The numerous Week 1 FG for the 2024 Bonnie Hunter Old Town mystery quilt are finally completed! I literally had to force myself to finish the last 5 sets of FG blocks. You see, my mind was already engrossed in figuring out the cutting details for Week 2’s 4-patch blocks since I wasn’t cutting yardage or using strips as demoed in the weekly clue. I’m using leftover charm squares and white/cream/beige fabric hunks from my stash.
I made good use of my Sizzix machine and strip cutter dies. I had to subcut the white/beige/cream strips into 5″ lengths to match the charm squares. Tedious, yes, but so satisfying to see those fabrics being used up instead of sitting in a storage bin in my closet. I’ll spend 30 minutes a day sewing the strips and then subcutting and sewing them into the gazillion 4-patch blocks. Fortunately, these blocks aren’t needed right away. A friend borrowed my Elnita EC30 while her sewing machine was in the shop. I pieced all the FG and first few strip sets for the 4 patch blocks on the Baby Lock Jubilant (which did fine), but I’m so happy to have my regular machine back! The strip sets are all done!
A fellow quilter commented that I must have a rather large stash since I’m always sewing from my stash. I did have a large fabric stash when I retired (much of it gifted for use in teaching children’s sewing classes). What I now have fits in a single closet (along with batting, interfacing and a couple of vintage machines) – and I’m thrilled about this. It’s taken two years of steady destashing to reach this point. This time next year, I should be at my goal in terms of fabric stash and sewing supplies.
The art of destashing involves keeping fabrics you love or will actually use and getting rid of the fabrics you’re not going to use. Ways to move unwanted fabric: use it for my own FMQ practice or to make test blocks; use as student practice fabric in classes; gift fabric to my sewing kids; donate some to the SQTM yard sale and donate some more to my guild’s community service table. I also make finished placemats and quilts to donate to my guild using the fabrics I don’t care to keep.
Sewing space in my next home will be significantly smaller than the basement studio space I now enjoy. While there are no immediate plans to move, getting a handle on the fabric stash and supplies now will make things that much easier in the future.
Come Stitch With Me 