!! I just started making the postcards this year for a FB group I’m in. I see more in my future and really like the idea of doing them every day. Might help me be more confident of my free motion stitching. Great bests!!! Glad to find you.
Sarah says
I did some FMQ on my postcards and yes, it was great practice! Definitely try it.
The Joyful Quilter says
Congrats on your new longarm quilting machine!! Definitely a game changer. Enjoy!