What's On My Sewing Table June 2025

It's been a hot minute (or months) since I've shared a What's On My Sewing Table update. So I'm going to seize the opportunity today! There's a lot happening in my sewing room these days. (As well as a reality check underneath my sewing table. Read to the end for the full expose.) I like writing these posts as a bit of an "accountability check" and as proof that the work that happens here takes it's own sweet time, as opposed to magically happening overnight - even when I'm working with deadlines.

National Sewing Machine Day

First things first: did you know that next week (June 13) is National Sewing Machine Day? Since this is a "National" event, I think that you/we are fully authorized to celebrate by spending time with our sewing machines as much as possible that day (or week.)

Speaking of sewing machines, I am still fully enjoying the Baby Lock Altair II that I have been sewing on for the past 18 months. I have been a Baby Lock Ambassador for over 8 years now and genuinely loved every machine I've worked with, but this one is probably my favorite.

I love the huge amount of work space including a massive 9.5″ × 14″ field for machine embroidery (fewer re-hoops!) and a generous 11.25″ workspace to the right of the needle for easy handling of piecing, machine quilting, or binding big quilts.

In honor of National Sewing Machine Day, here is a list of 10 Tips for Sewing Machine Best Practices for any sewist to get the most out of your sewing machine.

This week my Altair is at work on a variety of projects!

Current Quilting Projects in the Works

I've finally made a plan to sew together my 2025 RBD Quilt Block Challenge blocks. You can find the official finishing instructions from Riley Blake here. I'm simplifying my version - mainly for the sake of getting it done faster. Stay tuned for the final result!

I got my Easter Checkered Garden quilt back from Sew Shabby Quilting last week and have been working on the binding. It's turning out pretty yummy. I'll do the full reveal next week!

I'm working on preparing a bunch of projects with my upcoming Mary Catherine collection. I don't have much yardage to work with right now - only a few strike-off pieces available, but I'm carefully maximizing what I've got. I'm so excited to share more Mary Catherine projects in the next few weeks. The fabric arrives in shops in September.

On top of all of that, I've got a few free precuts-quilt projects that I'm preparing to share this summer using some other new collections from Riley Blake Designs including the bright, preppy Bluegrass Charm designed by Melissa Mortenson

and this more muted Honey Locust collection designed by Amber Johnson. I'm mixing precuts with Confetti Cotton solids in both projects and excited to see how they turn out!

The Honey Locust project will be part of a presentation I'm doing on Ideas for Using Precuts as part of the free online Handmade Collective virtual summit hosted by Cutterpillar.

This is a 3-day virtual event (June 18-20) full of creative workshops, inspiring live sessions, giveaways, and behind-the-scenes fun, all hosted by the team at CutterPillar by Nook & Notion. You can read all about the Handmade Collective and learn about the other presenters here.

English Paper Piecing blast from the past

Here's a blast from the past... anyone remember when I was working on these English Paper Piecing blocks? I think I started hand-piecing these Round We Go EPP blocks back in 2017.

I pulled them out this past week and realized I have 48 blocks and it's officially time to get this forever WIP (Work In Progress) finished. Next step is to applique all of the circles on a square backing so that I can piece the blocks together.

I'm feeling like this will be a good summer handwork project.

Last but not least: Reality Check

Finally, lest you think from looking at the above photos that my life, sewing room and to-do list are neat and tidy, here's a look at reality that I shared on Instagram this week:

In the midst of many looming deadlines, I could no longer work in the current disastrous state of my sewing room. So I ended up sitting on the floor one day, sorting, folding, and organizing the remnants from every project from the past 5 months so that they could be put away.

I'm hoping this refresh will help clear up some mental energy/brain space too.

(Also, there is a portion of my tote bag collection, that is typically hidden behind the back of the door, now available for all to see. 😅)

Thanks for stopping by! I'm excited to share more of these projects in the works over the next few weeks!