Project Update: 27.05.2025

Hello Friends,

Last week, I took a break from the blog to process the passing of my Opa.

He has always been a very quiet presence in my life, though he did amuse himself with the occasional clever comment. He loved dogs and always asked how Meara was doing, even if he couldn't always remember her name.

Though I'm sad knowing he's no longer here, Opa was the type of person that didn't see much point in dwelling on things that can't be changed, so it seems right to remember him while making tangible progress on something that I do have the power to affect.

And for me, that means quilting.

Ice Cream Soda

I started assembling the blocks of my Ice Cream Soda quilt into a quilt top last month, and have continued progressing in the weeks since then.

Initially, I started by assembling the top corner, but after five blocks, I switched to piecing up from the bottom corner. There's still two blocks to go before the top and bottom chunks will join to finish the leftmost side of the quilt, but I'm happy with my progress so far.

The Ice Cream Soda quilt is based on a design by Jodi Godfrey of Tales of Cloth.

The Generations Quilt Project

After cutting a few background squares in April, I've continued working on my Generations Quilt blocks throughout all of May.

So far, I've finished ten new Dresden Plate blocks, as well as nine Six Pointed Stars. I would have made ten of each, but I spilled some tea on one of my Star backgrounds and would rather not use the stained fabric.

The stain is really not that big, so I still have lots of clean fabric to put into the remnants pile and use for something else, but it's close enough to the edge of the square that there's no way for me to cover it with the applique shapes.

In addition to those blocks, I've also picked up a few new background solids. I tried to pick colours that were different from those I've already used, but also chose whatever colours I happened to be drawn to.

The Generations Quilt is based on the traditional Dresden Plate and Six Pointed Star blocks, using templates drafted by Valerie Anne.

Old Town Mystery Quilt

My final piecing project has made quite a bit of progress, nearly doubling the number of completed blocks since last month.

I've made six new blocks so far in May. Most were pale pink, but I also made one in yellow, orange, and in red. Each block is beautiful and unique in their own way, and were a lot of fun to make.

With these blocks finished, I'm now up to a total of 14 Old Town blocks and looking forward to making more.

The Old Town quilt is based on a design by Bonnie Hunter of Quiltville.

Pajama Pants

The final project I've been working on this month is a fairly new one. My husband has worn out most of the pajama pants I've made for him and asked for some new ones.

I made a pattern for him by taking apart one of his worn out pairs and tracing the pieces onto pattern paper. The original pants were a little shorter in the leg than he prefers, so I added several more inches to the leg length on the new pattern.

After tracing a pattern, I was able to make the first new pair of pants.

My husband loves dinosaurs, so I picked this cute dino print for the first pair. After having him try these pants on, I discovered I can cut about 1.5" off the length of my pattern and still have enough for a double fold hem. That gives me the right length for my finished pattern.

I also tried out a different style of waistband and pocket than the original pants and am really happy with how they turned out, though I might make the pocket pattern piece a little deeper.

With the first pair made, I can start on the second pajama pants next.

They'll be made with this fox print, which I picked because it reminded me of the print he chose for the first pair of pajamas I made for him.

So far, I've cut the two leg front and two leg back pieces, so I still need to cut the pockets and waistband facing before I can start assembling them, but once everything is cut, this simple pants pattern comes together really quickly.

The pajama pants pattern was traced from an existing garment by Valerie Anne.

Though I've had a sad end to my month, I've still been able to work through several of my projects, making good progress along the way. And the slow work of hand stitching has been a nice way to remember my Opa.

Once I've given myself more time to process this loss, I hope to get back to posting photos on Instagram so I can share my progress with all of you between updates, and I look forward to updates from you on your own ongoing projects.

In the meantime friends, remember to slow down and spend some time with the people you love. No one stays in our lives forever, so it's important to make memories and enjoy the time we do have together.

Until Next Time,

~VA