April's Machineless Goal

Setting my April goal for A Lovely Year of Finishes is more challenging this month that it usually is, and not simply because I'm 30 weeks pregnant and increasingly uncomfortable. No, the problem is that my sewing machine is in the shop. I've bought the machine almost two years ago and I've never had it serviced or cleaned. It was getting a tad clunky and there really isn't ever a good time to be without it, so I went ahead and brought it in. I have no idea when I'll get it back. I'm trying to find a machine to borrow for the next few weeks, but haven't been successful yet. And yes, I am suffering significant withdrawl.

Not having my sewing machine has led me to revisit my farmer's wife sampler blocks. Last October, I prepared fabric for a number of blocks which I planned to work on while flying to and from Sewing Summit. But I am extremely slow at handsewing and any goal I set for myself on that front is destined for failure.

Instead, my goal for April will be to complete all the cutting for my Tula Star Quilt (the stars themselves, not the arrows). This is supposed to be my baby-girl-to-be's welcome quilt, though I'm not sure it will get done on time. I've been wavering on the quilt pattern and wondering if I should choose something simpler to show off the Salt Water prints, like a Brick quilt or a Colour block quilt. Or perhaps this fabulous pattern by Elizabeth Dackson called Modern Circuitry. I do love it's simplicity. What do you think? Stick with my original plan or make a change? Either way, cutting the fabric will be my April goal.