Making A Lather

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last report June and July 2026

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Friday, October 30, 2026

5 quilt October 2026

I have 32 quilts this year that are in the running for time at the sewing machine. In 2024, I finished 41. It was a miracle. In 2025, I finished 14. I don't know what the difference was. I do know the 5 quilt project has been a true help in overcoming overwhelm and procrastination. But, some quilts take longer than others. The first mention I found of the 5 quilts was in October 2021. I remember, I was talking with quilty friends and mentioned I was overwhelmed with the shear number of ufos and quilts I want to make. A friend said, maybe if you just focus on a small number of quilts at a time.... And tada, the sun came out and everything was unicorns and rainbows. It has helped me remain active in my favorite sport ( quilting)

yellow string baby quilt is finished

46 x 54

dresden blocks - I decided to make a piano key border. I have the top ready to quilt, I need a back and time at the longarm.

stars two bits - is finished

stack and whack leaves is finished

hollow nine - rainbow scrap challenge from 2023 I have started the applique border. I added the bias vining stems, and have the circles (flowers) cut and ready.

Editya Sitar baskets - I have actually spent some time getting reacquainted with the fabric and pattern. I had already made strip sets and cut them on the diagonal, but, I needed more. So, back to sewing strips.

scrap cutting

I have added another goal to the 5 quilts project. I want to take one day a month and cut scraps. I will have plenty to choose from since I really didn't cut any for 2024, and the bags of uncut scraps are piling up, all over the fabric room. Last year, the total was 36 1/2 yards of useable fabric.

And I plan on continuing this in 2026, even though, I see no discernable difference in the scrap piles. This is the scrap bag that I concentrated my attention. It was full of lovely scraps and possibilities. The bag weighed 2 pounds and 4 ounces before I started.

1.80 = 6 yards

2 pounds 4 ounces

bigger chunks went into scrap drawers

After I was done cutting and sorting it weighed 1 pound 8 ounces = 6 yards of useable fabric, ready to sew at a moment's notice.

I also donated yardage -5 pounds to guild = 15 yards no picture

quilts to be quilted:

dresden plate

wedding ring

Looking forward

more editya sewing

more hollow nine applique

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Friday, October 16, 2026

week 3 black and gray scraps

The first 'trick' I have for crackers and jam was -that a little fabric goes a long way. So far, I have cut out too many of each color I have made. I didn't use the actual measurements from the pattern. I used 1 1/2 inch for the center logs and 3 inch for the triangles. But, accuracy of cutting is not that important. A little bit bigger won't hurt anything.

tulip swirl is the 2026 leader /ender challenge project, from quiltville. I found more smallish 2 1/2 inch strips to make a few more blocks,

I only made 2 square play blocks in black.

Only one sugar grove block.was done. But, I have set up 3 more on boards. I had to scrounge to find the hsts for this final batch of blocks. I will, then, have 72 blocks which the pattern needed.

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Saturday, October 10, 2026

week 2 black and gray scraps

I've been spending more of my quilty time organizing, plotting and planning. Why is it that cleaning actually makes bigger messes? Some of my 2026 rainbow scrap challenge projects are on vacation for the forseeable future. And since, I am using black this month, My blog posts are repetitive and, well, black.

I am still making crackers and jam blocks. This is a purchased pattern from qultville. I have found some quick and easy tricks to make these. I will try and share them soon for those who want to make this quilt.

tulip swirl is the 2026 leader /ender challenge project, also from quiltville. I have not found any quick and easy way to make these easier, yet. I prefer to cut the hsts with my accuquilt dies, but that takes two dies and the back and forth is making me a little crazy. I will figure something out, eventually. and get in the groove.

I need 6 more square dance. blocks to make a quilt. I used a layer cake for them, but have used all colors. I plan on visiting my solid fabrics for the extra colors I need. I have not run out of 2 inch squares in my drawer. I might never empty that drawer, that seems to refill at night while I am sleeping.

16 patches for the centers

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Friday, October 2, 2026

week 1 black and gray scraps

It's time for a new color for the rainbow scrap challenge, so, I went digging in my 2 1/2 inch bag for small pieces that I could turn into tulip swirl blocks. I want to use black and gray this month. I tend to skip these colors in my rsc projects, so these scraps are buried in the deep recesses. But, I won't give up the fight.

I think for the new year, I will concentrate on finishing the rainbow scrap challenge unfinished quilts. I have plenty to keep me busy. I just like making blocks and don't really finish them. It's time to change that.

I only needed 2 more square play blocks to finish for the year. I still need to make the 2 1/2 inch squares frame.

I still like making crackers and jam blocks. It's amazing how many little scraps I am finding while trying to clean up my sewing area. I may get tired of the eventually.

It won't be a month of colorful pictures. so... 1 orange

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Saturday, September 26, 2026

week 4-purple scraps

Not much progress on the rainbow scrap challenge this week. I did make purple rolling windmills.

I did make more purple crackers and jam. I even trimmed them to size and depapered some.

I have a few more to finish up before the end of September.

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Saturday, September 19, 2026

week 3 purple scraps

My hubby had a hip replacement this week. Everything went well, but, we had some preparation we needed to do. Not much sewing going on here.

I made a few more purple crackers and jam.blocks.

It was time to turn my attention square dance. I made 16 patches with 2 inch squares, and added the purple hsts. I need 2 or 3 more to make the quilt, but I am used all the colors in the layer cake. I will need to scrounge around to finish.

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Saturday, September 12, 2026

week 2 purple scraps

I am pretty sure this is the last of making candy chains blocks for the rainbow scrap challenge.. I can start assembly of the top.

crackers and jam. paper pieced blocks are addictive. Each one is so cute. I have no idea how many I will want for a quilt. I think I will carry this into 2027.

My purple square play blocks are ready to join the pile. I have all the blocks I need to start assembly

The green flower is stitched to the hollow nine flimsy, and two more flowers are ready. Next time, I will do the applique on the border before adding it to the quilt. I do think I will need to cut more flowers.

If I find a suitable scrap, I am making tulip swirl blocks with them. I added a few more. They are 4 1/2 inch squares, so, I am sure I will need a gazillion of them.

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Friday, September 4, 2026

week 1 purple scraps

The applique for my hollow nine rainbow scrap challenge has waited a long time to proceed. Despite the fact that it has even been on the 5 quilt list for at least a year. This week, I have at least added the stems to four sides of the quilt. I finished the top for stack and whack leaves. which I thought would take both August and September. I think this older ufo will work for September.

I took some scraps to Friday sew and cut more pieces for crackers and jam. It is easier to precut the sizes than to just dig for a suitable sized scrap. I started making purple blocks.

candy chains

I made a start with square play. My goal is 30 and I have 24.

I started with 2 1/2 inch purple scraps to make tulip swirl

16 are done

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