I decided to try out a challenge from Aurifil for January. This month’s challenge was an organizational one- “Sew Organized”. What a perfect challenge for a new decade!

I had wanted to make Christina Cameli’s Quilted Nesting Bucket pattern to use in my studio for a while. This was the perfect excuse to sew a few up and organize my stash of products. These mostly live under my cutting table in the center of the room. Christina’s pattern gives easy instructions for 3 different sizes. I realized that the measurements of the largest bucket would perfectly hold a small stack of my Ruby Rulers™ and Ruby Minders™. So I made 3 identical ones.

I now keep these buckets out in the studio, holding a small stack of rulers, at the ready. (And gosh, they look so much nicer than the huge cardboard box with the bulk of my inventory.)

I’ve already used these at a few lectures recently, to display ruler and minders. I actually might make a few more for patterns!

One of the best parts of Christina’s pattern? The opportunity it gave me to do a little free motion quilting. I find it so fun to layer up a fat quarter and just start to “draw” with the sewing machine. If you are in need of free motion quilting practice, this pattern is for you. For these buckets, you free motion quilt a flat piece, then stitch it up into the bucket shape. I picked a few different colors of Aurifil’s 50 wt thread colors that matched the red shade of the ruby to do the quilting, and it contrasted nicely with the solid grays from my stash. (The colors I found in Aurifil cotton 50wt, my preferred machine thread to coordinate with the pinkish red of the Ruby Ruler color- #2530 Red Peony, and a variegated #4668.)

A great (and fun!) excuse to get myself sew organized and ready for a new year (and decade)!

P.S.- I’m also an Aurifil Designer of the Month! Have you made the Milano block yet?