Tag: sewing

EOY Quilty Reminders

December 31, 2024

Today is New Year’s Eve.

Photo by Photo By: Kaboompics.com on Pexels.com

If you run a small crafty biz, do you need to renew your business license by midnight tonight? Check.
Reminder: the deadline is also tonight for any purchases you plan to write off in 2024.

If you participate in free monthly QALs, have you downloaded all the blocks and finishing instructions before they go *poof* at midnight and convert to a paid pattern in January? Check.

If you are joining a virtual quilting event on New Year’s Day (like the one offered by Stitchin’ Heaven), have you pulled your fabrics, tidied up your sewing space and assembled your favorite snacks? If you are sewing in person at your LQS or with friends, have you packed everything you’ll need for tomorrow’s shenanigans?

Now’s also a good time to check your sewing supplies and/or see if there are any fabrics you need to purchase for upcoming projects as the big box craft stores run big EOY and New Year’s Day sales. You may also want to check any sales at your local LQS, too.
Need needles, thread and interfacing? Joann has them (and fabric) on sale.*
Need fabric or Fiskars products? Hobby Lobby has them 40% off.

*Tip: be sure to print off the Joann web-based coupons before heading to the store. You can often use them along with any coupons in the Joann app.

Happy New Year!

Holiday Festivities

December 18, 2024

It’s been a quiet December. A number of local holiday gatherings have conflicted with family plans and therapy dog activities this year. The one event I could attend was lunch with my Friday Sew Squad. Unfortunately, I had to pass on this one because I had the upper respiratory ick that’s currently making the rounds. Ditto for the neighborhood holiday gathering that was rescheduled due to weather.

When not sleeping, I read and made HSTs for the Bonnie Hunter Winter Mystery Quilt. My chosen color way is blue (Bonnie used red), aqua/teal and green (Bonnie used coral) with an assortment of white and cream fabrics. As with the FG for Week 1, I had to rework the instructions to incorporate my green charm squares. The HSTs are done and I’m happy to say all the miscellaneous green charm squares in my stash were used up in the HSTs.

Half square triangles for Bonnie Hunter Old Town mystery quilt.

After four days, I felt human again. My final Monday enrichment class was yesterday. Sadie and I made our last therapy dog visit for 2024 today. One of my private sewing students completed her craft apron. The finished project is absolutely adorable; however, the project’s poorly written directions made it a true pain the posterior to make. I’ll modify the instructions with our methods for her to follow as she wants to make aprons for her crafty homeschool friends.

Student modeling her craft apron.

All the family gatherings happen between now and next Monday. This means I’m really looking look forward to a quiet Christmas at home! I plan to make good use of the three week break before 2025 therapy dog visits resume and classes at the SQTM begin.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. See you in 2025!

Quilting through the holidays

December 9, 2024
Stacks of Hourglass Quilt Blocks – Week 3 of the Bonnie Hunter Old Town Mystery Quilt

I’m tired. No wonder. I’ve made about 400 little bits in total for this quilt over the past two weeks. I’m all caught up and I’ve successfully figured out how to cut QSTs for the hourglass blocks using Bonnie’s Essential Triangle Ruler. Minimal unstitching and everything turned out the correct size, with only a tiny bit needing to be trimmed away. Last time, I used my Featherweight and the blocks turned out too small. This time, I used my Elnita EC30. Having the ability to adjust the needle position made all the difference for me.

I’m thankful that Bonnie Hunter offers a mystery quilt along during the Christmas season. This is my first time participating in one of her annual mystery quilts. The project has helped keep me engaged and in relatively good spirits during what can be a hard time of year. Family drama isn’t pleasant – especially when it causes a rift among family members on my side. Five years later, I will say the peace that comes with not having to deal with certain folks during the holidays is a gift in itself. This year, there are signs that some of the younger family members as they reach adulthood are interested in rekindling the familial relationship. This is welcome news.

The next two weeks will be a flurry of activity, but Christmas will be spent at home with hubs and Sadie. Christmas and New Year’s fall mid-week, so I’ll be able to stitch with some of my Friday Sew Squad at the library between Christmas and New Year’s. Are you joining the Stitchin’ Heaven crew on New Year’s Day? I’m with Team Rob and have already pulled my bin of red, white and blue fabrics. It’s a fun day and you don’t have to complete the quilt unless you want to. Last year, I made a handful of blocks, which became placemats to donate to Meals on Wheels. Placemats in patriotic colors are always welcomed by the staff.

Oh, and I’ll be working on the Bonnie Hunter Mystery Quilt until it ends in January.