Life is often surprising and changes can occur in a moment. I have been reminded of this once again. As many of you know, Daughter #2 is currently deployed to an undisclosed location. She found out last weekend that her house/dog sitter will soon be moving out. Not a lot she can do about this from the other side of the globe! So, I am moving to Arizona to take over until she returns. I have about three weeks to wrap things up here at home and expect to be out there 3-4 months.
I am trying to figure out what sewing projects I will work on while I am gone. I already have a few things cut out that I can take with me. Like this tumbler project:
And my log cabin project:
Maybe I should take those darn sawtooth stars and finally get them together!
I have a Featherweight sewing machine already at her house. But I would really like to use one of my Singer 301s. I’m trying to decide if it is worth it to ship one out there. Obviously, I won’t have access to my long arm, so I will mostly be piecing, but if I had a 301, I could do some quilting as well. I have a small cutting mat there already that I gave to Daughter #2 to use. And if I need a really big one, I think I know someone that would let me come over and borrow hers! (I’m looking at you, Zenia!)
I am actually considering taking a vintage top and hand quilting it. Is that crazy?
Help me out here. If you were moving away for 3-4 months, how many projects would you take and what tools would you feel were essential to take with you?
I predict the next few weeks will be a bit crazy as I prepare for this adventure. So responding to comments may be a bit sporadic and posting may be as well.
Have a great day!
Linking up with Sew Fresh Quilts, Quilt Fabrication
KatyQuilts 
enjoy your break from your own place. as for a long arm maybe theres somewhere where you can rent a machine. worth looking into it. Its going to be so peaceful hope you get lots done.
We’ve been wintering in FL for a few years and I’ve definitely changed the way I pack for quilting! First year, I assumed we’d be so busy exploring that I wouldn’t have time to sew. I ended up supporting the LQS ;-). Second year, I took a few more projects in various stages of completion (and a lot of yardage). The yardage provided too many options, many of which required buying even more! This year, I’m taking only projects cut & ready to sew. I typically spend about 30-40 hours a week sewing, so I can get a lot done if I don’t have to cut first. I take a mix of small and large projects, and that works really well. I’m trying to make gifts for the following Christmas so there’s not so much stress. Fingers crossed! Good luck with your fur baby sitting and your sewing!
So proud of you! Are you taking your puppy with you, too? There are longarms available for rent throughout the Valley, but of course that gets expensive fast.
I’m reading this a day late and I must say, my heart dropped when I read you were going to be away from home up to 4 months!! You and your dear hubby are going to miss each other desperately but at least we have skyping these days and you’ll get to see those adorable little ones a LOT!! You, your hubby and wonderful daughter will be in my prayers.
Wow! That is an adventure. You’re coming to Arizona at the best time of year! October and March are when we suggest family members come for a visit. The days are warm, not hot, and the evenings are beautiful. I take 2-4 projects just for a week away, so you’ll want to take several projects. You already are a prolific quilter, and since you won’t be working, you may find you get even more done than usual. Of course there are many lovely quilt stores in Arizona, so you can always find a new project if needed. Best wishes on your planning and preparations.
Yikes! That’s a tough one to plan for! I agree with the others who suggested packing more projects than you think you will need. That way you have more choices on what to work on too. Good luck and I hope you enjoy the time away.
This is wonderful news! You absolutely can come over and use my cutting table anytime..But you’ll have to stay a minimum of 4hrs! 😉
Bring at least 8 machine projects AND a couple of hand projects.
We’ll have to take a trip to SASS too!
You’ll also get to come visit at our guild meeting! I’m so looking forward to you coming!
You know what’s going to happen, right? You’ll lose interest with what you brought and will find your LQS and buy new stuff to work on! Just kidding. If you’ve got enough space, take everything you can. At least you’re moving there during the nice months, at least in the Phoenix area. Who knows, maybe you’ll change to doing quilts with desert themes. Thanks again for linking up to Midweek Makers!
Wow Katy!! You are in for an adventure! Is there a quilt group in Arizona where you are staying so you can have some support and more inspiration? I’d probably ship the machine out if I couldn’t find someone who would loan me one while I was there. Most of us have a running list of projects we want to try and I am sure you do too. I like that you might be able to have your husband ship stuff to you…maybe he’ll come out for Thanksgiving and bring more projects to you. Good luck and I hope we get to hear from you on your trip.
What a good mom you are. I’ll be joining those praying for,you, your hubby, and your daughter as she serves.
If you are driving I would take everything!! If you are flying then take the bare necessities and hit the quilt shops! I went down south for 8 years in a row (3 to 5 month trips) and I took as much as I could get away with! And we were packed the roof on the way back (such wonderful shops!!!)
Wow, Katy! That is going to be like a Mega-retreat! Well, you are going to have a lot of fun with those grand kids that live nearby. Not to mention your favorite fabric place. I agree, you should ship the 301, take as many projects as you can, and get some ready for hubby to ship, if needed. We are going to miss you at guild 😦 Maybe you can make some video tutorials for your blog while you are there; or some other new thing that you wouldn’t normally have time for. Hope you will enjoy your time.
What a great adventure. When we go south for the winter I always take my machine, rotary cutter and small mat and big box of assorted fabrics–mostly scraps and fat quarters. Isn’t there a fabric shop there? Too bad, you just might have to frequent it occasionally. Have a great time.
It sounds like a perfect time to do the hand quilting. You are so busy when at home that you may not find an opportunity there. You won’t miss your 301 so much if you are trying to get the whole quilt hand quilted. With the other piecing projects you will have lots of variety to do.
First and foremost – good luck with the adventure! As far as what to take, I think you’ve already named a variety of items (and you’ll refine that list as you pack). I completely agree with the commenter who suggested a sketch book to record inspirations and ideas/memories/thoughts while you are away (and a digital camera for scenery that is different than home). And yes, I would pack/ship the 301.
I think it’s wonderful you are helping her. I would do the same. I suppose you are flying. You can FMQ on the Featherweight if you have the little silver thing that goes over the feed dogs. April 1930’s carries them. Is it a lot of trouble to send the 301 to her home? Hand sewing would also be nice too. It depends on how much there is to do at your daughters house, but I think a good size suitcase full of projects would work, maybe 6-8 projects to be on the safe side. You sew pretty fast. Have fun!!
Oh what big changes you will have for a while Katy. I wouldn’t know where to start on projects but knowing how quick you get through things make sure you pack a lot!
They have quilt shops in Arizona – I wouldn’t be at all surprised if you start a NEW project with the inspiration you find while you’re there! LOL
Do take that 301 – you won’t regret it. Prayers all goes well.
I had a temporary sewing place at my mom’s for four months while my house was being built. I will admit that almost all my sewing supplies were stored at her house. I would definitely take a big hand sewing project. (I finished my WISP while living there.) I would also take a machine I could FMQ with. I would have had a hard time without any finishes for that long. As for projects, I would take a variety and then tell myself that buying fabric locally would be cheaper than shipping. 😉
Wow, that’s really something! How great that you’re able to do this for her. My advice is to take a big, interesting project that you’ve been wanting to work on but haven’t had the time. And definitely take your favorite machine! Also your favorite ruler, cutter, pins, etc. Have fun and good luck!
Well, Katy, you know they say that the only thing constant in our lives is change….
Such a great thing you are doing! I don’t know what I would take, if I were going to be away from home for that long….since I am predominately a hand piecer, I would take along several projects, already cut out and ready to sew…. I would also take an appliqué project or two, and if I had to do this all starting in the next few weeks, I would take along my red work quilt top that has been a work in progress for way too long….like someone suggested, have a few more projects already boxed up so Hubby could send them to you, if needed…
For me, personally, the Featherweight would be fine for what little machine sewing I might do…I typically hand quilt, so wouldn’t need a machine for quilting….
And if you do run out of things to work on…..go shopping, of course!!
Thanks to your daughter for her service to our country….thoughts and prayers for her safety, and for safe travels for you….
I would bring 2 or 3 projects and in Arizona, I will plan to buy some fabrics and will make some others there….good luck dear Katy !
Oh my gosh! I can’t imagine being away for so long without all my comforts of home! Find a quilt store…Projects, I’d take 37! Keep lining them up and hand quilting or EPP would be good to take. Small and compact! Your daughter must be so thankful she has you as her mother! I’ll be waiting to hear how your months away go…you will be blogging, right?!
I can’t imagine packing for a few months away. I agree with the others that you should take the 301 and lots of projects and hand quilting too. You always get so much done. Having some extra projects packed and ready for your husband to ship sounds like a great idea. When you finish quilts, you can ship them back home as needed. This is an incredibly generous thing you’re doing. I will be eager to learn of your adventures and progress. Take care.
I’m glad that you are able to do this for your daughter and her family. I’d take any handwork or hand quilting project. Do take your stars project. Take some knitting for a change of pace. Hugs,
Moms will do anything for their children! When going on a long-weekend quilting retreat, I over pack my projects. One thing I do – I pack a variety of projects. Some Simple, like pillowcases or small bags for charity. I will also take some projects that I’ve pre-cut as well as fabric/patterns for yet to be started. Thoughts for you during this time of transition.
Katy, what a wonderful thing to do for your daughter. I will also stand in prayer with the others for you and for your daughter as she serves. Given that you are in a different place where other activities that you normally have will not be vying for your time, I’d take more projects than I think I’d need. Maybe take a couple with you and ship the rest? What about Christmas projects? Anything special you’ll need for them? Blessings to you as you plan!
Oh my! That is an adventure. I would take everything you would take to a retreat. But how many projects? I spent a month in Florida a few years ago and took three, but two were small ones. I think the hand quilting is a good idea. Are there quilt shops close? You can always shop if you run out of projects.
God Bless you and your family for your service to our country. Good luck with your move.
These are not easy times in our world, and I am not from a military family. Through one of my part-time jobs I work at a library near a VA hospital, and have gotten to know many of the vets and their families. You and your family will be in our thoughts and prayers. We are so grateful for all you your caring and sacrifices. Thank you.
I find hand quilting to be so soothing. Hope you enjoy it.
How wonderful that you can help your daughter this way and allow her to focus on her mission, knowing things at home are handled. Definite “yes” on the hand quilting project. You might also consider having some additional projects boxed and ready for hubby to ship; may be surprised at how quickly you whip through projects when many daily distractions are removed. Good luck – look forward to following your adventures in a new locale!
Mom to the rescue! Good to plan things to work on. Where should I send your blocks?
xo
Goodness…that is a big change. It’s so nice that you are able to help out. Good luck deciding on projects.
Katy, I look forward to seeing you hand quilting on a vintage top while you are on your break in Arizona.. nice that you can relocate for a few months to help your dd out!
I would definitely ship your 301 well padded for the trip and without case etc… carry accessories with you! You love to quilt and 301’s do that so nicely… you will otherwise have plenty of time for rotating between piecing, and hand quilting… I think you may not want to come home wiht a lot of tops and be stuck at your long arm then… best to be able to do a few during the long days alone in Arizona… just my humble opinion and based on your current production levels! lol Kathi
Katy,
I thought planning for a 3-4 day retreat was difficult. 3-4 months away is mind boggling. I know we all want to ‘finish’ projects, but perhaps giving yourself plenty of leaway to be inspired for a new project or two while out there, would be good also. Take along a journal/drawing pad to record your inspirations. You may never make them, but it will be something to look back through when she has returned and you get back home too. You know,,, Keeping you and the family in my prayers. Luann