It's the time of the month where I share a little bit of what I'm currently working on. I've been writing these posts every month for the past few years for a couple of reasons: to share what I'm working on and as a self-accountability post and transparency about my creative process. Also as proof that that nothing around here is done overnight. And this year I decided to add 2 additional things to the What's on my Sewing Table report each month: How Much Fabric Did I Buy and Something That I Organized this month.
Purging my Sewing Room
So here's a look behind the curtain of what I've been working on in my sewing room this month. To be honest, not a ton of sewing this month. But there has been a GIANT clean out. My room has just reached that point after multiple projects, the clutter has built up. 😅 Also, I've just been in the mood to PURGE - especially my stash and sewing supplies.
There's still a bunch to work on, but last week I tackled the giant Ikea armoire in the one corner. I love this piece because it holds SO much stuff (and I can just shut the door on it all 😅😂) but it had been a while since I'd really gone through it to see what was accumulated. I found things I'd totally forgotten about (as one does) and I did a good job consolidating and creating a pile to donate/give away.
It was great to take an inventory, be realistic (well, try to be realistic) about what I don't need and put everything back in a place where I can find it again. At least that's the hope.
(You can read about my favorite ruler storage system here.)
I still need to tackle the other side of the room, but I'm pleased that progress has been made.
Quilts In progress
Some sewing I did get to was finally adding the borders to the Liberty blues quilt that's been a WIP forever. This one is made with the Simple Simon pattern in my book. The book is out of print but you can find the ebook PDF here. (I am working on a new version of this pattern with multiple size options included.)
I've also started adding the sashing to the Scandi Flags blocks I was making last month. (Pattern coming on these blocks as well.) I really want to get this one finished and off to the quilter too.
Also on my table is a few more of the basket blocks from the Summer Picnic quilt I started last month. (Clearly I've got a few squirrel project issues right now.)
These are a fun mostly mindless project for me thanks to using the HST foundation papers.
A Handwork Finish
One thing I did actually finish this month is this cross-stitch sampler that I've been working on since 2023! It's been a fun project to have while watching shows. I love how the individual boxes break up the project into easy, workable spaces. Each one was like a mini quilt and it was fun to play with the different fabric combinations.
I bought the pattern as a PDF download on Etsy. As you can see, I went with a monochromatic color palette which made things simple. I used DMC colors 924, 926, 927.
New Fabric For New Projects
I have a couple of piles of fabric for new projects in the works. First of all, Minki Kim's newest collection, Cotton Nook, just arrived in stores and I think it's my favorite collection of her's yet. It's got such a cute vintage vibe.
I got a few pieces from Riley Blake, but will probably cave and buy more including the backpack panel. (I LOVE Minki's panels. You can see a few past projects I made with one of Minki's panel here.) As someone who is intimidated by making bags with zippers, Minki gives me so much confidence!
I'm got a little bit of advanced yardage of Petals & Hazel for an new patchwork pattern I'm excited to start cutting into.
Other August Stuff
The other reason for not much sewing is yard work. We're having a family party at our house next week and I'm trying to get things tidied up and ready. I've been trying to gradually work through the summer to stay on top of yard maintenance but with horrible heat the last few weeks, the yard was feeling neglected and needed some attention.
My garden has been a happy place this summer. We did a lot of renovations last fall to make it easier to maintain - including taking out a big chunk of lawn and putting in grow boxes surrounded by gravel. It was a lot of work to get things set up, but I have thoroughly enjoyed the lower-maintenance work as the boxes have irrigation and keep weeds to a minimum.
I'm still figuring out what I'm doing - definitely a learning curve - but I'm enjoying the process. (And the produce!) It also definitely helps to have the mental bandwidth to take care of another living thing, now that I'm at a stage of life where I don't have as many other young humans who rely on my presence and care.
So I'm trying to soak up the pleasant parts that the summer season has to offer. There will be more time for sewing when the seasons change. And I'll enjoy that too. 🙂
Mack says
I'll be honest. When my sewing room looked like that last year, I threw fabric away. Lots of it; in fact, everything I could see. When cleaning out my garage recently, though, I found more fabric. And when organizing the guest bedroom ahead of my daughter's arrival from overseas this summer, I found more fabric. I realized somewhere along the way that I was so deeply buried in fabric I couldn't see the forest for the trees, and I couldn't breathe. I can't tell you how many kits got tossed, or how much black fabric (somewhere along the way I realized that I don't really like sewing with black fabric) got tossed. Black for Valentine's Day, Easter, or Christmas?! Absolutely not. Trash. Most of the stuff I've recently found I have been selling on Facebook, and it's a LOT of work to do that, but I will NEVER get to the point again where I'm buried beneath mounds of fabric. I simply will not allow it to happen again.
Amy Smart says
Totally understandable. Clutter feels so stifling. And I agree - selling fabric on Facebook is so much work. I love donating fabric I don't need to a good cause. I've found a few organizations locally that love the donations and put them to great use! I wrote a post about finding places in your own community here: https://www.diaryofaquilter.com/places-to-donate-fabric/
Robby says
Loving your cross-stitch, and the monochromatic coloring is beautiful.
Amy Smart says
Thank you!
Virginia Anderson says
Dear Amy
Your site has so much information and I applaud your work. My Mother’s name was Amy and she inspired me to become a professional seamstress/tailor. I have a small business here in Muskoka, Ontario Canada and love what I do. I have twelve projects ahead of me and I wondered how you keep track of all of yours. Currently I keep a written note of each of my clients and add special notes under their names. My appointments are stored on my tablet. I also wanted to mention that my Mother’s name was Amy. She joined the Canadian military as an Army Nurse and was stationed in London during the blitz. She was and still is my hero. Thank you for taking the time to read this.
Warm regards
Virginia
Amy Smart says
aww, I loved reading this Virginia! Your mom sounds like an amazing woman. I'm honored to share her name!
Becky Lucas says
My daughter is serving in Finland and a flag quilt for her would be so fun! The Finnish flag is only blue and white so would you add a little color sashing around the cross or just make the flags with different low volume and blue prints?
Amy Smart says
Oh, that would be so fun. Yes - I'd just do low volume/whites and blue prints for the cross.
Jennifer Rosbrugh says
I LOVE your monochrome blues on that cross stitch! Very nicely done. 👏🏻 I've been following your work on it for a while now. Because of your post last year (in 2025) about the project, I got the pattern and am loving it! Doing the full (aka LARGE), rainbow colored layout. The large piece of canvas is a bit unwieldy, but I'm figuring it out. Nine out of 81 squares complete. I'll be like you to finish in a few years. lol Thanks for sharing your completed stitchery!
Amy Smart says
Oh that is awesome! I'm so glad you're enjoying it. Finishing a square is so satisfying. It's a project with lots of mini-wins!
Sue says
Thanks to you and probably others, I've tried and LOVED triangles on a roll and I've tried a couple of Cake Mixes. No idea why I resisted for so long...I'm not aware of a merit badge or attagirl for doing things the hard way.
Robin Powell says
Amy, I cant express how much I look forward to "what's on my sewing tabke" from you!!!
But if im being completely honest, I look so forward to your emails!! A big THANK YOU, for all tou do for your readers and followers!!!
I notice myself taking a seat, and taking time, to check out all your shares, its lije a breath of fresh air!!
Again, THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!
🧵🪡❤️
Amy Smart says
Aww, thank you, Robin!
Robin Fosburg says
Thank you Amy ! I really look forward to your weekly newsletters. Please continue to make me smile.
Amy Smart says
Aww, thank you so much, Robin!