Have you been working on the Riley Blake Designs Challenge this year? Each year, the Riley Blake Design team does a Challenge Sew Along featuring free patterns from their in-house designers. I wasn't going to join any sew-alongs this year, but I was intrigued and also wanted to use up some of my Lori Holt stash of fabrics. This is the tenth block I have made. It is called Give it a Whirl by Melissa Mortenson.
It is a fabulous block, finishing at 10 inches.
I've been using my Lori Holt stash, focusing. on the red, green, and yellow prints. I have not stuck to the monthly schedule, and have substituted blocks from the Riley Blake Challenge Archives when the block of the month hasn't been my cup of tea. All the patterns are free, and the 2025 quilt setting is quite unique: a checkerboard pattern with a center medallion.
As I say, I have been loosely following along this sew-along, and have to admit, even though these blocks were somewhat of an experiment, I think they look pretty good. when seen all together.
My sewing life has been kind of piecemeal lately, but I do hope this project will conclude that results in an actual quilt.
I have felt very scattered lately, not really able to focus on any of my many projects. I have spent some time on a massive reorganization of my fabric, and can now see what fabric I have on hand, and hopefully plan some future projects with more cohesiveness and clarity.
I enjoy having multiple projects in progress at one time, but have been feeling lately that I am not giving each one the attention they deserve. We shall see if my vow to have better focus and follow-through actually manifests itself in the future. I can only say I am willing to try!
9 Responses
And that’s all you can do!!
I think it’s the “Circle of Life” for quilters– enthusiasm, over-commitment, disillusion, dry spell, and then back to the start. Sounds like a new round of creativity is headed your way!
Love the gold, green, and red combination– I’m currently besotted with Lori’s AMERICANA collection, but honestly I could pull plenty of those colors out from previous sets I own!
I agree with Carol, above, that we go through phases with our quilting enthusiasm. I’m in a semi-dry spell right now & I know what you mean about not focusing & getting any one thing accomplished. My personal opinion is that we go hard at a quilt project (or several in a row) then our excitement for another project just isn’t there for awhile. It always comes back after some ‘time off’.
I like those challenge blocks. They seem to have different types of blocks than some other samplers done with many designers.
I have been working non-stop (except for L/E blocks) to finish a special quilt for my nephew and his wife, who are moving to Portugal soon! In my haste I have made a lot of mistakes and am really tired of this project. So I’ve started giving myself days off to work on something else. It’s helped a lot, and I’ll send it to them if I miss the deadline and that’s OK!!
I agree with Carol! I think anything creative you dabble in has an ebb and flow to it. Don’t worry Nicole I think you will get your mojo back soon!
Your Riley Blake challenge quilt is looking magnificent! I agree with all the previous commenters re: sewing mojo. I also think that when quilting becomes a chore (not that you’re at that point),it’s time to set it aside for awhile. Likewise, when a project becomes a drag, take a break from it. We do this craft because we love it (and having a great quilt at the end is nice, but really, the fun is in the dreaming and making.)
I agree with everyone else EXCEPT FOR ONE THING!! No one commented on the fact that you are going through your fabric to see what you still have and organize it. THAT IS JUST LOADS OF HARD WORK AND FUN!!
I had to do that last year and I found some ugly fabric(what was I thinking) and some really wonderful fabric that I had forgotten about.
Chiming in with agreement on all the previous comments about quilting mojo being cyclical. I’m sure you’ll get your clarity and focus back.
As usual, this latest block is very pretty! The finishing setting does really look interesting.
I certainly agree with the above comments! We all need to step back from time to time…not that we
have lost our quilting mojo….we are just overwhelmed with projects, fabric and patterns. I am easily distracted when I see a new pattern!! Do I need another pattern…. No!! But I order it anyway!