Before we get too far into March, I wanted to make sure and post a February report. Last month, although short, was a bit stressful. I spent most of the month preparing to teach workshops at QuiltCon. I pulled samples and step-outs, and made a few extra. Mostly, I stressed about traveling so far away and teaching such large classes. I have gained a lot of experience teaching here in Madison over the last few years, but I am used to teaching groups of 4 - 6 people. It's a totally different experience for both the students and teacher, in comparison to teaching 24 people at a time. I'm glad that I took on the challenge, and I learned a lot from it.


Right before leaving for QuiltCon, I started experiencing a flare up in my arthritis. Naturally, long teaching days on my feet and the stress of travel didn't help the situation. I've spent the last two weeks since returning home trying to take it easy and recover. That has meant doing a lot of nothing, which is really hard for me to do. This has changed my focus for the coming month. There are so many things I want to work on, post, and make. But taking care of myself has taken a front seat for the time being.


This weekend, I knit a bit for the first time in two weeks. It was nice to do something that's usually a part of my daily routine. I was able to start my Fiddlehead Mittens last month. I actually finished the first outer mitten. It's been a really enjoyable project to work on, and a very satisfying knit so far. I am using the same yarn combination as my Daybreak Shawl, one of my favorite things I've knit.


As I mentioned last month, to keep myself accountable I'm tracking my yardage for both yarn and fabric. Here is how I did in February:

February Fabric
Used up: 14.25 yards
Brought in: 19.25 yards
Net: +5 yards
Year to date: +14.25 yards

February Yarn
Used up: 0 yards
Brought in: 0 yards
Net: 0 yards
Year to date: -87 yards

I did okay in the fabric category. I used up more yardage than last month, but also brought more in. I did buy backing for a future Halloween quilt, plus fabric for two garments, which is most of it. I didn't finish any knitting projects last month, but I also didn't buy any yarn.


Looking at my other goals, I stitched up two garment patterns from my stash of never-made-patterns: an Emery dress and a Date Night dress. I still need to take nice photos of both, I'll try to post about them soon. I got a bit behind with my double wedding ring monthly goal of 15 wedges, but I finished the last of February's wedges on Saturday. I'd like to start trying to finish some of my works in progress, or pass them on/rework them. I'm hoping to at least make a list to work from this month.


I also completed another month of Project 365: a photo a day using my DSLR camera.


George has been his typical adorable, sweet self. I've been trying to spend more time giving him undivided attention every day, cause he's the best. He is getting pretty excited for Easter!

 Happy March!

Shining Stars Sampler Projects

One of the workshops that I taught at QuiltCon last month was my Shining Stars Sampler Pattern. The pattern as written makes a generous 60" x 80" throw quilt. In case there were students who didn't want to commit to a full quilt, I wanted to share some alternative project ideas for the blocks. I made three projects: a baby quilt, a table runner, and a quilted pillow. Unfortunately, I realized while laying in bed the night before the workshop, that I left the projects at home! I was super bummed, but that's what the internet is for! I've been sharing each project on Instagram this week, but wanted to share them here as well in a bit more detail.


The colors for these projects were all pulled from a small stash of prints from Jenean Morrison's 2011 collection, Silent Cinema. I've been hoarding this fabric for a while, and it seemed like a good time to finally use it. I pulled lots of other prints in these same colors, as well as a variety of low-volume prints.


First up, the baby quilt! The pattern features three different block sizes, that in the end are all sashed out to be the same size. For the baby quilt, I used the smallest block size, and made four blocks. I used the same sashing pieces as called for in the pattern, but arranged them so that all the stars meet in the middle. I made each star with two prints and used low-volume prints for the background and sashing. I wanted it to be a very soft quilt in terms of colors.


For the quilting, I quilted free-motion swirls in the sashing, and little tiny doodle loops in the background of each star block. I left the prints in each star un-quilted so that they would really pop. I pieced together coordinating prints for the backing and bound it off in another soft low-volume print.


Next up, the table runner! For the table runner, I used three of the medium-sized star blocks. Again, I used two prints for each star, with a low-volume background. For the sashing on this runner, I used a variety of prints for each block to give it a different look. I also deviated from the pattern a bit by centering the stars in one direction.


I went with my tried-and-true wavy line quilting for the runner. It's done with a walking foot, and you simply wiggle the quilt back and forth as you quilt. It's fun, and very forgiving. Plus it gives you such a nice crinkle once it's washed and dried! Again, I pieced prints for the backing. I finished it off with a gray binding.


Finally, the pillow. I used one of the large blocks in the pattern for the pillow. I sashed it the same way as you would in the pattern if you were making the whole quilt. I used two prints in the star block and a low-volume for the background. I chose to use one sashing fabric versus multiple.


I kept the quilting very minimal on the pillow. I outlined the star and outlined the border seams. I finished it off by making a zippered back, which is my personal favorite way to finish off a pillow. I serged the seams on the inside to finish it off.


Last but not least, a parting shot of the full-size quilt! For more details on this quilt and the pattern, see this post. For the all solids version of this quilt I made last year, see this post.

Happy Quilting!

APQ Quilt Along 2016: Part 1

Today I wanted to post about this year's APQ Quilt Along! The theme of this year's quilt along is "It All Adds Up!",  featuring different plus quilt designs! There are three quilt patterns in this year's quilt along (two in the April issue of American Patchwork & Quilting, and one in the Spring issue of Quilts and More, both on newsstands now), plus a pillow pattern on HowToSew.com!


I was approached last month by the lovely folks at All People Quilt about sewing up the Easy Addition Quilt by Brenda Ratliff (found in Quilts and More) for their booth at QuiltCon to help promote the quilt along! The fun twist is that attendees had the opportunity to enter to win the finished quilt! It was a really fun project to work on!

I thought ahead and remembered to take lots of progress along the way! I'll share a few of those now, and next week I'll share the completed quilt!


I tried not to overthink my fabric choices since I was on a bit of a tight deadline when I was making this quilt. I used the fabrics that I pulled around my Tidbits thread collection and expanded it. For the plus fabrics I chose fabrics from my fabric collections. For the background I chose a variety of navy prints and a few solids. I don't use a lot of dark colors, so I really wanted to do something different with this quilt.


Chopping up all the navy!


Plus fabrics cut and ready to start piecing the blocks together.


Chain piecing, my favorite!


Blocks before chopping!


I wanted as many unique combinations as I could manage, so I laid out all the block parts and paired them up.


Block pieces stacked up and ready to be sewn together!

I'll be back next week to share more progress photos and photos of the finished quilt!

Happy Friday!

New Aurifil Thread Collection: Tidbits

Happy Wednesday! I have officially survived QuiltCon and am back home in Wisconsin! I had grand plans to schedule posts while I was gone, but in the rush getting ready to leave, I didn't get to it. I have a list of things to post, and a bit of mandated rest this week to recover physically from the weekend is giving me time to write. I didn't take many photos at the event, but will still share my experience soon!

I'll be sharing more on the quilt in this photo on Friday!


Today however, I'd like to share with you my new thread collection with Aurifil, Tidbits! This new box comes with an updated look that is consistent across all the Art Gallery Fabrics designer boxes. Just like with my Favorite Things collection, Tidbits coordinates with my five fabric collections. Having the experience of curating the first thread collection, I knew exactly what I wanted to do differently for this box. Let's explore it!


Tidbits comes in two sizes, a large box of twelve large spools and a small box of ten smaller spools. This biggest difference between this collection and my last is that this collection features 40wt threads. I still love the 50wt Aurifil thread, but I wanted to do something different for this collection. I have been using the 40wt threads more often for a couple of different reasons. Since I like to sew a variety of projects, including quilts, bags, garments, and home decor items, sewing with a slightly thicker thread has been a more universal option for me. 50wt thread is still my go-to for piecing, but I like the look and feel of the 40wt threads for the quilting, in particular for top-stitching.


The other thing I did differently for Tidbits, was to split the colors into two groups. I chose a range of beautiful jewel toned colors, all of which match my fabrics. I like to think of these as the luxe, indulgent half of the box! The other half of the colors are your workhorse colors. They're a bit more practical for everyday use, plus they match my collections too! They include two shades of tan, two shades of gray, plus black and white. These are colors that we should all have on hand!


I stitched up a little pouch to show off the thread colors in my collection. I found one of my fabrics that coordinates with each color, and pieced them together in a long strip. I added a bit of solid and quilted it using each matching color! I finished the pouch off with a bit of my selvedge in the zipper pull! :)


Tidbits has started arriving in shops, and I am carrying it in my online shop too. Plus, all thread boxes purchased from my shop come with a free pattern! Find my Tidbits and Favorite Things thread boxes here.