During the past couple of weeks, I have had an opportunity to putter around in my sewing room and take a look at the many projects I have started over the past couple of years and have not finished. Sharing the care of my father was a privilege, but it definitely prevented me from keeping up with my sewing activities. One of the projects I rediscovered was the Sampler Spree Sew Along blocks I had started back in 2021.
This sew-along is based on a book called Sampler Spree by Susan Ache. It was a pretty ambitious sew-along and looking back, I am surprised I even considered participating. The idea was, each week you were to make 10 sampler blocks in a specific colorway. Yes, 10 blocks in one week. In ten weeks you would have 100 or so blocks to put together in a quilt top. Oh well, when has anything totally impossible prevented me from joining a sew-along?
I only completed 28 blocks and was totally scattered on my approach, just working my way through the book rather than following the list of weekly blocks provided by Moda in the sew-along instructions. The result being, that I have 28 blocks in navy, teal, light blue, dark orange, light orange, gold, and brown.
Actually, I never got to the brown blocks! These are the ones I finished, organized into plastic bags by color.
To tell you the truth, I hadn't made any gold blocks either, but I made a start on those this week. These are my two favorite gold ones from the book.
If you'd like to see a photo of a finished Sample Spree quilt, check out Thelma Cupcake on Instagram.
I don't think it is realistic for me to even dream of making 10 or more blocks a week on this project, but it is fun, and will make a great looking quilt. So my plan is to pick it up when I can and make a few blocks. Slow and steady wins the race, right?
Thanks so much for all your great feedback on my recent book recommendations! It is such a pleasure for me to share the books I have read and loved with you all. And it is an even bigger thrill that so many of you read them and love them too! Several people asked me where I find all the books I read. It's pretty simple really. I listen to several book podcasts where books are reviewed and recommended. My favorites are Currently Reading, Sarah's Bookshelves, and From the Front Porch. Also, I follow a long list of book reviewers, book shops, and publishers on Instagram. I check online book recommendations from librarians and other literary sources. Also, there are book clubs sponsored by Good Morning America, Reese Witherspoon, Oprah, and Jenna Bush, which all have great suggestions for monthly read-alongs. There is so much information out there if you know where to look! Wishing you loads of great reading in 2023.
15 responses to “Sampler Spree Quilt Along”
FYI, I just got an email from Martingale, publisher of the Sampler Spree book. They are going out of business, which is really too bad for quilting, and are selling remaining inventory (including this book) super-discounted on their website, shopmartingale.com.
FYI, I just got an email from Martingale, publisher of the Sampler Spree book. They are going out of business, which is really too bad for quilting, and are selling remaining inventory (including this book) super-discounted on their website, shopmartingale.com.
FYI, I just got an email from Martingale, publisher of the Sampler Spree book. They are going out of business, which is really too bad for quilting, and are selling remaining inventory (including this book) super-discounted on their website, shopmartingale.com.
when has being realistic about what we can or can’t accomplish in a week kept us from starting a project?
honestly, I am at the point where enjoyment in the making is more important than the finishing. I look at sewing like I look at reading a good book or watching a wonderful movie. sewing makes me happy.
I hope you survived this 1st round of wet weather and didn’t lose any trees.
when has being realistic about what we can or can’t accomplish in a week kept us from starting a project?
honestly, I am at the point where enjoyment in the making is more important than the finishing. I look at sewing like I look at reading a good book or watching a wonderful movie. sewing makes me happy.
I hope you survived this 1st round of wet weather and didn’t lose any trees.
when has being realistic about what we can or can’t accomplish in a week kept us from starting a project?
honestly, I am at the point where enjoyment in the making is more important than the finishing. I look at sewing like I look at reading a good book or watching a wonderful movie. sewing makes me happy.
I hope you survived this 1st round of wet weather and didn’t lose any trees.
Sampler Spree quilt is an ambitious quilt to be sure! I started it too:). I have around 70 blocks completed. I decided to use just reds and whites. I will finish at some point. The blocks are fun and keep me on my toes. I really like your colors. I look forward to seeing your quilt completed!
Sampler Spree quilt is an ambitious quilt to be sure! I started it too:). I have around 70 blocks completed. I decided to use just reds and whites. I will finish at some point. The blocks are fun and keep me on my toes. I really like your colors. I look forward to seeing your quilt completed!
Sampler Spree quilt is an ambitious quilt to be sure! I started it too:). I have around 70 blocks completed. I decided to use just reds and whites. I will finish at some point. The blocks are fun and keep me on my toes. I really like your colors. I look forward to seeing your quilt completed!
I really like your gold & navy block! Thelma’s quilt is lovely, too! I agree with Ina…making the blocks without having a deadline is what I enjoy about the process. It gets finished (or not) when it’s finished.
I really like your gold & navy block! Thelma’s quilt is lovely, too! I agree with Ina…making the blocks without having a deadline is what I enjoy about the process. It gets finished (or not) when it’s finished.
I really like your gold & navy block! Thelma’s quilt is lovely, too! I agree with Ina…making the blocks without having a deadline is what I enjoy about the process. It gets finished (or not) when it’s finished.
Thank you for the list of books. I made list of the ones that appealed to me.
This year, I hope to tae more UFOs! But I’ll begin something new soon!
Thank you for the list of books. I made list of the ones that appealed to me.
This year, I hope to tae more UFOs! But I’ll begin something new soon!
Thank you for the list of books. I made list of the ones that appealed to me.
This year, I hope to tae more UFOs! But I’ll begin something new soon!