One lasting effect of the pandemic has been the shift to online instruction in the quilting and sewing realm. In-person classes are still offered here locally, but have you noticed that the bigger names in the industry seem to be focusing on online content and less on face-to-face classes? I joined my quilt guild in June. We’ve had 3 nationally known teachers present classes since then. Only one was in-person. The others were via Zoom. Fortunately, 2023 offerings include Christa Watson and Anna Maria Horner doing LIVE classes. Hopefully, I’ll get a seat in at least one class!

Search for your favorite designer or sewing instructor. Do they have any in-person appearances scheduled for 2023? I checked the schedule of a local pattern designer who teaches regionally (and was even a featured instructor on one of those quilting cruises pre-COVID). Most of her listed events are via Zoom. The only in-person events are two lectures at local guilds and an all-day workshop. Sadly, I think the era readily accessible in-person classes by well-known instructors may be behind us. I think our options going forward will be strictly online or you will need to travel where the instructor is willing to teach an in-person class. Paducah or Houston maybe?

Online instruction is certainly more convenient and cost effective. Some of it is quite good. I was able to attend a lecture given by a UK designer from my very own sewing space. In late January, I’ll be taking a live class via Zoom with instructors located in France (Christmas present from hubby). Without Zoom, I wouldn’t be able to do this.

And then there’s social media – specifically Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

Got a new machine and you’re a total newbie? Think in-person instruction first, then online. If purchased from a dealer, reach out to the dealer for your introductory machine class. Bought online or second-hand? Ask a sewing friend for help. Then, visit the manufacturer’s social media channels or website for instructional videos. Join a machine model specific group on Facebook for even more guidance.

Want to learn new sewing and quilting techniques? Chat with your favorite designer? YouTube and/or Facebook Live should be your first stop.

Not sure where to start? Give one of these YouTube channels a view:

A Quilting Life (Sherri McConnell)
Bee in My Bonnet (Lori Holt)
Fat Quarter Shop (Kimberly Jolly)
Quilter Pat Sloan
Missouri Star Quilt Company (Jenny Doan)
Shabby Fabrics
Just Get It Done Quilts

Fat Quarter Shop and Pat Sloan have very active channels, FB pages and websites. Fat Quarter Shop does a number of live stream events and brings in designers/reps from various companies to showcase products. One of my favorite Sew Days was when the library let watch the FQS live-stream with Kimberly Jolly on the big screen while we stitched.

One of the best ways I’ve found to learn new things is to stitch with a group of folks – sew with friends, a bee group, Sip & Sew, stitch n bitch – whatever you want to call it. Here, you’ll be able to get one-on-one or small group instruction right at the point of need – the absolute best time to learn something new.

Happy stitching and learning new things in 2023!

My focus word for 2023 is: Intentional.

For personal projects, two objectives currently drive my process: (1) tame the UFO pile and (2) continue right-sizing the stash. I have a number quilt tops that are *almost* completed and need to move from UFO project boxes to the Quilt Me pile. Most of them only lack sashing and borders as the blocks are already finished. I’ve also made a sizable dent in the fabric and notions stash over the past six months, but there’s still much work to be done. Once my UFO pile goes down considerably, I’ll tackle the various projects/techniques I’ve been wanting to try.

That said, I still need projects for Friday Sew Days and BYO project retreats.

Friday Sew Day Projects:
Scrappiness is Happiness QAL hosted by Lori Holt and FQS resumes 1/2 and ends in June
Barn Star QAL hosted by Fat Quarter Shop starts 1/27 with completion date TBA
BOM Sampler Quilt hosted by A Quilting Life starts 1/2 and ends in December

Then there’s the personal goal of improving my machine quilting skills.

Machine Quilting:
Time to practice FMQ and walking foot quilting designs on some tops that have been hanging around far too long. Goal is to complete at least one top per month. Most are crib to lap size quilts. Two of the quilts currently in the UFO projects boxes are twin/full size, but I plan to quilt those myself. Going to try my hand at the Baptist Fan design using FMQ with rulers on the Great Granny Squared quilt. That will definitely be a stretch and one I intend to keep for myself. Most everything else is likely to be gifted or donated.

My focus word of intentional also applies to quilty spending. Being retired in a sucky economy just means you have to get a little creative at times to make your quilty dollars stretch to do all the things you really want to do. A BOM Sampler quilt is something I’ve wanted to do, but the projects currently offered by my LQS don’t appeal to me and online BOMs are expensive. Sherri McConnell’s (A Quilting Life) free BOM projects caught my eye. I really liked her 2022 BOM quilt. It’s my preferred size (lap), stash friendly and the right price. I printed the 2022 instructions and will make this quilt following her 2023 BOM timeline. It’s a win-win. I have a project for Friday sew days, am using my stash and supported my LQS (needed background fabric) for about 20% of what the online BOM would have cost. Had I still been working full-time, I probably would have signed up for the online BOM, but wouldn’t have had the time to make it. I much prefer being the boss of my own time! 🙂

Celebrating the holidays this year was very different. Our work schedules used to limit the time we had available to spend with our extended, far flung families during the holiday season. This year, the celebrations spanned a 10 day period as we were invited (and expected) to attend all sorts of events. While great to spend time with everyone, I was so thankful to be able to celebrate a low-key Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with hubby and the dog at home. Today (Boxing Day), I saw hubby off on a mission with Team Rubicon. Thankfully, the annual tradition of down time for me the week between Christmas and New Year’s continues.

I can now finally exhale.

Today will be nothing more than napping, reading and picking up a late lunch from Panera Bread. There MIGHT be some quilting going on today, too. I have some blocks to make for the Scrappiness is Happiness QAL. I also need to prep for the virtual NYE Mystery QAL I decided to do with Stitchin’ Heaven and Craftsy. Never participated in a mystery quilt before. Thought this would be a fun way to try it out.

I’m also itching to put Miss Carmella (my Singer 301A) to the test. The plan was to put her away until the Sew Purty 301 Workshop sometime next spring. I couldn’t wait. She’s had a mini-facial, oil, grease and a bit of dis-assembly to figure out her tension issues. Turns out, she was missing a piece of her tension unit. I “borrowed” the missing piece from one of my FWs. Problem solved. OMG, she now sews like a dream! Thanks to AndyTube and Sewing Machine Rehab channels on YouTube for sharing what they do about the Singer 301 machines.

Now, to see if I can locate a replacement part for the tension assembly, so I don’t have to purchase an entirely new tension unit.