The State of the Table, January 2021

Posted on January 28, 2021 by prairiemoonquilts in Quilts

Thought I’d pop on today and show you a bit of what I’ve been working on lately. I can’t always show what I’m working on, since a lot of it is “secret sewing”, so when I have a chance to share, I’m gonna take it!

During The Final Countdown, I cleared my cutting table off to only 10 projects. My goal is to never have more than that (and to eventually have fewer than that) out on my cutting table at any one time. Each weekend, I have managed to clear off the things that creep on to the table during the course of the week’s work, so maybe I can do this!

I also process all the scraps from the week and put them away, to keep that mess from getting any worse. Part of processing the scraps includes cutting them into pieces for various scrap quilts I have in progress, to move them further along.

So here are a few of the projects that are on my table . . .

Pinwheels
I got all the 480 pinwheel blocks sewn into pairs, and I have about half the pairs sewn into blocks of four. So it’s coming along, altho slowly.

My Temecula Log Cabin quilt (Down Home Darling)
I fell in love with this quilt when Temecula Quilt Company showed it on their blog, and figured, since I had the perfect pile of leftovers from the Pinwheel quilt, that I should use them up in this quilt. I also pulled out all the strings from my string bucket that would work. Guess what? My string bucket is still overflowing! If I don’t have enough pieces cut yet, I still have some of those leftovers I haven’t cut into and would like to use those up, rather than add them back to my stash, but I’m only on Step 5 (of 12), so I’m still sewing. This is also going to be one big boost to my 350 block count when I’m finished, because we’re chain piecing these, and they’ll all get done at the same time. And I’m going to LOVE this quilt when it’s finished!

I Heart You
I bought this pattern from V & Co. a couple years ago, and have been wanting to make it. It has turned out to be a good use of pink scraps, but let’s be real — I could probably make 50 of these and still have pink scraps left over! It’s also fast and fun, and I hope to have mine done before Valentine’s Day, so we’ll see.

Improv Log Cabin Blocks
A couple years ago, at a retreat, my friend, Shirley, made a quilt using Daewabo taupes, and when she was done, she gave me all the little slivers of leftovers she had, rather than throwing them away (they’re tiny). I started turning them into improv log cabin blocks. So far, I’ve made two blocks, and am working on 3 more, and that might be all the strips make, so my plan is to turn them into a table runner.

Signature Quilt
It’s time to start sewing my Signature blocks together. I put out a final call yesterday for those who want to still send me one — it’s not too late, because it’ll take me a while to decide how to set them and then get them sewn together, so there’s no big rush. I’m not using one particular setting. It’s going to be quite random with a lot of other scraps sewn in (partly so I can use up more scraps AND have a larger quilt).

EPP Hexie Quilt
Every year (up until last year, when we didn’t), my sister and I choose a joint project to do, meaning we agree on a project, and then we both agree to make it. My sister usually gets hers done, and mine are pretty much all still on my UFO list! A couple years ago, we chose this English paper piecing project to do, feeling all ambitious and inspired because we were at the AQS Show in Paducah at the time.

This morning, I texted her and told her I’m ready to start. I certainly won’t be doing a block a day (I’ll be lucky to do a block a week!), but I’m at least going to start chipping away at it, simply because I think it will be an epic quilt when I’m finished. I have one block made so far. I’m guessing my EPP skills will improve as I go.

We also chose this one to do, and I have yet to get mine started, but Katy’s is ready for the borders to be added. I have some catching up to do!

I also found some (and by some, I mean nearly 1500) pre-cut 2 7/8″ squares in my scraps. What the what??? I contemplated trimming them all to 2 1/2″ to put in with my pre-cuts, but then thought “Why do that? Seems like a giant waste of time.” So I decided to just use them as they are, even tho they’re an odd measurement. So I’m making some of them into 9-patches and will simply sew more of them together Postage Stamp style to make as many comfort quilts as possible to donate to my guild.

I also had this bunch of guild exchange blocks ready to set together, so I’m gonna finish that up real quick and add it to the to-be-quilted pile:

I’m still working my way through the stack of pillowcases I had cut out ready to sew up. I hope to finish those in time to send them to our next guild meeting for donation.

I also took the time to sew together all the tail ends of various leftover bindings from over the years. I separated them into darks and brights, and sewed them all into scrappy bindings that can be used on scrap quilts in the future.

So I’ve been busy, and most of it is in the name of cleaning up, using up scraps and stash, and finishing UFOs! I hope you’ve gotten your year off to a good start, with some good sewing time thrown in.

15 responses to “The State of the Table, January 2021”

  1. Amanda M. says:

    I’m amazed that I have kept my cutting table cleaned off, including the little area not covered by my cutting mat! I’m going to have an amazing block total because I’ve challenged myself to create 10 blocks a day; some days I don’t get any done while others are impressive. I’ve also finished 5 quilts this month! Had my ambition not taken a mini vacation I would’ve had a couple more done. I also do your trick on leftover binding. My local Project Linus chapter is having a Blanket Day in February so I’m trying to get a lot done to turn in then.

  2. Deanna says:

    Congratulations on all of it, but particularly the prepped scrappy binding. You will thank yourself later.

  3. Ok, you’re almost too ambitious for me today! Great to see all your projects though. Making my UFO list prompted me to revisit so many projects that I can’t wait to work on. I uncovered some spontaneous “chunky” log cabin blocks that would fit right in with yours….except mine are full square blocks with I think 2″ logs.
    Thanks for the second reminder about the signature block…..I had written a note for it….now I have 🙂

  4. Angie in SoCal says:

    Wow, you’ve gotten a lot accomplished. All of those projects are so pretty. Looking forward to your next report.

  5. Diana says:

    Good for you. I have been busy as well. Used up a lot of 2 1/2 squares in a quilt top. Didn’t make a dent! Now I need to clean off the sewing table and also around my machine. Then start working on some more donation blocks! Hope to get your signaturr bl9ck in the mail on Monday!

  6. Cindy Wienstroet says:

    Great job -you are inspiring me to do more! Thanks for sharing!

  7. candy says:

    I think you inspired me long distance. I am going thru 3 boxes of scraps and cutting 2 1/2″ strips for scrappy irish chain type quilt and another rotating square. I used all my tiny strings to stuff 3 dog beds. the rest of the scraps are going into bags for my guilds free table. Only finishing projects I love. Thanks

  8. Randy Menninghaus says:

    I am lost on Mount Scrapmore. I have started a 1/2square triangle halloween quilt… an x’s and 0 quilt… and a panel quilt all using 5 inch squares…But I still haven’t finished processing my scraps. And than I found the stripy pinwheels I started for an airplane quilt two years ago…. man…

  9. Cindy says:

    I’m impressed and inspired by all you have accomplished! And I love your red cutting mat!

  10. Fran Courson says:

    Congratulations! You are doing an awesome job! I love seeing pictures of your blocks. The Sew In Love quilt is one I made for my Tai Chi instructor for her 50th wedding anniversary.

  11. Kerry says:

    That is a lot of projects. To get so much organised is a task and a half very well done. I really like the shoo fly blocks – I always think they are going “yippeeee!”

  12. Doreen says:

    I have some signature blocks ready for you. Will put in the mail tomorrow.

  13. Rose Marie Smith says:

    I’m making blocks called “All Geared Up”. I am not hurrying on them. They are a trick to cut out and to sew together. But that is all that is on the cutting table.

  14. Wow! That’s an amazing list of accomplishments. Me? I’ve got nothing to share except I picked up my longarm and frame and travelled to my quilty partners to set it up. She has the space in her studio. DH and I live in a 650 sq ft apartment. 😢. I played bobbin chicken for the first time and lost; ran out of thread with one pass to finish my first quilt. Had to leave it on the frame and come home. Can’t wait until I can sneak away for a few more days of long arm fun and get some UFO’s finished.

  15. Johnna Clarke says:

    Wow!! I LOVE THE Improv Log Cabin. No pattern? It’s so pretty!! I’m working on a Mayberry crossword puzzle quilt with Scrabble tiles. So fun!! And my husband has halfa** promised to make my office/craft bed into a real sewing room!!! Yay!!!

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