Early this year, charming little houses showed up on my Instagram feed. Soon I learned that Stitch and Supply Co. was hosting a Sewing a Village sew along. Yes, resistance was futile! I needed to make a pretty little village of my own from my stash of Fig Tree & Co. charm squares and scraps.

I ordered my pattern, and as I waited for it to arrive, I noticed the Cool Quilters on Instagram were fussy cutting fabrics for the doorway. Ann, the nice person behind Stitch and Supply Co., even developed a Fussy Cut Ruler to make the process easier. Of course, I needed that ruler and the Bloc-Loc Flying Geese Ruler to make my village come together quickly and accurately.

The sew along began February 5. In spite of my enthusiasm for the project, I suddenly panicked at the thought of using up my cherished fabric stash on this one quilt. So I watched everyone else’s progress, sewing eight houses each week. Oh my, the creativity of the quilting community is amazing to watch. Check out the hashtag #sewingavillage on Instagram!

I finally decided that I would use my stash of Little House on the Prairie charm squares for a small quilt. But, did I start? Nooo. Then a mashup of Instagram sew alongs formed in my little cotton-loving brain: #sewingavillage and #grammarpoliceswap2018. I owe it all to Anna (@mywanderingpath), who I follow on Instagram, because she was participating in both groups. Oh, how I love her houses and grammar police projects! And she embroidered a Grammar Police badge for me after I went all Fan Girl over her projects.

So I present Grammar Village, where little boys and girls learn to speak and write proper English and the rule-breakers go to jail.

I took close-up photos so you can see everyone in the little community. By the way, the rule breakers are from Timeless Treasures’ Cops ‘N Robbers line.

The village children are from Riley Blake’s Sidewalks line by October Afternoon.

The Dick and Jane fabric is an older line for Michael Miller Fabrics.

I made this mini quilt (20½ x 21½″) for my daughter, who works at the International Linguistics Center in Dallas, Texas. She is truly a Word Nerd and Grammar Police Officer rolled into one sweet package. I hope she can “correct and serve” with the Bible translation community for many more years to come.

Helpful Supplies for Sewing a Village

Many people who are participating in the sew along have commented how addicting these little houses are. I wholeheartedly agree! The sew along officially ends on June 17, so there’s still a little bit of time to join in and ride the wave. I recommend ordering your supplies from Ann at Stitch and Supply Co., especially if you want the exclusive Fussy Cut Ruler for the doors. The link will bring you to the Sewing a Village page that includes a tutorial for piecing a roof with either the Bloc-Loc Ruler or paper-piecing method.

I dabbed Elmer’s Re-Stick glue stick on the back of the Fussy Cut Ruler to hold it in place while I cut out each tiny door. (I use this glue stick on a lot on my quilting rulers and rinse the glue off with water when I’m done with the cutting.)

I’m so happy I finished Grammar Village. It was my One Monthly Goal for May, and it’s been a busy month. This project provided perfect sewing therapy: happy fabrics and goofy grammar rule-breakers.

Remember: When you want to make it all, make it small.

Joyfully,

Tracie

Today I’m linking up with Amanda Jean at Crazy Mom Quilts, Sarah at Confessions of a Fabric Addict,Sherry at Powered by Quilting, Tish at Tish’s Adventures in Wonderland (Thank Goodness It’s Finished Friday), and Patty at One Monthly Goal.