It happens every year. The Holidays end. Kids go back to school. And the winter starts to drag on endlessly! When the winter blues hit and you need a pick-me-up, here are 5 solutions that are sure to put a bounce back in your step and a smile on your face:
1. Make a Bright and Happy Quilt.
"Easy Addition," the cover quilt from the Spring 2016 issue of Quilts and More Magazine is a perfect choice. As soon as the magazine arrived in the shop, I started dreaming of making this quilt. It conjures up images of sunshine and summer!
This is a nice-size quilt, finishing at 78 1/2" x 104 1/2." It requires 24 fat quarters and 5 yards of solid white. If you wanted to make a lap-size quilt instead, you could easily adjust the size by using 12 fat quarters to make 24 blocks instead of the 48 in the original pattern. Finished size on that quilt would be around 52" x 78". Fabrics from Moda's Prairie or Best Day Ever lines would be so fun in this quilt!
2. Sign Up for a New Club
Nothing stimulates your brain more than learning something new in a hands-on, fun sort of way. Our new Block of the Month Program is a perfect choice for chasing away doldrums.
In this year-long series we will feature a new lesson every month all about "The Math of Quilting." In the process, we will make twelve blocks from the book Vintage Quilt Revival. We will be using Riley Blake's Cotton Shades to make the blocks, and the bright, spring colors are sure to chase away all thoughts of winter and snow. Sign up with a friend to make it even better!
3. Make a Little Something Just For Yourself
Quilting is Just Sew much more fun when you have great accessories, and the Goody-Goody Binding Kit by Vanessa at Lella Boutique will give you a boost every time you use it (especially since she includes a pocket meant specifically for carrying chocolate)!
Pick up four coordinating Fat Quarters plus a few extras and you are on your way to having a Goody-Goody Binding Kit of your very own. Vanessa has a free tutorial on her blog. I'm dreaming of this bag made from Moda's Strawberry Fields Revisited line by Fig Tree Quilts.
P.S. For an even bigger boost to your spirits, make another as a surprise for a friend!
4. Add A Fun Pop of Color to Your Home
Thinking outside the box is sometimes the best way to get out of a rut! Skip the squares and add some excitement in a roundabout sort of way with Cluck Cluck Sew's Sprocket Pillows.
In just a couple of hours, a space in your home will be filled with new life. Visit Allison at Cluck Cluck Sew for a complete tutorial. Fabrics from Allison's fabric line, "Hazel" would be perfect for these pillows!
5. Make a Mini!
Sometimes a small quilt is just the thing you need. Especially one that is seasonal AND as cute as Lori Holt's Scrappy Happy Hearts Mini.
Lori has a tutorial on her blog for this adorable Valentine Mini. It uses the heart pattern from her Mini Chicks block in her Farm Girl Vintage Book. I just have to say, making blocks from this book makes me happy every time!
Happy Sewing!
