First Quilt Finish for 2025

I started the week feeling like I had not prepped enough to keep moving forward each day easily, but it turned out just right.  The previous week I couldn't work on one of my PhD projects because I didn't have batting or a machine that could zigzag and create a frankenbatting.  So, instead of putting it off I went to my sister's one day after school and used her machine and got the batting ready.  Then last Sunday I sandwiched the quilt to work on this week.

Baby Beachy Words All Finished 40" x 40"

I am getting into a better routine after school now that I am deliberately aiming for 15 minutes.  By setting the timer, I am sticking to my goal and getting in a brief amount of "sewing therapy."  After sewing, I move on to whatever home or school task I need to do.  I think it used to be either sewing or tasks, but never both.  You can tell where my preferences are! Using the timer is helping me balance it better and proves that I can do both.

I'm really glad I could also back it in the wordy fabric!

I originally thought I would just use the walking foot and make a big X through each rail fence block. While doing that I noticed that I had pieced a lot of the rails (I made this top at least a year ago!), so I decided to go back and stitch in between the X as well for extra stability.  I think I started with some random blue and yellow strips that I had been given and then added the other yellow gingham and just made it up as I went along.  I love the colors even with it's imperfections. 

Over the course of the week I got it all finished.  I wasn't able to sew one evening due to a lot of urgent tasks for school the next day.  But I moved it forward enough that Saturday morning I was able to finish it up.  It is only 40" square, but still that's progress.  Without the 15 minute challenge and the PhD challenge, it would still be hanging in the closet in limbo.

Not perfect, but finished.

Kate's 15 Minutes to Stitch Challenge at Life in Pieces has us tracking how many days each week we get in at least 15 minutes of stitching/sewing/quilting time.

15 Minute Report

15 minute days/week = 6/7

15 minute days/Jan = 23/25
15 minute days/2025 = 23/25
Success Rate = 92%

The Stash Report has lots of movement this week.  I finished the Beachy Words baby quilt, but I also went to Joanns to use up a gift card.  I got fabrics to help me bring some tops closer to the finish line.  As hard as I tried I could not find anything even close in my stash.

They go well together, but the black is for another quilt.

2025 Stash Totals

Used last week:  2.9 yds

Used year to date: 5.34 yards

Acquired last Week: 7 yards

Acquired year to date: 7 yards

Net used in 2025: 1.66 more yards gained

Trucks for the backing.  Dots for a border.

I was given the red, green, and fruity squares years ago and turned them into a top.  It is smaller than I'd like, but I didn't have anything to make it bigger so it languished in the closet.  The dots were as close as I could get for a match.  I think it will work for a border.  The trucks were on clearance.  I think it will make an acceptable backing.  This is not even remotely in my comfort zone for fabric choices, but I got this far and I'd like to see it finished. 

Not sure what I will work on this coming week, but I am confident that I will figure it out.  Maybe this red/green/fruity/dotty/truck combo and just be done with it!

Linking up to Life in Pieces to share progress.

Linking up to quiltpaintcreate to share stash movement.