Scraps in 2017

    My quilting plan for 2017 has been formed. I have prioritized 7 UFOs for the new year ( 3 only need quilting) and 1 new project that has been in the planning for a couple of years.  The 1^st is to finish quilting my Blue, Yellow, Green sampler.  The ditch quilting is done but each block wants a custom design and I am working contemplating what to do. 

   

When I needed a break, I turned to blog reading for inspiration which led me to Cynthia’s blog and her Rainbow Scrap Challenge. 

I love scraps and wanted to play some so this was great timing.  January’s color is purple.  I already had some purple made-fabric and pieced another purple heart block.

If you love scraps, you might think about joining in. I hope to end the year with at least a couple of rainbow scrap quilts.

Somehow I found my way to this 16-patch star quilt by ScrapboxQuilts 

It reminded me of the wonky, maverick stars I have made in the past and decided to use my stash of 4 1/2” squares to make one.  I wanted all the 15 purple squares to be different so I had to dig and even cut a few more.  

Enjoy time sewing or quilting!

First Finish of 2017

   This small quilt is my first finish for 2017.  All it needed was machine quilting and adding the binding which I hand sewed.  It is the class sample for the JoAnn Fabric beginner class this Saturday.  Because it is for beginners, I did mostly walking foot quilting.  I did do a simple point-to-point FM motif in each block.

   As I looked back at my sewing for 2016, I estimated the thread I used by the spools of thread I emptied.  I first did this in 2014 with 18,700 yds but I must not have counted at the end of 2015 because today I counted 91 empty spools of various sizes for 38,035 yds which is more than twice that of 2014. 

Is it unfair that I also counted these 2 spools because they do not have enough thread to fill a bobbin?

 

  

    My goals for 2017 include finishing more UFOs and using fabric in a variety of projects to reduce my stash. I will be pleased if I can accomplish these.

Have a productive New Year and enjoy time sewing and quilting!

Last Finishes of the Year

       As 2016 is coming to an end I wanted to finish what I could.  I finished the quilting and binding on 2 children’s comfort quilts which GCQ guild will donate to the children’s hospital.  I used many leftover pieces of binding for a wonderful scrappy binding that suits these quilts.  Many guild members appliqued the puppy blocks and there are many more blocks waiting to be pieced into quilts. 

In 2016 I finished 7 comfort quilts for GCQ guild + 2 adult tops

                           10 comfort quilts for church SQG

                           9 for myself, friends and family + many mug rugs and 1 set of 4 placemats

I have not completed as many quilts as last year; however, I have stayed busy including sewing for my granddaughters and their 18” dolls.

    As I prepare for 2017 I plan to take stock of all other pieced tops waiting for quilting and prioritize my UFOs for 2017 finishing.  Another goal is to use up as much of my fabric stash as possible.  The bed size blue, yellow and green quilting was paused for the holidays so I hope to get back to it soon.  There is also one small quilt sandwiched and waiting.   It will take priority since it is the class sample for the JoAnn Fabric class next week. 

Have a safe Happy New Year and enjoy time sewing and quilting!