An archive of sewing tutorials and inspiration

     

The Backlog! We all have them…

Sometimes I think it must appear as if I do a project, get it done and move on week after week. Truth is I have a backlog just like many you. It's one of those backlogs which causes you to actually forget some of the projects you have, because you started them over a year ago. Most of the projects in my backlog were started on a whim around 10:30 at night when I was bored with the project I actually needed to get done. 

Today, I thought I'd share my backlog with you and hopefully that will give me a little accountability! Let's begin…

Fall Triangles

Fall Triangles

Last year I participated in the Vitamin D Bee from the PHXMQG. I really enjoy participating in quilting bee's especially with friends, but the truth is I barely survived the year. I got everyones blocks done, but I can't say they were on time. When it came around to my turn I asked my fellow bee's members to each piece together a row of equilateral triangles using Triangles on a Roll paper. I thought this would be real easy, nope.

What a mess that project turned out to be! I will spare you the sad story, but due to a starching/cutting faux pas on my behalf my poor bee members could barely finish half a row without ripping their hair out. I think my project wound up in the "worst bee block" hall of fame. Despite that many of the ladies pushed through and finished the row for me (thank you friends!). Now I have a project bucket of rows, half rows, and triangles ready to be turned into a quilt. I am procrastinating this one primarily because I know that I will have to hack it together (due to my starching/cutting faux pas). 

Bali Bed Runner

Bali Bed Runner

Last year my husband and I spent months building a new website for my good friend Jackie at Canton Village Quilt Works. During that time I got really familiar with her stock of patterns, one of which was calling my name for weeks. The Bali Bed Runner is a totally awesome pattern by Judy Niemeyer.

Here I am making a bunch of quilts and I don't have one for my own bed! We have a king size bed and I can't even fathom making a huge quilt at the moment, but a bed runner seemed so much more manageable. All I can say is I am blown away by those of you who are able to conquer the bed size version of this pattern! 

Bombay Tote

Bombay Tote

If you have been reading my blog for any length of time then you probably remember me saying I was going to come out with a bag pattern called the Bombay Tote. What happened? Life. I really, really want to make this pattern and will do it even if it takes me 5 years.

I already made three versions of this bag, one of which I never showed you (opps!) and use every single day. I needed to make one more sample to help me with the instructions and I started it, but never finished. This version was going to have improv patchwork side panels, black leather bottom, and chunky zippers. Someday.

Monarch Butterfly

Monarch Butterfly

Earlier this year I taught a few Cross Stitch Quilting classes. While I was in "cross stitching mode" I had this sudden urge to do something completely crazy and make a 70" x 70" monarch butterfly cross stitch quilt. At the time I thought I could have the quilt top pieced in time for my classes. What in the world was I thinking, I mean really! This bad boy has over 600 cross stitch blocks… someday (very far from now).

Concerto Baby Quilt

Concerto

This summer I taught a three week Beginner Modern Quilting class. This class opened my eyes to how much I enjoy teaching quilting. The students and I made the Concerto quilt. This time around I decided to make it in kind of crazy bright colors for a baby (no baby in particular yet). This project is so close to being done, it's basted and I quilted about 4 rows. I think I could finish this up in a day or two and I know it'd feel so good to cross something off my list!

Crossknot Wall Hanging

Crossknot

Okay, your starting to get up to speed. When I decided to start selling fabric I knew it was going to be so hard to resist buying up my whole shop. Last weeks Schoolhouse bundle was calling my name, so I put together this Crossknot wall hanging in about 45 minutes. It would have only taken 30 minutes had I skipped the play date with my seam ripper. I need to decide on a backing and get this baby quilted!

Hemispheres Throw

Hemispheres

Alright, were down to the last project the one that actually sparked todays post. Yesterday, I spent hours working on a website for a client and by dinner I had enough of staring at my computer. My husband offered to take the kids to a $2 movie so I could stay home and sew (thank you Jacob!). This was one of those evenings where I absolutely did not want to work on a deadline project I needed to just relax and work on a hobby project. I sat there and thought about which of my W.I.P.S I should pull out, then I looked up and saw a stack of Wedding Elegance Bundles staring at me. About 45 minutes later I had fabric cut for 196 drunkards paths curves and I was piecing curves for a Hemispheres Quilt while watching Sense and Sensibilities. 

I suppose the W.I.P. world is just a downward spiral and it will never end. I blame it on the fabric, always blame it on the fabric.

Alyssa

Alyssa Lichner

Alyssa Lichner

Creator of Pile O' Fabric

Alyssa Lichner is a graphic designer turned avid sewist. She writes modern quilting tutorials and shares techniques and inspiration on her blog, Pile O’ Fabric. Alyssa has a passion for exploring different techniques and applying them to modern designs. She is thankful to have the opportunity to share these techniques, through her tutorials, patterns, and classes with quilters around the world. She always encourages her readers and students to challenge themselves to try new things and to approach quilting with a fearless attitude.

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