My Crazy Sewing Goal for 2018

When I started planning for 2018, I knew immediately what I wanted my word to be.  Confidence, the one area I was really struggling with personally and professionally.

However, writing out my other goals for 2018 haven’t been as easy.  March seems like a good time to share what I’ve been pondering over the last few months.  What could I do this year that would really challenge me and encourage some stash management?

I had been aiming for one baby quilt per week during 2018.  Then life hit and I realized that goal wasn’t realistic.  Funny, I found this post below right about the time I was rethinking the goal.

I fell off the wagon

My new goal is 40 baby quilts in 2018.  Allows some flexibility with life, but more importantly challenges me to use what I have.  Bring on the scraps and stash to make this goal happen.

Also, if you’re drowning in scraps I will gladly take them.  Hint hint.

Gorgeous Grannies made for #5 out of 40.  I have a few more in the works.

2018 sewing goal, 2018 goal, sewing goal

Gorgeous Granny Squares – Finished

Granny square quilt, modern baby quilt, modern design, modern nursery decor, scrap quilt, jewel tone colors

Welcome back readers.  Thank you for your kind words on the quilt top post.  These Granny Squares are just GORGEOUS!  Am I right?  Blanche Devereaux, well this version, is ready for her introduction to the world.

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Let me tell you a little about finishing this quilt.  I rushed to quilt this one and paid the price.  TWICE! I started quilting the first time and my tension was off.  It appears little hands may have turned a knob on my machine and I didn’t realize it.  I turned my tension down and then down some more.  Then when I thought I had it right, I ripped out all the stitching to start fresh.

Then the tension still wasn’t right.  A second pass a quilting and it was off.  After getting pissed off, I walked away from this project for a couple of days.  I put it in time out.

I came back and the quilting went smoothly.  Thank goodness as I really didn’t want to straight line quilt this one.  This quilt gave me a bit of sass, much like Blanche.

Have you seen this fun quiz on Buzzfeed?  Take it and tell me in the comments which character you got.  I will tell you mine below.

Granny square quilt, modern baby quilt, modern design, modern nursery decor, scrap quilt, jewel tone colors

Backing

I bought around five yards of this Art Gallery print a few months ago.  I knew I had some girl quilts coming up that it could be perfect for.  Plus, it’s Art Gallery so it’s buttery soft.

 

This quilt is ready for it’s new home and can be found here on Etsy.  By the way I’m a Dorothy Zbornak.

2018 Baby Quilt Goal 5/40


Linking up with Flamingo Toes Show & Tell Party

Gorgeous Granny: Fresh and Modern Granny Square Quilt

Granny square quilt, modern baby quilt, modern design, modern nursery decor, scrap quilt, jewel tone colors

Granny Squares are one of my favorite patterns outside of just patchwork.  It’s a staple in my designs.  This version is a bit darker and feels stormy.  You guys, these fabrics were all scraps and stash.

Sorting fabrics

Picking Fabrics

On Instagram a few weeks ago I saw someone destashing 2.5″ squares.  These are of course right up my alley.  Once the scraps arrived the idea for this quilt came to life.  The colors just spoke to me.  It did take some sorting and adding scraps to get just the right colors.

My goal was to make as many blocks as possible.  I had enough to make 31 blocks.  To help with speed, I set them up to able to chain piece the rows.

chain piecing quilt blocks

There was a slight panic as I was cutting into my light gray.  Was there going to be enough?  Not really, but I had some scraps to throw in.  That still wasn’t enough so an SOS went out to nearby quilters.  No one had any in stock so I had to trek to JoAnns on a Saturday afternoon to get more.  To my surprise it wasn’t an awful experience.  The store was packed and busy.  However, I walked right in to what I wanted and walked right back to the cutting counter.  There was some Kona Ash in the remnants bins as well.  BONUS!

Blocks

Look at these blocks, they are gorgeous.

Hence the name Gorgeous Grannies.  This quilt will be named Blanche Devereaux in honor the wonderful character from the TV show, The Golden Girls.  You’re welcome for this.  Plus, I’ve been to a few Galentine’s Day events recently.  The show perfectly sums up celebrating the friendship of ladies.

This top is just too good.

I was worried the colors wouldn’t balance out as well in the top as they did.  Too bad I didn’t have more of these fabrics to make a bigger quilt to keep for myself.  Love the colors and fabrics in this top.  What do you think?

 

Finished Quilt Designed by Porter

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Porter is thrilled with the finished quilt, check out part one here.  We have a plan of where it will be gifted and will update you once we deliver the quilt.  He loved contributing and creating something.

He’s pretty happy with the results

Once the top was done, P and I raided my fabric cabinet.  We found this pink, orange, and white plaid I picked up at Crimson Tate.  

He also picked out this floral print for the binding.  Too bad I didn’t have just a bit more, so we improvised with orange solid.

Here is the finished quilt in all it’s glory.  Quilting is all over loops.  Yes, again.

rainbow quilt, scrap quilt, scrappy quilt, half square triangle, HST quilt, baby quilt, sewing with kids

2018 Baby Quilt Goal 3/40

First Finish of 2018 – A Scrappy Postage Stamp Quilt

scrappy postage stamp quilt, postage stamp quilt, baby boy quilt, scrap quilt, sewmystash2018, working off my stash

Right before Christmas break a friend requested a quilt for a little boy that loves giraffes.  I had planned to work on it while in San Francisco, but ultimately decided to not take my machine with me.  Once we got back I dove right in.  Since I keep my scraps sorted by size, it doesn’t take long to pull the right colors and have enough to make a quilt.  I did have to cut some scraps to add some variety.

Making the Top

I made stacks of white/neutral, gray, brown, green, aqua, navy, yellow, orange, and multi.  Then I randomly started chain piecing following my process.  The top size was to be 20 squares by 24 squares.

The top was finished over a weekend and I was ready to back it with some stash fabrics.  However, I found this adorable print on Instagram from @organicfabriccompany.  Shipping was fast and their packaging was a repurposed paper grocery bag.  As someone that tries to recycle and repurpose as much as I can, that touch was truly appreciated.   So glad I went with this fabric and added more of what the little guy likes.

 

Finished Product

A scrappy postage stamp quilt is one of my favorites to make.  So much so, that I’ve been working a video to help you whip up one in no time.  That’s coming soon along with a stretch goal that I’m not quite ready to share.  Back to this scrappy goodness.

I opted to quilt with cross hatch that creates a secondary larger diamond pattern.

Do you notice the last little tiny scraps of Neptune I had in my scrap tub?  I hate to see them go, but they will be used an loved.  The backing fabric was perfect for this quilt and the binding is a leftovers from a recent project.

If you follow me on Instagram, you may seen this picture.  My husband took it of me while I hand stitched the binding.  Yes, I hand stitched this binding since I had the time.  Rarely am I in front of the camera while sewing, but I love that he captured me perfectly.  Look close enough and you can see a sneak peek of what’s next.

makerswithquilts

I wrapped up the quilt for gift giving and it’s on the way to it’s new home.  

Every baby deserves a quilt and I love creating that special gift for others.

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2018 Baby Quilt Goal 1/40

Secret Santa Swap

I should just put it out there that I’m horrible at keeping secrets.  HORRIBLE!  The Indy Modern Quilt Guild hosted a Sneaky Santa swap this year.  We went through an automated service that randomly assigns you to people.  The system matched me with one of my best friends Rachael.  I knew almost immediately what I wanted to make, but had to be extra sneaky about it.

A little about Rachael

Rachael wanted something supporting feminism as she helps run a global non profit focused on the needs of women.  Have you heard of Support the Girls?  My wonderful friend had a goal a couple of years ago to collect 3500 bras to celebrate her 35th birthday.  She exceeded that goal in first few months.  She is helping to lead the change on how women can have access to undergarments and menstrual products.  Here basement is usually stuffed with bras, tampons, and pads.  Okay, she usually have bras all over her house.  I am proud of the work she is doing and the lives she is impacting.

You can read about more about her story here, here, and here.

There is no stopping this woman.

I wanted to make her a bra pot holder.  I was almost certain she didn’t have bras in her kitchen.  Over the weekend she informed me she did actually have some in her kitchen right now.  Of course!  In my research I found this paper piece pattern for a bra.  Thank goodness for secret boards on Pinterest.  We follow each other on social media, Pinterest, and usually ride to guild meetings together.  Plus we live around a mile from each other, it’s not unusual for us to pop over to each other’s houses.  I had it worked out with another member to run the package over to her house before the meeting so she could bring it.

The bra took no time to make.  I backed it in a bold print and shared this photo on Instagram of the back.

Sneak peek of my Santa Swap item for the #imqgsecretsanta. I can show you the rest on Sunday.

A post shared by tisha nagel (@quiltytherapy) on

The finished product

Rachael guessed it was a house and immediately thought it was for her.  She had part of it correct.  When she opened it Sunday she saw the back and was excited.  She turned it over and saw this.

 

 

She loves it!!!  It was perfect for her.  So glad I got her and kept the secret to surprise her.

Sometimes your friend just gets you. #miniquilt #braquilt #imqg @quiltytherapy

A post shared by Rachael Adele Heger (@rachaelheger) on

 

 

Watching everyone open their gift and guess the maker was fun.  It’s a great way to learn about other’s in your guild and be creative.  Has your guild done anything similar?


Link ups

Flamingo Toes Show & Tell