2017 crafting

Since January is nearly done, it's probably wise to finally share my goals for the new year. I am keeping the goals fairly broad, so here are the bulletpoints (accented by some WIP photos, which will hopefully be finished this year):

• Carry less WIPs into 2018 - I started the year with 26 quilting WIPs, and I would really like to finish the year with 10 or less
• Sew one garment a month
• Knit/weave at least 1000 yards of worsted/DK weight



• Knit/weave at least 1600 yards of sport/sock weight
• Knit 15 minutes a day in January (I am considering making this a full year goal, as it has been really motivating for me!)
• Reduce stash/buy less

I'm working on my second quilt finish for the month, and I hope to share both with you in the next few weeks. It feels nice to focus on finishing, although I am also a big fan of an indulgent beginning!

I hope to start something with this bundle in 2017 (Bird's Eye View by Sarah Watson and some stash favorites).

WIP: Aerial Grove (top is finished!)

Oh, man.

I am super excited to share my finished Aerial Grove (pattern from Savor Each Stitch) top with you today. Well, to be fair, the top is a little bigger than these photos indicate. I was at a little weekend retreat, and I didn't have just the right fabric to finish. But this is most of it, and I love, love, love how it turned out!

I started this two years ago, in February of 2016.

I attended Carolyn's Quiltcon workshop, and then slowly stitched my way through the squircles. This quilt feels like me, although the neutral background is a stretch! The squircle fabrics and strips that they are stitched on, though = pure Jacey.

I intend to figure out a quilt back quickly, and add this to my quilting queue (which is nearing the double digits. yikes!).

Hooray for hand stitching, and an enjoyable process!

FOs: Jane Market Bags

For the past few Christmases, I have tried to make a small handmade something for a group of family members. Last year, I made these potholders, which, honestly, feels hard to follow!

This year, I decided to make a small pile of Jane Market Bags.

It is one of my go-to patterns, when I need a fail-safe gift. I have a kept a few, which I use for groceries. It is always fun to come up with fabric combinations, and I used webbing for most of the bags, rather than making my own handles.

I think a good, sturdy tote is always a good gift idea (or wrapping for a gift, in some cases!).

2016 quilts

I used to do recap posts, and I always enjoyed the process. In the new year, I hope to keep better track of my projects, and whittle down my WIPs (currently, I have 27 quilt WIPs). Looking back, I finished 13 quilts in 2016.

I haven't shared a few of them here, but pictured above:

Magic Stars (pattern by Aneela Hoey)
xplus 2.0 (block tutorial by Badskirt Amy)
Waypoint (pattern in Patchwork Essentials by Jeni Baker)
Brushstrokes Plus (pattern by Jeni Baker)
Feathers (pattern by Alison Glass & Nydia Khenle)
Log Cabin for a Whale
Envelopes (block from Jeni Baker's Patchwork Essentials)
Hearts (block tutorial by Cluck Cluck Sew)
Tula 100 (the back shown here)
Baby Swoon (pattern by Camille Roskelley)

I am currently handsewing the binding onto my first 2017 finish. Onward!

FO Handmade Style Bench

Anna's Handmade Style book has become one of my favorites, and this bench has been on my list since I got the book.

I collected the materials early last year, and then I kept putting off the actual making. The actual making time took just a few hours, so I'm not sure why I waited!

Especially because the cats have been using it nonstop since I finished.

Elliott helped me sand and apply the foam, and we both agreed we can do even better on the next upholstery project. Taking the time to cut the foam level on the sides is worth it!

I used a variety of Ellen Luckett-Baker Garden prints, which are cotton-linen blend (and have also been interfaced). I have had them for years, and am glad they will be enjoyed in bench form (bonus: gray cat hair blends nicely).

Oh, wow. After checking etsy to share the source for the legs, I bought them in September of 2015. I bought the legs from this shop, and the quality is excellent.

As usual, Anna's instructions are clear and concise.

The bench lives in my sewing room, in front of the window (a perfect cat nap spot).

FO: Hexagon Wreath

Happy new year! You know, this post would have been more relevant a couple of weeks ago, but here is a Christmassy project for you.

So, I intended to make this before Christmas 2015, but it never happened. I had the fabric picked out and everything. Magically, when I got to cutting in early December, it was pieced within a day or two (amazing!), quilted, bound, and ready to sparkle. I used a Spoonflower Heidi Kenny print, and a bunch of awesome OOP Cosmo Cricket Dear Mrs. Claus prints, plus a nice gold metallic dot for the background.

I really love it, and I kind of don't want to take it down. And as you can see, I'm using my Marcelle Medallion as a tree skirt (which the cats have thoroughly enjoyed). I used Jeni's clever Color Hex pattern, and just left off the borders (it makes a pretty generous 45" square as written). I think I'll keep this pattern in mind next time I need a baby gift! Okay, time to take the tree down..