Weekly Wrap-Up: Hunter's Star Quilt Progress

Hey friends!

Last week I shared an older WIP (Work In Progress) of mine and I thought it would be fun to give you an update.

The air is getting cooler, I have the ingredients for pumpkin muffins on my shopping list, and the leaves on my neighbors tree are starting to change color (the leaves on my tree are stubbornly staying green). Surely, Fall is here, right? (Don't call me Shirley.)

It seems like the perfect time to finish up this Hunter's Star quilt I started a while back. And by that I mean, two years ago. I know, I know! This year, though. This is the year I'm going to finish it! Or at least finish the top.

FUN FACT: The fabric in that block came from my stash and it dates back to 2005! Do you have any really old fabric hanging out in your stash? Let me know!

Earlier this week I started to lay out the blocks on my design wall. I have to say, I really love having a design wall. It's great to see how things will come together. Of course, a design bed or a design floor works well too! Use what you've got and what works best for you!

I'm excited to see this one come together.

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Until next time!
- Sarah

Going the Way of the WIP

Hey friends!

Today feels like a good day for a catch up. I have been working on two projects at the same time and not really getting anywhere with either.

The first is this dresden quilt made with gorgeous Sunkiss fabric by Tilda.

As you can see, it's just a stack of dresdens, nothing even remotely resembling a quilt top. I normally cut out ALL my fabric at the beginning of a project. I didn't this time. Any guesses what happened? I stalled out. Lesson learned.

The second project being put on hold is this one made from a beautiful batik layer cake called Blossom Batiks by Flaurie and Finch for RJR.

I made a bunch of blocks but I just can't decide on a layout. Here are the options.

A) I don't know the name of this pattern but it's like a mini Jacob's Ladder. If anyone knows, please tell me in the comments.
B) This is the Jane's Ladder pattern from Woodberry Way.
C) This traditional Buckeye Beauty block was my original plan.
D) Finally, there is Jewel Box pattern and I think it is my favorite of these variations.

Decisions, decisions...

So, it's time. I'm calling it. Both of these projects are headed for the WIP (work in progress) pile and I'm clearing off my workspace for something new. Well, actually, something old. I'm pulling out an older WIP with gorgeous Fall fabrics. Are you noticing a trend? Lots of WIPs and very few finishes.

Last year, these fabrics all got cut out and turned into Hunter Star blocks.

Summer is on it's last legs and it seems like the perfect time to revisit this project. Timing is everything, right?

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Until next time!
- Sarah

Finally a Flimsy Finish

Hey guys!

I have finally finished this flimsy!

Sometimes quilt tops are fast to make and sometimes... sometimes they drag on and on. I've been working on this top here and there for months now. Not that this is a complex design or anything. Quite the opposite. This top could be put together in a day by a speedy and motivated quilter. I guess I was neither.

Really though, I had an initial vision for this quilt then things changed along the way. When that happens, I get bogged down in confusion and doubt. Originally, the legs and corners of each block were going to be made out of the same fabric. Something like this.

Then, on a whim, I tried the block with different fabrics for the legs and corners. And I liked it. Progress!

But then... After the blocks were made, I was suddenly less confident in my design choice. So, I put the blocks away for a while. They kept nagging at me though and, eventually, enough was enough. Sometimes you just have to do or don't. So, I did.

I like it but I think I'll always wonder what it would look like if I went with my original idea. I don't have plans to quilt this one any time soon, so it will go on the pile of flimsy tops. For now, I'm happy it's done and I'm ready to take on new projects!

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ICYMI (In Case You Missed It) ---

Yesterday in my Instagram stories (IG handle: 123quilt) I took a poll to determine if people like the "quilt swirl" or not. You know "the swirl." It seems that almost every quilter posts a swirly picture these days. Most of the time it's done because the quilter can't show the full top for whatever reason. They swirl the quilt, obscure the pattern, and give the sneakiest peek of the project. I get it, I really do. But do I like it? Meh. I feel like I'm supposed to like it. More often than not, though, it seems like a waste of a post.

Surprisingly, most of you feel the same way! About 2/3 of the people who responded to my poll did not like the swirl! Most people said they would rather clearly see the quilt than see a picture that doesn't really tell you much. So, now you know!

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Linking up with:

Let's Bee Social with Sew Fresh Quilts

and

Midweek Makers with QuiltFabrication

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Until next time!
- Sarah

A Sewing Room Makeover

Hey Friends!

Join me for a quick look at my sewing room makeover!

I've always sewed wherever I could find the space; whether it was on the kitchen table, the dining room table, the computer desk, or even on the floor! Most of you can relate.

I finally got a dedicated space to sew... BUT the room was seriously lacking. Lacking how? Well, here is the before picture.

Notice the lack of table. So even though I finally had a sewing space, I was still sewing on the dining room table! Please don't ask me how long this went on! (HUGE eye roll!)

If I didn't sew in there, was it technically a sewing room? It was more like an ironing and fabric storage room. It was time for a table. Actually, it was past time. Way past time. So, I looked around, did some research, and found a great table for an affordable price from Walmart. While I was at it, I got a few bookshelves as well. Those storage bins just weren't cutting it any more.

Here is my new and improved sewing room!

Huge improvement! The room is a good size (this is about 2/3 of it), so I have room to expand if I need to. I still have a lot of organizing to do, but that will come later. For now, I'm just pleased to actually be sewing in my sewing room.

Anyway, that's it for now. I have some sewing to go do!

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Until next time!
- Sarah

2019 Monthly Color Challenge - April

Hey guys!

Welcome to April! I have been waiting impatiently for April to get here because it's my month to participate in the 2019 Monthly Color Challenge hosted by Patterns by Jen!

Want more info?? Check out the 2019 Monthly Color Challenge page! You'll be able to find out all about how to get instructions for the monthly blocks, how to link up your blocks at the end of month, and all the other important bits and pieces you want to know.

The color for April is BLUE and it was inspired by the flower called Glory of the Snow.

So pretty and so blue! I knew I wanted to challenge myself with this color because I have lots of turquoise and navy blues in my stash but not very many true blues. I definitely had to dig around to find some fabric that was truly blue and I like what I came up with.

Since this BOM challenge is all about color, naturally I made sure to use coordinating pins while sewing it together. ;)

Don't like pins? Hey, that's cool with me. My best tip or piece of advice is to do what works for you!

Don't forget to go to Patterns by Jen to get the instructions for this block!

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Be sure to check out the other great bloggers who are sewing along this month!

Jen at Patterns by Jen

Joanne at quiltsbyjoanne

Leanne at Devoted Quilter

Sarah at 123quilt (that's me!)

Nancy at Masterpiece Quilting

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Will you be sewing along? Be sure to use #2019MonthlyColorChallenge on social media so everyone can see your work!

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Until next time!
- Sarah

2019 Word of the Year

Hey all!

I think I've finally decided on my word of the year. You know, the one word that I think will motivate me throughout the year or help me to reflect on my goals. It's sort of like a mantra and a guiding principle rolled into one.

WORK!

That's my word for 2019! I usually start thinking about my word of the year in December so that I have time to really mull things over; time to go back and forth between words and find just the right one. This year I knew immediately that I wanted WORK to be my word.

For me, it's a reminder to buckle down and get things down; to approach things with focus and determination. It's a reminder that you reap what you sow and I need to focus on sowing... or sewing. ;) Really though, it applies to more than just my quilting; it applies to everything in my life! If I want to have a great system for organizing all the paperwork that seems to accumulate (don't we all want that?!), then I have to put in the WORK! It's called paper"work" for a reason! If I want to feel healthier and stronger, then I have to WORK out! You get the idea.

So yeah, that's my word for the year. Do you have a word for the year? If so, leave it in the comments; I'd love to hear it!

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Until next time!
- Sarah

Maple Leaf Quilt Block - A FQS Quilt Along

Happy Fall, ya'll!!!

I'm so happy that it finally feels like Fall here in the Carolinas. Summer felt like it lasted forever, then we had hurricane weather, and now, finally, the leaves are turning and there is a chill in the air. Of course, that means there will be lots and lots of leaves to pick up! That's not so fun but today I want to share with you my favorite kind of Fall leaf (the fabric kind)!

The Maple Leaf quilt block!

There are lots of leaf block patterns out there but this one from the Fat Quarter Shop (FQS) is a fun, scrappy take on the block. The pattern is part of the FQS #classicandvintage series where they take classic patterns that we all know and love and remix them in fresh ways. Even though I only made one block, I love the look of the entire quilt.

Maple Leaf Quilt image from Fat Quarter Shop

This image is a mock up of the quilt from the FQS website. You can really start to see the scrappiness of the blocks come through in the whole quilt. Fat Quarter Shop offers the pattern for this quilt on their website. They also offer a quilt kit if you want to make one that looks just the image above! (Disclaimer: I did not receive any compensation for making this quilt block or for writing this post.)

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Well friends, it's time for me to go work on other sewing projects. I'll leave you with the current view from my sewing room. 

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Until next time!

- Sarah