Spring Break Sewing Frenzy

It sure felt good to sew, sew, sew over Spring Break sewing.  I worked on a lot of things, but stayed focused on the priorities.

I finally altered the dress for my niece's wedding in early May.  I found the dress for $5 when thrifting last fall.  Everything about it was right, except it was too big.  I thought I could work with that.  The solution turned out to not be what I originally thought, but by basting and trying and unsewing and trying again I finally got it.  Having Little S home to give opinions on each step was helpful. I am not a shopper and I don't wear dresses, so even though this was not easy it was worth the trouble to me.  My goal was to finish this week come and I did!

Baby Sapphire Jubilee

I also made myself finish the baby sapphire jubilee quilt.  It only needed binding, so I just used the same fabric as the backing and called it done.  Binding actually comes right after piecing for my favorite parts of quilting!

The backing is perfect.

Next up was the patchwork hearts for the exchange for the Savannah Quilt Guild meeting Little S and I will attend.  She needs to finalize the interview part of her research project and it felt right to participate in the monthly block exchange.  A nice change of pace for me.  The pink heart will have a disclaimer that it needs finishing.

Heart Blocks for Exchange

Unfortunately while doing the top stitching around the edge of the pink heart, my machine gave a "thunk" and stopped stitching properly.  The needle will not move side to side.  I'm glad the more important things were already done this week.  I will have to figure out what to do about the machine.  Turning it on and off again - repeatedly - did not work. 

"FQs" ready for gifting

We thought it would be nice to do something for her interviewees, so I picked a variety of fabrics and made some FQ type bundles to give them.  

RSC Crayons all caught up!

I also got caught up on the RSC.  My red crayon is finished!  

I did a lot of prepping of Scrappy Spool blocks to use as leaders & enders.  It was a good thing too!  I used up way more than I imagined and will have to prep more.  Being very intentional about using the spool blocks as leaders & enders has really advanced this project.

2026 15 Minutes to Stitch

15 minute days this week = 7/7

15 minute days/Mar = 16/21

15 minute days/2026 = 68/80 

Success Rate 2025 = 85%

Worked on overdue numbers over Spring Break.  All is well.  It was important that I help my MIL eliminate some of her stash while we were visiting.  I do like having "her" fabrics to work into special projects.

2026 Stash Totals

Used last week: 4.70 yds for Baby Jubilee + 0.43 yds for Heart Exchange Blocks + 2.5 yds for 10 FQs

Used year to date: 17.79 yards

Acquired recently: 30 yards brought back from MIL in Guatemala  

Acquired year to date: 30 yards

Stash movement for 2026: 12.21 more yards acquired than used

Linking up to:

Kate at Life in Pieces

Donna at  quiltpaintcreate 

Frederique at  quiltingpatch

Angela at soscrappy 

The End is in Sight

I missed checking in last week.  Changes at school along with the professional development course were just too much.  Even having the baby sapphire jubilee quilt ready to quilt in mindless spirals was just too much. 

big, boring spiral

After I passed the halfway mark on the course and saw that the new students were doing as well as could be, I was able to relax a bit.  Setting the timer for 15 minutes each day I ended up finishing the quilting.  Woohoo!  I do have to go back and add a strip of backing to make up a gap and finish that area, but at least now I can take the walking foot off the machine and work on piecing which I enjoy much more.

extra backing ready to sew on

I have known that quilting was my least favorite part of quilting, but these weeks confirmed that for me.  At least it is done now. Next time I need to set myself up for something mindless, it will be with piecing, not quilting. 

Spring Break starts this week.  I am excited that I will finish the course in the next day or day, and then be able to move on with my life!! The sooner I finish, the sooner I can sew guiltfree!!  

2026 15 Minutes to Stitch

15 minute days this week = 6/7

15 minute days/Mar = 9/14

15 minute days/2026 = 61/73 

Success Rate 2025 = 84%

Still working on the course, so I haven't worked out any numbers.  Maybe next week.

2026 Stash Totals

Used last week: 0 yards  

Used year to date: 10.16 yards

Acquired recently: 0 yards  

Acquired year to date: 0 yards

Net used in 2026: 10.16 more yards used

Linking up to:

Kate at Life in Pieces

Donna at   

Frederique at quiltingpatch

Angela at SoScrappy

What a Week!

There are not enough words to describe the week.  Due to major changes at school, each class on our entire grade level (7 4th grade classes) got 2-4 new students last week.  I got three, one of whom is known in teacher lingo as a "special client"!  To his - and my - credit, we had a good week.  Then the other boot dropped just after dismissal on Friday and due to totally different grade level difficulty, I will be getting a "special, special client" this coming week.  I can't even think about it.  

On top of that my professional development course that is hard to get into and not flexible timewise started on Monday.  It is more complex that I even imagined,but at least I find it interesting!  So every waking moment has been spent on that.  Thankfully this week was academics "light" with the new students and I didn't have a lot of grading or prep.  Also, thankfully, I had a plan in place for sewing.  

Slow and Steady on the Sapphire Jubilee

I set up the quilt to just do spirals and that's all I did!  Usually sewing is soothing, but this week it wasn't.  Maybe it helped me and I didn't realize it.  I will continue with it this coming week.  My sewing took a hit since I was on autopilot, but that's okay.  I knew not to force it but just do what my mind and body needed.

 2026 15 Minutes to Stitch

15 minute days this week = 5/7

15 minute days/Feb = 24/28

15 minute days/2026 = 52/59 

Success Rate 2025 = 88%

No notable stash movement this week. 

2026 Stash Totals

Used last week: 0 yards  

Used year to date: 10.16 yards

Acquired recently: 0 yards  

Acquired year to date: 0 yards

Net used in 2026: 10.16 more yards used

Linking up to:

Kate at Life in Pieces

Donna at  quiltpaintcreate

Frederique at quiltingpatch

Angela at SoScrappy

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

Stash Report May 1

Fabric In:  This week there were some irresistible pieces at the thrift store! Our school mascot is the sea turtle and Grown Up R works for an animal rescue, so these are very likely to get used up for something and not linger in the stash.   0.88 yards for $1.00 

Fabric Out:  I finished Part 3 of the Quiltmaker Mystery Quilt.   I have been able to get the magazine digitally from our local library and that has been working fine so far.  The flying geese are not on the design wall yet, but they are finished.  1.85 yards out

Parts 1-3 except the flying geese.  It hard to tell, but most all of the darks are scrappy.

Fabric In This Week: 0.88 yards

Fabric In YTD: 15.38 yards

Fabric Out This Week: 1.85 yards

Fabric Out YTD: 11.84 yards

Stash Movement: 3.54 yards in

As far as time spent sewing ....... 

I missed one day that was just too full of afterschool activities to even try to climb the stairs in the evening.  Even so I finished up all the remaining blocks for the Mystery Quilt.  Since I am caught up with the Mystery Quilt, I pulled out a very old UFO to work on next.  I need to make a plan for exactly what I will work on this week and leave it ready to pick up easily each day.

Days of at least 15 minutes of sewing this week: 6/7

Days of at least 15 minutes of sewing in April: 28/30

Days of at least 15 minutes of sewing in 2022: 110/122

Percentage: 90%

Linking up to quiltpaintcreate and Kates Life in Pieces to share progress and stay accountable.

Sapphire Jubilee Gets a Design Wall

Fabric In:  Still no fabric in even though I saw some possibilities at the thrift store!

Fabric Out:  Nothing out either.  I made good progress on the Quiltmaker Mystery Quilt, but have not finished Part 3. 

Everything so far.

I got the flannel backed tablecloth up as a design wall.  All the completed blocks from Parts 1, 2, and 3 are up.  I am liking the look.  A few questionable blocks, but now that I can see them all together they are less questionable than before!  I can see which fabrics I need to include more of in the coming blocks.

Flying Geese for Part 3 are prepped for the coming week. 

I tried making the flying geese the way the magazine suggested and it worked well, so I prepped these for my sewing this week.

Fabric In This Week: 0 yards

Fabric In YTD: 14.5 yards

Fabric Out This Week: 0 yards

Fabric Out YTD: 9.99 yards

Stash Movement: 4.51 yards in

As far as time spent sewing ....... 

I worked on Dear Jane over the long weekend when I had longer periods of time for sewing.  Then slow and steady during the week on the blocks I had prepped for the Mystery Quilt.

Dear Jane I 10 nearly got the best of me!

Days of at least 15 minutes of sewing this week: 7/7

Days of at least 15 minutes of sewing in April: 22/23

Days of at least 15 minutes of sewing in 2022: 104/115

Percentage: 90%

Linking up to Quiltpaintcreate and Kates Life in Pieces to stay accountable.

Sapphire Jubilee - Prepped for the Week

I was working so hard on Dear Jane over our nice four-day weekend that I almost didn't get blocks prepped to work on during the coming week.  I really needed to since I had completed every last bit that was already prepped as leaders and enders for the Dear Jane blocks.  Fortunately, I got my lesson plans done Monday morning and that freed up the afternoon for sewing and prepping.  

Sapphire Jubilee part 3

I got one block made as a guide and the other four prepped and four more ready to go.  I was pretty sluggish on this block because I didn't like the white start and cream background in the instructions.  With the gingham the star shows and I like this much better.  Onward! 

Sapphire Jubilee Part 2 Complete!

Still no fabric in!  My sister gave me some thrift store rejects, but I rejected them also and will move them along.  It wasn't even cotton, so there was no temptation at all.

Sapphire Jubilee - mix of blocks from Part 1 and Part 2

Fabric Out: I finished Part 2 of the Quiltmaker Ruby Jubilee Mystery.  Since my stash is heavy on blues, my mystery is a Sapphire Jubilee.  I don't remember which blocks are Part 1 and which are Part 2, so this is a peek of what I have going so far.  There are some blocks that I question, but at this point I will wait and see when it all comes together.  I really need to get my flannel-backed tablecloth design wall hung back up.  Part 2 is a total of 1.22 yards.

Sapphire Jubilee Parts 1 and 2

Fabric In This Week: 0 yards

Fabric In YTD: 14.5 yards

Fabric Out This Week: 1.22 yards

Fabric Out YTD: 9.42 yards

Stash Movement: 5.08 yards in

Slowly headed in the right direction.

As far as time spent sewing ....... 

Last weekend was very busy with hosting the family for my sister's birthday.  Then Teacher E came for an overnight since it was her Spring Break.  I didn't get a stash report written, but I only missed one day of sewing.  

Prepping pieces to just pick up and sew is definitely a game changer.  I was tempted this weekend to sit and sew what I prepped Friday evening, but then I reminded myself that I would have nothing to sew when I was tired during the week if I did that.   I made a sample block for Part 3 of the Jubilee Mystery and then kitted up the pieces for the remaining blocks I need of that particular design.  At this rate I finish a set of blocks each week.

Days of at least 15 minutes of sewing this week: 7/7

Days of at least 15 minutes of sewing in March 30/31  and   April 8/9 

Days of at least 15 minutes of sewing in 2022: 75/85    88/99

Percentage: 89%

Linking up to Kate's Life in Pieces to share progress and stay accountable.

Sapphire Jubilee Part 1 is Complete!

No fabric it at all!!

Fabric Out: I finished Part 1 of the Quiltmaker Ruby Jubilee Mystery.  Since my stash is heavy on blues, my mystery is a Sapphire Jubilee.  I stressed a bit about the "right" colors when I first started, but now I am just going with what I've got.  It is a mystery after all.  Part 1 is a total of 1.2 yards.

Sapphire Jubilee - mix of blocks from Part 1 and Part 2

Fabric In This Week: 0 yards

Fabric In YTD: 14.5 yards

Fabric Out This Week: 1.2 yards

Fabric Out YTD: 8.2 yards

Stash Movement: 6.3 yards in

Slight improvement in the right direction.  I'll take it.

As far as time spent sewing ....... 

My work space was relatively clean and I had gotten the next blocks for my Sapphire Jubilee prepped and ready to sew.  That made all the difference.  Even when I was tired I could just sew one step and that was progress.  

Days of at least 15 minutes of sewing this week: 7/7

Days of at least 15 minutes of sewing in March 25/26

Days of at least 15 minutes of sewing in 2022: 75/85

Percentage: 88%

Linking up to Kate's Life in Pieces to share progress and stay accountable.

Sapphire Jubilee

Fabric did come in - random bits and pieces.  But it was a long week and a longer weekend, so the actual numbers will have to wait until next week.  I really like all the math of calculating fabric in, so I'll wait until I can enjoy it more.

Rolling Stone Block

Nothing out.  I started a new project - Sapphire Jubilee - and plan to count the fabric out when I finish all the blocks for each step.  Part 1 has been started, but not completed yet.  

Fabric In This Week: 0.0 yards

Fabric In YTD: 6.04 yards

Fabric Out This Week: 0.0 yards

Fabric Out YTD: 6.3 yards

Stash Movement: 0.26 yards out

As far as time spent sewing .......

Too dark

 

Much better and it repeats the gingham

I finally decided what to focus on next - Ruby Jubilee.  Mine will be a Sapphire Jubilee,  I had a bit of difficulty with my fabrics getting started.  Some were too dark, some were too light.  But when I settled on my favorite dark blue with tiny light vines & leaves it all came together.  I will be sad when the last bit of that fabric is gone.

Four-Ever Nines

I prepped the little 9-patches and other pieces for the Four-Ever Nines blocks and that was enough to keep me going through the week.  Having a project prepped made all the difference in getting me into the sewing room each day.  I didn't have to think, I just sat down and sewed.  But there was one day I couldn't even do that. 

Days of at least 15 minutes of sewing this week: 6/7

Days of at least 15 minutes of sewing in February 22/28

Days of at least 15 minutes of sewing in March 4/5

Days of at least 15 minutes of sewing in 2022: 54/64

Percentage: 84%

Linking up to Kate's Life in Pieces to share progress and stay accountable.