Some new projects

Inspired by the yo-yo tutorial on Heather Bailey's site, I decided to try a little bit of handwork.

These are the result.

144 yo-yos, made from 1930's reproduction fabrics. My original intent was to make a small wall hanging to go in the girls' room, but these don't really coordinate with their room that well. I also considered making just a garland. I haven't decided yet... maybe they will just sit in a bowl and be a pretty decoration!

Since I enjoyed the relaxation of the handwork while making the yo-yos, I thought I would try hand-piecing next. There are some blocks that I really think are easier to make when hand piecing, rather than machine piecing, namely those that have Y or set-in seams. I ordered some templates a few days ago, and they arrived two days ago. Last night I finally sat down and got some fabric cut and sewn together.

I plan to make these into a scrappy quilt made from civil war-type reproduction fabrics, of which I have tons! My challenge on this quilt, besides perfecting my hand piecing skills, will be to use fabrics only from my stash. This will be a great project for me because Elliott likes to watch TV in the evening while working, and if I wanted to sew on my sewing machine, I couldn't be hanging out with him. Now I will be able to watch TV without feeling like a slug!