This Sunday saw the release of Block #90 of The Splendid Sampler. Wow! If, back in February 2016, you'd have listed how many new block styles and techniques I'd try, how many skills I'd gain, how many tips I'd learn and incorporate into my quilting, I might have been overwhelmed by the scope of this quilt-along!
I've been quilting since the mid-80s and have always just done my own thing: no classes, no retreats, no BOMs or quilt-alongs. I'm self-taught and enjoyed finding a pattern or making up my own and just making a quilt. I don't own many rulers or templates or gadgets. My stash is rather small (compared to most) and is added to here and there. I didn't seek out other quilters or websites or blogs. I just made my quilts.
But Pat & Jane's project has been an eye-opener for me. I don't even remember how I found it, but I'm so very glad I did. My stash was bogged down with fabrics I didn't want to use & so I decided this would be a way to get rid of them. There are so many better reasons I could have to start a project of this size, but that was it!
Once we started, I realized we would be making blocks I didn't want to make; blocks I usually avoided because I didn't know how to make them correctly; blocks that had triangles (horror!); and blocks that had teeny-tiny pieces! But I continued on.
Then I got stuck. I couldn't make this block. So I went to the designer's tutorial and followed along and I made the block--I made it well! And Jane Ford had tips on making blocks. And others had tutorials for each block on YouTube or their blogs. And I used those resources and my blocks were getting better and better!
I've been quilting since the mid-80s and have always just done my own thing: no classes, no retreats, no BOMs or quilt-alongs. I'm self-taught and enjoyed finding a pattern or making up my own and just making a quilt. I don't own many rulers or templates or gadgets. My stash is rather small (compared to most) and is added to here and there. I didn't seek out other quilters or websites or blogs. I just made my quilts.
But Pat & Jane's project has been an eye-opener for me. I don't even remember how I found it, but I'm so very glad I did. My stash was bogged down with fabrics I didn't want to use & so I decided this would be a way to get rid of them. There are so many better reasons I could have to start a project of this size, but that was it!
Once we started, I realized we would be making blocks I didn't want to make; blocks I usually avoided because I didn't know how to make them correctly; blocks that had triangles (horror!); and blocks that had teeny-tiny pieces! But I continued on.
Then I got stuck. I couldn't make this block. So I went to the designer's tutorial and followed along and I made the block--I made it well! And Jane Ford had tips on making blocks. And others had tutorials for each block on YouTube or their blogs. And I used those resources and my blocks were getting better and better!
And when my Mom got sick in the fall and I was spending much of my time with her, I was hand-sewing when at her place, and machine sewing only late at night & early in the morning. And I fell behind and thought I was done. But Mom told me to keep at it, so I slowly continued blocks--though I didn't have to work so hard at them. Some seemed to make themselves. The holiday break allowed me to catch up again and now I am finishing yesterday's block, an embroidery block & a hand sewing one and then will be waiting for Sunday's block.
Nine more blocks to go and we will be done. Wow! I'm overwhelmed by how much I'll miss this Splendid adventure!
Nine more blocks to go and we will be done. Wow! I'm overwhelmed by how much I'll miss this Splendid adventure!