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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So Scrappy

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OMG - Stories from my Sewing Room 

Card Holder - UFO #4

Now that 'Solstice' is finished (yesterday), I'm moving on to another UFO.

This is UFO #4 on my UFO list 2026. I don't have any records of when I started working on this one, it may have been in 2020 or 2021 since it appears on the last years UFO lists.

I'm giving this one another try! 

The 'problem' is; the pattern is in French! ... and I don't know French! My DH speaks French, which helps a lot, although he is not that fluent in 'quilting language'. 

I'm also using Google Translate from French to English, or Norwegian, but there are some phrases that does not make sense at all! It took me some time to figure out this translation: 

Pour les pattes de suspension - translated to: For the suspension brackets! ?????? It took me some time to figure out it's 'hanging tabs'! LOL

French quilt patterns are usually in metric, not imperial, which makes it even more tricky. I've been using imperial since I started quilting, about 20 years ago. 

I also believe the pattern is 'over-explained' (for newbies). 

Batting is not used for this one. Instead, Vliseline S80 is used. Alternative is Pellon 70. 'Of course' I have Pellon 71F and 72F, not 70! However, I do have 'Stiff Stuff' (Lazy Girl Design). What I have read, it can be used as an alternative to the S80 as well.

Or, I can use thin cotton batting instead of interfacing? 

If you have any experience using interfacing, please let me know.

Any suggestions are much appreciated.

Fabric is chosen and the trees were done some years ago. 

I can see how it is done, but my brain and hands don't cooperate! LOL If the pattern is stubborn, I can be even more stubborn! 

I really like this card holder, it's a fun design. The pattern appears in the French magazine 'Elena Patchwork' Septembre 2011

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   

 

Basket Quilt Binding - Opinion Please

The last days I've been working entirely on finishing the Basket Quilt (#5 on my UFO list)

I quilted the last piece yesterday, trimmed the sides and added a sleeve. It's ready for the binding, but I can't for my life decide what color to choose. ...and since I don't buy unnecessary fabric (strict fabric diet!), I don't have anything that fits. I have to purchase fabric for this one, to be able to finish it.

Can you believe I'm out of black?! I had a small piece I tried, but to me it looked too dull. Dark green or dark red? Don't have! SIGH! 

If I had had more of the black with purple and teal, I would have chosen that one.

Something low scale black with tiny flowers? Dots? 

I'm having a hard time to decide! 

What had YOU chosen for binding? 

Your opinion, please!

 

 

A Quilting Life's BOM 2025 is a FLIMSY

 UFO #27 (UFO list) is finally a Flimsy!

A Quilting Life's BOM 2025

The quilt consists of 12 blocks. I did 10 of the blocks in RSC colors (Rainbow Scrap Challenge) last year. Somehow I dragged on the last two - see my previous post. 

I couldn't decide on what color to choose for the house block. For the Dresden Plates block; I was not veeery eager to do it since I had never done any before. As I can recall, I think an alternative block was suggested. I 'survived' doing the Dresden Plates block! LOL 

It always takes me some time deciding on sashing and border fabrics, when needed. Suitable fabric (from my stash) is usually not enough and I'm not purchasing fabrics this year unless strictly necessary to finish a project. 

I dived deep into the fabric shelves and pulled out a red fabric I had totally forgotten about it! Not easy to see on the phot, it has black cherries and tiny white dots on dark red, from STOF France, 100% cotton. I bought this fabric in Port Louis some years ago. If I can remember the name of that shop, I'll go there again! I know that shop has moved to another location and right now I can't for my life remember the name of that shop or the location it moved to. 

I'm pondering about backing. I may do a pieced one? I have a piece of 108" backing in my stash, I may use that one? I'm sure there are fabrics just sitting there that are waiting to be used. You know... Those 'ugly' fabrics! I shall see.... 

In the garden

I don't know the name of these. We picked up a few wild plants on one of our hikes some years ago and now it has spread beautifully. I love it, because it prevents weed from growing.

The flower bud

The flowers stay for one day only. 

Amaryllis in full bloom. It has a beautiful red/orange color.

Linking up with 

So Scrappy

Melva Loves Scraps

Small Quilts & Doll Quilts

  

Christmas in July

Have you ever thought from where Christmas in July originates?

To be honest, I have always thought it came from the Southern Hemisphere. Recently, I did a search and according to this link, it originates from France! Did you know? I didn't!

The month of July is usually the time I start making Christmas items for gifts etc. 

Last year, I prepped some dogs and cats themed mug rugs, using scraps from my stash. (I forgot to add them to my UFO list). I have finished quite some big quilts (so far) this year, it feels good working on something small, like quilting the mug rugs (even if that can be a bit tedious).

I have three Christmas UFOs I hope to finish / make progress.

The first two, I hope to finish before Christmas so that I can display them on the wall.

  Kris Kringle Kit - Teresa Kogut (UFO #19)

Christmas Card holder (UFO #4)

The pattern is in French - UGH! I'll get it done, eventually! 

Scrappy Christmas Stars (UFO #3)

Or should I say ongoing project? I have done 3 blocks only. I shall see if more can be done this month.

It's raining this a.m., showers with gusts up to 56 miles/h (90 km/h) is predicted today. I hope there will be some dry spells so I can do some grocery shopping later. 

 

Coffee with Dad - RSC Finish

...as the title says; Coffee with Dad is finished! 

UFO #26 on my UFO/WIP list 2026

Actually I finished it in May, but didn't take photos at that time.   

An easy and fun quilt to make! 

Drums, daffodils, black cat and colorful gecko

Yellow cat

Geckoes and sunflowers

The pink cat, and favorite coffee batik

Yes, I love cats! It was fun to rediscover some of the fussy cut fabrics for the cups.

Pieced backing

It was difficult to get the colors right. I took the photos in the shade on the porch. The bottom looks a bit washed out compared to the top that have more the right colors. 

I've had this teapots / teacups fabric for years. The idea was to make some table quilts (table runners, placemats, tea cozy etc) which never happened. I had saved it because it was 'too pretty to cut'! lol Well, I just had to trim it a bit to fit the backing.

...and yes, I did incorporate the broken handle cup to the back! 😃

The binding is an 'old' black and white animal print I found in my stash.

First blocks made: January 2025 (RSC)

Flimsy: March 2026

Finished: May 8, 2026

Size: 60 x 83 inches / 153 x 210 cm

All fabrics from my stash

Pattern: Quiltmaker May/June 2022

Other UFO Finishes 2026, take a look here

Swirling Stars - An RSC Finish

Swirling Stars (UFO #11) has moved from my UFOs/WIPs list to Finished UFOs. 

My goal was to finish it by end of February. That didn't happen due to delayed thread order.

The thread was finally delivered on March 25!

It took me some time to decide how to quilt this one. Simple FMQ (Free-Motion-Quilting) is the easiest and fastest, but it doesn't always 'fit' a quilt.

For this one, I went for custom quilting each block. I didn't have a plan fully in my head when I started, it was like 'quilt it as you go and see what happens' on the first big block. I liked how the first block turned out, but knew it would take some hours quilting all the blocks. 

All straight seams, 3/4" in between each seam. 

The small HSTs are outlined.

I don't remember when I purchased this 108" wide backing. I find it perfect for this colorful quilt. 

The binding is red and white gingham.

Finished size: Approximately 67 x 89 inches / 170 x 226 cm

First block made: January 2023

Flimsy: January 27, 2026 

Started quilting: Beginning February 2026

Finished: March 27, 2026

Hours of machine quilting + burying thread tails: 115 hours

Thread used: 

King Tut: 902, 911, 942, 955, 956, 959, 997, 990, 1001, 1018, 1029, 1034.

MasterPiece: 152 (bobbin thread)

Free PDF pattern from FQS