WIP Wednesday: 3/5/14

I haven't had a lot of things going on in terms of sewing for the last little while because I've been so busy with work and school. But, after writing a couple of big papers, I needed a bit of fabric therapy. One of my quilt goals I set for the year was to use my Anna Maria Horner True Colors fabrics to make a value quilt. I used my Accuquilt Go Baby cutter and my parallelogram die and set to work on this:

I used two fat-eighth bundles and some Kona white for the top chevrons. I want the quilt a bit wider, but I don't have enough fabric to cut out more parallelograms. My leftover fabric pieces are triangles so I've been toying with the idea of adding a border of flying geese, but I'm still thinking about it. Next week is my spring break, so hopefully, I can get more work done on it.

Linking up with:

WIP Wednesday 11/13/13: Quilty ADD makes me feel like I can't get anything DONE!

I don't know what my problem is, but lately, I keep wanting to start new projects without following through on others. Here's a peek at what's in progress at my house this week:

Navy, teal, and peach Flower Box quilt (pattern from V and Co.). All fabric cut; one block pieced.

EPP project using jewels and hexis; blue, green, orange prints pulled from my scrap bins.

Accuquilt diamond quilt. I'll have a tutorial for this one when I finally get around to piecing the top.

Pixelated camera quilt. I've pieced 1/4 of the blocks into rows. I need to come back to this one asap, but I also need to have no one in the house to mess up the layout so I don't get confused on where the blocks should go.

Labyrinth quilt. This one should have been done by now. All I need to do still is add an outer border and then it's ready for basting. Sometimes, though, the thought of cutting and adding a border is SO NOT what I want to work on.

Oranges and bacon pillow (thanks, Marci for the nickname). This one is a result of me not knowing what football laces look like when I was making my nephew's pixelated football quilt. There are a bazillion layouts that I came up with, but haven't been able to settle on one. Plus, I have to make one more X block and I've been putting that part off.

And finally, plusses in blue. This one is all pieced and awaiting basting. I've been putting it off because I hate basting and if I'm going to move my kitchen table and clean the spray residue from the floor afterward, I'm going to baste more than one quilt at a time. As soon as I add the border to the labyrinth quilt and finish the camera quilt, all three of these will get basted.

I don't like this feeling of not being able to finish a project all the way through before starting a new one. I know I've said this before, but it feels almost paralyzing. Maybe I'm just in a finishing funk or something. I hope to complete at least one project before next week though so I can feel like I'm accomplishing something. Especially with Christmas coming so soon.

WIP Wednesday 9/11/13

My computer has been in the shop for nearly two weeks now and it’s driving me a little batty! So that means that you’ll have to endure cell phone pictures of my WIPs this week.

Finished this week

My baby turned two this past weekend. She’s officially exited the baby stage and is in full-on toddler mode. I have mixed emotions about it because I’m pretty sure she’s going to be my last child. Anyway, for her birthday, I made her a #geranium tunic using Made by Rae’s pattern. And I think it turned out pretty stinkin’ cute! There are definitely things I need to do better next time (like pay attention to where my 3/8” seam line is on my machine – I used the 5/8” line when sewing the bodice, but it still fits!), but I was really pleased with how it turned out.

Instead of using one print, I used two Lizzy House prints, a Hello Pilgrim flower print and some green Pearl Bracelets.

I still need to add the buttons to the back, so I'm hoping I don't put that off too long.

It was my dad's birthday last week too. Every time he calls me on the phone, he sings, "I just called to say 'I love you'" by Lionel Richie. So for his birthday, I made him this wall-hanging. Eventually, I'll make myself a pillow like it too.

In progress this week

I'm having wrist and elbow surgery in a few weeks so I'm trying to get this next project crossed off my list ASAP before I lose the use of my arm for six weeks.

I used Red Pepper Quilts' Labyrinth pattern to make this brown and blue quilt top. I plan to add another outer border to finish it off. I really like the color combo. Brown isn't usually a color that I use much in quilts, but I like how it pairs with the blue here. The top came together pretty quickly too. I'll definitely be making another one in the future.

An update on my WIP tracker

It's been a while since I posted an update on how my WIP tracking is going, so I thought I'd share a little about it today since we’re two-thirds of the way through the year.



In January, I tried to have this list only contain my previous in-progress quilt items, but as the year went on, I found myself adding each project that I was working on to the list. It’s been a good method of helping me identify where I’m at with each individual project.

My goal at the outset of the year was to complete all my WIPs before starting anything new. It’s important to be flexible, right? So there are items on my list that are still in various stages of completion and I’m sure I won’t finish everything that was started prior to 2013. And that’s okay. I’ve been able to cross a lot of quilts off my list (17 so far this year), which is great. I’m hoping to get a few more quilts finished this year, but since I’m trying to get into graduate school and having surgery in the next month, I’m sure at least four of these quilts will be carrying over to next year.

Here are two of the quilts I hope to finish up soon:

A Labyrinth quilt using the pattern by Rita of Red Pepper Quilts:

A photo by pitterputterstitch on Instagram

and a blue plus quilt featuring a variety of novelty prints for a fun, [hopefully] manly quilt.

A photo by pitterputterstitch on Instagram

I'll be back to share two new quilt finishes, hopefully next week if I get my computer back from the shop.

Lost my mojo. Photos brought to you by Instagram.

That's right, ladies and gents, I've lost my sewing mojo. I was on a roll, going strong for the first couple months of 2013, but I've hit a wall. And here's why.

Back in January, I shipped my Gradated Mod Mosaic quilt out for quilting services. I was hesitant, but also excited. I gave clear instructions for the directionality of the top and backing, including pictures for the quilter to refer to. Unfortunately the quilt came back with the backing flipped 90 degrees. {Sad face.} At first I didn't notice that it was on wrong so I squared it up in preparation for attaching the binding. Then, I just happened to turn it over on the side where the label was and saw that it was on sideways. I notified the quilter, let the issue settle for a night, and then requested a refund since I decided to unpick the entire thing so I could fix it. (If I didn't, it would always bug me. Plus, I think the quilt was stretched too much during the quilting because it looks poufy and it shouldn't.) The quilter was quick to return my money, and while I felt like a jerk asking for it, I was happy for the quick response.

I've been slowly chipping away at unpicking the quilting. It's slow-going and has left me feeling a bit deflated about this hobby of mine.



I've tried moving on to other projects, like this Lucky Square quilt for the mister (pattern by Jessica of Sew Crafty Jess). I've finished all 63 blocks and am working on the sashing strips. Hopefully, I'll have a finished top soon.



I also threw together my first pair of PJ pants since high school. These Transformer PJs were for my obsessed 6-year-old's birthday.



The Middle has also been asking for a new Easter dress, just like the one I made her last year. I found that it's fun to sew for your little ones when they're excited for what you make them.

I made the mistake, however, of sewing this dress when she was asleep and not trying the bodice on her before finishing the dress. It was a couple sizes too big.



But, take 2 worked out great. Adding a contrasting zipper to the back was the best way to have the bodice fit around her chest without the neck needing to be big enough for her large head.



I also took the time to do some therapeutic sewing. This "always" pillow was inspired by Amber of One Shabby Chick. While it won't be staying at my house, it was really cathartic for me to make. "Always" is particulary meaningful to me at this point in my life.



Hopefully, I'll finish unpicking the quilting and make some quick progress on the Lucky Squares quilt so I can get back in the swing of things and keep moving forward with knocking out my WIPs. My goal is to finish all my in-progress quilts by July. That'll free up the latter half of the year for new projects and Christmas sewing.

WIP Tracking: February Update

We’re about six weeks into 2013 and I thought it’d be fun to check in and talk a little about how my WIP tracking is going.

I’m happy to report that I’ve finished FIVE quilts this year. Five quilts in six weeks! I have to admit that this spreadsheet is probably the sole reason I have been so productive this year and how I’ve been almost 100% good at sticking to my goals (that pixelated heart quilt snuck in there before I knew what I was doing – more on that later). The nerd in me gets really excited to cross each item off my list. It really is quite motivating.

Another thing that I think has helped me this year is creating more of a balance in my life. As a full-time working mother of three little ones, it’s difficult to find/make time for myself. I used to try to eke out sewing time anytime I could get it, which unfortunately meant I wasn’t always focusing on the other things in my life that need attention. I read an article several months ago about multi-tasking and how it can make you less efficient. The article really struck a chord with me. I’ve found myself trying to do 50 things at once and it’s no wonder why I stress out so easily. While multi-tasking has its benefits, it often tends to deprive my mind of the ability to put all my brain-power into one thing and really “be present.” So, I’ve made a few small changes this year.

1. I no longer try to sew on the weekends. I choose to “be present” with my family as our time all together is so rare and precious. I may sew a little bit Sunday nights after my kids are asleep.
2. I only sew when my kids have gone to bed for the night. I choose to “be present” for my kids when I get home from work. Some days, that means I sew from 7:30 to 11. Other nights, I sew from 7:30 to 8:30.
3. I don’t sew at all on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. Mondays and Wednesdays are my longer days at work, so I don’t even try to get in any sewing time. Those days are busy enough.
4. I don’t sew on the nights when my husband is home. I choose to “be present” with him and enjoy our time together.

Basically, I only sew Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday nights, with maybe the occasional Sunday night thrown in for good measure.

At first, it was hard to decide not to sew this day or that day, but over time, I’ve found it easier to not even plan on sewing during the times I mentioned above because then I’m not disappointed if it doesn’t work out. It also makes me a lot more productive during the sewing time that I do have. I make a plan of attack for each sewing session and spend less time trying to figure out what I’m in the mood to work on. Plus, other tasks don’t get delayed because I’m trying to finish just one more thing… (Dinner and bedtime were often delayed because I didn’t stop when I should have.)

 

Overall, I’m really pleased with how 2013 is shaping up to be. I’m well on my way to finishing the projects I started over the last two years. (Pretty much six to go!)

 

On the fabric-buying front, I’ve been really good with my use the stash goal. I’ve made a few purchases, but most were using gift cards, and they were for projects for which I needed more of a specific fabric to finish it up.

 

If any of you have started tracking your WIPs, I’d love to hear about it. Any tips that work for you that you’d like to share?

WIP Wednesday 1/23/2013

This is my first WIP Wednesday post of 2013. I thought it'd be a good time to check in and post a bit of my finish it 2013 progress. I've neglected my camera lately, so these photos are courtesy of Instagram (@pitterputterstitch).

Last year, I pieced a few quilt tops and then set them aside while I worked on other projects. My first order of business for 2013 was to get those quilt tops quilted. They were all bee quilts so I chose to send them off for quilting.

Kayli quilted my Sew Beautiful Bee quilt top from 2011, Circle of Circle of Circle of Flying Geese. She did such a great job! I've cut the binding strips for this and just need to finish making the binding so I can cross this quilt off my list.

Barbie quilted my SLMQG bee quilt from 2011, my 1001 Peeps Supernova quilt (photo courtesy of Barbie). I love the wavy line quilting she did! The binding strips are cut and ready to turn into binding for this one too.

The last quilt top I sent off for quilting is my Gradated Mod Mosaic quilt top, my 2012 Sew Beautiful Bee quilt. I haven't gotten this one back yet, but I'm really excited for it!

Next up on my WIP list is my Madrona Road Challenge quilt. I initially wanted to make a quilt with a lot of Lynne's ET Phone Home blocks,

but then I changed course and went with Anna Maria Horner's Spinning Stars pattern instead. I've been wanting to make a quilt like this so I figured I may as well kill two birds with one stone.

I hope to finish this one up next week in time for the Modern Quilt Guild's deadline.

I also finished a quilt top for my new nephew.

I plan to baste this one when I baste my Madrona Road quilt. Then I need to get back to this baby, my Castle Peeps Lucky Square quilt. The mister is really looking forward to having a quilt of his own. This pattern is by Jessica Kelly and is for sale here.

Linking up to Lee's:

Planning the Attack

Remember all the works in progress I listed in my fabric tracking post? Well, over the last several months, I've found myself making the same to-do lists over and over. I guess I figured identifying the same quilts in progress several times would help me keep track of them better. Well, it hasn't worked and I've found myself not always able to keep my head around what I've started and intend to finish first thing in 2013.

So, I thought about how I could better keep track of all these WIPs. Enter Excel! I don't know why I didn't think of this before, but I finally sat down today and entered all my WIPs into a simple spreadsheet where I've noted the status, plan of attack, finish by goal, and priority.

I think this is the ticket! I can easily see at a glance what I need to do with each quilt. Since it's in a spreadsheet, and since I've already been in the habit of tracking my fabric purchases, I think this method is finally going to click for me and help me know what it is that I need to accomplish before starting anything new.

First up, I need to turn those quilt tops into finished quilts. I have three bee quilts ready to go. I usually quilt my own quilts, but since these three have been sitting around for months (4, 9, and 13 months to be exact!), I decided it's totally okay to farm the quilting out to two of my longarm quilting friends as well as a fairly local quilter who provided a coupon for services at Sewing Summit (hooray for discounts!). That should help shorten my to-do list pretty quickly right off the bat.

I'm having a hard time not caving in and starting my own scrappy trip around the world quilt. But, I've made a resolution to finish all these other items on the list before I go jumping on any bandwagons. Wish me luck.