182 Day Solstice Challenge - UFO#15 FINISHED!

Pat Sloan's '182 Day Solstice Challenge' is FINISHED! 

This is UFO #15 on my UFO list 2026

I'm so glad I did this quilt in RSC colors. 

I really love how it turned out.

Layout direction

https://patsloanquilts.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/pat-sloan-asymmetrical-layout-directions-solstice-challenge-1.pdf

I changed the layout a little bit, for not to get blocks with the same colors next to each other. Two (the turquoise blocks at the top) are a bit close, but that's OK.

Here are some of the blocks

Block #9 - Among the Stars

Block #8 - Never ending love

Block #5 - Gramma Anna's Basket

Block #10 - The Coffee Shop

Block #22 - Weather Vane

Block # 19 - Board Games

Block #12 - Jacob's Ladder

Block #11 - Quilt Math (top right)

Block #23 - Eureka! (bottom right)

Some other blocks

Pieced backing

I have used squares and rectangles in brown and red.

Size: Approximately 85 inches / 215 cm square

All fabrics and thread used are from my stash

Batting was purchased

All blocks are custom quilted on my domestic sewing machine

First block: May 2024

Last block: April 2026

Flimsy: April 2026

Thread basted: August 2026

Quilted: September 2026

FINISHED: September 23, 2026

Thread used: 

King Tut: 926, 956, 958, 962, 963, 977, 997, 982, 1017, 1020

Masterpiece: 118, 134, 149, 159, 160, 162, 168, 176,  180, 183

Mettler: 0611, 0667, 0732

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Linking to:

 

So Scrappy

Melva Loves Scraps

Small Quilts and Doll Quilts

OMG - Stories from my Sewing Room 

RSC Week 38 - Solstice Update

It's Saturday and time for RSC (Rainbow Scrap Challenge) update. 

This month is purple. 

Even if my intention has been to piece together some purple nine patches, that has not happened. My goal for this month is to finish '182 Day Solstice Challenge', and I'm happy to say I'm almost there!

Since the RSC color is purple, I'm quilting one of the two purple blocks today. The other purple block was quilted earlier this month - here. 

It's a big block, it measures 24" / 61 cm square, finished. 

When the purple block is done, I have left to quilt the orange (to the left) and the red between the purple and orange blocks. 

HAPPY WEEKEND EVERYONE! 

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Linking to 

So Scrappy

Melva Loves Scraps

Small Quilts and Doll Quilts 

Unboxing Kris Kringle Panel Quilt Kit

 I was going to continue quilting 'Solstice' this Monday morning, but after a couple of seams, this is what happened:

Mini-Bug found the best place to rest after being outside for more than two hours! 

I need to move the quilt to be able to sew, but that won't work as long as he sleeps there!

I have a couple of UFOs as WIPs:

- Solstice: continue quilting, 10 blocks out of 25 left to quilt

- Basket Wall Quilt - waiting for binding fabric

This morning, I unboxed the Kris Kringle kit (Teresa Kogut). I purchased the kit in 2023 or 2024, but never got around to make it! 

This is UFO #19 on my UFO list. 

It comes with the pattern

panel (this is half of the panel)

...and fabrics

I'm excited about this one, as I am with everything Christmas! 

The pattern is 12 pages, including the templates for the stars. I'll have to read the pattern properly (for once!) before I start cutting! 

Do you decorate with the same wall quilts for Christmas every year? I have a few I made years ago that I do love and find difficult to replace. It's also fun to make something new to display. 

Dentist appointment this morning, have to get ready!  

RSC Week 37 - Purple / Solstice Update / Blogger Problems

First of all: BLOGGER PROBLEMS!!!!

While others have had problems, I haven't, but now it seems to be my turn.

I read blogs every day, from my 'Reading List'. About 3 days ago, I noticed there are NO NEW BLOG POSTS from any of you! I was thinking; that can't be?! I checked out a few blogs from the comment page, and yes, there were new posts, which do not show up in my 'Reading List' since some days!

I have not changed anything, it must be Blogger?? 

Any of you facing the same problem? 

Any solution? 

I know some of you have set up blogs you follow in the sidebar, maybe that is what I have to do to be sure I get your latest posts?

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RSC (Rainbow Scrap Challenge) color for September is purple. 

I was thinking I do some purple 9-patches, but that didn't happen.

This month, I'm giving priority to quilt my scrappy 'Solstice'

One purple block was quilted (that counts, right?).

It involved some wrestling, as you can see on the photo (below)

I'm custom quilting each block (25 blocks) and I'm happy to say I'm a bit more than halfway!

 Two sides are done, I'm currently quilting the centre block. It's a big block; 32" (81 cm) square (finished).

HAPPY QUILTING

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Linking up with:

So Scrappy

Melva Loves Scraps

Small Quilts & Doll Quilts   

 

Rainy and Windy Weekend Sewing

How was your weekend? I hope you had a good one. 

Here, it was 'quilting weather'; intermittent rain, strong wind and cold. With high humidity, it feels colder than it is. BRRR! While writing this (Monday morning) it's pouring rain.

Two quilts (UFOs) were thread basted;

A Quilting Life's BOM 2025

Pat Sloan's 182 Day Solstice

It measures approximately 87 inches / 220 cm square. It's a monster to quilt on my domestic sewing machine, but it will be done, eventually. My goal is to finish it by end of September (this year!). I forgot taking a photo of the flimsy and the pieced backing. It will all be revealed when finished. Patience, please! 

After spending some hours prepping and thread basting these two quilts, I was not ready to start quilting any of them right away.

Instead, I pulled out the box containing 5" squares and made two 99 Charms Quilt tops! You may remember I made some earlier this year (here and here).

 I had squares of some odd 'red'. I don't know exactly what colors they are; they are not red, not pink, not purple, but something in between. 

I came up with the idea to mix them with purple, black and brown. Most squares are from the box, I just had to cut a few to get enough. I don't know how many times that grape fabric has been in and out of the shelf, same with the floral William Morris fabric (left and right side of the quilt). I'm so glad these two are out of the shelf forever! lol 

This one I have just added rows in the same colors. I had to cut 2-3 squares of some colors to get enough. There are still squares in the box, a mix match of colors. I'm quite sure there are still enough squares for one quilt, whenever I feel for making another one.  

As you may have noticed, a few purple squares are added to these two.

Tuesday Update:

Currently quilting 'Solstice'

I started quilting 'Solstice' today. 

I'm custom quilting each block (25 blocks!). If I can do two per day, I should reach my goal this month. 

Wish me luck! 

Linking up with 

OMG - Stories From My Sewing Room

So Scrappy

Sew & Tell - Melva Loves Scraps

Small Quilts & Doll Quilts

RSC April 2026 - PINK / Dear Nina is back!

It has been some busy days since my previous post.

It has been yard work and decluttering. I've gone through lots of papers, tossed or shredded most. I couldn't believe how many quilt patterns I've collected; 2 big ring binders! I've kept one stitchery pattern! It has 12 cute snowmen motifs, how could I toss it?! It would make a fun winter / Christmas quilt. 

Last week was 'sewing week'. 

Yes! Dear Nina (Bernina 440 QE) is back from the spa in South Africa! She had a total breakdown and the dealer here nor Bernina Switzerland, did have the spare parts to get it repaired. A DF offered to take it to SA for repair. Now she's back! The S-board (motherboard), L-board (circuit board), and a buttonhole sensor had to be replaced. I've been 'test-driving' and so far so good! 

Since the RSC color for April is pink, I decided to sew some 9-patches. I don't know how many 2" squares I have, it's a lot! I just have to start somewhere! I was into 2" and 2.5" squares swaps for 2-3 years (?). I have made bed quilts using all (almost!) 2.5", but haven't done much to the 2". 

I got carried away and made 10 blocks using 2" squares

Pink is not amongst my favorite colors, but I have to admit these blocks look good, don't they?   

I'd been lurking at Pat Sloan's '182 Day Solstice Challenge' QAL (first block posted Dec 2016). 

I made the first blocks in May 2024. All blocks were done, except block 8/25; 'Never ending love'. 

I wanted to make the heart(s) pink, but ran out of that color. I gave in and purchased 10 pink/red FQs (Fat Quarters). I didn't like the 3 layers (original pattern) of hearts, instead I added one pink heart. 

....and when that last block was made, I decided to assemble the quilt! It's big; 86 x 86 inches (approximately 220 cm square). I'm almost done! 

Another RSC BOM I didn't finish last year, is A Quilting Life BOM 2025. 

I have most colors, but a few missing, like pink

This is the February block 

I used bits and pieces of pink for the centre block. The pink used for the log cabin, are some from the FQs I purchased. 

and May block in red and green

I'm also doing A Quilting Life BOM 2026, in red, blue and white

March block

April block

I'm currently assembling the Basket quilt. The centre is done, but I ran into a problem with the second (pieced) border. It turned out too long to fit the first border, so I have to come up with a solution. UGH! I'm below zero in math, but I can't let the quilt win and let it become a UFO again! I'll make it work! lol 

Together with our DF Allan, we went for a hike in the Black River Gorges

One of the view points; facing the west coast

Linking up with Angela and the RSC (Rainbow Scrap Challenge 2026) 

and Sew & Tell at Melva Loves Scraps

  

RSC Week #16 - RED for April

 It's the end of the third week in April and finally last week I did some blocks for the RSC. Angela at SuperScrappy has chosen RED as the color for April.

First up is Pat Sloan's 182 Day Solstice Challenge

Block 22/25 - Weather Vane

Measures 24.5" x 24.5" / 62 x 62 cm

Block 25/25 - Summer Rose

Measures 12.5" x 12.5" / 32 x 32 cm

Out of 25 blocks, I have 8 blocks left to make in RSC colors.

Coffee with Dad

4 blocks

I didn't have any red fabric to fussy cut in this size (3-1/2"). I thought the red chilies is a fun one, for chili lovers! 😀

5 Scrappy blocks

...and I had a RED cat! (Top right) Isn't it cute?! I wanted to use it for a coffee cup, but it was too big.

Hollow 9-patches - 5 blocks

You may notice 'Eclipse' blocks are missing? 

I have yet to make one or two. 

Linking up with Angela and the RSC (Rainbow Scrap Challenge)

Wishing you all a wonderful Easter Weekend!

RSC Week #20 - No more PINK...

 ...I said, in my previous post! 

I have admired the Hollow 9-patch blocks some of you are making and since some 2-1/2" pink squares were hiding on the table, I decided to make a few blocks

I got 3 blocks

I've been lurking at Pat Sloan's '182 Day Solstice Challenge Blocks' for some time and I really love how her quilt turned out. Isn't it pretty? 

Today (Thursday) I decided to jump into it and make a few pink blocks! It doesn't harm to use up more stash, does it?! 

 

 

From left; 

Block #1 - Churndash

Block #3 - Tide Pool

Block #23 - Eureka

There are 25 blocks and I'll do them in RSC (Rainbow Scrap Challenge)

Now the table is free from pink! lol

Linking up with Angela and the Rainbow Scrap Challenge