First finish of 2016 - Buffalo Check Quilt

I am impatiently patiently awaiting the arrival of my first baby (due date is Thursday!!) and while i've been… waiting… i've been keeping busy finishing up old tiny WIP's as well as starting new ones! The nesting bug is strong in this one.

I started a quilt for my dad, who I realized over Christmas break… doesn't have his own quilt! How is that possible!? Anyway, my dad works outside for a living so when the weather gets cold he has a hard time getting warm even after being home. Snuggly, cozy, soft, all words that I wanted this quilt to be for my dad. That being said, on January 3rd I decided to start… and complete a quilt for him :)

A Buffalo check quilt was exactly what he needed. Backed in minky of course!!

When I saw The Empty Bobbin had posted a pattern for it, I immediately jumped at the chance. Simple strip piecing had this one come together in about 3 hours. It's also just shy of a twin size which makes it amazing for a huge lap size, which all the men in my life seem to love.

Unfortunately, this is the only picture I got because it was quickly gifted and just as quickly put to good use. It's been nice to go over to the house and see it bunched up on the couch or see him sleeping under it! He calls me daily to thank me and tell me how much he likes it… and in reality, as quilters, isn't that just the most amazing thank you we can receive!? 

If anyone is interested in making their own, I definitely recommend the pattern! I also will be carrying the Bordeaux Kaffe Fassett print in my shop next week if anyone is looking for it. I went with a solid red and black that I had on hand and it worked great. I plan to try a grey version later this month!

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@knotted_thread

2016 Finish a Long - Quarter 1

Well, in an attempt to get back into the blogging, I figured what better way than to join back into the Finish a Long! I participated  back when it began, but got lazy over the past 2 years by partially committing, not keeping myself accountable, and then completely not participating last year! This year, I'm determined to stay on task. I know that in the years I participated I actually tended to finish those projects, versus jumping around as i've done in more recent years (which is why I found myself with so many unfinished quilt tops this January and why I was feverishly basting and quilting during my nesting mode 38-40 weeks pregnant!)

This year it is set up a bit differently and there are 9 hosts from around the globe - 

• Debbie - A Quilter's Table - USA

• Jess - Elven Garden Quilts - Australia

• Stacey - SLO Studio - Canada

• Jennie - Clover & Violet - USA

• Helen - Archie the Wonder Dog - UK

• Nicky - Mrs. Sew and Sow -UK

• Cindy - Fluffy Sheep Quilting - Ireland

• Rhonda - Rhonda's Ramblings - USA

• Leanne - She Can Quilt - Canada

These ladies are sure to have their hands full this year as I know each year the number of participants jumps tremendously. If you haven't participated before I definitely recommend checking it out and joining in on the fun! The ladies have also set up an Instagram account @finishalong and are using the hashtag #2016fal over there as well. You can add your own list to the linky party for quarter 1 HERE

Here goes nothing with my list..

1.  Complete Ruby, Pearl and Opal quilt - just needs basting, quilting and binding

2. Mon Ami quilt - this is a commission quilt that is in the very early stages

3. Polka Dot Beach Blanket quilt - this one needs basting, quilting, binding and a handle attachment for easy transportation

4. Swoon Sixteen Quilt - This is another commission project that needs to be finished this quarter, i've pulled fabrics but thats the extent of it!

I'm going to leave my list with 4 this time as I'm sure a newborn will be taking up a lot of my time as well and i'm thinking this might even be adventurous!

Fingers crossed for a successful first quarter! Don't forget to join in on the fun and add your link, you have until the end of this week!

2016 Goals and Resolutions

Well, it's safe to say I slacked off entirely on the blogging front in 2015. I'm going to try to rectify that in 2016. I have had a busy year and 2016 is shaping up to be the same way both professionally with Knotted-Thread and personally with the arrival of my first child any day now!

The year has just started and already my nesting has taken hold and I have a finished quill top to show! (more later) - for now, if you're interested in keeping up with my day to day sewing, i'd recommend following on Instagram (@knotted_thread) where i'm much more active :)

Be back later this week with a quilt finish and hopefully another finished quilt top to show!