Works in Progress & January Sew Sampler Box

Hello and happy Monday! Today I’m going to share thoughts on works in progress and the January Sew Sampler Box. But first, I was able to give a trunk show over the weekend at the Quiltique quilt shop in Henderson, Nevada, and had a wonderful time meeting and talking to a wonderful group of quilters! I sure love attending trunk shows, and I also love presenting them too. I appreciate everyone who took time out of their busy Saturday to stop by!

Just before the weekend, I was able to work on some of my works in progress and thought I’d share a little bit of my process with you. I worked on my Block Heads blocks and now have just two more to make with one of them being in progress. I also started some half-square triangles for the February Mystery Block of the Month blocks.

Tools I Use for Works in Progress

While I’m working on works in progress, I use a few different tools to keep things organized: storage drawers, project bags, and design boards. I’ve really come to appreciate these different items and how much easier they make it for me to keep things a bit more organized.

Storage Drawer Units

I have several Elfa storage drawer units at home that I label and use to store the majority of my works in progress. Before I started using these drawers I packed everything up in plastic boxes and bins. But I love that these mesh drawers let the air circulate around my projects. I have five of these units now that I’ve accumulated over a few years, buying them only when on sale.
(P. S. Elfa units are on sale for 30% off at Container Store through the end of the month).

Project Bags

When I travel, I pack up the needed fabrics, pattern, and tools into one of my clear front project bags as shown above. (Find more details about the project bags in this post). I like having the handles on the project bags as well, because there are some I keep packed at all times–and it’s really nice to be able to slide the handles over the top of a hanger for easy storage in the closet. Additionally, I make these bags in a few different sizes. I keep a few in the closet, packed at all times, but others are stored in a drawer so they are ready to use for traveling with other projects.

Project Boards

At home, I love using project boards to keep things organized and ready to sew. I have several smaller ones as well as some larger ones that are big enough to use for pieces for a 12″ block. I use them to lay out block pieces and also to lay out unit pieces to chain piece. I always travel with these boards so that I can utilize them when teaching or when working on my own projects. (See this post with more information on my boards and a link to a tutorial to make them. You can also purchase cute pre-made design boards in several different sizes here).

Keeping Up with Works in Progress

You might also enjoy reading the following two posts where I talk a little bit more about Works in Progress:

• Keeping Caught Up (tips for staying caught up with works in progress)
• Quilt Project Planning (more ideas on staying on-task with works in progress from start to finish).

January Sew Sampler Box

Over the weekend, I also received my January Sew Sampler Box from Fat Quarter Shop. This one is a wonderful one–and just might be one of my favorites so far! Here’s what is included:

• One of the new Olfa Ruby Red 40th Anniversary 45 mm Rotary Cutters–I love this rotary cutter. I’ve been using their Splash cutter for a few years now, but I love this one even more!
• Little Snippets Honey Bun. Honey Buns are one of the cutest pre-cuts around. It’s so nice to have pre-cut 1 ½″ strips (if you can bear to untie the ribbon). The box also includes two pieces of Little Snippets fabric–that measuring tape fabric is genius! (All of the pre-cuts are available now with fabric by the yard coming soon).
• Little Snippets 4″ x 6″ Notepad–another love! I unwrapped the plastic on this right away and put it on my desk. This would also make a terrific gift item.
• Le Needle Bird Needle Threader and Thread Cutter (I put this in my sewing bag already and can’t wait to try it). This would also make a cute gift item.
• Threadology Acrylic Spool Charm–fun charm to use on a key ring or to decorate just about anything.
• Fat Quarter Shop exclusive wall hanging pattern.
• Barn Block Recipe 10 (I’ll share my block as soon as it’s finished).

Here’s to hoping you have a great week and get a lot of sewing accomplished! Thanks so much for stopping by!