Final Sewing of 2019

As we wind down to the final hours of 2019, here is what I accomplished today.

I pieced the last four blocks for the 2019 Monthly Color Challenge hosted by Jen @ Patterns by Jen.  This is the December block.

Since I wanted to limit the amount of WIPs going into 2020, I skipped the sashing and pieced the blocks together.  To save time, I pieced the blocks in the order they were released.  It will make a colourful baby or charity quilt.

Here are the December instructions for the Mosaic Mystery QAL hosted by Cheryl @ Meadow Mist Designs.

I pieced the final two blocks for the Tiny Quilt QAL hosted by Teresa @ Sewn Up.  Those paper pieced blocks finish at 3 inches.

And today brings the end to the 31 Day Blog Writing Challenge.  This is my 16th blog post for the month of December, which is 50 percent.

I'm going to spend the evening working on my 2019 temperature quilt.  Time will tell whether I am awake to see the arrival of 2020.  😊

2020 Monthly Color Challenge - January Block

The 2020 Monthly Color Challenge is being hosted by Jen @ Patterns by Jen.  Head over to Jen's blog for details on the challenge and to sign up to receive the blocks by e-mail.

January's block was released a day early.  The monthly color inspirations are based on birds.  January is Finch, yellow.  Click here to see Jen's versions of the block.

I used Oval Elements by Art Gallery Fabrics and Kona Daffodil.

Here is my January 12.5 inch block.

The January bloggers are:

Kathy - Kathy's Kwilts and More

Kathy - Penny For My Thoughts

Joanne - Everyone Deserves A Quilt

Sarah - The Quilted Diary

Willow - Bear Paw Stitch and Design

2020 Monthly Color Challenge

Have you ever participated in the Monthly Color Challenge hosted by Jen @ Patterns by Jen?  I'll be sewing along with Jen and other bloggers for the 2020 version.  (It's very hard not to type colour -- with a letter u).

Jen has lots of information on her blog.  Click here for the blog post that lists all the colours for 2020.

You can find a list of the participating bloggers here.

There will be prizes given out every quarter (April 1, July 1, October 1, and January 1, 2021).  Click here to read all about the wonderful sponsors.

Tomorrow, Jen will be releasing January's block early.  Make sure you head to her blog to sign up for the monthly e-mails.  The blocks will be free for the current month.

I hope you choose to sew along in 2020.

31 Day Blog Writing Challenge

Glue vs. Pins

I'm pattern testing for Andrea @ 3rd Story Workshop, and there are a lot of HRTs to make.  I often use glue when piecing small pieces or pieces cut on the bias.  But I've always wondered how much more time it takes to glue pieces rather than pinning them.

So I decided to time myself today.  I made four HRTs using glue and another four HRTs using pins.  I timed how long it took to glue the pieces together and then sew the seams.  It took 2 minutes 32.36 seconds.

And then I timed pinning and then sewing (removing the pins as I went).  It took 2 minutes 54.42 seconds.

I was surprised as I thought it would have taken longer to glue the pieces.  But you actually save time during the sewing process as you don't take time to remove the pins.  The pieces below on the left were glued, and the ones on the right were pinned.

The only downfall to using glue is that you can't press your seams open.  This is only an issue if you want to press your seams open to reduce bulk if your quilt top has a lot of seams.

I'm hoping to finish making all the HRTs today, so I can start piecing this week.

I've been  participating in the 31 Day Blog Writing Challenge.  But I have not succeeded.  I like the idea of the challenge, but December is not a great month because it's so busy for the holidays.  As well, my nieces were here twice this month, and I drop everything to spend as much time with them during their short visits.

TGIFF - Island Batik Ambassador 3D Challenge

Note:  All products in this post were given to me by Island Batik as part of their Ambassador program.

This is my final project as an Island Batik 2019 Ambassador.  It has been a great year working with Island Batik fabrics and the products of their sponsors, Hobbs Batting, Aurifil, and Accuquilt.

The theme of this month's challenge is:

Explore the world of 3D using your creative talents for this month’s challenge. Bring your inner artist out by using optical illusions, textures, trapunto, or whatever else will make your quilt pop into life!

I decided to use Island Batik solids in white and black.  I used an optical illusion pattern by Debby Kratovil Quilts:  Modern Vortex.  It is easily made with a Dresden ruler.

I used Sprinkles neutral fabric for the setting triangles.  It didn't have as much contrast as I thought it would, but I still think it makes the centre pop.

I used my favourite Hobbs Heirloom Premium 80/20 batting.

Piecing and quilting was done with Aurifil #2024 White.  I didn't have a full plan in mind when I started quilting.  I quilted one section and then made a decision on the next section.  And then it was finally done.  I always struggle with how to quilt projects.  I used a combination of free-motion quilting and straight line quilting with a walking foot.

Being an Island Batik Ambassador this year has been a great experience, and I encourage you to look for the fabulous projects to be created by the 2020 Ambassadors.  I still have some Island Batik fabrics, so stay tuned in 2020 for some projects showcasing them.

I am hosting Thank Goodness It's Finished Friday for the final link up of 2019.   If you have a finish from this week, please link up your blog/Instagram post showing your finish by using the linkup below.  Don't forget to visit a few blogs to spread some quilty love and encouragement.  Please include the TGIFF button or a link to the TGIFF blog in your blog post so your followers can also view all the great finishes.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Here are some other link ups to showcase your finish:

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

Needle and Thread Thursday @ My Quilt Infatuation

Brag About Your Beauties @ From Bolt to Beauty 
Friday Foto Fun @ Powered by Quilting

TGIFF - Finished Cargo Duffle

It's finished.  I really like the Cargo Duffle by Noodlehead.  I highly recommend the tutorial by Michelle @ From Bolt to Beauty.  The lining really adds something to this bag.

A fun polka dot print for the lining.

It's Day 20 of the 31 Day Blog Writing Challenge.  This is my 11th blog post in 20 days. 

I'm linking up with:

Thank Goodness It's Finished Friday @ Home Sewn By Us

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

Needle and Thread Thursday @ My Quilt Infatuation

Brag About Your Beauties @ From Bolt to Beauty 
Friday Foto Fun @ Powered by Quilting

Progress on the Cargo Duffle

My Cargo Duffle by Noodlehead is coming along.  I forgot to make notes on the pattern the first time I made it.  But I'm thankful for the tutorial by Michelle @ From Bolt to Beauty.  Michelle shares some tips and shows how she added a lining to the bag.

I've discovered it's hard to capture the true colour of purple.

All the pieces are now made.  Time to put them all together.

2020 Monthly Color Challenge

Have you participated in the Monthly Color Challenges hosted by Jen @ Patterns by Jen?  Jen has just announced the 2020 Monthly Color Challenge.  Head over to her blog to sign up to receive the monthly blocks.  She also provides a list of the monthly colors.

I guess I better finish my 2019 blocks.  LOL

It's Day 17 of the 31 Day Blog Writing Challenge.  But in reality, it's Day 9 for me.  😉

Run Run Run Pattern Release

Last week, I shared my progress on some pattern testing I was doing for Kitty @ Night Quilter.  The pattern Run Run Run is being released today, and you can purchase the pattern here.

Here is my version of the 9-inch block.

Each December, I participate in a 3K fun run.  It's called the Reindeer Run, and the medal we receive is a pewter reindeer ornament.  The ornaments are made by a local company, and they are adorable.  This is Dasher, and he's wearing sneakers.

Kitty is also offering a coupon code HOLIDAY for 15% off everything in her shop.  Make sure you take advantage of this offer before it expires.

The pattern features three sizes and bonus RUN word.

Kitty shared a tip to use a larger stitch when joining sections to make sure everything lines up.  If it doesn't, it's easier to remove larger stitches.  And if it lines up, just re-do the seam with a regular stitch length.

Head over to Night Quilter to see more of Kitty's work and to get the Run Run Run pattern.

Last Minute Christmas Sewing

I had a big oops moment...I forgot I told a customer I'd make a Cargo Duffle by Noodlehead.  The fabric managed to get buried in my sewing room.  Guess it's time to re-organize.

I'm following the tutorial/QAL hosted by Michelle @ From Bolt to Beauty that features a lining for the bag.  I made this one for myself earlier this year.

The first step is making the outside pockets.

Clover chaco liner for marking my quilting lines.  The lines from the Hera marker were too faint.  The polka in the background will be the lining for inside the pockets and inside the bag.

I'm playing along with the 31 Day Blog Writing Challenge, but it is not going well.  This is only my 7th post in 15 days.  That's not quite 50%, but I'm okay with it.

WIP Wednesday - Pattern Testing

I fell off the wagon for the 31 Day Blog Writing Challenge.  It's a busy time of year, and I although I thought about blogging, I choose to do other things that needed to be done.  But I'm back.

This is a pattern by Kitty @ Night Quilter.  The pattern will be available shortly.  It didn't take too long to piece the first leg.

Kitty shared a tip of using a longer stitch length when joining sections.  If things don't line up and you have to fix, it's easier to take out longer stitches than tiny stitches.  I found this helpful.  And then there was a bottom half.

I was in a groove, so the top didn't take too long to piece together.

Stay tuned for a finished block, but I'm not sure what will become of the block.

Linking up with:

WIP Wednesday @ The Needle and Thread Network

Midweek Makers @ Quilt Fabrication

Wednesday Wait Loss @ The Inquiring Quilter

TGIFF - A Quick Finish

What does one do on a Friday night?  When there are many other projects that need attention?  Start a new project, of course.  😊

I saw a sample at my LQS earlier this week -- a trivet for hot dishes.  I was intrigued by the striped effect, so decided I needed to give it a try.

It didn't take long to piece together.  I used Insulbrite batting (at least, that's what I think it was) from my stash.

I wish there was something delicious in that  dish...guess I need to buy groceries and make something. LOL

The lines in one of the triangles does not line up precisely with the others, but it's hard to tell.  I had to cut the fabric lengthwise, so I have six more triangles to make a second trivet.

I'm linking up with:

Thank Goodness It's Finished Friday @ Madame Tailor

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

Needle and Thread Thursday @ My Quilt Infatuation

Brag About Your Beauties @ From Bolt to Beauty 
Friday Foto Fun @ Powered by Quilting

Sewtopia Seattle - Part 2

Here are some more photos of my adventure at Sewtopia Seattle.

Look at all the goodies we received in our swag bag.  ♥

On the second day, there were goodies on our sewing machines.

I received an Oliso mini iron as a door prize.

This quilt won 1st place and Viewer's Choice for the Michael Miller fabric challenge.

This quilt won 2nd place.

Dena and I had a great time.  It's so much fun to meet like-minded people.

I realize I don't have any photos of all the quilt shops we visited in Portland and Seattle.  Rest assured...we supported the local economy.  😊

I participated in the secret swap.  You were to have a few little gifts for your partner and then one big gift for the last day.  My partner left me black licorce from Trader Joes.  Yum!!!  I also received lots of notions, including orange thread.  But then....I received this beautiful bag.  I was very spoiled.  It was definitely a let down to come home and have to cook my own meals, make my own bed, and not receive daily gifts.  LOL

And awesome trip all around.  Orlando 2020...here we come!!!