In My Sewing Room

I haven’t done any sewing of my own in the last couple weeks other than a lanyard (which I didn’t end up using at Quiltcon since the badge holder didn’t really work with it). So instead I’ll share a picture of my favorite quilt from Quiltcon!

This is Remote Destination by Christine Yi from Portland, Oregon. It was my vote for the People’s Choice award (which ultimately went to Liz Harvatine for her wonderful She Was Warned quilt). There were so many quilts in the show that I loved, but ultimately there were only a few that I think will stick with me long term and Christine’s was certainly one of them. I thought the design was so clever — the idea of looking up between buildings to see birds flying over was easily recognizable — but I also appreciate the design work that must have gone into this quilt since each triangle is a little different. The hand-dyed fabric is fabulous too. I usually love color so I was surprised to find that I kept coming back to a black and white quilt, but there you go. You never know what will grab you!

But back to my own sewing. I am SUPER inspired by all the great work I saw at Quiltcon…but as I sat down and started looking over my list, I realized I’ve already TOTALLY overcommitted myself for March. Argh! And ugh! Somehow I didn’t realize this until now. Stop doing that, self!

1. An Alison Glass swap being done through Instagram. I couldn’t resist and signed up for it in early February, with a mailing date the last week of March. I already know what I’m making and have all the fabric, so I just need to get started. This is a must-do.
2. Secret sewing project. Another must-do. I should have the fabric by next week, and have to have it in the mail by the end of March.
3. Quilting my flag quilt. This isn’t a exactly a must-do, but I’ve already paid for longarm time next week and I need something to practice on, and this will be it.
4. Making a baby clothes quilt. I accepted a “commission” (that seems like too formal a word, but I guess it fits) from an acquaintance that I’ve known since our coop days to make a throw-sized quilt of her kids’ old baby clothes. She wants simple patchwork, but it will take time to cut up all the clothes and apply interfacing. We don’t have a set deadline — I did make it clear that I had some other things on my plate so it wouldn’t be a super quick turnaround — but obviously I don’t want to leave her hanging indefinitely. I plan to get this done by the end of March, if not earlier.
5. Pattern design work. I’ve committed a few hours of work to another quilter who needed help with some patterns.
6. Rainbow Triangles BOM. I’ll need to sew up March’s installment to join the January and February blocks I’ve already made. It wouldn’t be the end of the world if I have to put this off until April, but it also probably won’t take much time so I should be able to get it done.
7. Alison Glass quilt challenge for my new guild! In my excitement about discovering a new MQG chapter forming in my area, I signed up for a challenge they’re having. I need a large-ish mini for the early April meeting. I know what I want to do, so the question is just whether I’ll have time. This is a “want to do” but not a “must do” so if something has to give, it might be this. (I’d only lose my $10 challenge fee.)

As if all that weren’t enough, I still have a baby quilt that’s already in progress, plus I want to turn my barn quilt blocks into a full quilt and finish off my Gypsy Wife. Those three were all on my list of winter sewing goals, but may have to be delayed a bit given all the other stuff I excitedly (but perhaps hastily) took on.