Social distance crafting—getting lots done—but not my unfinished objects!
Welcome to my first blog post. This is my second attempt at starting a blog. A few years ago, I let perfectionism get in the way of launching a site. I am trying to start small and overcome the worst of my perfectionist tendencies.
I look forward to sharing my progress, inspiration, and frequently random musings with the larger maker community.
Like many in the United States and around the world, we’re on our second week of social distancing in the Washington, DC metro area. My husband and I are blessed to have jobs where we can continue to work at home and supervise our amazing crew of two teenagers.
While stressful, as a lifelong maker, social distancing gives me extra time to craft. Specifically, a little more time to quilt and knit. Despite hours searching on Ravelry, and one yarn emergency, (thank you Webs for coming to my rescue!), I am very pleased with my progress on my Goldfinch shawl by Andrea Mowry. I’m knitting it in Dragonfly Fibers Selkie (discontinued, sadly), which has a fabulous drape and slight sheen from the silk blend. The yellow/green is MadTosh 100% merino.
So, on the quilting side. I have two projects that I want to finish. The first is a king size needle-turn and wool applique quilt called Stars and Sprigs, designed by Kim McLean. As you can see in the picture below it is close to being finished (this is an older picture, the borders are finished, they just need to be sewed on).
My second project is a pieced quilt (still in pieces!) designed by Australian quilter, Jen Kingwell. This quilt is called Marshall, and it was the 2019 Quiltmania mystery quilt. I have other plans for it, but that is another post!
Some people would use this time to complete one or both of these projects. What do I do? Discover a new-to-me project and decide to start it.
This new project is based on the Ruby May quilt. It is quite fabulous—featuring paper piecing, embroidery, and a crochet edge (a challenge I have never taken on and quite the rabbit hole of research). Ruby May features lots of handwork, which is my jam. I am making my own version using Baby Brimfield Star paper pieces, and Liberty of London scraps from my stash, but if you want to simplify, CuttingCloth in Australia is selling kits with everything you need to create this fabulous mix of modern and vintage all wrapped up in one quilt design. Their Instagram is addictive. Follow it, now! Or, if you are in Australia, sign up for the class, buy the kit, and let me live vicariously through you!
Addressing new project guilt. I’m trying to be kind to myself, acknowledging that we are in stressful and uncertain times, and recognizing that I have run out of steam and inspiration for these long-term quilt projects. I’m giving myself permission to start a new project mostly guilt free, knowing that my other projects are waiting for me, when the mood strikes!
Instagram hashtags to check out:
#quarantineknitting
#quarantinequilting