I always like to have a theme for the year, whether it’s for cooking, reading, or sewing. (Yes, believe it or not, there is always a reason behind what I do!) 

My theme for this year is: using my scraps!!

Back in January I was taking a good hard look at all the fabric I have at home (as you can probably imagine………it’s a lot). I decided to sort my scraps into bins by color and use those instead of bringing new fabric home. 

Now, some of you reading might be thinking…hey, I’ve seen you post projects with new fabric this year! And yes, that’s true: when I’m pattern testing, I use new fabric so that we can make kits, but that is for work, so it’s different! Or at least, that’s how I justify it to myself…

My other quest for this year is tackling my fear of Foundation Paper Piecing (FPP). I am taking my time and being gentle with myself, using the very beginner-friendly pattern Love at First Sight by Whole Circle Studios. 

Sometimes I make three blocks in a day, sometimes it takes me a week to finish one. But I am really letting myself enjoy the process, sorting through and rediscovering old fabrics, many of which hold treasured memories for me. 

I am embracing the upcycling, recycling, “keep it scrappy” theme of 2023. Now don’t get me wrong…I definitely still try to use new fabric…or I’ll go, “well, I have this fat quarter bundle at home, I’ve never used it, but I bought it a long time ago (aka 2022, haha).” At times like that, it takes a gentle reminder from Kathleen saying, “Julie, this is not a scrap” to keep me on track.

All my best (and remember to keep it scrappy!),

Julie