Best of 2017 and Plans for 2018

As the end of 2017 fast approaches, it's time to reflect on the year that was 2017 and to think about 2018.

Cheryl @ Meadow Mist Designs is hosting a Best of 2017 Linky Party.

Here is my list of 5 posts:

Most Views - My Star Quilts for my little friends in South Africa received  the most page views in 2017, with 1,459 views.  I think these were my favourite finishes of 2017.

Second Most Views - I don't pay attention to blog stats, so was surprised that the post with the second most views (1,350) was my Modern HST Sampler.  It was a fun quilt along, but I didn't think the quilt was a show stopper, but clearly it was well received.

Pattern Testing - I had fun testing several patterns in 2017: Wind Farm, Squared Off, Gemstones, Beluga Whale, Star Blossom, and Faith, Hope, and Love.

Clothing - I made a few tops, a dress for myself, and a Geranium dress for my new niece.

Best Adventure - The best quilting adventure of 2017 was a 5-hour drive to Calais, Maine, to buy $2/yard fabric with quilting friend Dena.


I wonder what quilting adventures are in store for 2018.  Yvonne @ Quilting Jetgirl is hosting a 2018 Planning Party.  I didn't finish all the projects on my list this year, so I will continue to work on them.  Unfortunately, my sewing room did not stay organized -- Must. Stop. Buying Fabric.  ha ha ha

My goals/hopes/plans are to:

• Organize all my fabric into one space (rather than the three spaces right now.....)
• Continue to sew projects that make me happy
• Continue to have fun

Here's to a wonderful 2018.

TGIFF - Final Zippered Pouch Kit

My plans to sew this week while on vacation were derailed by illness.  I missed Christmas dinner, but I managed enough snuggles with my niece before I took ill.

The fabric was already cut out for the last of the zippered pouch kits from my FAL Q4 goals.  So it didn't take to long to sew them up, especially since I skipped a step.  LOL

As the end of 2017 approaches, we are looking for hosts for 2018 for TGIFF.  If you're interested in hosting, sign up here.

This pattern called for batting instead of interfacing.  I decided to wait until the batting was needed before I cut the pieces.  That was a mistake.

I pieced the front panels and then moved on to the zipper tabs.  Somehow, I missed the one sentence in between steps one and two that said add batting.  But the time I realized my mistake, I had already sewn on the zippers.  No way I was turning back at this point.  It was just one sentence, and it didn't even mention quilting.

I did not like this pattern for many reasons, the most frustrating of all was that it required a 14-inch zipper, when a 9-inch or 10-inch would have sufficed.  That's a lot of wasted zipper to cut off.  I was able to dig through my stash and find smaller ones so I could save the longer ones.

The pattern didn't say whether to use a 1/4 inch or 1/2 inch seam allowance.  I went with 1/2 inch as it seems most zippered pouches use that width.  I also used a 1.5-inch boxed corner as opposed to the 1-inch as indicated in the pattern.  I like my pouch to "stand up" -- the 1-inch corner is just too small.

But all things considered, the pouches turned out okay, even without batting or interfacing.  These will join my tickle trunk of gifts.

Even though I had some troubles, I enjoying making all three zippered pouch kits.

If you have a finish this week, here's your chance to share it with everyone:

Thank Goodness It's Finish Friday @ Kathy's Kwilts and More

Finish It Up Friday @ Crazy Mom Quilts

Can I Get a Whoop Whoop? @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict

Finished or Not Friday @ Busy Hand Quilts 

TGIFF - Giraffe Family

I've been wanting to make Giraffe Family by Lorna @ Sew Fresh Quilts for a long time, but never found the time.  My boss is going to be a grandmother next month, and she asked me to make a quilt.  The theme in the baby's room is giraffes, and so voilà.

The quilt finishes about 41 x 52 inches.  It's still difficult to get decent photos, but now that the winter solstice arrived yesterday, the days are slowly getting longer.  Spring is on the way!!

These giraffes are so darn cute.

I matched the fabrics to the colours in the baby's room.

This is a great and easy pattern, but a little time consuming sewing the giraffe bodies -- couldn't figure out the best way to chain piece without mixing up the pieces.

I wish you and yours a Merry Christmas.  Although the season is about spending time with loved ones, I hope you find some time for sewing -- I know I plan to!!  ☺

If you have a finish this week, here's your chance to share it with everyone:

Thank Goodness It's Finish Friday @ Powered by Quilting

Finish It Up Friday @ Crazy Mom Quilts

Can I Get a Whoop Whoop? @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict

Finished or Not Friday @ Busy Hand Quilts 

Needle and Thread Thursday @ My Quilt Infatuation 

TGIFF - More Zippered Pouches

I'm making progress with my FAL 2017 Q4 goals.  This is the second of three zippered pouch kits.  So far, the first kit of skeleton pouches is my favourite pattern.  Here are the two additional pouches I was able to make with the leftover fabric.

I love the three prints from this kit; however, I did not like the pattern.  This is the smallest size.  You can see the bottom is saggy.  The lining fabric was shorter than the exterior fabric.  The fusible interfacing was ironed to the lining fabric, not the exterior as the norm. Again that meant the exterior was saggy.  But I suspect the reason for that is the inside pockets (see below for photo).

The zipper ends are quite sloppy and unattractive.  I had prepped all the pieces for all three sizes in an assembly line fashion.  Rather than taking apart what was sewn, I cut off fabric from the exterior so it matched the length of the lining.  But that meant losing a lot of the great paisley print on the bottom.

Here are the inside pockets.  I like the concept of pockets, but not a necessity in my mind.

As I was finishing pouch #3, I realized what the problem was.  When sewing the three prints to form the exterior, I should have used a 1/2-inch seam.  If the pattern had indicated what the finished size of the panel was supposed to be, I would have realized before it had become a problem.

Here are the three sizes.

The skeleton pouch pattern uses zipper tabs, and I really like that.  That will be my new go-to pattern, along with Open Wide Zippered Pouch by Noodlehead.

If you have a finish this week, share it with everyone:

Thank Goodness It's Finish Friday @ Busy Hands Quilts

Finish It Up Friday @ Crazy Mom Quilts

Can I Get a Whoop Whoop? @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict

Finished or Not Friday @ Busy Hand Quilts 

Needle and Thread Thursday @ My Quilt Infatuation 

TGIFF - Skeleton Zippered Pouches

Time is running out for me to finish all my FAL 2017 Q4 goals.  Here are some fun skeleton zippered pouches.  Now I realize that I am late for Halloween 2017, or really early for Halloween 2018.  😊

This was a kit I purchased from Connecting Threads last year.  Although the kit was for two zippered pouches, there is enough fabric to make two more.

Two fun prints from Cotton + Steel.  The black print is by Rashida Coleman-Hale.

These will go in my stash to have on hand for a last-minute gift emergency.

Don't forgot to link up any bags you've made with Patti @  Elm Street Quilts for her annual Bag It linky party.  You have until December 15 to link up.

If you have a finish this week, share it with everyone:

Thank Goodness It's Finish Friday @ Devoted Quilter

Finish It Up Friday @ Crazy Mom Quilts

Can I Get a Whoop Whoop? @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict

Finished or Not Friday @ Busy Hand Quilts 

Needle and Thread Thursday @ My Quilt Infatuation 

WIP Wednesday - Wayward Transparency

Last week, I shared my progress for the Wayward Transparency QAL hosted by Yvonne @ Quilting Jetgirl.  I found some time to sew and managed to get the top all pieced.

I can't wait for the winter solstice and the gradual transition back to more daylight hours.  It is so hard to get decent photos.  There was some challenge trying to tape this to the wall in my sewing room.  You can see the faint outline of a wall hanging behind it.  ☺  I had to move a few things and discovered that the dust bunnies are probably planning a takeover.  LOL

I used Kona Ice Frappe, Kale, and Spruce.  I have no idea how to quilt this.  The final step in the QAL will be released on Friday.  Hoping for some quilting suggestions.

I would make this pattern again, but maybe try a different layout.

Linking up with:

Let's Bee Social @ Sew Fresh Quilts
WIP Wednesday @ The Needle and Thread Network

Midweek Makers @ Quilt Fabrication

Wednesday Wait Loss @ The Inquiring Quilter

WIP Wednesday

I've been slowly making progress with my WIPs.

Once again, I tested a paper pieced pattern for Andrea @ 3rd Story Workshop.  You can find Andrea's patterns here.  Dancing Narwhal (with a Beluga option) is her latest creation.  I haven't quilted this yet as I am unsure what to do with this 16-inch block.  I'm considering a wall hanging or a pillow.

Here's a close up of the Beluga.

I finished my quilt for the Splash of Colour QAL hosted by Myra @ Busy Hands Quilts.  The pattern is free on Craftsy.  How the hard part...deciding on a quilting plan.

And I finally finished my blocks for the Wayward Transparency QAL hosted by Yvonne @ Quilting Jetgirl.  Kona Ice Frappe, Kale, and Spruce.  Now to get these blocks pieced together.

Linking up with:

Let's Bee Social @ Sew Fresh Quilts
WIP Wednesday @ The Needle and Thread Network

Midweek Makers @ Quilt Fabrication

Wednesday Wait Loss @ The Inquiring Quilter

TGIFF - Featherweight Tote

As usual, I got sidetracked with a new project.  You may remember I told you about my first Featherweight purchase back in July.  It didn't come with a case, and I didn't have the right size bag in my extensive collection of bags.  So Jeni @ In Color Order to the rescue with her Sew Portable Travel Set pattern.

I decided to use a home decor weight fabric for the exterior, and I didn't do the fabric accents on the handles.

This bag is sturdy -- it has batting, cotton canvas, and interfacing.

Perhaps I'll use it to take my Featherweight to our guild Sew In next weekend.

Did you know that Patti @  Elm Street Quilts is hosting her annual Bag It linky party.  You have until December 15 to link up any bags you've made this fall.

If you have a finish this week, consider linking up with:

Thank Goodness It's Finish Friday @ What a Hoot Quilts

Finish It Up Friday @ Crazy Mom Quilts

Can I Get a Whoop Whoop? @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict

Finished or Not Friday @ Busy Hand Quilts 

Needle and Thread Thursday @ My Quilt Infatuation 

TGIFF - Gemstones

Back in February, I tested some paper piecing patterns for Andrea @ 3rd Story Workshop.  There are four patterns in her Gemology Series.  You can find Andrea's patterns here.

I procrastinated finishing these wall hangings (about 12 inches) because I didn't know how to quilt them.  In the end, I followed the suggestion in the patterns.

Here is Emerald Cut.

This is Teardrop Cut.

For the above two, I used Kona Torch, Flame, Sunny, Papaya, Kumquat, Orange, and Black.

This is Round Cut.

This is Princess Cut.

For these two, I used Kona White, Silver, Iron, Medium Grey, Coal, Black, and Ivory.

This is the second of my FAL Q4 goals.

If you have a finish this week, consider linking up with:

Thank Goodness It's Finish Friday @ Summer Lee Quilts

Finish It Up Friday @ Crazy Mom Quilts

Can I Get a Whoop Whoop? @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict

Finished or Not Friday @ Busy Hand Quilts 

Needle and Thread Thursday @ My Quilt Infatuation 

TGIFF - Letter A

Welcome to Thank Goodness It's Finished Friday, once again being hosted here in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada.  This is your opportunity to showcase your finishes from this week and to see what other great projects have been created.

I finished my letter A.  This is my October OMG goal and a FAL Q4 goal.  It finishes around 15 inches.  This was my first attempt at big stitch quilting with perle cotton.

I don't think I bought the right perle cotton -- it seems too thick.  I definitely need to work on consistency with my stitches, but I did enjoy it enough to give it another try.

I think this will be a wall hanging for my new niece -- we share the same initials.

Now it's time for you to link up your finishes.  Link up your blog post showing off your finished project using the linkup below.  Don't forget to visit a few blogs to spread some quilty love and encouragement.  Please include a link and/or the TGIFF button in your blog post so your followers can also view all the great finishes.

An InLinkz Link-up

If you have a finish this week, consider also linking up with:

Finish It Up Friday @ Crazy Mom Quilts

Can I Get a Whoop Whoop? @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict
Finished or Not Friday @ Busy Hand Quilts 

Needle and Thread Thursday @ My Quilt Infatuation 

Fiona @ Celtic Thistle Stitches has a New to Me linkup to celebrate all the new things in our lives.  So if you tried something new this month, head over to link up:

New to Me @ Celtic Thistle Stitches

TGIFF - Little Geranium Dress

Welcome to Thank Goodness It's Finished Friday being hosted here in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada.  TGIFF is a great chance to showcase your finishes from this week and to see what other great projects have been created.

My new one-month old niece is tiny and doesn't have any cute clothes because everyone bought larger sizes.  So I thought I'd try making a dress.  The Little Geranium Dress is a free pattern by Made by Rae.  I got stumped after I got to this point.  But once Jenn @ A Quarter Inch From the Edge showed me what to do, it all made sense.

And voilà...a finished dress.

It's hard to photograph a dress without a model, so I have a book inside it holding it up.  I can't imagine what she would need pockets for at this young age, but they are so cute.

Here's the back view.  I need to match the thread better next time.

Adorable heart snaps courtesy of Jenn @ A Quarter Inch From the Edge.

Now it's time for you to link up your finishes.  Link up your blog post showing off your finished project using the linkup below.  Don't forget to visit a few blogs to spread some quilty love and encouragement.  Please include a link and/or the TGIFF button in your blog post so your followers can also view all the great finishes.

An InLinkz Link-up

If you have a finish this week, consider also linking up with:

Finish It Up Friday @ Crazy Mom Quilts

Can I Get a Whoop Whoop? @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict
Finished or Not Friday @ Busy Hand Quilts 

Needle and Thread Thursday @ My Quilt Infatuation 

Quilt Along Updates

I forgot to show you September's HST's for Magnolia Mystery QAL hosted by Cheryl @ Meadow Mist Designs.  October's instructions were/are half geese units.

I'm also playing along with the Wayward Transparency QAL hosted by Yvonne @ Quilting Jetgirl.  Kona Ice Frappe, Kale, and Spruce.

And just because I don't have enough projects to keep me busy (ha ha ha), I'm joining in the Splash of Colour QAL hosted by Myra @ Busy Hands Quilts.  I'll be using Kona White and Black, with a splash of Kona Orange.

I've had this pattern on my to-do list for a while, so this is a great opportunity to actually make it.

It's not too late to play along with any of the QALs.