CRAFTY | LOOKING FORWARD TO 2014

You know you have a quilt addiction when you’ve not even finished your list of quilts to make in 2013 and you’re already planning your list for 2014.

I’ve been formulating a list in my head for the past couple of days as inspiration strikes and I thought I’d put the list down here so I don’t lose it.

 Image source: Twin Fibers

All the Single Ladies Quilt-a-long

So this is kind of big in a couple of way;

1. I’m going to finally do the pattern that I purchased in 2011, and

B. I’m going to host my first ever quilt-a-long.

The quilt pattern is Single Girl by Densye Schdmit and it’s a play on the wedding ring quilt block.  I bought this quilt pattern after I’d completed my second ever quilt top. I bought it full of hope and inspiration… then I spoke to someone who I thought was an “experienced quilter”.

They sagely advised me that curved piecing was beyond my skill set. I went home and put the pattern away and haven’t attempted a curved pieced at all.

When I found the pattern all my quilting insecurities came flooding in and I felt like crap.  I happened to look up and see some of the quilt blocks I’m currently working on; they have Y seams, small piecing and applique. It dawned on me “Sc**w you quilting lady, I can rock this friggin pattern!”.  It’s on my list for 2014.

And to really drive my point home to the quilting lady I’m going to host my very first quilt-a-long.

Image source: Royal Symbols With Border, by Deborah Kakalia

Hawaiian Block of the Month by Krista Stitched and Duke says Sew What

When I was at the Quilt and Craft Expo I picked up a Hawaiian Quilt blocks book.  I had decided I was going to have a go at making a Hawaiian quilt I just wasn’t sure what pattern I wanted to do.

I was talking to a few different people about it on Instagram and the wonderful Krista from Krista Stitched let me in on a huge secret; she’s going to host a Hawaiian Block of the Month.

Woo hoo!

It’s going to happen in 2014 and I’m so psyched.

Image source: The Happy Homemaker

Scrappy Swoon

I made my first Swoon Quilt in February 2013 and it is one of my favourite quilts.  The Happy Homemaker has a wonderful set of tutorials on making a 72″ square scrappy swoon and I’m toying with either doing this version or another scrappy version of the original 9 square quilt.  There’s an idea brewing I just need a few moments to let it solidify.

Secret Squirrel Project

I woke up a couple of days ago with a quilt pattern in my head.  I drafted it up and I think I’m going to make it and then have a crack at making it a pattern available for others to use. I’m not sure how it’s going to work out, but I’m excited to do something that’s 100% me.

All Solids – All the Time

I’m not sure what pattern I’ll be using, but I’m determined to make a quilt in 2014 that is all solids. I have some ideas floating around, but nothing has really grabbed me. I’m pretty sure something will present itself in the next few months.

A Challenge Quilt

The Canberra Quilters Members Exhibition has a category for challenge quilts.  The challenge is set each year and then quilts are made that speak to that challenge theme.  I have no idea what the challenge will be, but I’m determined to enter something.

One of the things I’d like to see for next year’s exhibition is more people participating and one of the best ways to encourage that is through leading by example, so I’m determined to submit more than one item. That means I’m going to have to quilt it myself and that’s a bit scary.

It’s going to be interesting to see how going back to work will impact on my quilting abilities… I see a lot more hand stitching in my future because I’ll be able to take it to work with me and stitch on my lunch break.  But that’s ok because I think I’ll really relish the distraction of hand stitching when I’m back at work. (Obviously I’ll only be hand stitching on the lunch breaks I’m not staking the Little Man at daycare! Oh how I wish we didn’t have to send him to daycare!)

That’s half my year already planned out and I haven’t even finished all the quilts on this years list!  I’m so excited about what the future will bring when it comes to my quilting adventure. Are you thinking about quilts for the new year?