Slow Stitching

I have a few secret sewing projects going on right now (new quilt patterns coming soon!), so I thought I'd give you an update on an ongoing project.

I started making hexies from Sarah Watts' Honeymoon fabric line (for Cotton + Steel) back in February. I had never made a hexie before, but the tutorial from Modern Handcraft seemed easy enough. So thanks to a road trip and my pledge to sew 20 minutes a day in February (Beth of EvaPaige Quilts hosts DAGMT every year - join in!), I took the plunge.

Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Blog Hop

Hello! Welcome to the Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Volume 14 Blog Hop!

If you're new here, you're in great company! This is my first time having a block in a 100 Blocks issue. (Okay, let's be honest. It's my first print magazine appearance ever - so I'm a little excited ecstatic!)

My block and name are not technically on the cover, but I am included in an elite group of designers known as the "And More!" club!

Snowfall Quilt

Meet Snowfall!

 

Snowfall is my 34th quilt finish this year and my fourth pattern for the year!

Teal Mini Swap - Revealed!

Beth of Eva Paige Quilt Designs hosts the Teal Mini Quilt Swap each year during September - ovarian cancer awareness month. The swap is a fundraiser for ovarian cancer research. Each participant pays $15, then Beth mails everyone a swatch of teal fabric that must be used in the mini quilt that you make. Everyone is paired up, and you make a mini quilt for your partner. Make a (mini) quilt, make a friend! (You can read more about the swap and see the starting teal fabric on my post here.)

I was so excited when I got my swap partner info! It was Bethany Miller (@letsgoliftandsew on Instagram)! We have been "friends" on Instagram for quite awhile, and she's someone I'd love to be friends with in real life!

The Month of the Pillow

As you may already know, I love Instagram. There is such a community of quilters there that are welcoming, encouraging, and creative. I find much inspiration and motivation from the people I "know" there!

This month, the Modern Makers Retreat is hosting a pillow challenge. All you had to do was create a pillow, post a picture, and use a few hashtags. There are some amazing prizes! And, if you know me, I can't resist a good challenge!

This led to "the month of the pillow."

It all started with an empty couch at church. It needed some color! So I pulled out some aqua scraps and made two 16" pillows. I just sewed strips of fabric together and quilted it with my walking foot 1/4" on either side of each seam. Every pillow I made this month has an envelope back - because that's fast and effective!

Desire to Inspire Challenge

This month, I had the opportunity to work with some fantastic Henry Glass & Co. fabrics for their Desire to Inspire challenge! Each month, a different quilter is chosen to create projects from a different line of fabric. I jumped at the chance!

 

 
Henry Glass & Co. mailed me a fabric panel and seven prints from the line "Sew Bee It" by Shelly Comiskey. The prints are so fun! Just look at the selvages!

Fruit of the Spirit

Have you caught the selvage bug? I admit I'm not really a fan. But I am a huge fan of challenges, so when the selvage challenge popped up on Instagram, I was all in!

The selvage (or selvedge if you speak British English) is the factory edge of fabric. It does not fray, so can be used in projects differently than cut fabric.

The selvage challenge is hosted by Stash Builder Box (a monthly subscription box for quilters with a great pay it forward philosophy). The premise of the challenge is to use selvages (the part of the fabric traditionally thrown out) to create a quilt or other quilty project. Of course there are some awesome prizes too!