I've had a really great week up in the sewing room. I made time for projects every morning and was pleased at how much I was able to accomplish. I think dedicating a specific time to sew helps tremendously. You can hear me announce each morning assertively around 8:00 AM: "I'm headed upstairs to sew for a few hours". I do not stick around to hear a reply, I just go.
In the photo above you see four Neutral Granny blocks. I am pretty sure this runner is going to need five blocks and a narrow border, but I need to check with Andrea for confirmation on the size she wants.
These are the Riley Blake Challenge 2025 sew-along blocks that I am not doing. Another block was offered this week, but I didn't love it. As an alternative, I subbed in a block from a previous RBD sew-along. The jury is still out. I am not loving this one either. Good thing I don't care one way or another, right?
This is supposed to be a picture of the finished ninth block in the 2012 Designer Mystery Quilt. I knew I could easily finish the block in an hour and share the photo here. Well, I sewed every unit to the wrong other unit and had to un-sew and re-do my half-square triangle quadrants. Then, I made the flying geese with the fabrics reversed. This is how far I got, so I don't have a finished block to share, but you can be sure I will tackle it first thing in the morning.
My plan for the weekend is more sewing, more reading, and putting out some Valentine's decor. Something is off with my sourdough starter, so I am super bummed out about that. I scooped out a couple of tablespoons and am babying it along. If it fails, I will have to find more somewhere and start over. If you make sourdough, how often do you feed your starter? Do you keep it out on the counter or in the fridge? Inquiring minds need to know.
Next week there will be some book reviews and maybe even a new podcast with the subject of Backlist Books: You missed them then, but you can read them now! We will share lots of great books from a few years ago that are now free on Kindle Unlimited, or easily available at the library. Also, Sara is starting a bookish newsletter that she will email to people who are interested. Here is the link to sign up. Sara is going gangbusters with some really fabulous author interviews and has lots to share in her weekly newsletter. Do sign up, we'd love it!
8 Responses
Curious as to what you mean by “failed” starter. I live in FL so only leave my mature starter on the counter for short periods of time in our warm weather. Otherwise it happily lives in the refrigerator and comes out to be fed periodically if I am not baking for a while or a few hours before I need to feed it for new bread. It sometimes develops “hooch” if in the refrigerator for a while, but that can easily be stirred right back into the starter. Several posts on this subject on Foodbod Facebook group.
All the blocks you pictured, even the ones you aren’t doing, are wonderful! I can hardly wait to see the finished projects!
I feed my sourdough starter once a week and keep it in the refrigerator. I’ve started adding just a pinch of rye flour to my otherwise all-purpose flour starter in hopes of it developing a little more tang. I hope yours starts looking better. Is yours a fairly new starter or one you’ve had for a while? Sourdough is so easy, and it’s so hard!
Lovely work on your blocks! Still feeling “neutral” about the neutral blocks though…
I, too, had a heavy date with Jack on a block this week. I finally had to walk away from it for a day. But then it gets done and we go on.
Not feeling neutral. I think the neutral blocks will be lovely in the runner. I have a new appreciation for neutrals..
I say ditch the cheap zippers and get quality ones. Only buy exactly what you need in the right colors. Do not run the risk that those zippers will fail over time and the bags will get pitched.
I sew first thing in the morning too. And I always leave my studio with the next day’s work ready to go. I leave myself a tidy pile on the cutting mat, sewing table, or ironing board. I can start working the minute I walk in the door. No wasted time. I get so much done working just a couple hours every day.
And that leaves me thinking time to ponder colors or technique. I put blocks or fabric samples on the kitchen table where I can think about them each time I walk that way. I am realizing the value of the thinking time.
Vickie
I keep my sourdough starter in the refrigerator in a mason jar. I know I am supposed to get it out and feed it once a week, but sometimes I have neglected it for quite a while (about 2 months!). It has always survived. I just get it out of the fridge, stir in any liquid (the hooch), feed and leave on the counter overnight. Bake with it the next day.
If I have neglected it for more than a couple of weeks, I will usually feed it twice before baking with it.
I bake, but not bread, so I’m no help at all for your sourdough starter problem. Andrea’s neutral runner is turning out so soft looking. She’s going to be thrilled with it! It’s nice to hear that you’re making some time for yourself both sewing & reading. Have a good weekend!
those neutral blocks are gorgeous! now I want to make some….
Bummer about your starter, hopefully you can salvage it. Love the neutral blocks and can’t wait to see how it turns out! Your sister will love it!