Winter Sewing, Slow and Easy
Every year it seems like I have time to sew during November, December and January. Other people are busy shopping, cooking and decorating. But my life is the opposite, and that’s kind of a good thing.
Thanksgiving was quiet with just five guests (two bigs and three littles). The meal was easy and the company departed around 3:30. I sewed for four or five hours after that. We ate leftovers and quickie meals the rest of the weekend, so there were many more hours in the studio.
I’ve started a quilt called Christmas Figs, designed by Joanna Figueroa of Fig Tree Quilts. It’s a large sampler with 20 blocks, all different.
There’s a lot of piecing in each block, so they take a while, but I think this quilt will be worth it.
I spent several days on my most recent blocks. It takes more time to cut out a scrappy block than one with just a couple of fabrics.
The Bow Ties were easy and fun! The Christmas Figs book has all the blocks and instructions for the sampler quilt, but also has many other projects using the blocks. It’s well-written and easy to follow. I recommend it!
These Peppermints are bright and happy, and they’re more scrappy than those pictured in the book. I like to do my own thing and sometimes I go overboard.
Here’s a block I’m not happy with. I just don’t think it’s interesting enough. I will most likely remake it. I should probably do it now because toward the end I will be tired of the whole thing and will be tempted to just leave it alone. I’ll make it scrappy and it will be more pleasing and more in line with my style.
I expect to finish piecing this quilt before the end of the year. I might even get it pieced before my Jingle Bells Trunk Show in Wichita on Dec. 11. I’m speaking during two different meetings of the same group, which will be fun! My son lives near there so I’ll get to see him as a bonus.
I hope you’re finding time to sew, too. If you happen to stop by my house before noon these days, I’ll still be in my ‘jamas, stitching up a storm. What else is winter for?
Maybe your guild would like to see the Jingle Bells Trunk Show in 2019 or 2020! Give me a call and Let’s Talk Quilts!
Tags: Christmas figs, Christmas quilts, jingle bells trunk show, winter sewing
Vivian
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I’m thrilled to see you doing this one! I’ve been following Pat Sloan’s quilt along on this same project and of course then I had to buy the book. I’ve always wanted to stash Fig Tree fabrics so I’m looking forward to doing this as an FT scrappy quilt. Looking forward to following your progress on this!
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Kaye Mattson
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I like your peppermint block, it reminds me of beach balls. It’s bright and lively!
The last block is pretty tame for you, maybe a new background would give it new life! Yes, these cold days are great for sewing!
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