January means reflecting back on accomplishments. Sixteen completed quilts in 2021 is pretty productive for me
Some were start to finish, some were wrapping up long term projects, sizes range from mini to massive, most were gifts (retirement, babies & weddings), a swap and challenges. I kept six.
“Either Or” 28”x38” was my response to the MQG fabric challenge using the fat-eights provided and additional thanks to a couple of guild mates
The woven “fringe “ selvage edge was too tempting to leave out
I’m enjoying the exploration of mixing thread color and weight as an Aurifil Artisan as evidenced in many of my finishes
My temperature quilt is the largest and most blogged about I titled it : “Predictable” 91”x98”
Started January 2019 with the top finished December 2019 representing temperatures throughout that year.
Finally Completed October 24, 2021 in time for the QuiltCon entry deadline with high hopes for sharing it at the special exhibit but unfortunately it was not juried in.
A much smaller version 50”x71” was gifted to our sons MIL to celebrate her retirement. Unlike the temperature quilt, the blocks could be placed in any order on the design wall and didn’t take 365 days! It’s interesting to see how scale plays in the overall look of the two quilts when compared
I used a festive dotted binding and vintage backing.
A collaboration with my DIL started during winter break of 2020 while we excitedly awaited baby’s arrival was an early 2021 success. The logistics of getting together for sew dates that last trimester was a bit challenging but we managed to pull it off and have great memories and a keepsake to show for it
Followed shortly after with baby quilts for three of her friends.
She would find out the desired theme and palette and I would decide the details and designs, sending sneaks along the way so they felt collaborative too.
In recent years I have gotten out of the habit of backing in flannel but was quickly reminded why it is such a cozy feature.
Making wedding quilts for my nieces has always been a pleasure to gift and having just completed an Organized Chaos pattern by Sujata Shah I jumped at the excuse to try the larger block size in a Tuscan palette inspired by the couples love of travel. It was a marathon make that took a lot of hours and back to back long sewing sessions I managed a backyard photoshoot before mailing it off
The other wedding quilt made in 2021 was a long time coming and my son and DIL were so patient waiting almost 3 years.
Hand stitching their initials with a heart and including 28 half-rectangles to represent the day of the month they were married added a personal touch. Photos from their honeymoon were used for inspiration to capture an aloha vibe. 70”x74” a couples cuddle size with room for babe and pup.
I also completed four minis:
Made for an auction donation.
A workshop project.
The MQG Together swap sent to my partner
Stitching with high contrast thread became less intimidating the more times I did it.
My MQG “tree” challenge entry.
“Connections” deserves a separate blog post to properly credit the BeeSewcial contributors but until then , details can be found on instagram. For this recap I’ll just let you take it all in
Attending Sewtopia has been on my bucket list and also warrants more than a quick mention. My sister and I had a great time. I am proud of my fabric challenge quilt but even more proud that she walked away with the winning ribbon for her entry!
Last but not least, a One Block Wonder project that I talked my sister into doing years ago and she abandoned after cutting the parts. You can see the front in the mosaic picture and here’s the back that I like just as well
Aside from the 2 workshop quilts, they are original designs. I did the quilting myself on my domestic or my friends long arm with the exception of my fabulous beesewcial by my sis. I’m pretty sure I even labeled them all - a first.
Hopefully I counted and credited correctly. The year has been a big messy blur, a huge struggle but fortunately also included precious moments and treasured events.
Thanks for hanging in there to the end!
Matchstick quilting on a long arm with Aurifil Forty-3 in color 2620 was a breeze even though I’m very inexperienced with that technique. I chose an organic wave motif to mimic the block design. 
