My embroidery priorities for 2016

Back in December I did a stock take of what I achieved with my embroidery in 2015.  It's now time to think about what I'd like to achieve in 2016.

My top priority is to catch up with Gingerbread Village. I want to stitch the Quilt Shop and the Needlework Shop so I'm ready to make the Stitchers' Hideaway when it gets released later in the year.

So my priorities are:

1.  Gingerbread Quilt Shop by Victoria Sampler which I just received for Christmas 2015, and have already made a small start on.

2.  Gingerbread Needlework Shop by Victoria Sampler which I've had for more than a year now. I put off stitching this one because it has to be lined and I know the finishing will take longer than the others.

3. Gingerbread Stitchers' Hideaway - the pattern hasn't been released yet, but the photos look gorgeous.

4.  Peacock tapestry cushion by Erhman.  I received this cushion for Christmas in 2014, but I haven't even started it yet.  I will do it in winter when it's nicer to work with wool.

5. Needle rolls by Victoria Sampler  I've had this pattern for some time, and plan to stitch some of these for gifts.  I'll use coloured linen for variety.

6. Christmas panels by Victoria Sampler.  I've had these for some time too.  I've been distracted by the Gingerbread Village, but I really want to stitch these too.

7. Heirloom Christmas Tree.  It was on my 2015 list, and here it is again, still on the to do list.

8. Canvas work Christmas wreath by Laura J Perin.  My mum has finished her version and it's lovely.  I have the canvas and the threads, I just need to start it! This is mum's one framed:

9.  Something new.  I'd quite like to stitch something more traditional this year, so when Nancy's Embroidery issues their class list for 2016 I'll be scanning it to see what takes my fancy.

10.  Needlelace - 1, 2 and 3.  Yes I have 3 needlelace WIPs and should really get on with finishing them.

the stitch a long I was doing with some Russian ladies who have taken a break

So that's my embroidery list.  I don't promise to finish everything on it in 2016, but I am going to try to avoid starting anything else until I've made progress on quite a few of these projects.  Well, that's the plan at this stage.

My quilting priorities for 2016

After reviewing my progress against my 2015 goals here, it's time to make a new list for 2016.

Here's some ideas that have been running around in my head for a while.

1.  Mediterranean Hexagons. I'm attending a Kaffe Fassett class at the end of January 2016 and we're making the Mediterranean Hexagons quilt from his Quilts in Morocco book.  The quilt in the book is in blues, but I'm breaking out and using hot colours like pinks, reds and oranges.  I've only just realised that it will no longer fit the Mediterranean name in those colours.  Maybe I'll call mine "Mediterranean Sunset Hexagons".

2.  la passacaglia I've got 90% of the top together, so need to finish the top, add the borders, and then hand quilt it.  I can see that this might take quite a few more months yet, but I do want it finished in 2016.

3.  My Small World.  I started this quilt back in May, but I wasn't happy with how it was turning out, so I stopped.  I may continue with this one, or I might start again in a different style.  Now I have the foundation paper piecing templates it might be easier.

The pattern

My effort to date.

4.  Possum Magic quilt.  I'm looking forward to hand quilting this in 2016.

5.  Women of the Bible quilt. This was a quilt along where 2 patterns were released every second week for 40 weeks. The blocks are all joined now, and I just need to piece a back from the scraps.  Then I'll get it professionally quilted.

6.  Spinning Stripes v2.  I cut out the pieces for a second Spinning Stripes mini quilt when I went to the class with Shirley Mooney last year, but I still haven't sewn the second one together.  Getting all the stripes matching takes time, and machine quilting the last one took weeks due to all the ends that need tie-ing off and burying. It will be something like this - I can't find a photo of my original plan, but fortunately the pieces are all pinned to an old sheet in the correct layout.

7. Oh! Christmas Tree.  I made a small start on this in 2015, but I would really like to have it all finished for Christmas 2016.  It's wool felt applique, stitched by hand. It's another great design by Wendy Williams.

8.  Smitten.  I've had the paper pieces and pattern for a while now.  I've also got a bundle of Tula Pink Elizabeth that I'd like to use for this quilt.  It's made using English Paper Piecing, so I'm avoiding starting until I've finished la passacaglia, and had a little break to do some embroidery.

9.  Trip around the World from Kaffe Fassett Heritage Quilts book.  This block has appealed since we made them for our Capital Quilters block of the month. I've got some fabrics put aside for this quilt.

10.  Glitter.  This is a pattern by Jen Kingwell.  I've seen a number of these quilts on Instagram and would like to try one myself.  I don't know how big I'll make it, I'll just see how I enjoy it.

11.  Ballet avec Kaffe Fassett.  This is from Willyne Hammerstein's second book.  Again, it's more English Paper Piecing, so it will be later in 2016, or possibly even 2017.

Photo from Millefiori Quilts 2 by Willyne Hammerstein

12.  Stacks of Colour  I've finished hand quilting this, and now I just need to put on the binding. I plan to finish it in January.

13.  Felt quilt. I saw photos of some beautiful and unique quilts by Gillian Travis at the UK Festival of Quilts.  Since then I have bought her book, and have plans to do something along these lines in 2016.

So that's 13 possible quilts for 2016.  Quite an ambitious list, but if I leave myself too much free time I will just come up with even more ideas.  I'm looking forward to making these quilts. What's on your list for 2016?