At this time last year who would have thought 2021 would be the year that it was? I changed jobs after some 17 years working part time for the same person to a full time position with less stress. This has also meant less sewing time, and sometimes even when I have the time - I just don't want to sew! Horrors I know... but I have always said I sew depending on my mental state and sometimes the brain just switches off and sometimes my eyes just don't want to focus that much.
I haven't looked at my achievements from last year yet - I finished work on Xmas eve and between the statutory holidays and taking 3 days annual leave I started back at work on Tuesday. Hospitality industries in the Bay of Islands are historically super busy from Boxing Day on and although this year is still somewhat flat compared to a normal year, visitor numbers are healthy for the covid economy - meaning work has been busy.
So what have I been up to?
I have been plugging away at my The Scrappy Star Quilt Adventure blocks...
And routinely play around with placements on my design wall.
I pulled a random selection of solids and some neutral prints and started the Shape Up Quilt - a free pattern from AGF. None of my fabric quantities match the requirements so this is going to be interesting.
The first block is 25" wide... so big and bold. I think I will tackle one block per month going forward.
I joined the All People Quilt #apqresolution challenge - choose 12 current wips to work on this year (only 12 not 200??) and then follow the monthly number draws to see what to work on each month.
January was 12 so out came Patchwork City and a quick binding fabric selection... black and white stripes just about always suits a bright multicolored quilt.
I decided to try big stitch binding as it is supposed to be quicker. Yes it is! I am about half way through.
For Xmas this year I split a rainbow fq bundle with my best friend with instructions to work with a different colour each month.
This is my purple January block. I have a plan ☺ and there is more purple.
This is Monika's block borrowed from her instagram. Its going to look so cool 😍
In other super exciting news I bought a new sewing machine!
A Janone M7 Continental. I am in love. Thats a 13.5" throat space.
I also sewed a clothes! These are the Jessa flared pant by Tilly and the Buttons. Hems and button still to do in these photos.
Although I did get the rest finished too... and they are all ready to wear. My 16+ year old Bernette still does a good button hole even if I do need the instruction book every single time 😅.
I put together a new bundle of fabric.
I pulled out some random low volume scraps... made a big mess...
And sewed some wonky log cabins. These may end up going in a different direction.
And last but not least I have decided to join Molli Sparkles in the Cut it up challenge - don't save your precious fabric for the perfect quilt, cut it up and use it. So I have chosen a bundle that I purchased some time ago and am thinking about what to do with it. Watch this space 😅.
