Best of 2024

Cheryl at Meadow Mist Designs has been hosting the "Best of" linky party since 2015.  I have participated in the party each year and it is always interesting to take a look at what some of the stats reveal... and what my personal feelings are in regard to those stats.  I am sometimes usually at little surprised at what posts/stories appear (by the numbers) to be the most popular (and this year is no surprise)... And then there's my personal favorites.

By the numbers:

Several older posts (I mean years old) made the list.  I'm not quite sure why but when I pull them out of the mix the announcement of the Pieces of My Life Sew Along tops the list.  I am not surprised at this.

The Maintenance & Self-Care story was nothing exciting (I wanted to say it was nothing to write home about, hahaha) but obviously it was a topic that resonated with my readers.  Perhaps we need more frequent reminders that we need to take care of our machines AND ourselves... to be reminded that not every project needs to be completed at a record pace.  Slow and easy can be just as enjoyable... possibly even more so.

The Sticks & Stones (II) quilt (pattern from Missouri Star Quilt) was popular... both when the top was finished and when it was fully finished with quilting and binding.  Dave called this quilt "Christmas Morning" because it reminded him of the excitement of children unwrapping gifts, bits of wrapping paper, bows and gifts. It has been purchased by a customer and will certainly bring some bright joy to their family on Christmas Morning.

The November 4th Sew & Tell featured a table topper featuring a vintage piece on linen that I hand-quilted.  

Just behind that was a story telling of my repurposed full-length mink fur.  There seems to be a great interest in the fur since the furry poms were viewed more than the mink bed runner.  (Or maybe it was just that they were with the Sticks & Stones quilt...)

And finally, the 50th Anniversary Quilt that had been sewn in (semi)secret. 

My personal favorite list is a touch different.  If I stick to strictly quilted projects of the year - 17 in all- (and cheat just a little by grouping a few projects) I have four categories... And let's face it... choosing a favorite quilt is like admitting you have a favorite child ;)

#4 encompasses the custom memory quilts I made: two quilts using baby clothes and three that included shirts from a father/grandfather for his daughters and grandson.  

#3 includes the four items I created from vintage linen pieces.  The small elephant runner was a silk scarf, the teal table runner was made with a dresser scarf that was made by my Grandma T, the tablecloth found its way to me from a friend who was selling her mother's items after her passing and the coffee cup table topper with a vintage center that had been gifted to me several years ago.

#2 includes the two storytelling quilts from the Pieces of My Life Sew Along.  When I started the sew along, I was only going to offer one non-traditional layout that incorporated the twelve 12" blocks as well as the eight 6" blocks using a Quilt as you go method.  I was concerned that not everyone would want to have a non-traditional layout... and being the (recovering) people pleaser that I am, I decided that I would include the fabric requirements and directions for a more traditional quilt.

After deciding this I realized it would be best (and easiest) to make an actual quilt so that I could verify and confirm the information I was offering.  I chose purple as the colorway... and about 4 blocks in I learned that the full range of purples was a challenge to get to work together and keep the red-violets and blue-violets from fighting clashing with each other.  In the end, it all worked out well with the help of the sashing fabric that I used.

#1 is the Camping Journal Quilt that has been a labor of love for years.  Oh, ok... this is not a "group" of quilts... but since it is my most recent finish, I can claim that it just might be my favorite finish of 2024.  (That's ok, right???)  Quilting is still in process as I write this post, but it is my hope that it will be completely finished, binding and all by December 31. 

The number of quilts I made this year was a little lower that past years but given all that life included with a major move for my Mom, I feel okay with that.  I trust God to send customers my way and if there is a lack of custom work... He inspires ideas for quilts to make and the time to do so.

Do you have a favorite quilt that you made this year?

Leave a comment telling me all about it.  I'd love to hear from you!

Keep Piecing,

Melva

Linking with:

To Do Tuesday at Quilt Schmilt

Mid-week Makers at Quilt Fabrication

Wednesday Wait Loss at The Inquiring Quilter

Put Your Foot Down at The Quiltery 

Thankful Thursday at Brian's Home

Little Things Thursday at Good Random Fun

Best of 2024 at Meadow Mist Designs

Favorite Finishes Monthly Linkup at Quilting Jetgirl 

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