Another UFO is Getting Attention

Illusions at County Clare was finished the previous week, so this week I set about getting the backing and binding ready.  I had a large piece of dark green that I had been given a while back and I hoped it would be enough.  I know I had already prewashed it, but it still had a sheen to the right side which made it feel stiff, so I washed it again.  This time I felt - literally and figuratively - that it was ready to be used.  

Illusions at County Clare

There was enough to make the backing with a single seam and also binding!  This top is going to be donated to a finisher for relief in WNC, so I am glad to be able to also send all the related parts.

All ready to go!

The HST quilt is the next to finish so that I can also send it for WNC.  A long time ago I was gifted a bag of precut triangles and just started sewing light to dark as leaders and enders.  I did eventually ran out of lights and cut more from my scraps.  I worked at it on and off for about 10 years, so there were plenty of HST blocks.

HST Quilt until it gets a better name!

When Little S headed off to college this past fall, I needed a project to keep me busy, but not too difficult, so I started to lay out the HSTs on the floor of her room, which turns out to be a good design floor.  The design I imagined worked out and even allowed for intermediate designs.  There are a few triangles left, but not nearly enough to enlarge the design.  I had to get it off the floor when she came back for Thanksgiving, so that was a good motivator to join the squares.  But it has been hanging in the quilt "time out" closet since then.  

Friday night, I gave it a good pressing instead of grading papers.  Now that it is nice and flat, I like it even more.  I think I might add another round of neutral squares to make it slightly bigger and insure that the points don't get lost in the binding.  That will be a good project for this week.  

15 Minute Report

15 minute days/week = 6/7

15 minute days/March = 30/31

15 minute days/April = 4/5

15 minute days/2025 = 85/95

Success Rate = 89%

The previous week at school ended on a rough note that carried into this week.  Making myself sort, fold, and press fabric and sew a bit each day was really helpful.  15 minutes is not just manageable, but therapeutic.  I just missed one day late in the week when things had finally worked out and my body just gave out. 

2025 Stash Totals

Used last week:  5 yards for County Clare backing and binding

Used year to date: 28.5 yards

Acquired last Week: 0 yards

Acquired year to date: 7 yards

Net used in 2025: 21.5 more yards used

Linking up to Life in Pieces to share progress.

Linking up to quiltpaintcreate to show stash movement.

Another Month, Another PhD Finish

Having a monthly goal to finish anything at all from the list is really motivating.  It also helps having a place for my quilts to go, rather than just hang them in the closet.  

Without further ado...

Illusions at County Clare

Illusions at County Clare went from a few leader and ender units to a finished top.  I had a vision in my head and I just kept working at it.  Being able to adapt and use the green & white checkerboard units from the orphan bin was an even bigger bonus.

This is going to join Red, Green, and Fruit as a donated top to be finished and sent on to WNC.  That is even more motivating to me.

Here is my March data.

March PHD Report

Linking up to Miss P Designs USA to share PHD progress.