PHD End of the Year Report

I really appreciated the PHD challenge from Miss P USA Designs.  Having the PHD list really helped me stay on track this year.  Check out PHD 2025 Wrap Up to see how everyone did.

As 2025 comes to an end, I have a great final report:

• 11 quilt finishes from the original 14 PHD quilty projects
• 7 unplanned starts with finishes!  
• 1 moved from wishful thinking to planned start
• 1 quilt with progress, but not finished
• only 1 project with no progress at all

My oldest finish: Mr. D's Quilt

The Most Impressive Finish: Dear Jane

Biggest Step Out of My Comfort Zone: Buying a Pattern "Scrappy Spools"

Thank you, Miss P USA Designs.  I will definitely join the PHD Challenge again in 2026.

Christmas Honor

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Grown Up E and her husband hosted us in Savannah.  His family and their friends joined us for the afternoon and a good time was had by all.  Lots of food and fun.  But no photos!

I was very strategic and sewed before we left on Wednesday, took some unsewing to do on Thursday if there was a lull, and then sewed a bit when we got back on Friday.  There was a lull on Christmas Day, so I did my unsewing and helped Little S graph out the letters for her cross-stitch.

Finished before she was 24 hours old!

Baby Honor is E & C's god daughter, and Little S is also friends with the family.  Honor was due in January, but arrived in the first minutes of Christmas morning.  Instead of joining us for the festivities as originally planned, food was taken to them in the hospital.  When we learned her middle name we were not surprised she arrived early - Honor Noel - a beautiful Christmas gift!

Update: photo at about 4 days old

15 Minutes to Stitch

15 minute days last weeks = 7/7

15 minute days/Dec = 23/27

15 minute days/2025 = 313/361

Success Rate = 87%

 

Stitching and unstitching took place, but nothing that made the stash numbers move.

2025 Stash Totals

Used last week: 0 yards

Used year to date: 136.22 yards

Acquired recently: 0 yards  

Acquired year to date: 42 yards

Net used in 2025: 94.22 more yards used

My dream goal was 100 net yards out for the year.  I didn't quite get there and I don't think I will in the next few days, but I am very pleased with my progress this year.

Linking up to:

Kate at Life in Pieces  

Donna at quiltpaintcreate 

Frederique at quiltingpatch

and....... soscrappy

My Dear Jane Journey is Over

The last stitches went into Dear Jane's binding tonight.  It is too late and dark to take photos of the full quilt.  That will come later to give it the attention it deserves.

Last scallop pinned and ready to machine sew the binding on. 

I did not get much time to sew this week due to the end of the quarter & holiday deadlines at school, but once the weekend arrived I made up for it.

Keeping the overlap overlapped1

It was probably a good thing that hand stitching took so long - nearly a month.  The whole time I was thinking of how on earth I was going to join the binding ends on a scalloped edge. 

Clipped up to the overlap, ready for hand stitching.

I went with a 45 degree fold on one end and tucked in the other end - with lots of pins.  It ended up being a bit thicker where the tails overlapped, but I think that will give it more stability.  I hand-stitched the overlap to ensure that it stays in place.  It seems very sturdy.

Last two scallops.

Now that it is done my feelings are muddled.  I am definitely not happy or excited.  Maybe more relieved that I did actually finish, but once I finished the last of the blocks this time last year, I knew I would.  Dare I say a sadness that this journey is over.  

Last four clips!

I've known for years that this was my last BIG quilting project.  I have made what I consider a "masterpiece" given my skills at the time for each of my girls.  Dear Jane is the third and final and will go to Little S eventually.  

After 11 years, putting in the last stitch.

15 Minutes to Stitch

15 minute days last weeks = 3/7

15 minute days/Dec = 16/20

15 minute days/2025 = 306/354

Success Rate = 86%

 

Now I can report the fabric out for the Dear Jane top.  I used estimates found online for the blocks since they were so hard to calculate.  Sashing, border, and binding was more straight-forward.  

Backing was a sheet from Goodwill purchased specifically for this, since I did not want a seam in the back.  I never counted it in, so I won't count it out either. 

2025 Stash Totals

Used last week: 25.12 yards for Dear Jane entire top

Used year to date: 136.22 yards

Acquired recently: 0 yards  

Acquired year to date: 42 yards

Net used in 2025: 94.22 more yards used

Hmmm.... what can I do in the next 10 days to use up 6 yards and meet my dream goal of 100 net yards out for the year?!?

Linking up to:

Kate at Life in Pieces

Donna at quiltpaintcreate

Frederique at quiltingpatch

and .... soscrappy 

The End is in Sight

Definitely slower progress this week, but I expected that.  I finished hand-stitching the third side.  It took three tries of sewing and unsewing to get the third corner done.  That really slowed things down, but I knew I would always notice if I didn't make it better.

Third corner is finally done!

  

I have the equivalent of one complete side left and that includes the last corner.  I never counted how many scallops there actually are and I think that was a good thing!  Probably still on track to finish by Christmas.  Little S comes home today and she won't have school work on this visit, so she can help me with my school work!!  And I can stitch while we chat.

A variety of snow"can" scarves!

I spend one evening cutting felt pieces for an upcoming craft activity at school.  Then another bit of time cutting flannel scarves for "Frosty the Snow Can", which is going to be condensation in a can.  This is why I can't throw anything away - I do actually eventually use it - even the small bits!!

15 Minutes to Stitch

15 minute days last weeks = 7/7

15 minute days/Dec = 13/13

15 minute days/2025 = 303/347

Success Rate = 87%

 

Still can't report fabric out for Dear Jane, but I did get a bit out with the snow"can" scarves.  

2025 Stash Totals

Used last week: 0.56 yards

Used year to date: 111.1 yards

Acquired recently: 0 yards  

Acquired year to date: 42 yards

Net used in 2025: 69.1 more yards used

Linking up to:

Kate at Life in Pieces

Donna at quiltpaintcreate

Frederique at quiltingpatch

and ... soscrappy

Bound (Almost) and Determined!

I stuck with my plan to work at the binding in spurts - mark, machine sew the binding in a scallop shape, trim the excess quilt, clip in place, hand sew, repeat.  On Sunday I got enough machine sewn to start hand stitching down the first side.  Yes, it works.  

Sides 1 (top) and 2 (right side)

Then after getting more of the scallops hand-stitched down, I realized I was going to have to redo the corner shape, so that was some unsewing and reconfiguring.  But I think is better now - and reproducible.  

First finished corner.

Since I changed that corner I also had to unsew the next corner.  Fortunately I had only machine sewn a few scallops that were after it, so I just unsewed it all to make it easier to reshape.  This is a good lesson in patience.  If I am patient, I will be happier in the end.

Hand stitching for the next few days is ready.

So after seven days, I have the equivalent of 2 sides and 2 corners complete!!! The third side has been sewn - part of it twice since the tension was not quite right! - and is half clipped and ready for hand stitching. 

Scallops patiently waiting!

If I focus and don't eat or grade papers, I can hand-stitch 4 scallops during a 45 minute TV show.  Trimming and clipping replace a scallop or two when necessary. Knowing that helps me pace myself.  Four is good, less is fine. 

15 Minutes to Stitch

15 minute days last weeks = 7/7

15 minute days/Nov = 27/30

15 minute days/Dec = 6/6

15 minute days/2025 = 296/340

Success Rate = 87%

 

Definitely getting in 15 minutes these days.  I calculate that if I stick with it, I can be done by Christmas.  End of the semester and extra grading might throw me off a bit, but I still think it's doable.

No stash movement this week.  But I did look back and nothing was ever reported for Dear Jane as it was under construction, so that will be a big number when it's done.

2025 Stash Totals

Used last week: 0 yards 

Used year to date: 110.5 yards

Acquired recently: 0 yards  

Acquired year to date: 42 yards

Net used in 2025: 68.5 more yards used

Linking up to:

Kate at Life in Pieces

Donna at quiltpaintcreate

Frederique at quiltingpatch

and ... soscrappy

And So It Begins

Most of the sewing I did was figuring out the binding for Dear Jane.  I got a pattern made for the scallops and discovered that my first choice for a binding color didn't really work.  Little S helped find an acceptable fabric for the binding.  Since the edge is curved, I was nervous about having enough to work with. but I still wanted just a narrow binding to show on the front so I made it 2 3/8".   I did not cut the curves until after I sewed on the binding - just in case.  

Binding going on!!

The sewing is very tedious and hurts  my eyes and shoulders, so I think I will work on it in spurts.  Sew, trim curves, hand stitch down, repeat.  I knew getting the binding on would not be easy, but I am hopeful that I can get in the groove this weekend and then work at it during the week.  I'd really like to finish by the end of December since that will be 11 years in the making.

The curve works!!

It was a "family first" week and I am thankful for that.  We had Little S at home for a few days.  Then we headed back to Savannah to have Thanksgiving with Teacher E and her husband C's family and some of their friends.  We took most everything already cooked and ready to heat up, so time in the kitchen was minimal.  Her MIL made a comment about how effortless joining the families has been and it is so true.  I am continually thankful for my in-laws in Guatemala who always welcomed me and my family.  Now it carries on to E & C and how his family is just another branch on the tree.  Little S stayed behind with her sister since classes start back up on Monday and it doesn't make sense to make yet another trip back and forth.  It was nice have extra noise in the house for a few days.

Yes, it is going to work!!!

You can see in these photos have the quilting stitching is not "dense" as requested.  There are so many pieces that don't have any quilting stitches touching them.  I know the pieces are super small, but that is why I requested "dense" quilting.  It was a new longarm service because my favorite quilter retired.  I am trying to stay calm and just keep moving forward.  I am thinking maybe I can go back and quilt between the lines ???  What are the odds I can sew a smooth curve - slim.  Or just call it done??  Any recommendations??

15 Minutes to Stitch

15 minute days last weeks = 4/7

15 minute days/Nov = 20/29

15 minute days/2025 = 289/333

Success Rate = 87%

 

I was questioning my total days in 2025.  Sure enough I was pretty off.  That improved my success rate - not that it really matters.  This year I am happy with any forward progress.  

No stash movement this week.  I need to look back and see if anything was reported for Dear Jane as it was under construction.

2025 Stash Totals

Used last week: 0 yards 

Used year to date: 110.5 yards

Acquired recently: 0 yards  

Acquired year to date: 42 yards

Net used in 2025: 68.5 more yards used

Linking up to:

Kate at Life in Pieces

Donna at quiltpaintcreate

Frederique at quiltingpatch

and ...  soscrappy

Friday Finish for Felix

My sister-in-law asked me if I would fix some spots on my nephew's quilt that Grandma made for him.  He is a high school freshman and this quilt is still very special to him and gets used daily.  My mother has been gone for over 12 years now, and this is possibly the last big project she made since she was in a slow decline.  She had made sunbonnet baby quilts for all the granddaughters, and was determined to make overall Sam for the first grandson.  

Felix's Quilt from Grandma

Felix LOVES this quilt.  When I got it all spread out, I could see the signs of previous fixes which my SIL had mentioned.  She had marked the spots that needed attention this time with pinned on tags.  That was very helpful.  As I went through I literally wrote a check on the tag when I made the initial fix, then I double checked after I double checked the surrounding area for needs.  I gave the quilt a good examination to give it some preventative maintenance as well.  I can see that certain fabrics are showing more wear than others.  I know that the camo fabric was from my brother's shorts as a kid, so no telling how old that was and if it was leftover scraps or pre-worn! This was a good project for a slow day off.

It is inspiring to see how her work, even in her lesser capacity, has held up over all these year.  It is heartening to see how much he loves it.  He is only three years away from college.  Will he take it with him?  

UPDATE: As I wrote this I was thinking of Felix's little brother, who never met his Grandma.  But he did get a quilt from her.  I was looking for the old post about it and discovered that I had never published the post even though it was all ready to go.  So this Friday Finish has a bonus link!  

Mystery Solved

Note: Originally written in December 2018, but not published until now.

I have been trying for years to get my mother's stash sorted into mine.  I just can't do it.  It always stays separate somehow.  And that's okay.

mystery quilt 

She kept her fabric sorted by colors in bins that fit under the beds.  It was easy to move that way.  I just stacked the bins under the table (also hers) and would dig through when I needed a certain color.  On one of my attempts to get it sorted at least in a way that I would have better access to it I came across a bag of what appeared to be leftovers from a Trip Around the World quilt.  Some of the longer strips were already sewn together and there were plenty of squares already cut and even a bit of yardage.

The fabric was unlike any of her other fabrics, but I was not there for months and years at a time to see what she was working on.  I know that many people gave her fabric and scraps since she made mostly charity quilts so in my mind I wondered if that was where it had come from.  I could not say for sure that it was hers or not hers.  I made a plan for the remains and put it together.  I only had to add a bit of red to make a few squares and the neutral inner border.  My sister contributed a solid blue sheet for the backing.

And then the quilt sat for a few more years.

Finally I decided to give it to my youngest nephew for Christmas, since he had never gotten a quilt that his grandmother had made.  I just stepped out in faith that this had been her project and that was that.  I even made a label saying that she had started it and I had finished it.

I wish I had captured the looks on my brother and sister-in-law's faces when D opened his gift.  They recognized the fabric.  They recognized the design.  They recognized all of it.  My mother had made them a large Around the World quilt for them at some point.  We lived overseas for so long that I had no idea.  I am so glad I listened to that little voice that said "give it to D".

I'm still not ready to mix her fabrics in with mine and that's okay.  I will continually be grateful for the reminder of her I get every time I look at that shelf.

Big Finish!

Like I said in THIS POST about my big finish - I am not sure if I am happy about it or sad.  There are so many memories attached to this quilt.  But I am not going to "unfinish" it, so .....

23+ years in the making!!

We are heading out soon to pick up Little S to come home for Thanksgiving break.  I know we will be doing a bunch of errands and appointments and cooking this week, but I am still hopeful that I make some progress on the binding for Dear Jane.  

15 Minutes to Stitch

15 minute days last weeks = 5/7

15 minute days/Nov = 16/22

15 minute days/2025 = 285/346

Success Rate = 82%

 

Now I can report the backing out!  Earlier in the year I had hopes of hitting 100 yards of fabric out and I don't think that is going to happen.  But I am pleased with over 100 yards used.  Just as long as I am moving forward, right? 

2025 Stash Totals

Used last week: 2.09 yards 

Used year to date: 110.5 yards

Acquired recently: 0 yards  

Acquired year to date: 42 yards

Net used in 2025: 68.5 more yards used

Linking up to:

Kate at Life in Pieces 

Donna at quiltpaintcreate

Frederique at quiltingpatch

Mr. D's Quilt for a Friday Finish

My oldest UFO is no longer a UFO or a PhD or even a flimsy.  It was started about 23-25 years ago, but now it is FINISHED!!.  

 I don't know if I am relieved or sad.  Check out its progress HERE and HERE.

Whenever I saw this waiting for my attention, I remembered the yellow house we lived in on the corner just outside of Antigua, Guatemala.  My sewing room was a small space off of E's room at that time.  Not a closet, but not a room.  The sewing machine fit on a table under the window and there was space for a shelf for my supplies.  Good memories thinking of what I created in the little space.  I don't think I have photos of any of it though.  That was long before digital cameras, especially in Guatemala.  There was no way I would use up film for a quilt. Nearly everything I made back then was gifted long ago.  I wonder where this one will end up.

Heading to the Finish Line

The end of the year is in sight and I am motivated to finish my UFO list!!  I got the last 2 flimsies sandwiched and pin-basted together.  

I started on Mr. D's quilt and despite still being affected by the time change, I made good progress.  

Quilting is underway.

I initially quilted a large X across each 6" block with the walking foot and that was alright.  But then I thought about how old the quilt was and how my skills and fabric were not great back then.  So I am now going back and stitching more closely in the small 4-patches that make up the blocks.  Tedious, but it gives me peace of mind that the quilt will hold together better in the long run. 

Additional quilting across the smaller patches.

I am hoping to have this one done by next weekend.  The plan is still to work on Dear Jane's binding over Thanksgiving even if I don't have these last two UFOs finished yet.

15 Minutes to Stitch

15 minute days last weeks = 5/7

15 minute days/Nov = 11/15

15 minute days/2025 = 279/339

Success Rate = 82%

 

Forward progress, but nothing to report out yet.  

2025 Stash Totals

Used last week: 0 yards 

Used year to date: 108.41 yards

Acquired recently: 0 yards  

Acquired year to date: 42 yards

Net used in 2025: 66.41 more yards used

Linking up to:

Kate at Life in Pieces

Donna at quiltpaintcreate

Frederique at quiltingpatch

Making Waves - Literally

The time change got the best of me this week.  I kept waking up an hour early and then struggled to stay awake when I got home from school.  I did some errands after school yesterday and had a Coke and managed to go to bed at an adult hour and even slept in a bit.  Finally.

I've been working on the ocean waves blocks.  I have been thinking of how to assemble them, but didn't want the traditional hourglass in the center that added another color.  In a moment of inspiration I realized I could still do the hour glass assembly, but just make them all neutrals.

Making Progress

Good pressing and carefully squaring at every step is bringing these back to life. 

15 Minutes to Stitch

15 minute days last weeks = 5/7

15 minute days/Nov = 6/8

15 minute days/2025 = 274/332

Success Rate = 83%

 

Nothing to report out.  I needed to buy more batting so that I can finish up the last UFOs.  One store I checked had polyester batting starting at $35 for a twin size.  WHAT??????  The prices just went up from there.  That is crazy.  Then I headed to Hobby Lobby and was met with more reasonable prices.  

2025 Stash Totals

Used last week: 0 yards 

Used year to date: 108.41 yards

Acquired recently: 0 yards  

Acquired year to date: 42 yards

Net used in 2025: 66.41 more yards used

Linking up to:

Kate at Life in Pieces

Donna at quiltpaintcreate

Frederique at quiltingpatch

October PhD Report

End of summer and back to school cut into my PhD reporting, but I have been sewing.  I had quite a few new starts since I help our church's outreach to new single mothers by making them baby quilts.  But they all got done and did not join the UFO pile.  And I uncovered what I suspect is my oldest UFO and added it to the list - and moved it forward!

At 5/6 of the way through 2025 I have:

• 9 quilt finishes from the original 14 PHD projects
• 7 unplanned starts with finishes!  
• 1 moved from wishful thinking to planned start
• 2 quilts with progress 
• only 1 quilt that hasn't been touched

With two more months in 2025, I think I can finish this list!  I am determined!

Unexpected New Starts & Finishes -  4 baby quilts for church

The pink quilt is new to coordinate with the jungle quilt.

Then two flower gardens for twin baby girls.  Every block & every fabric has flowers.

red backing 

yellow backing

And completed just in the nick of time for the baby shower:

Groovy pink baby quilt

Easy Finish - This one just needed a binding and I got it done just in time for the October report.

Sapphire Jubilee Part 1

Finish - After I got borders on the hexagon quilt, I found out that Grown Up E's godson will have a sibling.  She liked this quilt for the new baby, so I waited until they found out if it's a boy or girl before finishing it.  It's a girl, so I did change the borders and chose a different backing to make it more girlish.

Ready for Baby Honor!

Progress - Back from the quilter at the end of July.  Still in a pillowcase waiting.  My plan is to work on it over Thanksgiving break when I will have some uninterrupted days.  I need to cut the scallops and bind it.  Maybe I'll start preparing the binding before hand - that would be smart.

10 years in the making!

Oldest UFO - This one is at least 23-24 years old.  The way it was stored I saw it ALL the time. I don't know how it didn't make the original list.  So I finally added the borders and found a backing.  Now I just need to buy batting and get it done.  I should be able to do that by the end of the year.  

Far from perfect, but very pretty.

Miss P Designs USA is challenging us to get those PHDs done!  I am determined to get my PHD in 2025.  Thanks for the motivation.  Check out other October PHD reports at Miss P Designs USA.

Sapphire Jubilee Part 1 Finished!

This was by far the easiest finish on the UFO list, so I deliberately saved it for when I needed something easy.  Like many others, I started the Quiltmaker Jubilee quilt several years ago.  I made mine a Sapphire Jubilee since I had plenty of blues and prefer blue to red.  I made all the blocks, but the final layout did not speak to me so I set the blocks aside.

The smaller variation.

In 2023 we had visitors who I had not seen in decades.  Our week together included sewing tips and show & tell of my quilts.  That inspired me to get out my Sapphire Jubilee blocks and figure out a layout.  

Back from the Long-armer

I ended up with 2 quilts.  The larger one got all the way to the quilted stage and then got tucked away.  It only needed binding and I even had the leftover fabric still packed up with it.

Finishing up the binding.

I knew this week was going to be very busy and I was caught up on anything else that would be "mindless" sewing.  Perfect timing.  Got the strips cut and joined one day.  Ironed and pinned on another day.  It took 2 days to get it sewn on one side.  Then another day to flip and machine sew on the other side.  That plus more unsewing of the Ocean Waves blocks kept me busy for the week.  

52" x 72"

It worked out mathematically using the existing blocks but is more long and skinny than I would usually make.  Someone will love it.

Plaid flannel backing

Friday was Mad Science Day at school.  Among other really fun stuff, we do "Aliens on the Move" about static electricity with balloons, various types of paper aliens and various types of fabrics.  I always have to round up the fabrics the night before.  As I was putting things away this morning, I realized that it would be much easier just to keep the fleece which is already in squares with the bin of Mad Science supplies.  

Then I had the DUH moment, when I realized I can just cut 5" squares of flannel and store that as well.  Since I was on a roll, I found an old hand towel to cut up instead of taking in a bunch of washcloths each year and then having to wash them afterwards.  Now I am going to be on the lookout for an old wool sweater/scarf that I can also cut up to add to my "Alien Kit" for next year.   What else can I be "smarter" about?!

Both "aliens" are moving!

15 Minutes to Stitch

15 minute days last weeks = 6/7

15 minute days/Oct = 26/31

15 minute days/Nov = 1/1

15 minute days/2025 = 269/325

Success Rate = 83%

 

I looked back to see if I had counted out the Jubilee blocks when I made them and it turns out that I stopped blogging in the middle of part 3.  So I will count the entirety of this quilt as fabric out now.  Then when I finish the smaller variation I will adjust for the part already counted out.  The math will be easier that way. 

2025 Stash Totals

Used last week: 7.03 yards for Sapphire Jubilee Pt 1 and 0.61 yds for Mad Science squares

Used year to date: 108.41 yards

Acquired recently: 0 yards  

Acquired year to date: 42 yards

Net used in 2025: 66.41 more yards used

Linking up to:

Kate at Life in Pieces

Donna at quiltpaintcreate

Frederique at quiltingpatch

Mr. D's Quilt is a Top

This is finally a completed quilt top!  I will always think of it as "Mr. D's Quilt".  He was a co-worker in Guatemala who asked me to make the quilt from a pattern in one of my magazines and fabric from the small stash I had then.  I don't remember much else except that he changed his mind and that was fine with me because I really liked it.  But that is as far as it got. 

Pretty good match after all those years.

I think it is 23-26 years old.  So definitely my oldest UFO - unless there is something hiding in the deep recesses of the sewing room!  

Far from perfect, but very pretty.

Since I had nothing of the original fabrics I just went with similar for solid borders.

I worked on my new Leader Ender project and completed two blocks.  Chunky Churn Dash is a free pattern from Bonnie Hunter.  Appropriate this week because we made butter with cream and jars at school to supplement the pioneer lesson!

I also worked on unsewing these blocks.  Maybe 15 years ago, my sister gave me an Ocean Waves quilt top she thrifted.  It was kind of icky so I took the risk and washed it.  The pinks ran so the whites turned pink, and I set it aside. It resurfaced this summer and Little S was willing to unsew, so I had her remove all the white/pink, which was not a good quality or well sewn anyways.  That left me with a stack of "rings".  

I'll likely keep the original layout. Once they are all done, I'll worry about color placement.

Since I currently have nothing urgent, I did some research to figure out the best way to deal with these and have most of a plan.  Then I unsewed the rings into 4 sides.  I have 5 more to go and then I will give them a careful pressing and decide what colors to add as the backing.  

15 Minutes to Stitch

15 minute days last weeks = 5/7

15 minute days/Oct = 22/25

15 minute days/2025 = 263/318

Success Rate = 83%

 

Finally stash movement for Mr. D's Quilt.

2025 Stash Totals

Used last week: 3 yards

Used year to date: 100.77 yards

Acquired recently: 0 yards  

Acquired year to date: 42 yards

Net used in 2025: 58.77 more yards used

Linking up to:

Kate at Life in Pieces

Donna at quiltpaintcreate

Frederique at quiltingpatch