There's an awful lot going on in my world. I feel like doing a Bill and Ted, shouting 'excellent!' and playing air guitar... well I would if the kids hadn't totally worn me out ;)

I have a lot of upcoming sewing related things and plenty to do, so I have been trying to crack on with getting my WIPs done. First 'to sew' on my list is my Star Crossed Quilt. I had my pieces already all cut out and sitting on my desk and today was spent chain piecing:


This is a great pattern and should come together quickly.

I also finished up an Etsy commission this week. It was a custom order for a very special and personal embroidered cushion, I didn't ask permission to share so here's a peek of part of the embroidery:



I had an exciting delivery today, The Farmer's Wife 1930s Sampler Quilt book:


Having seen the book all over social media I thought I had an idea of what it would be like but I was blown away. This book is STUNNING. I haven't really had time to sit and digest it yet but even a quick flick through impressed me. The colours and fabrics are beautiful and the blocks are fabulous. And hello?!! A block with my name!  If you don't have a copy I would highly recommend buying one or seeing if it's available at your local library.

* edited to add - see my FREE TUTORIAL on hand piecing, it's so easy and how these blocks were sewn! *

I am thrilled to be part of the upcoming Sew-Along with the Fat Quarter Shop and Gnome Angel as a guest blogger. I will be sharing my blocks and, most likely, either hand sewing or English Paper Piecing them.

GnomeAngel.com

You can read all the details here and discover all the guest bloggers here - I'm in amazing company and it's really worth checking out everyone's blogs and social media for inspiration. There is also a very active facebook group; it's supportive, inspiring and fun to see where everyone is from!

The Sew-Along will begin 28th September so there's still plenty of time to get a copy of the book and join in.

Of course a new Sew-Along was a good excuse to get some more fabric so here's what I got...


These are going to be my basis for the colour theme, I will throw more colours in but I'm going to try and use these in most of the blocks - at least that's the current plan!

I have a heap of repro 30s fabrics that I'm using for my green tea and sweet beans quilt so I will likely use some of those but I really want a mix of modern and repro. I'm doing the same with my gtsb but this time I will use more modern, mostly Cotton and Steel, fabrics. Based on that I ordered these beauties:




Since the blocks have some little pieces I couldn't resist getting a Zephyr by Rashida Coleman Hale charm pack as well.

Undoubtedly this will be an eclectic mix of fabrics but then that's kind of become my style and I'm happy with it! My general way of working is to look at each block and decide on the fabrics as I go along, rather than an overall scheme or specific plan, then find a way to pull it all together at the end ;)

And that's about all the planning I have done. There are some great resources on the facebook group and fabulous ideas for prep and organisation. I still need to decide the best system for me but I'm sure a folder and plastic wallets will be involved.

I'm excited to get started! 
Are you joining in or have you ever done a sampler quilt like this? Do those of you that did the original Farmer's Wife have any tips?


WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced