To be a Farmers Wife or not?

I can not tell you how much fun I had making this mini quilt.  The pattern is called Christmas Star and it's Block B-7  from The Loyal Union Sampler by Jennifer Chiaverini.  I made it with the intention of using it as a Christmas decoration, but to be honest it's up now and the chances of it going down after Christmas....zip!!  I used a selection of gorgeous red Tilda fabrics from my stash, including one of my favourite, now out of print ones.  I don't know about you, but I have a huge stash of fabrics from my Buntings days and amongst these I have a pile of precious ones bought JUST for me, waiting for JUST the right project...but then I find myself struggling to use them, because then they would be gone, silly isn't it!!

I machine pierced the block rather than English Paper Piercing, because I want to expand my knowledge of this style of patchwork.  As I said in my previous post, it was all going tickity boo and the middle section went together like a dream, I did however struggle and I mean really struggle with the second row of triangles getting the points to line up in the right place, but in the end... and after several cups of tea, I got there....almost..

It's amazing how something so small, it's 7 1/2" square and sweet can give you such a thrill, but then isn't that was crafting and sewing is all about, she says smiling.

So here's the thing.......I have been wanting to make a sampler quilt for ages, but I haven't found the time to do so.  But I've been thinking, when am I ever going to have the time..... BUT if I were to aim to make one/two blocks a week, by this time next year, I would have the bones of something rather lovely...does that sound mad...do you think it's achievable??????  So the big questions is which Sampler quilt do I make?  I have seen lots of my favourite bloggers making The Farmer's Wife quilt and there are some amazing examples of completed quilts on Pinterest, which are totally inspiring and beautiful....I also love the concept and origins of this quilt, however on a practical front, there are no detailed instructions on how to complete each block in the book and baring in mind my intention to machine pierce, this could be a problem.  On the other hand, each of the blocks in The Loyal Union Sampler contain thorough instructions for both paper and machine piercing, a plus, but I'm not as drawn to the Union quilting story in such the same way.  But does this matter, as the blocks themselves are gorgeous....oh decisions, decisions, I think the Union Quilt has it, but what I do know is, that maybe this is JUST the right project to use up some of those precious fabrics.

In the meanwhile, whilst I cogitate and ponder, I'll carry on working on this little project......