2016 Projects in Review

I had lots of big ideas for 2016.  Looking back on my post on my quilting goals, written in early January, I even then had an inkling I was being too ambitious for myself.  While it doesn't seem like I accomplished all that much, I'm happy with what I did make.

I finished Rondeau (aka La Passacaglia), which I consider one of my more significant projects to date.

And I finished Ocean View, a simpler but still satisfying project.

I have two major WIPs.  First, my version of Plantation Road by Red Crinoline Quilts.  I made this quilt from stash, always very satisfying.  I have the backing pieced (also from stash!) and just need to get it to my quilter.

And I tackled another project in my Fig Tree Harvest collection.  I'm thinking of calling this one Pieceful.  I made all the blocks and just need to sew them together.  So there's a good possibility I'll have two early 2017 finishes.

I have several projects in mind for 2017, but first I need to clean up and re-organize my sewing room. I want to start the year with a fresh outlook.

Last Finish Of 2016

It's Ocean View, quilted, bound, and labeled.  This will be my last finish for this year.

I finished the top six months ago, sent it to my longarm quilter, who got it back to me very promptly. But I hand stitch my binding down and I didn't want to sit with a big quilt over my lap in the summer. I kept putting it off and putting it off, then sewed the binding on in early December and took the last hand stitches in it on Christmas day when we were all lounging around the house between brunch and dinner.

I made Ocean View using a Moda Bakeshop pattern called Simply Woven.  The directions call for two jelly rolls plus some background, to make a twin bed size quilt, 72" by 96".  This is what a single block looks like:

It's a real "slice 'n dice" pattern and I enjoyed making it, only botching one block in the process.  My photo tutorial is here.  

Karen Thompson of Greenbrier Designs did the quilting, using a swirly motif.  

You can see the quilt design a bit better on the back.   I used a light green and aqua batik for the backing and a turquoise and green batik fabric for the binding.

I have several WIPs from this year that won't get finished until next year, but more about them in my next post.

The Ultimate Power Tool

It was my birthday on Sunday.  Among my gifts was a t-shirt sent by my sister.

It even got a laugh out of Mr. Main Street.  My sister suggests I wear it to the gym.

My La Passacaglia - Quilted, Bound, and Labeled

Isn't she gorgeous!?  It is my finished La Passacaglia quilt, finished and hanging in place.  

I made my version to hang in a particular spot in my kitchen.  I had to reduce the size a little to fit in this space.  The finished quilt is 38" by 55" which I managed by making fewer "blocks."  And I knew when I started that I would not use a border.  I used one of the green fabrics to make a narrow binding.  

I named my version Rondeau.  The quilting was a custom job done by Karen Thompson.  The quilting enhances the design; I like the loops in each pentagon.  Karen is making her own version of La Passacaglia and gave this one some extra attention to figure out what would work best from a quilting standpoint.  

More quilting...

Rondeau looks great in my kitchen space.  I like it so much that I'm already thinking about another English Paper Piecing project!  So many quilts in my head!

Did I inspire you to think about making your own La Passacaglia?  Well, here's a little help.  I happen to have an extra copy of the book that started it all, Millefiori Quilts by Willyne Hammerstein.  Time for a giveaway; just leave a comment here if you would like to win a copy.  But US addresses only.  I'll do a random draw of the winner on Sunday evening, Dec. 11.  Added Sunday night:  The winner is Karen!

Finished Blocks

I finished piecing all the blocks for my scrappy Fig Tree quilt.  That's 49 blocks, each composed of 49 squares.  I used the Irish Chain tutorial from Red Pepper Quilts.

I've been on a mission to finish all the blocks before the beginning of the Thanksgiving holiday.  I have quilts to bind over the holiday but will get back to the scrappy project in December.  I also want to pull together a hand sewing project to take with me on vacation in January.  But that means deciding on which hand sewing project to pursue.  So many options, so difficult to decide!

Shopping Fall Quilt Market

No no, I didn't go to Houston.  Hopefully, someday... but not this year.  But I did see lots of pictures in blogs and on Instagram, and as a result, I've done my "shopping."  I love seeing the new patterns, the new fabric collections, the new gadgets.  It helps me plan ahead (I am a super-planner) and decide what I want to do next.

First on my list is Ferris Wheel, a new jelly roll pattern from Fig Tree. I think I have fabric on hand to use in this quilt but I will need background and border fabrics.

Next, another new Fig Tree pattern called All Wrapped Up.  I like the Christmas version, which I can probably do with just a little augmentation of my Christmas-y fabric stash.

As to fabric, I like Guernsey by Brenda Riddle a lot and may have to invest in some to round out my stash of girly florals with that injection of charcoal.  It would help if I had a good idea of what to make with my vast stash of Paris Flea Market and assorted similar collections.

That's about it.  I know 2017 will be the year of fewer or smaller projects, what with the new job and assorted other life events happening here on Main Street.  So I don't want to tease myself or lay out an overly ambitious schedule.  And of course, there is always Spring Quilt Market, for more inspiration!

By the way, thanks for all your comments with advice in my last post.  It was about making Colorway by Thimbleblossoms.  I am going to follow your advice and use the matching batik layer cake and jelly roll.  I'll save the text prints for another project or possibly the back.  I think you guys saved me from a horrible mistake!

Colorway Pattern

I have my next project picked out.  Like I need one; I have at least five projects in various stages of completion (or un-completion) already.  But anyway...

It is Colorway, a new pattern by Camille Roskelly of Thimbleblossoms.  I saw it online and liked it in the Bonnie and Camille fabrics, but for my version, I will use these batiks in shades of blue and green.  The close-up of the jelly roll, below, gives you a better idea of the range of colors. 

The pattern calls for a layer cake and a jelly roll, plus background fabric.  When I bought the fabric and the pattern, I thought I would use a text fabric as the background.  I had the idea that the centers of the circles would be one piece of fabric.  However, after reading through the pattern, I see they are made up of seven pieces (which actually makes more sense when your think about constructing it) and I think that won't look so good in a directional print like a text print.  So I am considering either 1) using the text prints in place of the jelly roll with a white background, or 2) forgetting the text print altogether and using the batiks with solid white (or another color) background.

What's your advice?