For years, I was mostly a one-project-at-a-time quilter. Not anymore! (Or at least not right now.) I’ve got no new finishes to show for the last few months, but plenty of works in progress.
This is a larger version of the mini quilt I made for my partner in the MQG swap back in January. I started it back in May, and have worked on it here and there. I carefully picked my colors from my Kona color card, but as I began putting the top together, I ran into a couple issues with fabric dye lots — where the fabric I purchased didn’t quite match what was on my color card. Since the gradation is important for this design, I had to pause a couple times to get more fabric.
After getting the top finished, I got it basted and started thinking about quilting motifs and ended up needing to order several thread colors to match the different tones. The thread arrived…and then I went on vacation. So this one is still waiting to be quilted!
This one will be a QuiltCon entry, so as long as I get it finished by October all is well.
In mid-June, I joined the Houston MQG’s virtual retreat and worked on several projects that weekend, including this spontaneous tiny log cabin quilt. It’s 12″ square at the moment and already hand quilted, but somehow it seems…not done? I know there are plenty of quilt-as-you-go techniques I could use to add to it, but I’m also not sure that’s what I want. So, I’m still pondering where to go with this one.
I’m also in the middle of another 100 day project, this time as part of the 100 Day Summer Sew-Along hosted by Sew Fine Thread Gloss. Handstitching is key to this one, so I decided to applique a whole bunch of circles onto a low volume background that I prepared and quilted ahead of time. We just passed the halfway point in this project (although the photo above is from a few weeks ago) and I’m enjoying the slow, methodical process of this one.
I’m also about 1/4 of the way through making a Firefly Tote (pattern by Anna Graham of Noodlehead). I’ve made several of her bags over the years and always enjoy them, and I’m looking forward to getting this one done. I ordered leather straps and even picked up some rivets and the associated rivet-setting tools. I’ve never used rivets so it will be a new thing for me!
And finally there’s this beast — my #100DaysOfSaroyStars quilt from my first 100 day project earlier this year. I made the blocks in a pretty spontaneous manner, choosing colors and block size as I went along. I knew this method would leave me with a huge challenge at the end to puzzle everything together. I’ve found myself alternating between being excited and overwhelmed by puzzling these blocks together, so things have proceeded in a slow but steady manner. I’ve been “on a break” for the last couple weeks while we were on vacation, but I’ll be pulling it out again now that we’re back. I’m hoping to get this one done in time for a QuiltCon entry as well.
So! Lots of works in progress! Hopefully that will translate to some exciting finishes soon.
Yvonne @Quilting Jetgirl says
I can totally relate to dye lots. I’m glad you gave yourself permission to pause and get something that felt better. And as a quilter who tends to thrive working one project at a time myself, I can also relate to times when there are multiple things going on. I hope you are finding it a nice change of pace and not overwhelming!
Sarah says
I know the dye lot thing is common and everyone deals with it. I accept it…but also still get frustrated by it! On another quilt maybe I would have said “close enough” but that didn’t work on this one. 🙂