Simple Circles Table Runner, Day 6

I had some leftover batting from a few projects I had finished before.  Some of the batting was fusible and some of it was not, but it didn't really matter with this project because the batting would be next to the muslin, with the fabric pieces on top of the muslin, so I just used pieces of batting that would fit as many circles as possible.  I was able to fit all six of the smallest circles onto one of the larger pieces of fusible batting.

Simple Circles Table Runner, Day 3

A layer cake is a set of fabric, normally of a fabric collection, with each fabric "layer" pre-cut to 10"x10".  Layer cakes from Moda usually have 42 swatches, although other fabric manufacturers' 10" pre-cuts may have a different quantity.  A fat eighth is a one-eighth yard of fabric that is cut to measure about 9"x22", instead of 4.5"x42".

Simple Circles Table Runner, Day 2

 

Today I did a lot of prep work for the table runner.  First, I researched how to sew curves.  You would think that I would be able to find information on that in at least one of the dozens of sewing books that I have, but I didn't find anything there.  Luckily I came across a video on ProfessorPincushion.com on how to work with curves.  They make it look so easy, and I'm feeling less anxious about sewing curves now.  I have a feeling I'll be going to that website again in the future.

Week 2: Simple Circles Table Runner

Simple Circles Table Runner from Moda Bake Shop
Image and design © Natalia Bonner

For Week 2 of my 52 Weeks, I went back and forth between working on a patchwork belt, an easy project, but one that wouldn't use much fabric, or a project that might be a little more challenging to me, but would make a bigger dent on my stash.  I opted for the latter.

Lap Duvet Sew and Tell

For my "Sew and Tell" posts I'll basically review how my project went for that week.  I'll talk about what worked, what things I'd change, things I'd learned, what I liked, etc.

Lap Duvet, Day 7

I'm still getting used to this whole blog thing, so apologies for not posting as it happens.

So the quilting phase started out being aggravating for me.  Because my duvet didn't end up being 58"x42", when I started out pinning every 7", my last row ended up being close to 5".  This drove me crazy so I started all over again and readjusted my measurements so that each row was the same height.

Lap Duvet, Day 4

I started working on the Lap Duvet on Saturday afternoon.  As I mentioned, I chose two fabrics from the Grow With Me collection.  In addition to reducing my stash, I am also trying to cut back on my spending, so even though the project called for throw-sized (60"x60") wool batting, I used some crib-sized (45"x60") "poly-down" batting that I already had.  I have a few larger-sized packages of batting, but I figured that the crib-sized batting would work perfectly, since the finished duvet would measure 58"x42".  More on this later...

Week 1: Lap Duvet

Photo courtesy of The Purl Bee

Hooray, it's Week 1 of 52 weeks of sewing, knitting, etc!  I'm going with a supposedly quick and easy project, the Lap Duvet from The Purl Bee.  According to the website, this project should take about 2 1/2 hours to make.  I'm so excited to make this!  They look so cozy and fluffy.

I Read it on the Internet, so it Must be True

Hello and welcome!

So, yet another blog about sewing and knitting, you ask?  Well, I’ve got a fabric and yarn stash that is growing out of control, and over the years have made countless plans and dreams of making beautiful and marvelous garments and accessories, but for one reason or another, I’ve not been able to bring these plans to fruition.  My reasons, well, let’s be honest, my excuses, have ranged from being too intimidated to learn a new technique, to being too afraid to cut my fabric, to being just plain lazy.

 

The stash is getting to be too much to live with, so I’ve enlisted myself in one of the most ambitious missions of my life.  And I'm announcing it to the cyberworld, so I can't take it back:

For the next 52 weeks I’ll be working on one sewing, knitting, crocheting, or embroidery project per week.  Hopefully, by the end of one year, I will have significantly reduced my stash and become more confident in using techniques that had previously intimidated me.  And hopefully I don’t go insane doing it.

Week #1 starts today, January 19th.

Thank you for joining me on my journey!