Happy New Year all! I suppose I’m a few days late with that, but I’m gonna roll with it. I’m not usually one to make resolutions, but I do see the year ahead as being full of clarity, energy, and newness. The past year has been the hardest of my life and although this might sound kind of trite, quilting has really helped bring me though it. There were many days where I would just lock my door and retreat into a time of peaceful repetition. Meeting all of you and really starting to engage with this community has been such a bright spot for me!!!
I have loved reading everyone’s recap of their year of projects, so I’ll add mine in the mix. I thought it would be fun to put a bit of a twist on that and show you a new project based on my old projects. How fancy!
I’ve been brainstorming awhile on how to put together my quilt scrapbook. I finally decided on a star pattern. I wanted the center of the star to be reminiscent of the quilt itself. For the background of the star I wanted to use the more neutral color of the quilt. For the border of the block, I used the fabric from the quilt backing.
While my plan sounded good in my head, my leftover scraps from my projects didn’t always agree, so there is some definite improv happening. I don’t think blocks have ever taken me so long! I wasn’t even picky with mistakes but I was seriously sewing things upside and backwards over and over. Then I spent most of today with a screwdriver, taking my machine apart when it decided to create a rats nest every time I sewed. I hope this is the last of my 2013 angst and now my machine (and me!) are ready to tackle anything.
Here’s the block based on my first ever quilt! Since I hand quilted the quilt, I want to hand quilt this block when the time comes. I picked out these fabrics over 2 years ago and it is cool to see how much my tastes have changed.
Here’s the block based on a baby quilt for my cousin Zach. I used a charm pack for this and had VERY little left over. I actually bought the grey stripes and blue dots so I would have something to make this with.
Here’s the block based on my chevron baby quilt. I ran out of fabric, so the plan is to hand quilt a chevron design in the middle of the star. I didn’t have much of an interest in quilting until I saw my first chevron quilt and thought… wait, quilts can be modern?! So I kept it in my mind that I would make one if I ever started quilting. And I did!
Here’s the block for my sister’s bridal shower quilt. I still don’t have a great picture of the completed project, but I loved adding all of the personalized messages onto it. This was the first quilt I did a pieced back for.
Last, but not least, my last finish of the year was a baby quilt for my cousin, Haley. When working on this block, I had so many problems and I had no leftover fabric to redo anything. So I went with it! I decided someday when I put this quilt together, I can look back at this and see how far I’ve come 🙂
Thanks for reading and I’m so excited to see what 2014 brings!
Linking up with Sarah Quilts and Play-Crafts for their Year in Review link up.
wow, michelle! I am so impressed. as usual. =) the added touch of having the center of the star reflect the design of the quilt is amazing. this is such a cool scrapbook quilt! I’m loving it. I hope this year is better for you and that you still continue to come up with awesome makes!
{{hugs}}
Thanks so much hydeeann!! I am hopeful for the year ahead!
Fantastic idea Michelle, what a great way of remembering each quilt you have made – the ultimate scrap quilt. Like you, I’m hoping and expecting this year to be better than the last – and yes, quilting has been a highlight too.
Hi Karen! Thanks for all of your kind words. Sorry to hear last year was difficult for you as well. I have a feeling the year ahead will be better for the both of us!
Very clever idea. I love them all. Nice work.
Thanks Amanda. Happy New Year!
I absolutely love this idea. It is so cool. I’ve made so few quilts that it wouldn’t be too difficult for me to start something similar. Did you come up with the concept yourself?
You should definitely start something similar! It was unexpectedly fun to revisit those projects. I heard about the idea from Ashley from Wasn’t Quilt in a Day and have been saving my scraps from each project ever since.
Oh wow, that is SUCH a neat idea!! I love the way you incorporate design elements and fabrics from the previous quilts! I am looking forward to seeing how your quilt scrapbook quilt comes together. 😀
Thanks so much for hosting this link up! I’ve really enjoyed it! And thanks for dropping by to check out my scrapbook blocks. I’m really excited to start some new projects so I have more to add to it! 🙂
What a cool idea to make a true “scrap”book of the quilts you’ve made. I always end up with ziploc bags of scraps from particular quilts that I don’t want to mix in with all the other scrappiness. You might just start a trend here!
Thanks Jenn! You should definitely join in! It sounds like you already have your fabric ready to go… it was meant to be 🙂
Great idea! I think the star block is a wonderful choice. Such a great way to preserve the memories of your quilts.
Thanks Sarah. I’m excited to continue to work on this as I complete projects!
Woah! These blocks are beautiful! I love all the tiny pieces and the fact that they’re all different. You will be so glad you took the time to do this.
Thanks girl. I love tiny piecing in small doses 🙂 It’s the first project my husband has ever shown interest in, so I know I’m doing something right… or perhaps I’m finally just wearing him down 😉
Your star blocks are beautiful. Very inspiring!
Thanks Nesta! It was really fun revisiting my old projects through these 🙂
The whole concept is just brilliant. What a wonderful way to keep a little bit of the memory of quilts that are made for gifts fresh and accessible to the maker. Happy Stitching in 2014
Thanks Karen! I’m really excited to have these little pieces of all of my work. Good memories!! Happy stitching to you as well!