If my reading life sort of dwindled this year, my sewing life pretty much disintegrated, along with my writing life. Let’s just say that my creative output was hampered greatly by homeschooling and teaching an 8th grade class. I’m beyond hopeful that as I clear some space next year I can start designing patterns, sewing and writing again.
I did cross two major goals off my list this year though. I finished a massive quilt project that I started in 2017 and I finally learned (or started learning) how to do paper piecing.
I started this Fancy Forest Quilt way back in 2017 and steadily worked on it as I could for the next year. When I knew we were moving in the Fall, I pushed super hard to finish it, because I had no idea what my sewing space was going to look like wherever we ended up moving. It was by far the biggest project I’ve ever undertaken and I’m completely fallen head over heels in love with quilting.
I also finally took the plunge and learned how to do paper piecing. I don’t know why this seemed so impossible to me. I’m still developing my skills, so to speak, but it’s probably the coolest thing I’ve learned how to do.
My brother is record collector affectionato and I knew when I saw this pattern by Pen and Paper I was going to have to learn how to sew it for his Christmas gift. I was totally amazed with the whole process while it came together and still am baffled how in the world I actually pieced it.
After accomplishing that, the sky was the limit. I had been gifted one of these amazing little tiny flying geese keychains years ago and mine was falling apart. When I realized that I might actually be able to figure out how to sew my own, I jumped at the chance to sew one for me and a few for some Christmas gifts. Again, it was another one of those projects where I just couldn’t believe that it worked!
I also made a holiday table runner using up some of the last of my Cotton and Steel Garland scraps. I’m 100% in love with it and I know that every Christmas now I’ll be super excited to pull it out and lay it on the table!
I didn’t do much in the way of embroidery this past year. I finished up a large wedding vows early on in 2018 and then I was pretty much burnt out. I’ve designed a few custom patterns off and on all year and I’ve really enjoyed that, but after nearly 8 years of doing embroidery almost constantly I really needed a break. I’m not sure where that’s going to put me in 2019. I’ve begun a designer relationship with Sulky threads and I’m super hopeful that this will be the kick I need to pick up a needle and thread again – but for now I’m going to enjoy my quilting fascination and also do some garment sewing (of which I did very little of this year).
