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Tuesday, January 19, 2021

Big plans

Aside from my monthly mini, I don't usually like to have quilting projects with deadlines. This is my therapy--deadlines cause stress. Stress creates the need for therapy. It's a viscous cycle. But I have jumped in to a few projects this year that may leave me wondering, "What was I thinking?" 

For the first time I have joined in on Cecile's SAL at Patchwork Inspirations. I barely squeaked in before the sign-ups were closed. She has a fun SAL every year, with wonderful sponsors. There is always a theme with a rule or two--and a deadline. But you decide how to interpret the theme. This year the theme is CURVES, and you are to have at least 16 blocks with curves in your finished product. Though I don't often use curved seams, I do know how to do them, and I had an idea, so I jumped on the train. Introducing "COVID Curves".

I felt like the Devil's Puzzle layout could pass for a stylized version of the virus, and every piece of fabric in this wall hanging was from the leftovers of the 500+ masks I made last year. We have certainly had enough curves thrown our way in the past year and I wanted to memorialize the experience in this quilt. All of the curves are sewn, but I need to start stitching the blocks into rows. I believe this will end up being about 24" square, as each of the little blocks should finish at 3".

In all my nearly 10 years of blogging, I have never done a Barbara Brackman SAL, though I have thought about it, and have even gone so far as to make the first block a couple of times. But I cannot resist this one--Star blocks with different centers, and a Little Women theme. One block a month--not too late to join in. You will find the first pattern HERE.  I have decided to do two of each monthly block. You can choose between 12", 8", or 16". I am doing the 8".

I will be using a variety CW repros in pink and brown. I have been saving them up for years for a different pattern, but this just felt right.

This next project has no deadline, but I feel like it may be the craziest choice of all. In the June 2015 American Patchwork & Quilting magazine, Designer Pam Buda had a quilt that left me breathless. For one thing it uses the churn dash block (which I love), and for another it uses tiny pieces of scraps. I received a very healthy infusion of scraps recently (you know who you are) and I knew it was time to pull out the magazine and get going.


This is Every Little Bit, by Pam Buda. She talks about this quilt on her blog HERE. Each straight side of the churn dash block is formed from 8 tiny strips of fabric. They are foundation pieced, and this photo shows you how small they are.

The pattern calls for 42 blocks and you need four of these little foundations for each block. I want my quilt a bit bigger, so I am planning on adding a row of seven more--I'll need almost 200 of these little pieced foundations. If I made a block a week, I could have all the blocks finished by Christmas. But life doesn't usually cooperate, so I am just planning on this being a two or even three year project. But I don't want it to get buried in a closet.

I have my first two blocks completed. They will finish at 6". I used a different method for the center 4-patch in a square than the pattern indicated. I wanted to make the 4 patch barely float, so that I wouldn't always be worried about cutting off the points. Seems to be working.

I tried to provide a link to the digital copy of the magazine, in case you are crazy, too you are interested, but the page would never load for me. However, there are a few copies of the magazine available on Amazon.  

I don't know if I should admit that I have another pattern from a magazine that I hope to work on a little each month. I won't share it until I see if I actually start on it one day soon. And then, of course, there will still be the monthly minis. This may not seem like much to many of you who make more than this in any given year, but for me lately, this is a bunch!

In my last post I offered to share the last bags of my Christmas Gingerbread soaps. I thought I only had two, but I found a few more, so I drew five names. In the process I kept ending up with people whose profiles are not linked to their email, so I had to keep redrawing. Makes me sad because I don't think you even know you can't be contacted.

So Loris, Terry C., Nancy S., Ruth J. and  DebrafromMD will be receiving some gingerbread men that lather really well. Nancy, and Ruth, I have your addresses. Terry, you have moved since I had yours, and Loris I thought I had sent you something before, but I can't find your address in my file. Debra, I will need yours. If you ladies will get your addresses to me, I will get your soap sent out.

Tomorrow is Inauguration Day. I hope it is a peaceful one, and I have hope for a kinder, more inclusive, and more dignified term of office this time around.

Until next time,

Janet O.






38 comments:

  1. Wow great post. I’ve been drooling all over your pictures lol. I did order the magazine for the pattern of the scrappy churn dash. It’s so me and Lord knows I have the scraps. Keep the inspiration coming!

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  2. that is some list you have janet and they are all worthy patterns that i know will be beautifully executed....the bea et cecile is a fun one...short and challenging!

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  3. What a lovely plan! You know I love those strippy tiny blocks...just perfect!

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  4. Oh, Janet, all of your projects are just wonderful. I really, really like the Covid Curves and am very impressed with your curves! You've got me thinking about the Barbara Brackman stars, too. I just ordered a FQ bundle of Carolyn Friedlander that I didn't know what I'd do with -- this may be just the ticket! I was delighted and surprised to learn I'll be receiving some of your delicious soaps. What a great start to my morning! xx

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  5. I'm breathless! I don't know where to start! First of all, I love your "Covid Curves". It is an absolutely perfect way to represent what we have all endured this past year. I am so happy to hear you are doing the Barbara Brackman sew-a-long. I am looking forward to watching you progress - NO pressure!! And, I am thrilled that you are making the Pam Buda quilt. Now I don't feel the least bit guilty for dumping all those bits in your lap. I like your light background a lot. I think it will make these little gems shine. You are an inspiration my friend and please remember (especially with all these new projects on your plate) there is never any pressure to finish you mini each month! Enjoy the adventures!

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  6. I am using my Gingerbread man in the shower now. Christmas all year with your soap. Thanks so much for sharing. Big plans-tiny block parts. Sounds like something you will enjoy. Have a great year with not so many curves. Love the Devil's Puzzle layout on Covid Curves.

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  7. OOOh! I love all your projects especially the scrappy Pam Buda. That is right up your alley and really wonderful.
    I'm happy to see you join Ceciles QAL. I joined in this year too.
    Barbara's sew along looks great too and I love pink and brown together so will enjoy watching your progress.
    You are so right about stress. I feel very stressed and quilting is my go to, but when stressed it can also make me stressed. I'm so with you friend!

    I am so ready for tomorrow. Like you I hope for peace, unity and a healing across our beautiful and flawed Country.
    xo

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  8. Your posts are always so full of goodness. I like the Covid curves and love the idea of a Little Women themed quilt. I will check that out. Your magazine quilt will be incredible. Looking forward to following along to see your progress. I’m praying for a peaceful, more dignified America, too.

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  9. Oh, what a lot of eye candy. I snagged a copy of the magazine too.

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  10. I love ALL of your projects - your unique COVID curves project totally captures, contains and gives value to the stresses we've experienced by using those leftover mask scraps!! Brilliant! And oh my.... Every Little Bit is captivating -- even more so when.... Yippee!! I discovered I have a copy of the magazine.... scrappy churn dashes for 2021 (and beyond!) was just added to my list for 2021... Thanks for a great post with terrific ideas!

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  11. Wow you really do have big quilt plans and they are all fantastic. Your curvy quilt is going to be amazing. It is so meaningful that you are using scraps from mask making and you've made more masks than any else I know of. I am doing Barbara Brackman's BOM too (I mean who can resist anything Little Women?) and may even do two quilts. And then your Every Little Bit! That seems like a perfect project for you, those tiny pieces. Your first two blocks are beautiful. I totally get it about deadlines. Sometimes for me they are motivating but like you, I consider quilting my therapy and so, I really don't want it to be stressful at all, ever. Lastly... I did a double take at your gorgeous header photo! Ahhh.. the mountains, snow, fiery sky.

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  12. I am SEW impressed by your plans (as always) and love each and every project that you've embraced. I agree with you about deadlines, they're stress inducing and that's not why I quilt. I am still chipping away at my UFO's that I identified (and numbered) last year, I've just begun to work on #5 (of #8) and get it together.

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  13. Well, how fun is that! Thank you, Janet
    I do love this quilt by Pam and will enjoy seeing your blocks come together. These first two are charming!
    I'm currently bogged down with foundation pieced borders for my cat quilt. They wouldn't be trouble except for having to tape 5 feet or more of paper pattern together and sew the tiny strips along it. DH told me to do a different border but I can't seem to let go of this design. Challenging but I think it needs it. So maybe 5 months from now...HA!

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  14. Wow, you are busy! I feel like a slacker as I have declined to do all new SALs until I finish a few things. My work with The Quilt Show BOM keeps me busy enough. Love that little bitty churn dash!

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  15. I LOVE the churn dash blocks!! Cecile's challenge is fun. I only joined last year and skipping this year. Glad to see you sewing!
    I can't watch the news at this point. Politics are pretty ugly and the news is keeping us divided!

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  16. I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who MIGHT be over-committing this year! It happens. What can you do? You've got some great plans for 2021 and I absolutely LOVE those Pam Buda blocks!!

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  17. I love your "Covid Curve's " idea and quilt.
    I made up a utility square in a square quilt all in shades of brown. and named the quilt " Just Flush 2020" with all the SOS ( shades of s*#t) for a 2020 tribute quilt.

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  18. A very inspiring bunch of projects Janet! You have me itching to say Me Too Me Too!!! Your Covid Curve project is a great idea and of course I love Pam's churndash quilt - that would be an ideal project to do after I have finished my OMG quilt!! I'd better get sewing!

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  19. You have ambitious plans. With all due respect I don't want any reminders of Covid even if they are a lovely quilt. Those paper pieces are tiny.

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  20. The Corona quilt is so clever with the pattern used and the scraps from masks. What a memory maker. I am tempted by the current Barbara Brackman's new SAL. I love the colors and fabrics you have chosen. So pretty. Great new project with the churn dash blocks. This will be such a fun quilt to make with each block being different from each other. Such a sweet quilt. I could feel you enthusiasm - how fun!

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  21. Gosh Janet - you are so inspiring with your stitch alongs. I especially love the pink & brown blocks in the 2nd project you have shown. Thanks for the chance to enter your wonderful giveaway & congrats to the winners. I can vouch that Janet's soaps are just lovely. Have a great week Janet. xx

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  22. What an excellent post! Really enjoyed seeing all the things you are working on. I've done 2 of Barbara B's sew alongs, but am restraining myself from starting a new one because I really have too many projects already and am still hand quilting the Hospital Sketches one. That churn dash quilt is very tempting though - have never used the churn dash pattern and always wanted to. Knowing that the blocks are 6 inches, I think I can figure out how to make the blocks from your pictures. Maybe some day...:)

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  23. Lovely plans and projects! I am not good with deadlines, very stressful, so despite the fun of sewalongs, I have been doing fewer and fewer. As for Cecile's project deadline, how does that work? If you don't finish by the deadline you can't finish your quilt? [maybe I misread?]

    I hope you have lots of fun!

    lizzy

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  24. Your first two "Every Little Bit" churndashes look fantastic! That will be a gorgeous quilt.

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  25. Your planned and in-progress projects all look so enjoyable! Your reward for finishing those humongous tee shirt quilts! I've thought about joining Barbara Brackman's BOM but haven't committed yet. Maybe I'll catch up later in the year after cleaning my current plate. Looking forward to seeing your progress on each of them.

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  26. I love your curves quilt. I've always wanted to make something like that. Someday. And thank you so much! I've emailed you. :0)

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  27. You have some fabulous quilts on the go here, Janet! You made some beautiful masks and your curves quilt will be beautiful, too. COVID Curves is right!
    I like your fabric and color choices for your stars. I always think brown and pink are great colors together.
    Now, this little Pam Buda quilt -- ohhhh, what fun! Such tiny little strips of fabric! Your churn dash blocks are beautiful.
    I thought about both the Brackman sew-along and Curves, but in the end decided against the pressure. Have fun!

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  28. I LOVE that churn dash and am definitely heading off to read more about it. I have never done a churn dash so this could be the moment! Love your curves too, the fact that its scraps and the sentiment behind it. Thank you. xx

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  29. I'm not sure what project I like best. They are all unique and beautiful and will keep your sewing machine purring happily all year long.

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  30. I'm so happy to see you are participating in Cecile's sew along. I've done it for many years but just couldn't do it this time, so it will be fun to see your quilt progressing. The pink and brown fabrics will be perfect for the Barbara Brackman blocks--very pretty. I've had the Pam Buda pattern bookmarked for ages and still would love to get around to it someday. I'm looking forward to seeing yours done--I know it will be stunning!

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  31. The churn dash quilt is gorgeous and the little pandemic quilt is cute. You've got some love plans, happy stitching!

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  32. Oh, my, you have bitten off the end of the life as we know it there! Such tiny pieces of fabric in that churn dash! You have way more patience than I do playing with fiddly little pieces! That is a beautiful view of your mountains there, looking across the snow! Thank you for sharing.

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  33. Congrats to the recipients of the gingerbread soaps! The aroma of gingerbread always warms up a cold winters day! :-) The Pam Buda quilt is going to look amazing! In fact, the paper piecing is a good thing to do when you just want to sit at the machine and sew.... no measuring, just play with scraps! Quilts are the theme for my 2021 as well! I already signed on for two blocks of the month... plus, there are the many patterns, fabrics and kits that are already on the shelf... so much fabric, so little time.... lol! Quilty hugs to ya'!

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  34. Oh, my, what a wonderful, wonderful post!! I absolutely LOVE your Covid Curves quilt and look forward to seeing it done!! Even more, I LOVE your Pam Buda blocks!! I wish I was closer so I could tear off all the paper pieces on your piano keys!! :-)) And congrats to the gals getting Janet's soap - it is truly the best!! I happily know!!

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  35. Wow! Covid curves is stunning and loaded with symbolism too. I love all your new projects. They seem to fit you perfectly. I particularly like the Pam Buda design. It's going to be stunning. I think it's wonderful that it uses your small piecing for a large quilt.

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  36. Hi Janet

    I've made Pam Buda's Every Little bit quilt using her Primitive Threads Fabric Line. I did follow the pattern with the exception of the 8 tiny pieces for the side sections of the churn dash block. I just cut rectangles from the Primitive Threads fabric line and used those instead. I guess you could say I took the easy way out, I like to think I just modified the pattern! It came out beautifully and I'm very happy with it. It does need to be quilted. but I'm now sure what quilt design will look best. So far I think feathers for the border. I will try and send a picture of my top.
    Take care - love reading your blog
    Dolores

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  37. Gorgeous projects for the year ahead. Your covid quilt tells the story.

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  38. The winners will love their soaps. Love your little churndash blocks. Sandi

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