This week I have been concentrating on the Swordfish quilt top. I think the title refers to the coloration being similar to that of the giant game fish. None of the fabrics have fish or ocean related themes, although there are lots of pointy parts. It is a pattern by Judy Niemeyer, paper piecing to the extreme. As I said last week, it is an all encompassing project, forget about doing any side projects or leader-enders. This is one of those that requires immersive concentration. This is my third Quiltworx quilt, my first was Fire Island Hosta, and the second was a Christmas tree skirt. The written instruction are very thorough, each step is illustrated and written out in a descriptive way. Once you get the “rhythm” of it, it makes sense and is relatively pain free to process. I am trying to sew together one set a day, each set is eight pieces, each piece has many pieces to it. I start off each day by getting the fabrics cut and organized, then sewing them together. Here’s what I have so far.

Todays pieces are a bit larger, chunks instead of strips. I did make a cutting error, and had to order another yard of the dark blue spotty fabric just in case. I was lucky to find some at a shop in Michigan, a few other yards jumped in my cart as well, gotta justify the shipping.

I’m making progress on the first Fabulous House, Santas house. The snowflakes are a bear, I am so happy that I chose Aida cloth for this project. I would be pulling my hair out counting them and spacing them on linen. I’d like to finish this by the end of the month, and start the next one, the Castle. I saw the third one, and its a greenhouse, thankfully a bit less fill work. I still want to work on the Consider the Lillies piece, so I may devote a few sessions to it before starting the castle.

I am a fan of Crabapple hill Studio, having made a few of their quilts and purchased a few patterns for the someday pile. Meg Hawley is doing a daily stitch-a-long for February, which is also International Embroidery Month. You can download the free pattern at her website, and each day she’ll post a stitch pattern/prompt on Instagram @meghawkey1 . I’d like to try to keep up with the 29 daily prompts, as the hearts are small and it looks like a fun and doable project. I got my pattern ready, and I think I’m going to do it multi-colored and maybe add a little colored pencil shading to each heart.

The rain is pouring down this morning, so it may be a stay in and sew day. There are a few things I need to do around the house, we’ll see.  

Be Kind.