What’s on My Sewing Table – January Edition

A little bit of an update on what’s on my sewing table and what I’ve been working on this new year. My sewing mojo was pretty dormant over the holidays. I didn’t touch my sewing machine for about a month! But suddenly some of that ‘sewjo’ returned this week. Here’s a run down of the new projects I’m working on.

At the beginning of the month Riley Blake Designs kicked off their 2022 Quilt Block Challenge! (You can see last year’s finished challenge quilt here.) Once again, this challenge will consist of 3 new free quilt block patterns a month on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Tuesdays with the 4th Tuesday as a catchup week. You can read more about this year’s challenge and get the fabric requirements and patterns for the first 2 blocks here.

I am way behind, but hoping to catch up this weekend. Part of my delay was trying to decide what fabric and colors I wanted to use this year. This pile of Liberty florals from the Flower Show Midsummer and Flower Show Sunrise collections were stacked and looking so pretty on my table. I’ve been waiting to figure out the right project to use these on and inspiration struck – maybe this is the project! I’m thinking I’ll mix in some Confetti Cottons and make monochromatic blocks. But we’ll see… stay tuned. Hopefully I’ll have something to share next week.

Another project that’s been in the back of my brain for a couple years now is using Liberty scraps to make a little heart applique wall hanging. I’ve been wanting to figure out how to harness the powers of my Baby Lock Destiny Embroidery machine. After working with the Kimberbell Bella Box a couple of months ago I’ve been feeling more confident and itching to try new things. Last night my boys were all busy doing things and I had a whole Friday night to myself!

So I sat down at my machine and figured out how to program and execute the idea in my head while I got caught up on Project Runway episodes. (I’m thoroughly enjoying this season.)  I still have a learning curve with my machine embroidery skills, but I really like how this turned out and I’m excited to try more ideas.

I was originally going to do this with scraps of Liberty Lawns – but then I realized I had a pile of Liberty florals sitting right in front of me. Voila! Perfect timing! Not exactly sure what I’ll do with this – probably make a mini quilt for my wall. I love little swatches of Liberty florals and this was really fun one-night project.

I love how timeless Liberty of London prints are. Even the scraps are just so pretty. (If you’re wondering what all the fuss is about Liberty of London florals go here.)

And speaking of Liberty florals… this past week I pulled out some Union Jack blocks that I’d started last year using the Jane Austen at Home collection and the Liberty Winter Flower Show collectionand started making a bunch more.

I’m using my original Regent Street Union Jack pattern to make a quilt for an old friend. Those burnt reds and navies look so pretty mixed in with some of the Jane Austen prints and some shirtings I’ve had in my stash forever. I love how this is coming together. Liberty and Jane Austen just seem like an appropriate combination for a Union Jack quilt, don’t they?

Finally – a report on Christmas sewing. I had big hopes to get some Christmas sewing done last month – and instead I did nothing. Nada. Zilch. Not a lick of anything! The House block sits untouched and I didn’t even take one piece of fabric out of the box. I’ll leave them all in my sewing room in case creativity or inspiration strikes, but since then I’ve obviously moved on to other things.

My sewing machine was pretty neglected for that month.  Mainly because I needed to be around for people. It was good to have all of my kids home for Christmas and gratefully, we even stayed healthy for the holidays. And on top of that, I think I just needed a break.

But since I can never just sit still, I did start a new project over the break. I bought this Starlit Snowflake cross stitch pattern from the Fat Quarter Shop over Black Friday weekend and has been my go-to project while watching shows with or hanging out with my family. The perfect project where I don’t have to think or plan or choose colors or anything – I just pick up where I left off. It is just the right thing for me (and my brain) lately. I’m still working on it and love being able to just pick it up whenever.

Post Edit Cross stitch info: Cloth is Noble Grey 16 Count Aida from Cosmo, Floss is DMC 3865⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

And I’m excited that some of my sewing mojo and time reappeared this past week. I’m feeling excited and motivated to work on some fun things. I’ve also been thinking more about goals and plans for creating this year. In some ways simplifying a lot of things. And challenging myself in other ways – like really only using the fabric I have on hand in my stash. (Because heaven knows I have plenty.) 

I’m excited to work within that challenge! I’ll probably muse and share more on that topic soon…