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In September 2024 I began hosting SEWING SOCIALS at our local community centre!
We teach beginners how to thread their machines, how to load a bobbin, how to change their needle, and what the different stiches are for. We can help with a project you're working on, and we have practice materials available.
We are a welcoming, non-judgemental group who enjoy sharing skills and a good cup of tea.
Last Thursday of the month!
Westside Community Centre
Email me for more info!
12 Quilts in 12 Months
12 Quilts in 12 Months
In 2024 I set myself the challenge of making 12 quilted items over the year, roughly one per month. I wanted to improve my skills and develop my confidence - and boy, did I ever! I'm so proud of this little body of work. Sewing has seriously wedged itself into my daily creating practice and I'm still so excited to sit down at my machine each day. I'm hooked!
*Also I should mention: I'm mostly self taught and learn by making mistakes, so I don't tend to watch videos before trying methods. This can be frustrating, but I like the discovery process. It works for me!*
1.Quilt for my Daughter - Twin-sized, made of thrifted materials except for the binding and tied with yarn. The batting was a vintage quilt that was gifted to me by my in-laws. It was beyond repair, so we saved it by lining this new blanket with it.
2. Quilt for baby Fergus - Friends of ours run a farm locally, providing community and produce for so many families. They were expecting a baby, so I wanted to do something special to say thank you for all that they do. This baby quilt is a map of their farm, made from thrifted materials, including a wool blanket for the backing. I appliqued the pieces to a top layer and then tied it together with yarn. I'm so proud of how this turned out!
3. An Inch for Each of the Dead quilt block - @aninchforeach on Instagram sent a call out for quilted blocks of 100 one inch squares to represent those who have died in the Palestinian genocide. At the time she was collecting 3000 blocks to represent 30,000 people. Now that number is estimated to be closer to 300,000. She is still collecting blocks, you can find out more here.
4. Garden Baby Quilt Top - This quilt top was a study in colour, as I was limited to the scraps that I had on hand. I wanted it to feel like sitting in a garden. I used a thrifted table cloth, bedsheet and a pillowcase for this project.
5. Celebration Couch Quilt for Mel & Erin - I made this quilt for dear friends who were getting married! I used a block made of two contrasting colours to represent how two unique people come together to make something new together. The white represents the unwritten future. I used new materials for the quilt blocks, and thrifted materials for the border and backing. I tied with yarn.
6. Block Sampler - I had scraps left over from the previous quilt, so I used a thrifted blue curtain as the main/background colour. I wasn't interested in accuracy as much as composition. I was exploring how the larger blocks could be cut or sewn into smaller and smaller shapes. Not sure what these will be used for yet, But I can see pillow cases or tote bags.
7. Black Sweater with Black Star for my Daughter - I thrifted a plain sweater and added my own block to the front. The block was made using thrifted materials. I hand-sewed the block to the sweater, and added embroidery thread in the centre to hold the block on.
8. Olive Green Sweater with White Star - I made this one for me! I used thrifted scraps for the star, with a tiny block of gold velvet in the centre. I machine-sewed the block to the sweater, sewing around the star to secure it.
9. Symmetry Quilt Top - I purchased new materials in the hope of making a quilt for my own bed, but I struggled so much with the design. I took the pieces apart a few times, but I'm still not satisfied. I may just gift this to someone haha! Queen-sized.
10. Pokemon Quilt Top - This is not fully finished, but nearly there. The last step is to sew the rows of blocks together. I may add a border, depending on which colour I'm able to find for the backing. The pokemon fabric was 50% off, and the solids were mostly new. The white was a bedsheet.
11. Christmas Potholders & Bag - I made my family little quilted potholders for Christmas. My son saw me sewing at my machine and asked if he could have a bag like that. So this picture is of the little bag I whipped up for him using the scraps.
12. NYE 2024 Sweater with a Rainbow Star - My last sew of 2024! I thrifted a plain sweater and used little scraps I'd been saving throughout the year to make this amazing sweater. I've been wearing this a ton lately. I'm really pleased with it! :)
What's next for 2025?
What's next for 2025?
DENIM! I'm exploring denim as a source of thrifted fabric for quiltmaking. So far I've made two footstools and a queen-sized quilt for my bed. And I have a few other exciting projects in the works - stay tuned!
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