Chookshed Challenge 2025

Deana is once again hosting the Chookshed Challenge.  Here are the details:

If you would like to join, make a list of ten sewing related items or goals you want to work on in 2025, and post it to your blog on or before January 1st.  You can join late, but the first number will be posted January 1st.  Each month, January through October, I will draw a number.  That will be the number from our list we all work on together in blogland.  Blog your progress through the month to keep us all motivated.  No blog?  That is ok, I would love to have you email your list and monthly progress to cheer you on.

Your list can include any sewing goal you set for yourself.  Make it reachable.  Here are some ideas:

• finish a project (name the project or not)
• work on a project (name the project or not)
• make a block
• start a new project - can be open to any new start

Your goals can be whatever you choose. The accountability is only to yourself and completely flexible.  You can also rearrange your goals as needed throughout the year.  One member of the group last year made three lists - one for sewing, one for yarn projects, and one for decluttering.

I've been considering what to include for a while now and keep changing my mind.  A consideration has been that it has to be achievable within the month.  This is to be fun, not a chore.  Another consideration is that there has to be no time constraint, as I have no idea at what stage of the year the project will come up.  Ideally, it will also finish up some UFOs or be projects that have been on the wish list for a long time.  I think this is the final version - all subject to change as circumstances arise.

1.   NATALIE BIRD PINCUSHION

This was started while on the Isle of Man and will be nice to finish.

2.  WORK ON ONE OF THE FISH QUILTS (swapped with Number 9)

I started making "Fishy Business" blocks in both brights and batiks in 2024 with the plan to make two bright kid's quilts and a large batik quilt.  The aim is to work on at least one of these quilts.  It would be nice to have a finish, but any progress is good.

MARCH - Fourteen additional bright fish blocks fused, ready to applique. That is sufficient to complete two bright kid's quiilts.

APRIL - Twelve blocks were stitched down at Scrub Stitchin', except for the eyes.  The two skeletons still need to have the grey section stitched down.

3.    SASHIKO PROJECT



I have a couple of Sashiko panels that have been stitched.  It will be good to get at least one of them into a complete project.

4.    GRANNY SQUARE TABLE RUNNER

I have some left over charm squares and a photo of a table runner.  They have been waiting their turn to shine for several years.  Once pieced it will also be a good project to practice some ruler work on Monique.

APRIL - The charm squares weren't square, so have been turned into basted one inch hexies.  No project planned as yet.

5. SEW TOGETHER BAG   

Over the years I have made two of these and received one in a swap, but have never made one for my own sewing bits and bobs.  I have bought some pretty fabric and have the pattern........somewhere.  I just hope I can find them before the number comes up.

6.    MAKE SOME CRUMB BLOCKS    

I started making some crumb blocks in 2024 and really enjoyed the process. I have lots of suitable scraps, so this will be a nice, simple, stress free project to work on.  No goal as to how many to make.  Just have fun.

JANUARY - I made four blocks.  Not many, but there was no number in the goal.  I did have the requisite fun.

7.  RAINBOW SCRAP CHALLENGE SPLIT NINE PATCH QUILT (swapped with Number 8)

I have made the blocks for this quilt over the last two years.  Now it is time to turn them into a quilt to donate.  Hopefully, I can finish it within the month.

8.    QUEENSLAND HEXY TABLE RUNNER (swapped with Number 10) (swapped again, this time with Number 7)

In 2021, I had signed up to attend a stitching day at Highfields in Queensland.  At the last minute it was cancelled due to COVID.  We still received our goody bag including this kit.  There is a bit of work in it, but if I put my mind to it, it should be achievable to make it in a month.  If that doesn't happen, there is always the end of the year to catch up.

MAY - After discovering that the printed embroidery centres had faded to being unsuable, I have decided to use a vintage doiley as the centre hexies.

9.    GAIL PAN BAG (swapped with Number 2)

Another project started while on the Isle of Man.  The stitchery was nice and portable.

10.    SEA GLASS MINI QUILT (swapped Number 7)

This one is a bit different.  I only came up with this idea a couple of days ago, after seeing a lovely version.  It will be a great way to use up my smaller scrap crumbs and go well with my summer display on the little shelf in our kitchen, as we have a nice collection of sea glass, found mainly on the Isle of Man.

FEBRUARY - Finished.  I am so pleased with how it turned out.