Just a little stitching to start the year

To start off the year I made a little table runner . . .

It's to go with our "Cotswolds" quilt.

The star is the same as the one in the centre medallion of the quilt . . . and will adorn the cedar drawers we have in our bedroom. It just has simple hand quilting to give it a bit of definition.

The fabric I used for the background to the star in the quilt is what I used for the centre of the star on the table runner. I only ever had a small piece of this fabric - no idea who made it or the design name (it came in a random fabric pack), but if I ever came across it again I'd get more. It has the most lovely soft hanky feel to it. So, if you can help identify this fabric, please let me know . . .

It's not a big start to the year, I know, but it is a start. Now all I need is to keep that momentum going!!!


Pattern: Cotswolds
Designer: Susan Smith
Publication: http://patchworkonstonleigh.blogspot.com/
Size: 17" x 17"

Cotswolds - Finished!

It's been not far off 3 years since I started this quilt . . . and now it's finished and on the bed! I wrote a bit about this quilt here and here.


This medallion quilt radiates from the centre in alternating borders of pieced blocks and then plain (or at least large chunks of fabric) borders.


The quilt has a couple of really lovely paisleys in it, so the quilting (by Quilts With Attitude) is a very scroll-y, swirly, paisley-ish design to match.

I've washed this quilt and (look away now if you are a purist or a bit precious about quilts!!!) put it in the dryer to give it a crinkly, vintage look. I must confess to being a little anxious about doing that, but it's turned out just fine . . . although it did shrink a bit (it started at 93", then 92" after it was quilted and bound, then it lost another 2 1/2" in the washing). Still, it's finished and on the bed - ready for its intended purpose. After all, isn't that what quilt making is all about?


Pattern: Cotswolds
Designer: Susan Smith
Publication: http://patchworkonstonleigh.blogspot.com/

Friday Night Sew In (or the great Craft lock-down)

Well, I did it! I finished the Cotswolds quilt top!



I put the last 2 borders on last night and I’m quite happy with it. It’s a biggie, too – 93” (238cm) square. I do like the flying geese and checkerboard borders, although there was A LOT of piecing, which I was glad to get through.



Soon this top will go off to Terina from Quilts With Attitude to be quilted. She does a fantastic job of not only the quilting, but with helping to select all things from thread colour to batting to design. I always know my quilts are in safe hands when I leave them with her.

I also had a bit of a clean up when the quilt top was done, putting away all the fabric leftovers into the stash. I have some plastic tubs which I use for ongoing projects and last night, by the time I’d finished sewing and tidying I had an empty one!!! What a great feeling!

I then gave my machine a quick service and finished up with a whole lot of enthusiasm to finish another unfinished project soon.



I’d like to say a huge thanks to Heidi and Bobbi for organising the Friday Night Sew In (and to Natima for mentioning it on her blog, which set all the wheels in motion for me). It was great to have a chunk of time set aside and actually use it productively. It’s easy to find excuses to fill the time with other things when your motivation is not what it could be, so committing to the Sew In (or Craft Lockdown, as my son referred to it) was really good for me. Thanks again ladies for your generosity in organising and co-ordinating this event. It's been very much appreciated.

Inspiration

Well, I’ve been inspired to get back into the sewing room (or Suedio as my family calls it) and start – well – sewing!

I was perusing a blog called Buddy and Me and was inspired by the quilt Sue-Anne showed called Ryland Manor. It’s just lovely. (She’s stitching circles, too!) I then followed the link to Threadbear and that was the end of me. I’ve ordered a couple of patterns – Phebe and Tribute to Mrs Williams. Both of them are fairly time-consuming, I would imagine. But both of them are just beautiful.

While I am waiting for the patterns to arrive, I thought that I should probably get to work finishing some of my longer term UFOs. I often have several projects on the go at once, but I think I’ve currently got too many. They have been hanging about for a while and as a result, I feel I’ve lost my groove a bit lately. Not enough focus, perhaps!

So, this past weekend I’ve made some progress on a quilt I started about a year and half ago, which is a Patchwork on Stonleigh pattern called The Cotswolds. I’m not sure why it’s taken me so long to get through this, because it’s a quilt I really loved and wanted to do.

Maybe because at the time I started it there were quite a few crises going on around me which had me in a bit of a slump.

Maybe because I have been unsure about my fabric selection.

Anyway, I’ve made progress this weekend. I’ve added 2 borders and started work on the first of the remaining 2 borders. I’m happy with my progress and once I got into a bit of a rhythm I quite enjoyed myself. The next border is a checkboard one, so quite a bit of cutting there. Followed by a large pieces border, like the last one on there at the moment, but in the darker fabrics. If I can apply myself a bit, it really shouldn't take that long to get this quilt top finished.



I’d really like to get some things finished and mentally clear out the cobwebs so that I can make a concerted (and guilt-free) start on the new projects (one at a time, of course).

What do you do to get out of a slump in your world?