Slow, But Still Productive

Making a larger project bag for Little S was a priority for the summer.  She is in the fiber arts club at college and they have weekly meetings where they sit around and do hand sewing of some sort.  It warms my heart that that is a real thing.  She picked the fabrics and focus and I got it done.  You can check out the details HERE.   

New Project Bag

All the fabric from Guatemala got sorted and I filled a box for Grown Up R.  I added a few pieces from my regular stash that she was interested in and got that mailed this week.  She made her 200th Etsy sale this week.  Woohoo!  

Borders will get scalloped after quilting.

Dear Jane is out for quilting.  As much as I would have like to hand quilt Jane, that just wasn't going to happen.  When I called to make an appointment, I discovered that my favorite longarmer retired.  Arrgh.  So I had to hunt around and find another.  Senor G asked if I was sure I wanted to send Jane to an unknown, Little S told me not to worry.  In addition to "no appointment needed", the rest of the drop off/check in procedure was also very different, but the quality of the samples seems to be fine.  They are a small business/quilt shop and don't have a lot of designs to chose from, but will order Baptist Fans for me.  I thought that was a good sign.

Before borders

I added borders to the hexagon quilt and made a backing.  But then found out that Grown Up E's godson is getting a sibling!  She likes this quilt, so I will wait and finish it when they know the gender.  The backing I prepared is neutral/boyish.  But if it is a girl I will switch and make it more feminine.  I forgot to take a new picture.

I was feeling unproductive this week, but looking back at what I did, I was hardly slacking!  I guess there have been so many BIG sewing finishes lately that I got used to that.  This week I also worked on a few projects around the house that had been saved for the summer.  All in all a good week.

15 Minute Report

15 minute days/last two weeks = 6/7

15 minute days/June = 22/28

15 minute days/2025 = 177/197

Success Rate = 90%

Slight movement in the right direction this week.  I'll take it!

2025 Stash Totals

Used last week: 2 yds for Grown Up R and 0.71 for project bag

Used year to date: 73.35 yards

Acquired recently: 0 yards 

Acquired year to date: 24.5 yards

Net used in 2025: 48.85 more yards used

Linking up to Life in Pieces and Patchwork & Quilts to show progress.

New Zipper Project Pouch for a Friday Finish

Since Little S gave away her hand stitching project pouch to her little cousin when we were in Guatemala earlier this month, making a new one moved waaaay up on the to do list!  Read about that trip HERE!

She chose the colors and asked for a specific star block as the focus.  I just had to make sure it was bigger than the last one.  It is approximately 12" x 14" so should fit her projects more easily.  

It has 3 inside pockets.  I need to work on installing zippers better, but overall it does the job and she is happy. 

No instructions.  I just made it up as I went along.  The front is padded, quilted, and lined.  The back just has a lining.  For the use it will get I think that is enough.  I boxed the bottom corners on this one and I think that will make it more useful.

This is a big check off for summer sewing.  Whew!

A Finish for Clara Barton

Two unexpected projects led to two unexpected finishes this week.

My co-worker's daughter will be Clara Barton in her class's living museum.  She had a plain dress but needed the apron.  I love making aprons.  I used the same McCall's pattern I used for her Christmas apron and it even had a nurse hat as well.

An apron for every occasion!

The red crosses are only pinned on so she can use the apron for real after the presentation.  I'll add lace trim if she wants later as well.

Who wouldn't love this!!

The other finish was a zipper pouch for Little S to gift at a birthday party this weekend. She knew her friend's favorite colors and had fun helping to choose the fabrics.   This was really fast.  The design is based on this tutorial from Sew Delicious with a few minor changes.

I can't wait to make more of these.

 Plus I personalized it with her name.  It can easily be adapted to whatever size you want.  The only limitation is your zipper length. 

Happy to have a finish this week. 

Linking up to Crazy Mom Quilts and Confessions of a Fabric Addict to show off finishes. 

Stash Report 040217

Cleaning Closets

I was offered a side job at work. With Middle E headed to college I'll take any extra work I can get.

The church intern office has 7 LARGE closets which store everything from the costumes and props for the annual living Bethlehem (cast of 200+) to leftovers from previous VBSs and anything in between. So my new task is to rearrange the Bethlehem stuff into the least accessible closets and consolidate/organize/remove whatever is in the other closets.  I have a very good working knowledge of what will get used and what won't and also who can use things that we can't, so this is a good job for me.  The interns and my boss would just throw it all away, which doesn't sit well with me.

During the job description walk through my boss pulled out a bin labeled "fabric" with the comment, "You might be interested in this personally."  Hmmm.  Does she know me or what?!

Freshly Washed

When I got home I separated the usable quilting cottons from the other fabrics. Since I had no idea where it had already been or for how long I washed it all right away.  

Measured and folded

What a haul!  Great colors that are sure to be useful.  I'm already envisioning the purple as sashing or borders for the Boxy Stars.  But who knew that such a short stack would add up to more than 15 yards!!

It's going to take me a while to dig myself out of this hole.  But what a wonderful

hole to be in!!

What a cute zipper pouch!

Some fabric did go out.  I made this cute little zipper pouch for Little S to gift at a birthday party next weekend.  I see more of these in the future.

Fabric Purchased This Week: 0 yards

Fabric Purchased YTD: 24.78 yards

Fabric Acquired This Week: 15.23 yards free from the intern closet
Fabric Acquired YTD: 15.23 yards

Fabric Used This Week: 0.32 yards 
Fabric Used YTD: 27.86 yards

Fabric Stashed in 2017: 12.15 yards stashed

Definitely not the right direction, but I can't turn down free fabric.

Staying accountable with Judy over at Patchwork Times.