In My Studio

​It’s January and that means I get to sew some things for myself. Often during the year I need a break from work sewing and start something off the grid- something that doesn’t have to have a pattern written for it afterwards, or that someone already wrote the pattern for and I can just follow along. It reminds me that sewing is my hobby and my passion as well as my job, which on some days I have forgotten slightly :) So I start things and then I have to get back to the work and they don't get done. My Tripping Out quilt (remember that?) is an absolute example of that - I'm about 1/3 done with it, and I will finish it, but work got in the way and I haven't had time to go back.

This January I am absolutely determined to tick at least a few of these off my list. On Friday I finished this needlepoint Queen (pattern and kit from Emily Peacock), and I have the King here to do as well. I thought it would be fun to finish them backed flat with a loop, and hang them either side of our bed. At least halfway to that one!

18 months ago I started this quilt for my upstairs guest room. It's the Granny Patch quilt pattern by Lo and Behold Stitchery. The room has a Liberty cushion in it, and a deep green velvet armchair, and I wanted to add more Liberty and brights and linen. I currently have my Wing and a Prayer quilt on the bed in there but I'm not feeling the vibe 😎 I've had this completely cut out and ready to stitch for over a year, so it's time has most definitely come. Last week I had five blocks done, as of today I have 15 and I will make a block a day until it's finished.

Here they are on the wall, it's kind of hard to photograph and get the colours to look right, so heres a block close up too. There is a strip of plain linen sashing that goes between each block, and a cornerstone of green, and then probably a green striped binding. I'll have it machine quilted, because I don't need it languishing to be finished any longer that it already has!

I have some work on the go as well, obviously the Słodki blocks but also a Lexi Hoodie for a sew along I randomly and spontaneously decided to run when I saw this cutie at Australian Quilt Market in November.

I'm making mine in a similar colour family as the original that Melly made, and it's looking super cute. I want to make at least one more before I start the sew along though, because I do wonder what would happen if -

I used QuiltLite inside it instead of fusible fleece

I made it in different sized squares, or in one whole piece of fabric with no piecing

I made it without a hood, and just a round neck

I made it and covered it in applique!

I made it in dark navy with a hot pink star

I hand quilted it

And that right there is the problem with being me 🤣

There will be public blog posts for the sew along, but I'll do some insider Smites tips as we go too.

It's designed by Melly and Me, an Aussie brand. I have the patterns for sale, so if you would like to play along with me just comment here with your email address and country for postage, or email it to me sarah@sarahfielke.com I am sold out of the patterns for now, but the wholesaler opens again on January 12, I have about 50 ordered and I can order more - and they will print, pack and ship them to me, and then I'll send them straight on to you. I won't start the first post of the sew along until I have shipped everyone's pattern. They're $28 AUS plus postage - they're not on the website though, I will send you an invoice to pay online. I can't honor the StitchyMites discount for this one sorry peeps, as it's someone else's pattern and I can't undercut her own pricing (by request) . The sizing of the pattern goes from XS to 6XL and Melly describes it as confident beginner level. I also have the fusible fleece she uses for the lining available if you need it.

So that's what I'm up to, and wish me luck on my 2 x hoodie and Granny block quest peeps!! What are you stitching in your January?

Sarah