While we are getting used to the fact that it is 2024, I have been biten by the New-Year New-Start Bug that was lurking in the sewing room (and online browsing). It was a BIG bite because I have 3 new starts to share here today.
My New Year's Day Mystery with Merry Mayhem was completed into a flimsy the first week of January. It was a fairly rapid project that finished at 55" x 65". I dug into my stash of civil war reproduction fabrics because I have more than I need and can afford to "waste" on a mystery project. But this was no waste of fabric!! I really enjoyed this mystery quilt making and am delighted with the end result. I will either take this to my long arm quilter, or maybe quilt it myself when I catch up on my current hand projects.
If you decide to make this yourself, take seriously her advice of sorting and labeling blocks A & B. It can get confusing fast as they mirror one another. This is my third Merry Mayhem Mystery that I have participated in and I have always been happy with the big reveal. I highly recommended her mystery projects!
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I finally got my Maymont beast sewn together and it is now ready for the outside edges to be trimmed. This is not a new start and has been an ongoing project since last August of 2023. I am happy to have come this far with it.
And oh how I love, love, love this quilt! I fell in love with it at first sight and knew I had to make it. Bonnie Hunter strikes again! It ate quite a bit of my 2" scrap strips and squares. After trimming the edges, I will add a 3" border, have it quilted, and am considering adding prairie points when I bind it. I have never made prairie points before and I think it will be an appropriate finish effect to this quilt. My goal is to have this off the wall and ready for the long arm quilter before the end of February.
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Another new start this month was an unnamed quilt block that I found on a Youtube video by The Quilted Forest. It is their December 2022 Block of the Month block. How original, right? It seems like a variation of a double disappearing nine-patch, but it is assembled very differently than a double disappearing nine-patch.
This is an extra block that I did not use because it was too pastel and faded into the overall look. Do you know the name of this 16" block?
These are the 20 blocks that made their audition. They are now sewn into rows and ready for final assembly and a simple 3" border. This will also be taken to my long arm quilter. Did you notice it is on top of my Maymont? I can't wait to get them both down and sandwiched for quilting.
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And lastly, I got the notion to make a handful of prayer pockets for the ladies in my small group Bible study for Valentine's day. Originally, I wanted to make them into hearts, but I fear I won't get 15 of those finished in time for gifting. Instead I have chosen to make simple blocks from 3/4" squares (finished size).
I have passed out a few of these already but am busy making more. These are such fun assembling by using and coordinating just a few scraps. You can find free directions, pattern, and prayer sheets on Hello Sewing and ShabbyFabrics.com. Make a few for gifting yourself. You can tuck these in get well cards, leave on the table for your server at the restaurant, or anytime you want to encourage and uplift another with a little prayer and love.
Now that I got my January post in, I can get busy with putting the borders on the above two tops and embellish some prayer pockets.
Happy Stitching!
