Jennie's Threads

Every one probably says it every year, but how is it November already? It's nearly Christmas. It's nearly next year. I've got projects I planned to start at the start of the year that are still sitting as nothing more than a pile of fabric. I've got projects I haven't touched since last year. And it barely feels like it's been five minutes. I guess the flip side is I'll have plenty to work on for #sewmystash in 2017, as I'm pretty sure it counts as stash if it's sat in the cupboard for a year! Right? Anyway. October. It was a good sewing month. The headline grabbing achievement is 137 blocks completed! Eighty-one of these were #100days100blocks - I'm working on five different projects for these blocks so there are a few duplicates. I've been posting updates every 10 days which you can find here , here and here . Thirty-one blocks were #365quiltchallenge blocks - I'm about 10 days behind at the moment, but some of the blocks I ...

I have a final finish to share for the Q3 link up before it closes: my scrappy Pineapple Quilt. Made entirely from my scrap bags from pieces so small that most people I know would throw them away - that makes this a free quilt, right? It's hand quilted and will go on the wall above the changing table as a distraction from nappies! My original FAL list #ridiculouslylongfallist is here and included 28 items. The final tally is 6 finishes, 6 projects with good progress and 14 items where I have absolutely nothing to say. Here are the other 5 finishes. Quasar Quilt 2 Jane Austen Sampler Quilt Moccasin Block of the Month Quilt Induction Mini Quilt Inky Zippy. I feel like I've made good progress on ABC embroidery, one of the Baby quilts, the Bee-utiful mini quilt, the Summer Sampler, the Joy cushion and the fruit embroidery mini. There were a few finishes scuppered at the last minute - hopefully these will be an early boost next quarter. The rest ...

This finish has been a long time coming. I was sure it would be a finish in the first quarter of the year. And just as sure it would be a finish in the second quarter. But at one point I was unsure it would be a third quarter finish. This is the Moccasin block of the Month pattern from Gen X Quilters for 2015. I started out in January 2015 and kept up to date until we moved house. Inevitably there was a bit of a break in the block production. In May 2015 I pulled myself back up to date but ended up with a Dresden block that was way too big. I got disheartened and put it away. In November 2015 I finally got my act together and remade that Dresden block and with the momentum from that, I finished making all the rest of the blocks. Which was why I was so convinced it could be a first quarter finish. But it wasn't until mid June 2016 that I finally pieced the quilt top. And that was only because I wanted to use the leftover fabrics for other things! I managed to find a backing ...

Last quarter was unsuccessful because I hadn't planned. When I wrote my list my mind was elsewhere and the list didn't include much that was achievable, and certainly didn't include much that inspired me over the last few months. As such, I didn't have many finishes to share. But I know how important the Finish Along is, not just for getting me to finish things, but also for getting me to be creative and find time to sew, which in turn keeps me sane in between the dirty nappies and bottles! So with that in mind I've planned this next quarter a lot more carefully! However, that doesn't mean that the list will be any shorter! So, in no particular order, here are the plans: ABC Embroidery: This project is pushing my embroidery comfort zone with some new stitches and I'm thoroughly enjoying leaving the backstitch zone behind. It's rubbing off on other embroidery projects too which I'm finding quite exciting! I've done A-G and I need to start thinki...

You may consider me foolish to even attempt a finish this quarter...  I know I won't get much opportunity to sew in Baby's first few months, but I'm hopeful for the odd hour of Daddy time when I'm awake enough to safely operate a sewing machine. I have no idea what project I'll want to work on if I do get the chance, so I'll list everything. Again. But the first project I'm listing is new to the FAL list: it's Mia's big girl quilt. For the first 5-6 months, Baby will sleep in our bedroom, but after that she will move into the nursery and Mia will move into her new bedroom and a full size single bed. Which means Mia needs a big-girl quilt for her big-girl bed in her big-girl bedroom. I have two blocks finished, and lots more to make. Another new project is one that I cut out just this week: It's a while since I fell head over heels in love with a fabric line, but Paperie from Art Gallery really did get me. It's not at all my normal choi...