May recap

When I was looking over my list from the past month I was amazed at how much I managed to finish! That doesn't always happen, and I'm sure part of the reason it was so productive, was that April was less so. Productivity is definitely not a constant for me, but an ebb and flow.

I'm sure another reason is that now that I'm trying to keep myself accountable for fabric purchases, I have extra motivation to finish more when it counts!

I had two significant fabric purchases this month and needed to balance the scale with some used yardage.

My May stash update:

Fabric: -7.625 yards
Yarn: -1,185 yards

Fabric total 2018: -46.75 yards
Yarn total 2018: -5,511 yards

It feels exciting to be down nearly 50 yards of fabric this year! I'm going to try to keep that momentum through the summer.

So, this month, I finished one quilt and started a new one.

I'm making Carolyn Friedlander's Tangelo quilt in Daisy Chain. Paper piecing can sometimes be just the right thing to sew. It requires a little bit of thinking, but not too much (once you have some experience, of course.), and I just love these fabrics!

I should have a new finished quilt top sometime this summer.

Additionally, I finished several garments this month.

Three new Gemma tanks that were already cut got finished. I also made a new-to-me pattern, the Willamette. I ended up making two of them, as the first one was quite large on me. I will say that the garment has considerable ease built in (11 inches). I ended up making a size that would finish much closer to my actual bust than recommended. And I love it, so try it if you are interested! I'll try to get a photo of me wearing it soon to show you.

We also tried FIVE new recipes this month, and three of them were big wins. And by that, I mean we will definitely make them again. My favorite was Smitten Kitchen's Grilled Yogurt Flatbread (from her second book).

Additionally, I managed a photo of her Charred Corn Succotash with lime and crispy shallots. It was amazing as well, but those flatbreads! Let's just say we are making them again tomorrow. And finally, I finished two books this month. Here's to a great June!

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!

FO: Friedlander Josephine

You might already know that I am awful at documenting my finished garments.

This Josephine blouse is my third, but I haven't shared the first two here. After seeing Jeni's first Josephine, I felt inspired to try the pattern. All three of mine are sleeveless, and so wearable. I got a chance to use the new Friedlander Lawn for this one (and I have a pair of City Gym Shorts waiting to be sewn from of the leftovers!).

Photo credit Carolyn Friedlander

I actually have a shot of me wearing it (at quilt market), alongside my pal Jemellia in matching fabric! We joked that the only time it's cool to wear the same fabric is when you're among crafters and sewists!

One of my goals for next year is to be better about getting photos of my finished garments (or more specifically, of me wearing them!).

FO: Second scrappy trip

As I've already admitted, when I finished my first scrappy trip quilt, I wasn't keen on making another.

In fact, I used the word "never". Don't be like me.

I love the second versin more than the first, if that's possible.

There are so many favorites in this quilt. And I especially love the back. Ahhh. Yes.

I'm so glad I changed my mind.

Paper piecing is my favorite

I mean, I have a lot of favorites. Paper piecing is definitely in my top three. It's so satisfying.

Yesterday, I pieced this fancy little dress. The ">pattern is by Charise Creates, and it was really fun to piece. I previously used her apron pattern, but I still haven't decided how I want to finish it. The oh-so-feminine fabric is Cherie by Frances Newcombe. I really love this line, and I think it is perfect for little dresses, or real dresses, for that matter! I have plans for this block already, and I hope to execute that plan soon!

I'm also working on some shirts, from Carolyn Friedlander's fun pattern. Lee has hosted two previous rounds of the All Shirts Swap, and I finally joined in for round three. I've got about seven weeks left before I have to ship my shirts, so I hope to make lots more of these little guys! if you'd like to join in, you can find the details here.

This week

February do.Good Stitches blocks for Natalie. It was lots of fun sorting through scrap mountain to make these.

Two boxy pouches, from Bonnie's tutorial. The front pouch is entirely from scraps and the back pouch was made form a favorite and long OOP Echino cheater print.

Slowly working my way through a social tote. Pattern is by Carolyn Friedlander w/ Noodlehead. I'm enjoying the process!

I pulled this stack of fabrics to use for 100 Modern Quilt Blocks, and I'm sewing along with Jeni and Amanda (and possibly a few other friends!).

First three blocks!

Bella is still constantly looking out for the third kitty. It's been a little over six weeks since Fitzgerald moved in. Things are getting easier and calmer, slowly.

Have a great week!