What's on my Sewing Table April '25

Time for another update/accountability report on what I'm currently working on. A bunch of these projects are "just for fun" and there is a cross-stitch project that is a long-term handwork project that I thoroughly enjoy.

Sewing Room + Quilt projects of Amy Smart, Diary of a Quilter

Checkered Garden Easter Quilt Progress

I sewed my Checkered Garden blocks together this week. I have enjoyed this project SO MUCH. You can see the beginning of this quilt here.

Quilted Garden spring quilt blocks made by Amy Smart - perfect for 2 ½" strips

The Checkered Garden quilt block pattern is a free tutorial by Ashley of Film in the Fridge. Shelly from Ma Tante Quilting has a video demo and walks through the piecing and pressing instructions to help the blocks turn out beautifully.

I took the quilt outside today to get some pictures with the blossoms in our backyard. (We have had gorgeous spring weather this week and everything is blossoming!)

The palette for this quilt is very much Easter-inspired. I had hoped to get this quilt finished and off to the long arm quilter at the beginning of the week in hopes that it *might* be done before Easter.

Each block is a fun project for playing with different fabric combinations.

For a close up look at a bunch of the blocks, check out this video:

I bought a couple of pastel Fat Quarter Bundles at QuiltCon and then pulled more pastels from my scraps and stash, including a bunch of Liberty florals. You can see more of what I started with last month.

Spring-inspired pastel fat quarters for an Easter Quilt

Quilted Garden spring quilt blocks made by Amy Smart - perfect for 2 ½" strips. Made with Baby Lock sewing machine.

This quilt makes me so happy! I made 25 blocks for and my current quilt is 70" x 70". I'm thinking of having it as a spring throw quilt for the couch. I'm trying to decide if I want to add a border. Stay tuned on that one.

Hoping to find a good spring-backing in my stash and then get it off to the long arm quilter this week. Might not be done for Easter this year, but it'll still be a fun spring/summer throw for years to come.

A couple of other things I've been working on.

I'm staying caught up on my Riley Blake Quilt Block Challenge quilt blocks. This past week Block 11 called Crown Jewel was released. It was really fun block to make - and much faster than it looks. I can see myself making a whole quilt out of this one.

Crown Jewel quilt block made by Amy Smart with the Riley Blake Quilt Block Challenge. Featuring Riley Blake solids Confetti Cottons

Here are all of my blocks so far. You can find all of the free block patterns so far for the 2025 RBD Quilt Block Challenge here. For more details on the Riley Blake Confetti Cotton solids that I'm using go here.

Free Quilt block patterns from the 2025 Riley Blake Quilt Block Challenge.

And finally, an update on a Handwork project. I started this cross stitch sampler in 2023. It's been my go-to winter stitching project for the past two winters.

Amish Sampler Cross stitch made by Amy Smart in monochromatic blues

I got the Quaker Sampler-inspired pattern on Etsy. I love how the design is broken up into the smaller squares - makes each unit it's own little project. And creates a faster sense of satisfaction because you can just take it one block at a time.

I decided to make mine monochromatic - working with only 3 colors. I'm using DMC 926, 927, and 930. I like how the shades of blue gives the work a timeless quality.

I've picked up steam on this project over the past few weeks as I'm dealing with some lame health issues and procedures where it makes it uncomfortable to sit for long periods of time at my sewing machine. Hence, not finishing my Checkered Garden quilt top as fast as I would have liked.

I'm trying to be patient with my aging body and give it some grace for the fact that it can't do all of the things that it used to do or that I'd like it to do. Thank goodness for handwork in a recliner when I need it!

Happy April!