Multitasking

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I was chatting with my mom about my sewing projects and she mentioned that while she works on one project and then moves on, I seem to always be working on several concurrently.

No, no, I assured her. The list is long, and while I rotate through the list, my focus is usually on one item.

This conversation made me aware of my sewing habits and I realized I totally lied. Well, not lied, per se, but I was definitely not fully aware of how I operate. Of course my mom knew this better than I did. As it turns out, even within one sewing session, I might rotate through four projects (that seems to be my balance number: keeps it interesting without overwhelming me).

Here is what The List looked like last week, along with my progress:

Quilts: 

1. Bill’s Quilt. — It’s with the long armer. When I get it back, I have to finish the binding and then send it off to Bill.

2. Sarah’s Quilt. — Fabric has arrived! Moving on to a whole mound of HSTs!

3. MQG Riley Blake challenge baby quilt. — no progress

4. Secret table runner. — Two blocks and a bunch of flying geese finished.

Quilt blocks

5. January blocks for the Stash Bee. — Done and done. Must mail them!

6. February block and tutorial for the Stash Bee. — I’m going with “any star block” and will include several examples for my bee mates. I’ve made a few and plan to finish 2 more before I write my tutorial.

7. starter block for Sisterhood of the Traveling Quilts. #sottq — color scheme selected and fabric pulled.

8. blocks for Rachel. These need to be mailed by February. — no progress

9. 4×5 Modern Quilt Bee blocks (6). — Signing up today!!

Mei tais – no progress

10. Brie: baby Brynn was born in October, so I need to get this one made ASAP.

11. Kim: I have been hoarding this fabric for Kim’s someday baby for ages. Really. Years. She studied tropical fish ecology in grad school (where we met) and the fabric has a scene of (you guessed it) tropical reef fishes. Her New Year baby was born January first.

12. Christine: My sister is expecting Oliver in March.

[Possible 13 + 14: my friend Kathryn mentioned wanting a couple mei tais for expecting friends, but I don’t have any details yet, so these aren’t officially on The List]

Other: 

13. Five pillow covers for the St. Louis Modern Quilt Guild cares project. — label acquired.

14. Curtains for my living room.  — one done, one to go. I mis-measured and it’s hanging a bit too short. I was trying to decide if it was worth moving the curtain rod down or if I should just go with it.

Only one item off the list this week, so now it looks like this:

Quilts:
1. Bill’s Quilt.
2. Sarah’s Quilt.
3. MQG Riley Blake challenge baby quilt.
4. Secret table runner.

Quilt blocks
5. February block and tutorial for the Stash Bee.
6. starter block (and journal) for Sisterhood of the Traveling Quilts. #sottq
7. blocks for Rachel. These need to be mailed by February.
8. 4×5 Modern Quilt Bee blocks (6).

Mei tais
9. Brie
10. Kim
11. Christine
[Possible 12 + 13: my friend Kathryn mentioned wanting a couple mei tais for expecting friends, but I don’t have any details yet, so these aren’t officially on The List]

Other:
12. Five pillow covers for the St. Louis Modern Quilt Guild cares project.
13. Curtains for my living room. Better get those done. We’re rather exposed at the moment.
14. Curtains for the dining room.

This list is a little long for my tastes. I prefer to keep it around 10 “priority” items (By that I mean, things I’m working on now and hope to finish in the relatively near future. Because I have a whole mess of other WiPs that are currently put away). I’d better get some things crossed off!!

button-wip2

The List makes a comeback

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For some time, I was in the habit of posting my works in progress in the form of The List each week. This was good for me, as it allowed me to see where I was and what I had to do, and it was also a good way to share with all of you about what projects I have happening in my sewing room. I enjoy seeing the progress pics of my online sewing friends, and I think the process is as important as the finished result.

I have a small dress full of Works in Progress, and one of my sewing goals this year is to work through those projects, but here is The List for what on the immediate horizon:

Quilts: 

1. Bill’s Quilt. This quilt top is finished. I hope to deliver it to the long armer this weekend, and then when I have it back, I will have to bind it.

2. Sarah’s Quilt. Fabric is ordered. I’ve designed a chevron pattern for her and ordered Moda essential dots in bubble gum and aqua (which is a little more green than your standard aqua: it will work perfectly for Sarah’s requested pink and mint green request).

3. MQG Riley Blake challenge baby quilt. Will I or won’t I finish this by February???

4. Secret table runner.

Quilt blocks

5. January blocks for the Stash Bee. I’m in Hive 3, and you can see Alison’s request here, if you’d like.

6. February block and tutorial for the Stash Bee. I’m up next!

7. starter block for Sisterhood of the Traveling Quilts. #sottq

8. blocks for Rachel. My friend Rachel and her fiancé have requested quilt blocks from friends for their wedding. I wrote a tutorial, so I have one, but there are two others that I would like to include. These need to be mailed by February.

9. 4×5 Modern Quilt Bee blocks (6). Okay, so sign-ups for this bee don’t even start until Monday, but I’m planning to sign up, so I’m putting this on here!

Mei tais

10. Brie: baby Brynn was born in October, so I need to get this one made ASAP.

11. Kim: I have been hoarding this fabric for Kim’s someday baby for ages. Really. Years. She studied tropical fish ecology in grad school (where we met) and the fabric has a scene of (you guessed it) tropical reef fishes. Her New Year baby was born January first.

12. Christine: My sister is expecting Oliver in March.

[Possible 13 + 14: my friend Kathryn mentioned wanting a couple mei tais for expecting friends, but I don’t have any details yet, so these aren’t officially on The List]

Other: 

13. Five pillow covers for the St. Louis Modern Quilt Guild cares project. I have to pick up some labels at the meeting this weekend.

So, there you have it. The list is rather longish at the moment, even for my preference. I’m happy when it hovers around 8-10 projects in the works.

Edit: Whoops! Almost forgot: 14. Curtains for my living room. Better get those done. We’re rather exposed at the moment. 

And to a lesser degree (probably won’t get done until the rest of the things on this list): 15. Curtains for the dining room. 

Table Top Turkey Trot

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I’ve been so wrapped up in three additional days off school for the kids (yes, we are now on our THIRD snow day in a row; they are climbing the walls!) that I totally missed my dresden turkey table runner tutorial (isn’t that a mouthful) being posted over at Moda Bakeshop!

modaturkey-header

The  idea for this project came to me around the first of November. I drew up the plans, and it was approved pretty quickly. I had hoped to have it ready to post at Moda Bakeshop by Thanksgiving, but by the time I had the fabric in hand, that only gave me six days. My life, apparently, does not allow for a 6-day turn around time. It was ready before Christmas, but was just posted Monday.

Go check it out. It’s a festive take on a dresden block, and looks great on a fall table. That fabric is Floral Gatherings, and if you want to make some fall decor, I absolutely recommend picking some up. The colors are just perfect and remind me of an autumn walk through the changing leaves.

The tutorial includes a pdf download for the dresden template and the turkey body appliqué. You can download that pdf here as well.

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