2023 First Quarter Report

Happy Wednesday! Instead of doing monthly reports this year I've decided to mix it up and do quarterly reports! Now that March is almost over, it's time to look back on the first quarter of 2023. See past monthly reports here.


I made some adjustments that allowed me to finish the arcs for my double wedding ring quilt (finally!). Next I need to choose background and cornerstone fabrics, which is no small task! You'd think after all this time I'd know what I wanted, but a do not. I also need to make a small tester, because my curved piecing experience is very limited.


This month I picked up the Hinterland Dress pattern by Sew Liberated and last weekend I got my muslin cut and sewn. I'm not sure how much I'll wear it, as the fabric didn't drape the way I expected it to (I used a vintage sheet!). I still need to choose a fabric for my next one, we'll see if I have something on hand.


It still needs photographing, but I finished my all lawn indigo quilt! I sent it off for longarm quilting in early 2023 and got it bound this month. I'm excited to have another large all lawn quilt around for Summer so that Michael and I both have one we can use when it gets a bit warmer. I still love this voile one I made years ago: Little Folks Voile Summer Quilt. It's so lightweight and has the most amazing drape.


I started the year by finishing up my tea advent calendar, made with tiny lined drawstring bags! I had grand intentions to finish it in time to use last December, but that didn't quite happen. Regardless, I'm happy with how it turned out! And thankfully it's not holiday-themed so I can use it anytime I want. Read more about that project here: Rainbow Drawstring Bag Advent Calendar


I also made a Valentine's themed drawstring bag last month, with a fun heart appliqué detail. This was a fun experiment, and a good excuse to just play around with different techniques. Read more about that project here: What I'm Working on Right Now


My one scrappy project this quarter was making these two pincushions. I used leftover blocks and scraps.


I've been having fun doing some just for fun crafting this year. I have made a few things with a kit from Concrete Geometric (paired with this mold set from Michael's). So far I've made a couple of ring dishes and some lidded boxes.


I am finally using my stash of dried strawflowers to make a few wreaths. I have been growing strawflowers and saving my blooms for 4 years I think? Can't wait to grow more this year!


To keep myself accountable for my stash goals, I track my yardage for fabric and yarn. Read more about how I track here. Here is how I did in the first quarter of 2023:

First Quarter Fabric
Used up: 20.25 yard
Brought in: 0 yards
Net: -20.25 yards
Year to date: -20.25 yards

First Quarter Yarn
Used up: 0 yards
Brought in: 0 yards
Net: 0 yards
Year to date: 0 yards

Checking in with my crafty goals, here is how I'm doing in 2023 so far:
- Haven't purchased any fabric or yarn this year, so I'm meeting my stash goals at the moment.
- I finished all the arcs for my double wedding ring quilt!
- Finished one color work mitten.


It hasn't been a very productive start to the year in terms of making to be honest. During these first few months of the year I have spent more time focusing on things in my life outside of sewing/knitting. That is probably how the rest of the year will be as well, and that's okay. Some years I've made tons of things and other years hav been slower. Just trying to give myself grace and not feel too guilty about that.

Happy Making!