August 2026 UFO Challenge

 I am really thankful that some of the groups I'm in do these UFO Challenges occasionally. It really helps me stay on track and keep moving forward.

This time its one of my favorite places to teach and shop - StitchOn in Lawrence.

Sometimes its harder to decide what to focus on than to actually finish some quilts. In looking at my 200 plus UFOs, I have lots to choose from! So Ive decided to concentrate on samples for upcoming classes and quilts in current and future trunk shows.

So, here is my list:

Finish Metro Rings  - a double
wedding ring quilt by Sew Kind of Wonderful. I'll be teaching this at Quilter's Bliss (Olathe) on November 18.

Finish 1611 Union Street by Krista Moser - part of my Optical Illusion trunk show. 

Finish binding on Log Cabin Sampler - the quilt representing Tennessee in the 50 Quilts from 50 States trunk show.

Finish binding on Fibonacci Fantasia - a quilt in my Optical Illusion trunk show.

Applique 17 EPP hexies onto batting/backing fabric for the EPP quilt Blocks on the Go for Quilts on the Grow by Katja Marek. 

Have 4 quilts quilted by longarmers. Three are custom jobs and they'll be done by Brenda Weims at Chris's Corner in Ottawa, and one Edge to Edge job done by the Calico House in Lincoln Nebraska.

It looks like a very short list, but each one will take quite a bit of time and money (for the longamers).

So my list is submitted and now the work begins. I will post pictures of the finishes on the shop's FB page. There are lots of other projects that I'll be working on during this time, but these are the ones to FINISH!

I'm curious about your UFO list!

 

Quilt Studio Organization

It's always a challenge to keep things tidy. Stuff piles up - new patterns, new fabric, fabric scraps, UFO projects, quilts needing binding - you know how it is!  But I feel like I'm closer to being organized than I ever have been.

In order to stay organized in my studio, I have to get organized in my mind. I've separated by studio into zones and activities. 

Zones - Cutting, Sewing, Pressing, Design Wall, Storage, Group work, Teaching, Trunkshow, and Vending.

I think I'll do a post for each zone. They each need some work - some more than others. Also I should make a deal with myself to put things away after I use them. That's how things get out of control. Fast.

So, today I'll start with Cutting. It's actually one of the easier zones and mostly picked up. 

My Cutting Station is a series of IKEA cubes mounted on a
platform with castors and toped with a wooden top. The cubes are used for fabric and notion storage and I'll deal with that later. Cutting tools - rotary cutters and scissors are in a plastic drawer set in one of the cubes. Rulers are in a couple of places - hanging on end caps of the cubes with 3M hooks, in a ruler stand made by my Dad, and hanging from an iron rod by S hooks. 

So, what needs doing? I have lots of rulers I don't use - especially specialty rulers. I keep fabric scraps on the cutting table that need to be "filed". Project totes for in-process quilts sometimes are perched on top of the cutting table.  My cutting mat needs to be smotthed out or replaced. So that's pretty clear and not too overwhelming. 

Rulers first - 

1. Do an inventory

2. Put unused and duplicates into box for sale or donation

3. Enter rulers into my excel spreadsheet

4. Think about other possible projects for single use rulers

It took me a couple of days, but I have finished the rulers - I had an inventory and some are "missing". I think they are in project totes with fabric and pattern. I got rid of about 10 rulers and updated my inventory. 

I tidied up the hanging rod and drawer that holds rulers and
templates. 

 OK, first zone done and I feel pretty good about it.

Curious about Studio organization? Let me know.

New 2026 Sew Along with Denise

 I love Sew Alongs. They help keep me accountable and moving forward when there seem to be soooo many projects (which is always).

I've wanted to make both Floral Felicity and Park Place for a while now. They are both from Sew Kind of Wonderful and are both really cute. The curves are gentle, eaasy to cut and sew (no pins or glue needed). I did a post on FaceBook asking your opinion, and you have spoken - it's going to be Park Place.

So here's how it will work - send me an email (djps1957@gmail.com) that you want to join in. Its free to join. You can get your pattern and ruler (Wonder Curve Ruler) from me (Etsy Shop), your local quilt shop, or favorite on-line store.

We'll start with introductions and fabric choices (FQ and scrap friendly) in July. Then every month for 5 more months I'll do a demonstation via Zoom on the first Monday of every month. There will be multiple blocks per month, but they will have similar techniques. Go at your own paste - no shame allowed if you don't get the blocks done that month.

I will make a FaceBook group for us to post our fabric picks, progress, and celebrations. 

Are you in? Its free, (except for pattern and fabric), its low pressure, and will be lots of fun. Let me here from you!

Curious about the Wonder Curve Ruler? Here's your chance.

 

50 Quilts from 50 States - Texas

 

Continuing the 50 Quilts from 50 States journey - we head south to Texas. And I designed a BIG quilt for a BIG state.

I have made several trips to Texas to visit friends, camp on Padre Island, in the hill country, and at Big Bend National Park, go to the Houston quilt festival, attend quilt workshops, and have a personal quilt retreat near Galvaston. Its a huge state with so much variety of landscapes and lifestyles.

I thought I wanted to do a row quilt with all the symbols that are quintessentially Texas - cowboy hats, boots, bluebonnets, horses, stars, and the like. I saw all these things and more on my trips.

So starts the designing. Most of the motifs lent themselves to foundation paper piecing, but others were better done in applique. I could envision an on-point squares border.

Quilted by Brenda at Chris's Corner quilt shop in Ottawa.

This pattern would make a terrific block (row) of the month quilt and is a great skill builder because of the various techniques used. 

If you like this quilt, or any of the particular motifs, it is available on my Etsy shop - either as a paper copy or a downloadable pdf.  

Curious about Texas? Take a trip, or make My Favorite Texas Things Quilt.