It's time for an new year of What's on My Sewing Table. I write these posts monthly 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 over night (as in, I'm not superhuman.) 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.
Here's what I'm working on right now:
Finishing up 2 more versions of the Scandi Hearts quilt that I've been sewing as part of the Scandi Hearts Quilt Along.
I've been having fun playing with the other color combinations of these quilts. One is looking very perfect for Valentine's Day with a warm pink (Confetti Cotton Peaches N Cream) background. For the red I am using Jazzberry and for the 'white' I am using my latest Hush Hush Low Volume print for Riley Blake, Love and Friendship.
When I designed this print a year ago, I had hopes to write a scandi-inspired heart quilt pattern. It's so fun to see that vision come to fruition! I'm just getting ready to finish this one and get it off to the quilter so that it's finished for Valentine's Day. I'm planning to use the Love and Friendship hearts for the back too.
The second version is this one with dark blue (Oxford Blue Confetti Cotton). The red is the Red Posey from my Mary Catherine collection and the tone-on-tone plaid is a past Hush Hush print that was in my stash. I hadn't planned on making a 4th quilt, but kind of wanted to see how the design would look with a dark background, so here we are!
Also on my sewing table this week, I've been making some cute pillowcases for some special little friends.
I'm also working on a bag for their mom. The yellow ribbon is for Childhood Cancer Awareness as one of these kiddos is fighting cancer right now. 😪 Praying for miracles, but sending love and handmade goods in the meantime.
I've got a stack of 100 squared-up Half Square Triangle blocks from writing this post that I'm ready to use for a baby quilt tutorial. (Stay tuned!)
I also pulled out my Trenthem blocks from Jen Kingwell's book, Gathered, and started playing with scraps and Foundation paper-piecing these blocks. Honestly, what I really want to do is just sit and sew these blocks. They're SO fun and satisfying to make. But I'm trying to be disciplined and get other deadlines done too. And keep organizing.
One last thing that I'm working on. This one is not technically at my Sewing Table, but while I watch a show in the evening with my husband. I started this cross-stitch design Fall of 2023 and I'm almost getting to the end. I'm working on a new gallery wall of assorted items to hang in my living room and I'm trying to get this one done to add to the wall.
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. I decided to make mine monochromatic - working with only 3 colors. Again with the simplification. It's been a good one.
I've had a few people reach out about colors I'm using. They're DMC floss shades 926, 927 & 930.
Fabric Accountability
My goal in starting this Fabric Accountability section is to Shop My Stash first and as as much as possible to get those projects done! So I'm using this post (and you all) as my accountability partners to really keep track of what I buy and accumulate less. Another one of my goals this year I'm serious about this year is to cut my stash in half. And to achieve that goal I need to use/donate/get rid of a lot of fabric. And thereby, bringing in more does not help me achieve that goal.
I did accumulate some new fabric this week:
I found a great deal on Extra Wide Quilt Backs from Riley Blake Designs and I stocked up on some basics with 8 yards total of 120" wide back prints.
At the same time I went through the Extra Wide Quilt Backs I already have on hand and realized I already have a plenty. No more buying quilt backs, even if they're on sale - I've inventoried and already have enough to last me plenty of quilts.
I also bought a few Liberty Prints from May's Flowers that I'd had my eye on when I saw them on Sale from Sojo Fabric this week. Ever since learning more about William Morris and his equally talented daughter May Morris last year, I've been wanting to make a British/Morris-inspired quilt. I bought 2 total yards of different prints and did it because this is for a specific project.
I also bought a ½ yard of 2 blue basics that I'd had my eye on.
I'm part of another fun quilt along this year, Sewcialites hosted by the Fat Quarter Shop, and Riley Blake sponsored the fabric I'm using for this quilt including 2 Hush Hush 5 Layer Cakes and a Fat Quarter Bundle of Confetti Cottons in the Warm colorway. I didn't buy these fabrics, but I'm adding them to the tally to keep myself accountable.
Sewing Room Organization Update
As I talked about in my Goals for the New Year post, I'm feeling really motivated right now to simplify and streamline my sewing room and supplies. I'm also feeling motivated to finish the myriad of WIP's (Works In Progress) that I have started and languish unfished in containers in my sewing room.
I've also been taking an inventory of past WIP's in my Quilter's Planner. It's been inspiring to find a project and be reminded, "oh yeah! I love this. I want to work on it." I'm trying to get those projects organized into labeled boxes and containers as I mentioned here and accessible so that I (remember where they are) and can work on them when the mood hits (and have a place for them to go but not be forgotten when I need to put them away.)
At the same time I'm also finding projects that just don't inspire me anymore and setting those aside to donate or rehome. I've also set aside a box where I'm adding fabric to donate as well.
I'm making progress on really cleaning out this room! I've been starting with one small area at a time. This week I tackled the counter on the dresser in my sewing room. This is always a problem area and typically strategically cropped out when I share pictures of this room. 😅
It's been my "catch-all" space forever and had so many random piles of random things - many of them not even sewing related. (It's right off my kitchen so I often toss things there to "deal with later" when I'm cleaning up my kitchen.
As I post this picture, I realize to fresh eyes, this does not necessarily look 'clean and organized'. You're going to have to trust me on this one. It's a huge improvement. 😂
Slow and steady is my mantra with this cleanout. One drawer, countertop, or box at a time.
At the same time, as I share my cleanout progress, I don't want anyone to get stressed out by it. As I shared in my newsletter last week, creativity requires messiness. It's part of the creative process and nothing to be embarassed by!
Okay, that's the January Report. Excited to share more projects and progress inspiration in the year ahead. Let me know in the comments if there's any specific part of your sewing room you want ideas on organizing. I'll do my best to share if I've got tips that are helpful and I'm sure we can get great suggestions and ideas from this diverse and talented hive-mind.
Mack says
You are much better than I. My eyesight is waning, and I've not been able to find a doctor who can figure it out and then fix it. So, I've made the tough decision to just trash most of my stuff. Of the 816 square feet in my TINY house, 17.6% of it is a sewing room. Four 3-yd pieces of fleece are going. Two charm packs of Liberty prints I got last year in London, going. Flannel, charm packs, some wool flannel that I cut into 5" squares, fabric I've bought from FQS, Etsy, JoAnn's, and you, Amy, that I've not used yet, going. I'm literally overwhelmed by the mess and cannot stand the thought of living another year with all of it. Recently, I bought polar fleece to make four of my grandchildren a bathrobe for Christmas. The patterns called for 3 yards of fabric each, so that's what I ordered, but I neglected to check the width when I looked at the length I would need. I ordered 3 yards of 58-60" fabric when the pattern was only calling for 3 yards of 42" fabric. Oy vay! GOING, because what does one do with fabric that's extra...but not enough to do anything with?! I am trashing it all. And when I'm all done, I am going to move my bedroom into what is now the sewing room - because this is the biggest of the three bedrooms. So, it's a win/win for me. That's MY cleaning tip...throw it away.
Linda Christianson says
Sorry about your eyes sight. I will pray you keep trying to find the right Dr. I did a pilot for hole in my right eye, basketball blow to the face.) after ten years what was done ten years ago has left no scarring. Three different medicine.
Your " trash" would be welcome at our Project Linus group so check out your chapter.
Pat Chubb, Auburn Washington says
I’m 76 and live in a senior care facility (old folks home). We have a very active quilt group and make small throw size quilts plus pillowcases for a foster care support agency. We are battling old age and declining physical capabilities but still make about 100 quilts every two months. We have a yearly cash grant from our Resident Council but also rely heavily on donations from kind sewists who are destashing and decluttering. Keep groups such as ours in mind when off loading excess fabric!
Amy Smart says
OH my goodness Pat, this is inspiring!! Thank you so much for sharing and for such a great reminder!
Janet says
What is your secret or best advice for storing FQ’s. Do you fold them all the same size and do you store by color, design or themes?
Amy Smart says
This is such a great question! I'll do a more in depth post on FQ storage. I do store by color. I find that makes them more inspiring to work with.
Janet says
Thank you. That is how I'm organizing mine this year. Looking forward to more ideas on folding?
Caroline Brock says
I enjoyed your article and would like to know where you find your sale fabrics.
As for your straightened desk, it looks great to me!
Linda Ellis says
I love to read your emails to get inspired and even challenged to do things with my sewing projects and/or sewing room. I love that cross-stitch in the blues you're doing, as I am partial to blues. I've not cross-stitched for a long time and used to love it. I realize more and more how we are constantly learning in our process and since I am new to quilting only a few years ago, I've learned so much from others. I have made a few of your quilts and love learning and there is never enough time in a day to do all we want to, but what fun I am having!
Amy Smart says
I relate to this so much! I'm always less productive than I think I could be - such a good reminder that it's more about having fun! xo
Robin says
Love ❤️ that i can have a mess while sewing & its ok. Me? Im working on cleaning off my dining room table-- where i cut, measure & square blocks. I need to look up the "May's" and read their story. We are iced in in northern Mississippi ok with me as long as i have power & fabric im ok! Thanks for your post i really enjoy them.
Amy Smart says
May your power stay on. 🙏🏻 Stay cozy! And good job being able to just honor the messy part of sewing. I think that's a superpower.
Linda Christianson says
I just finished two weeks just working on my sewing rooms. I found that if the containers are more alike, the better it looked. Now where is what? I like to use every scrap and continue to make for Project Linus, But I am going to try to limit my time for charity this year.
Becky says
Amy,
I love the cross stitch pattern and have already ordered off Etsy. Thank you for the link.
In your photo it does not look like you are using regular Aida cloth. Are you using Evenweave?
Blessings,
Becky
Amy Smart says
To be honest, I'm not sure what I'm using. I started it a few years ago when I was home sick for a week and just pulled something from my stash. I'm sorry that's not much help.
Kathy BF says
Thank you for your transparency. My sewing room is a major mess and your processes are encouraging me to just start with one area sorting with boxes for future projects, donations, WIP and mysteries (why did I buy this??). I do have a question: what do you do with extra yardage, FQ's, precuts from a finished project, especially when they are in a curated bundle? Keep together, sort by color, or ?? You are an inspiration and I look forward to your posts.
Amy Smart says
I've found that organizing by color is the best way to store and use my stash after finishing a project. I hope that helps! And thanks for your kid words. xo
Connie Telfeyan says
When I pared dw my fabric stash a few years ago, I found a public school near me that was teaching low income parents how to sew clothes. I donated some wonderful fabric to that school so they had enough fabric for many sewing projects. I hope others can find local sewing programs that help people learn sewing. Thanks for your inspiration to clean up my sewing room again!
Amy Smart says
That is awesome! How great to know it was going to a great cause. ❤️
Donna Lindsay says
You are amazing with all that is going on in your sewing room but I missed but I missed one of you outdoor pictures. I love where you live. We have a cabin at the 5,000 foot elevation in the Sierra Mts with no snow!!! Hope the snow comes soon.
Amy Smart says
Oh wow - it's been such a dry year out west. 😟
Gwynlynne Welliver says
I like the Scandi hearts in the dark background. Is your countertop the right size for a cutting station?
Amy Smart says
Thank you! The top of my dresser is too small for a cutting station. I use my table for all cutting. But I am looking into getting a desk with adjustable heights to raise it higher for cutting.
Helen says
Interesting think we all start January with the goal of completing UFO’s, planning what’s next and tidying up. I too am aiming to make a dent in my enormous stash, gift some more quilts and organise my sewing space in amongst the routine household chores. I enjoy reading what you are upto thank you
Jill says
I love your Quaker Sampler but have a question about it. What fabric and count are you doing? (linen? 14, 18 etc) and How many threads of floss are you using for each stitch? (1 or 2)
Leeane says
I’m starting my year working on a quilt that was the project at a quilting day I didn’t manage to get to. There are a lot of 1/2 square triangles so I took your advise and invested in a Quilt in a Day Triangle Square Up Ruler. A game changer! I live in Australia and was able to buy it locally online from Punch with Judy. Thank you for all the advise and inspiration your week news contain 😍
Amy Smart says
Yes! I'm so glad you could find one locally. And extra glad it was a game changer!
Pamela says
Hi Amy,
I have a couple of questions..
I love the hoop with the pins on it that you have hanging over your dresser. Can you share more information? What size is the hoop? Did you have to reinforce the fabric/hoop due to weight of the pins?
Secondly love the cheater print tote. I have that tote pattern so was wondering if you remember the alterations you made so the lone star design worked.
Thanks so much and look forward to your weekly email.
Amy Smart says
Great question! I have all of the details about how I made that hoop here: https://www.diaryofaquilter.com/ideas-to-display-enamel-pin-collections/
The cheater print tote I've got less concrete answers. I only had a small piece of strike-off fabric to make it before a trade show, so I just had to fudge it and "make it work". I didn't keep records of what I did, but I'll work on recreating the math so I can share. Stay tuned - I'll share in my newsletter when I've got it!