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    What's on my Sewing Table - July 2023

    Last Modified: July 29, 2023 by Amy · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · 13 Comments

    Holy smokes - I can't believe it's already the end of July. This summer is flying by. July has gone particularly fast as we've had family in town (our daughter visiting from Washington DC and two of my sisters and their families also visiting from out of state.) As a result - not as much happening on my sewing table most of the month, but I've started to make up for it this week with some summer sewing. Here's a little recap of July happenings.

    Sewing with Lori Holt Ginghams and Baby Lock Chorus sewing machine.

    While my sewing table has been neglected most of the month, I have returned with a vengeance this week (partially thanks to a gross heatwave that made we want to never go outside).

    This past week I've been working on finishing lots of UFO (UnFinished Object) projects that are on my list. Including: finally piecing the quilt top from this year's Riley Blake Quilt Block Sampler using my Portsmouth collection. I'm finally almost ready to send it off to the longarm quilter

    Finishing the 2023 Riley Blake Sampler quilt using Portsmouth fabric collection

    As you can see, I chose a different setting for the sampler blocks. I'll be working on the instructions this week. Once the quilt gets back and finished hopefully I'll have the finishing instructions ready to share in a couple of weeks. (Pattern writing always takes one so much longer than you think it will.) To those who have asked, thanks for your patience. 🙂

    Brickyard quilt featuring In the Afterglow fabric by Minki Kim for Riley Blake
    Brickyard quilt featuring In the Afterglow fabric by Minki Kim for Riley Blake

    Another quilt on my cutting table ready for the quilter - a new version of my Brickyard pattern using Minki Kim's latest fabric collection In the Afterglow from Riley Blake. It's such a pretty palette. My friend Suzy helped with the piecing on this one but I've been stuck picking borders. Finally did it and it's ready for the long arm quilter too.

    I have started an English Paper Piecing handwork project this summer that I've been carrying around on the go. I'm piecing diamond stars using scraps from my Portsmouth collection.

    English Paper Piecing using 60 degree diamonds and the Portsmouth Fabric Collection

    These blocks are made with 1.5" 60 degree Diamond pieces. You can read more about How to English Paper Piece - aka EPP - here.

    Fussy cut Portsmouth Fabric collection EPP stars
    English Paper Piecing 60 degree diamond stars with Porstmouth Fabric

    I'm feeling inspired by my friend Kathy of Darty Kite Pattern Co. to do more fussy cutting for interesting pattern repeats when English Paper Piecing. I love how fussy cutting certain elements can create a whole new design with the fabric.

    One of the sisters in town for a bit was my sister Laura Miller visiting from Texas. Laura contributed her artistic skill to my last two fabric collections, including drawing the New England seacoast scenes as well as the water-color hydrangea prints in my Portsmouth collection.

    So while she was here, I presented her with the New Castle Beach quilt featuring her seacoast water-color vignettes and the hydrangea print on the back. She doesn't sew and I can't paint, so it's been really fun to pool our strengths together. We've got another collaboration coming out next year! More details to come on that in the next month, but here's a hint:

    Wildflowers, Mount Timpanogos National Forest, Utah

    We also took a family trip for a few weeks. It was SO nice to getaway for a bit and especially to spend time with our grown-up girls who no longer live at home.

    I've also taken (and enjoyed) a break from social media. So nice. Highly recommend it.

    Silver Lake Flats, Utah, Mt Timpanogos

    So not as much sewing as usual, but I'm not sad about it. It's been really fun to spend time with family this month as well as enjoy the beauty of summer. We've also made weekly trips to our nearby mountains. They're glorious this year and I'm trying to soak it up as much as I can.

    More Sewing Room

    • New Quilting Projects and Tools for a New Year
      Sewing Room Purge + What's On My Sewing Table January 2025
    • Handmade quilted zipper purse - made in the embroidery hoop
      What's New on My Sewing Table
    • Diary of a Quilter New sewing projects
      What's on my Sewing Table Feb/March
    • What's On My Sewing Table: June 2023

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jocelyn

      July 28, 2023 at 8:52 pm

      Beautiful mountains.

      Reply
    2. Julie

      July 29, 2023 at 2:57 pm

      Spectacular quilts! Love, love, love how you set the RB sampler.

      Reply
    3. Devonna Tabor

      July 29, 2023 at 3:24 pm

      OMG - Your Portsmouth RBD Quilt Challenge is SO beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing it because it is wonderful! You are just so talented! I love the red squares in diamond shaped lines. Just perfect! Can't wait for the instructions! Thank you again!!! Devonna Tabor

      Reply
    4. Linda Kaiser

      July 29, 2023 at 5:49 pm

      I've made 2 table toppers from your Portsmouth fabric. I love the entire line. I would not be able to choose a favorite fabric. I haven't made much with soft colors before, so I've enjoyed the challenge.
      Regarding your new line...are those lupines in the photo? Love it and can't wait.

      Reply
    5. Sue

      July 30, 2023 at 5:07 am

      I am interested to hear more about the project with gingham fabrics seen in photo 1!

      Reply
      • Amy

        July 30, 2023 at 7:39 pm

        Stay tuned! I'll be sharing all about it next week! 🙂

        Reply
    6. Barb S

      July 30, 2023 at 5:36 am

      Amy, I always enjoy your weekly emails. Thanks for sharing your sewing and personal experiences! Have a great week.

      Reply
      • Carol Wingo

        July 30, 2023 at 7:37 am

        I enjoy your posts so much. It sounds like you have had a glorious summer with family as you took a break from your sewing and quilting. Sounds like a beautiful balance to me.

        Reply
    7. Cara

      July 30, 2023 at 7:15 pm

      Sounds like you're having a lovely summer, even if it's light on sewing! It's good to take breaks from everything. This was a pleasure to read, thank you for sharing!

      Reply
    8. Shauna

      July 30, 2023 at 9:46 pm

      Those Portsmouth stars from the paper piecing are A-A-A-MAZING!! You and Laura creating toiles together makes my heart sing!

      Reply
    9. Gwyn

      July 31, 2023 at 2:41 pm

      It's great to have a successful collaboration with a family member! All your Portsmouth work is lovely. I'm not sure my mom knows what to make with the FQ bundle I gifted her, but she was buying extra yardage. Gorgeous mountain views!

      Reply
    10. Teresa

      January 19, 2025 at 9:33 am

      The link to More About Me on this page https://www.diaryofaquilter.com/whats-on-my-sewing-table-july-2023 is broken.

      Another technology problem, but one that I think is easily fixed

      Reply
      • Amy

        January 20, 2025 at 11:54 am

        Thank you SO much for the heads up! I didn't realize that link was off. I just fixed it!

        Reply

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