In the sewing room

Who knew that participating in the 365 Block of the Day Challenge would keep me in the sewing room?  And it's the same for a lot of other quilters.

We receive the instructions for the day's block first thing in the morning.  Then we head into the sewing room for 15 to 20 minutes to get the day's block made.

Because the blocks are so small (3 1/2") we have to pay close attention to accuracy in cutting, sewing and pressing.  And it's showing in the rest of our quilting.  A fun way to improve our quilting skills.

We kinda knew that would happen.  But the surprise was how much we would get done on other projects.  It's the routine of going into the sewing room at a specific time.  And the feeling of accomplishment when the block is finished.  Then we see something else and it gets done as well. 

So far this year (and it's only 11 days into January), I've tested a pattern for an on line friend who is a designer.  The result is a top that measures 76" x 76".

I've quilted on a practice quilt (and ripped out all the quilting - it was terrible).  Then I worked on to some tops that I can show here.
 
This is to be the centre for a quilt that will take a year to make.  One of my best friends wanted to make the same pattern.  So we got together and started working on the quilts at the same time. 

For my little quilt a border a month will be added to it until the top is queen size.  I'll be asking the ladies on the hearts2hands group to make suggestions on what pieced border (and colours) that should go next.  The hard part will be waiting a month before adding the next border.

My friend's  quilt will have larger blocks.  Once she adds the one or two borders she plans on making she will have a queen size quilt.  A brave lady...she's fussy cutting her focus fabric.
 
The next top is how I started the New Year.  First I made the block required for the 365 BOD (Block of the Day).  And the bonus block that was sent out.  Then I and another member of the hearts2hands worked on this mystery quilt:

My family didn't see much of me on New Year's Day!

The ladies on the hearts2hands group are hoping for a productive year in their quilt studios.  And there's been a lot of suggestions.

One member explained how she gets so much done in her sewing room.  First there is JOT - Just One Thing.  Go into the sewing room and do one thing.  Bet you can't stop at that.  Getting that one thing done gives you a feeling of accomplishment.

Then there is her Fab 4.  She has four projects in various stages close by her sewing machine.  After she finishes her JOT she looks over to the Fab 4 and works on one of these projects. 

I'm not that organized.  But I have decided on a goal for 2016.  Again, on the hearts2hands group we have listed our quilting goals for the year.  My goal is to always use enders and leaders when sewing.  I've been meaning to do this for years.  There are so many scrappy quilts that can be made this way.

I finally set up two bins by the sewing machine.  One with light squares of fabric and the other dark.  As I begin sewing a seam and when I end it, I grab two squares and sew them together.  Less thread wastage and I'm using up my scraps to make a scrappy quilt.  Now to make it a habit.

Wishing all quilters every where a productive 2016!