(9, 10 and) 11/52

I didn't intend to take a break, but it happens sometimes! I have fluctuated between being very focused on finishing projects and flittering between random craftiness. Lots to share, because of this!

First, I want to make note of my February yarn and fabric totals.
Here is my second stash update:
Fabric: -2.5 yards
Yarn: -221 yards

Fabric total 2018: -31.25 yards
Yarn total 2018: -3,127 yards

Even though I didn't do as well in February, I still feel good about my progress this year!

So, the red and white string quilt is done (although I haven't taken full photos yet). I plan to gift this quilt next weekend, so I will definitely have photos to share soon.

Early in the month, I cut a pile of new garments and have finished about half of them so far.

I'm almost done with my first Driftless Cardigan (I just need to stitch on the buttonband now!), and I hope it will be a very wearable garment. Additionally, I finished a Lark tee and two more Lindens (one in this awesome weird vacation purchase!).

I also started a new shawl, using a favorite Moonrover yarn.

Finally, I am sewing the binding onto my 2x4 quilt (tutorial by Film in the Fridge here). in the last week, I made a back for it, basted and quilted. After letting the finished top linger for six(!) months, that feels really good! I love the quilt so much, and I hope to have photos soon. In my next update, I'll share the recipes we have tried this month. Additionally, I would like to share some of the random small things I've been sewing the past few days.

3/52

It's been sort of a weird week, and I've felt scatter-brained as a result. I have been fighting the sinus issues, and we got some snow/ice, which basically shut down the city. Obviously, it's nothing like Northern winters here, but Houston isn't really equipped for any kind of ice or snow. But of course, we will be back in the 60 degree Fahrenheit range by the weekend!

A post shared by Jacey (@jaceynotjc) on Jan 16, 2018 at 12:30pm PST

I made my first Linden sweatshirt (pattern by Grainline Studio yesterday. I've made many Lark Tees (pattern also by Grainline) (I've made countless Larks, but have not documented them well!). For some reason, I couldn't imagine myself wearing the Linden, but I love it so much!
I used a Charley Harper knit, and a striped accent (the striped knit was a gift from my friend Brianne).

This is the first garment that I sewed completely on my new serger.

A post shared by Jacey (@jaceynotjc) on Jan 16, 2018 at 10:37am PST

I received it last month (a gift from Elliott), and I've been learning the basics. My friend Jenn recommended this craftsy class, and it has been very helpful.

I've also been slowly hand quilting my string diamonds quilt.

Additionally, I've been working on a weaving project that I started last month. Finally, I have added a few sections to a long-term WIP that I never shared here. The last photos I have before today are from October, but I can't recall when I started this.

You know I love a good string project, and it has been fun to work on the past few days. This is a gift, and I'd like to finish it before May. Although I didn't use the pattern, I was definitely inspired by Amanda Jean's cover quilt from Sunday Morning Quilts (I didn't use the exact same colors, but tweaked it for the recipient).

See you next week!

2/52

Thanks for the feedback on my new posting idea. It has been a great motivation so far.
This week, with continuing sinus issues, I made another new soup. I highly recommend the Red Lentil Stew (link is a blogged version) from Slow Cooker Revolution. I used fresh tomatoes (added them in the last ten minutes, before the peas; I also added Penzey's Now Curry in addition to the other spices listed).

I've still been working on that Marled scarf, and I think I'll be finished pretty quickly.

The most exciting news this week is that I basted my String Diamonds quilt, and started the quilting.

I outlined the largest diamonds on the machine, but I think the really amazing way to keep going is by hand, and so I'm going to!

You can see the diamonds best on the back.

As soon as I finish that scarf, this quilt will become my couch project. I took a hand quilting class from Chawne over the summer in Maine (AMAZING), and I'm excited to practice again!

I finished my book last night, and I'm trying to figure out which book to read next.

Quilt WIPs update

This is a stack of finished quilt tops, just waiting for basting. There are ten here, plus one more that is already basted.

I'm not saying I won't work on other projects for the rest of the year, but this stack will be my main focus for the remaining months of 2017. I haven't shared all of these projects here, but included in the stack are:

Scrappy Quarter Log Cabin
Big Plaid Log Cabin (bottom of this post)
Aerial Grove
Scrappy Geese
String Diamonds

It will be fun to see how many I can finish this year!

WIP: Diamonds

A few months ago, I got an itch to make some string diamonds, after seeing this instagram post by Ramonarose.

Strings are always fun to work with, and I happen to have an abundance of them. It's funny how that happens. And after fourteen full blocks (which is 56 rectangles worth), a dent has not been made.

That's okay! There are more blocks to make, and this has me itching to make another string project when I finish the diamonds. I love them! Each rectangle (quarter block) is 10.5" x 5.5" unfinished, and most strings are 1.25" or less wide. There are a few wider strings for variety.

It's so colorful and it makes me happy every time I make a block (or more realistically, a stack of blocks).

Nicke's Fantastic Quilt Voyage

I just finished my contribution to Nicke's Fantastic Quilt Voyage, and it was inspiring! Nicke's pinterest board is full of soothing images with a very limited palette. I was particularly moved to recreate this image by Brandon Heller on flickr.

I made four string blocks (two shorter by 1.5") to recreate the door panels. I then joined them using additional string scraps.

I really love how the block turned out, and I can't wait to see how this quilt takes shape. Oh, and if you haven't already, you should definitely check out what Holly made for this quilt. AMAZING.

FO: Strings

I'm embarrassed to say that this one lingered. Back in April, I shared my plan for simple string blocks with my do.Good Stitches circle.

The blocks are fun and fast to make. However, I didn't get the top assembled right away, but I really love it.

It's full of bright colors and happiness. At least, I hope so.

Although, a black and white version would be pretty amazing.

I attended a local retreat this weekend, which is where the cabin photos were taken!

Colorful bits

(My kitty mini quilt, which went to Felice!)

Color makes me happy.

(My second, and only successful attempt at crochet, encouraged by Sara!)

Really. It's that simple.

(my now finished do.Good Stitches string quilt and Bella!)

Whether we're talking fabric scraps, yarny things, nature, food, whatever.

(Amsterdam blocks, from Holly's pattern, made for Maureen!)

Color is everything.

String blocks - a few tips

Is it really April 1 tomorrow? That seems impossible, but it's true. April means lots of good things. Tomorrow, my grandmother turns 89, and later in the month, we celebrate my brother-in-law's birthday. And a wedding anniversary. And the second annual Stash Bash. It's also my month to plan the Love circle quilt for do.Good Stitches!

It's been awhile since I've made string blocks. I don't know about you, but I always seem to have a pile of string scraps lying around.

Last week, I divided them into two piles based on length, and made a bunch of blocks.

Here's a few tips that might help, if you've never made a string block before.
-Working with a foundation is best for string blocks, and I prefer paper. As Jeni pointed out, using a fabric foundation (even muslin) adds bulk, whereas the paper can be ripped away when you're finished.
-If you have graph paper or an old telephone book, this works better than printer paper, but that will work, too!
-Start with your center strip, and glue-baste this piece to make sure it stays in place!

-To create a cohesive look, you can use a single color and width for your center strings. Or, you can mix it up to your heart's content!
-The most important thing is to make sure you keep a 1/4" seam allowance throughout.
-Make sure your strips are at least 1" wide.
-With all paper piecing, it's best to leave the paper on until you've sewn your blocks together. It helps to minimize bias.
-Setting your stitch length to 1.5 or 1.6 will make ripping that paper a little easier, too.
-When pressing any paper-piecing, use a dry iron (no steam!).

-Oh, and little triangle scraps are great for the end pieces!

Any other tips? Did I leave anything out?

Specifically for do.Good Stitches bee blocks this month, I'm asking for 8.5" blocks (so you can just cut a 2.5" strip off a sheet of paper to create that template!). For the center strings, I'd like 1" strips of any blue solid, and then the rest of the strings can be any width and any color. I'd love to see a mix of solids and prints.

As you can see, these are addictive to sew! And my pile of strips doesn't seem any smaller.