What’s on my Sewing Table November Edition

Happy November to one and all. Here we are. How has 2022 gone so fast? (Why do I keep asking this question year after year?) And Christmas will be here before you know it! Mixed feelings about that one. Both excited and not ready yet. As you will see in the mix of projects on my sewing table this month. Not as many finishes as I’d hoped last month, so mostly I’ve got works in progress. But that’s reality, right? So here’s a little bit of an accountability session from me.

One project I have thoroughly enjoyed working on is this mini quilt/table topper I made using the foundation pieced Flying Geese blocks from Perfectly Pieced.

I don’t have instructions put together for this one, but I’m considering doing it. The finished blocks are 4″ x 4″. (Each Flying Geese unit is 2″ x 1″ finished.) Sashing is ½″ wide finished. It was a really fun one for playing with colors. I used the fabric bundle from the October Perfectly Pieced box and then added a few more from my stash.

I’ve also spent sometime playing with the quilting designs that were part of the October subscription. This fall leaf motif for machine quilting is so dainty and pretty. (This is a digital design that can be used on a sewing machine with machine embroidery capabilities.) I did this on my Baby Lock Destiny II machine.

This project has also helped me up my skills when it comes to matching adjoining quilting designs – like this traditional scalloped/wave border motif. I was really proud of myself for figuring it out! Not everything in this project is perfect, but it love the project and the imperfections because it’s helped me build my skills.

Now I’m in the audition phase for choosing a binding fabric. I’m determined to pull from my stash, rather than buy something new.

In big news: also on my table right now are these stacked orange peel applique blocks. I finally finished the appliqued blocks I’ve been working on for for over a decade! (Or you could also say, I finally chose to stop appliquéing more blocks. lol) There are 324(!) hand appliqued blocks. (Hence=a decade. 🤪)

Last week I got them all laid out and stacked into rows. (Used my favorite Numbered Row Marking Pins to label each row/stack.) Now the blocks are ready to sew together patchwork squares style. I can’t wait to see this one come together after all these years!

If you’d like to see more of this project as well as a tutorial for these Orange Peel Applique blocks go here.

Also in process: some post-mastectomy pillows for a friend. ❤

Here’s the pile from last month that is still sitting on my table patiently waiting. This will be a fall table runner tutorial coming up next week! I’m hoping I’m finally almost done with yard work for the season as that will free-up so much time!

And here is the pile that I’m itching to cut into. It’s the this year’s Liberty Quilting Collection: Woodland Christmas.

Here’s a few drool-worthy close-up shots. So, SO good. 

Since they’re delightfully busy prints (as Liberty prints typically are) I’m pairing them with some Riley Blake Sparkler basics in black and redwood. 

I found a great gray woven background fabric in my stash and I’m thinking of using my Fraulein pattern. I’ve wanted to do an updated version of this pattern and I think this will be perfect.

Normally I’m not in the mood this early for Christmas projects, but winter has hit early year and I’m actually kind of excited by that. I did a bunch of yard clean-up and  finished planting my bulbs the day before the snow came and then I was so excited to just stay in and be cozy in my warm, stretchy clothes that next day!. Fingers crossed the yard work is almost wrapping up. As you can see, there will still be leaves to rake for a few more weeks (and this snow is already melted from my yard for now). So not quite there. 

I can tell I’m getting older as I seem to be complaining a lot more about yard work these days. haha. I love fall so much, but I also usually reach a point where I’m just ready to put the yard to bed and ignore it for a few months. More sewing time!

So there’s the current status report. One more thing that is not on my table, but is hanging out on my design wall is a project with my upcoming Portsmouth collection. I’m getting ready for a virtual Quilt Market in the next couple of weeks where I’ll be sharing more about that collection. I only have small pieces available right now, to the sample is a mini version of my Sugarhouse Star pattern. More details to come there too!

Some of you may remember the Passport to Quilting event last spring. Well, there is a new Passport to Quilting Holiday Edition coming up soon! The event will be held virtually from November 10-14. It’s a free bundle of over 24 different Fall and Christmas quilting patterns from a variety of quilt designers. Not only is it a great way to get access to a variety of free projects – a thank you from all of these designers – but also a really fun way to discover some fresh new faces, voices and inspiration. And each shop is offering a discount too!

You can pre-register now and read more about the event HERE. You will be sent a login code to access everything starting November 10. I’m signed up and so excited!