TGIFF - Follow Your Own Path

Welcome to Thank Goodness It's Finished Friday (TGIFF).  TGIFF is the opportunity to share your finishes from this week.  You can find out who is hosting each week by heading over to the TGIFF blog.

Sandra @ Musings of a Menopausal Melon hosts an annual free QAL.  Follow Your Own Path was the 2021 QAL.  I can't believe it took me four years to quilt the top.

I used Kona Rich Red, Tiger Lily, Duckling, Clover, and Storm for the background and binding.  The print fabrics were from my scrap bin.

I did an all-over stipple in the background using Connecting Threads #21144 Persian Blue.  I stitched in the ditch for the shadow arrows.  I started echoing inside the arrows but that became cumbersome, so I switched to free-motion quilting.  I used thread #21553 Leprechaun, #21170 Lemon, #20863 Red, and #21172 Orange.

I may have another quilt top (or maybe two) from Sandra's QALs that need to be quilted.  I'm slowly making my way through my list of UFOs.  Slow progress is still progress. 😊

It's time for you to link up your finishes from this week.  Please also visit a few of the link ups to get some inspiration and to share some quilty love. ♥ 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Pattern:  Follow Your Own Path by Musings of a Menopausal Melon

Size:  38.5 x 42 inches

Started:  April 28, 2021

Completed:  July 1, 2025
Techniques:  machine piecing
Quilting:  free-motion quilting

Fabric: Kona Rich Red, Tiger Lily, Duckling, Clover, and Storm and various fabric scraps

Binding:  Kona Coal

Thread:  Connecting Threads 
Batting:  Hobbs Batting

WIP Wednesday - New Quilt Block

I designed a quilt block!  I took a block design class with Tara @ Taralee Quiltery at Sewtopia San Antonio in April.

I have to decide on a name for the block/quilt, but here it is.  I used HSTs, HRTs, and squares.

The block is 18 inches finished, so you only need four blocks to make a baby quilt.  I love the secondary pattern created once the blocks are sewn together.

Now to decide on a quilting plan and make a decision on a name.

I'm linking up with:

Wednesday Wait Loss @ The Inquiring Quilter

Effervescence QAL

Did you sew along with Quilting Jetgirl's Effervescence QAL?  I stayed on top of the biweekly piecing until the last two sets of instructions.

I blogged about the first set of blocks, but then it appears that all future updates were only shared on Instagram.

I used Kona Black, Steel, Overcast, Quicksilver, Snow, Chartreuse, Sand, Tan, Straw, Honey, Khaki, Earth, Coffee, Chocolate, and Charcoal.

Now to decide on a quilting plan.

WIP Wednesday - Exploding Heart

I started the Exploding Heart QAL hosted by Laura @ Slice of Pi Quilts back in 2021.  Four year later, I have a finished quilt top. ☺

I used Kona Quicksilver for the background and a FQ bundle from Moda Fabrics -- Sunnyside Up by Corey Yoder.

These are the 15 prints I used from the bundle.

  I used my Accquilt Go cutter to cut the many, many, many triangles needed.

I finished piecing the blocks in 2022.

This month, I started piecing the rows.  It's finally pieced!!  It's wrinkly because it was too hot to turn on the iron.

I was worried that I'd make a piecing mistake, but there's a heart.

I'm linking up with:

Wednesday Wait Loss @ The Inquiring Quilter

TGIFF - Ornamental

I'm working my way through a long list of unquilted tops that need to be finished.

I started Ornamental by Beaquilter in 2022.  This was one of the projects I worked on at Sewtopia Palm Springs.  It's now quilted!

I used Island Batik fabrics that I had in my stash, along with Kona Coal.

I used Connecting Threads #21169 Custard to do an all-over stipple.  When in doubt, go with a light yellow thread.  Custard is my favourite yellow from Connecting Threads.

It feels good to save a quilt top from the overflowing UFO laundry basket.  LOL

I'm linking up with:

Thank Goodness It's Finished Friday @ Sew Preeti

Finished or Not Friday @ Alycia Quilts

Pattern:  Ornamental by Beaquilter

Size:  42.5 x 54 inches

Started:  October 29, 2022

Completed:  June 16, 2025
Techniques:  machine piecing
Quilting:  free-motion quilting

Fabric:  Island Batik fabrics and Kona Coal

Binding:  Kona Coal

Thread:  Connecting Threads #21169 Custard
Batting:  Warm and Natural

TGIFF - 2022 Block of the Month

Welcome to Thank Goodness It's Finished Friday (TGIFF).  TGIFF is the opportunity to share your finishes from this week.  You can find out who is hosting each week by heading over to the TGIFF blog.

I finished a UFO from 2022!!!

In 2022, my friend Dena and I created a Block of the Month for our quilt guild.  The quilt consisted of 12 blocks, all finishing at 12 inches each.  The instructions called for cutting the sashing at 2.5 inches, but everyone had the flexibility to increase or decrease the size of the sashing, or eliminate the sashing.

I chosed Kona White, Black, Steel, and Chartreuse for my blocks.  A little pop of colour in the binding because I didn't want to cut a full WOF for a few inches -- I lost at binding chicken.  And also lost at thread chicken while attaching the binding. 

My top was finished shortly after we started the Block of the Month, but sadly, it did not get quilted until recently.  In an effort to clear up some UFOs, I decided to do an all-over stipple using green thread for a quick finish.  I thought the thread would appear brighter than it did.  But I'm still happy with the result.

I found the perfect backing!

Part of me wants to keep this quilt, but I am making efforts to release quilts into the world so they get some love being used by someone.

It's time for you to link up your finishes from this week.  Please also visit a few of the link ups to get some inspiration and to share some quilty love. ♥ 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Pattern:  Common quilt blocks - layout designed by Dena and Anja

Size:  45 x 59.5 inches

Started:  January 2022

Completed:  June 14, 2025
Techniques:  machine piecing
Quilting:  free-motion quilting

Fabric:  Kona White, Black, Steel, and Chartreuse

Binding:  Kona Steel

Thread:  The Grace Company Finesse #3022 Eucalyptus Green
Batting:  Warm and Natural

TGIFF - Wool and Wax Tote

I finally finished the Wool and Wax Tote I started a couple of weeks ago.  I love this pattern from Noodlehead as it's quick and easy.

This is for a far-away friend.  I used a vinyl for the base and webbing for the straps.

A fun Canadian-themed fabric for the lining.  Although the pocket looks black, it's actually navy blue.

 Because my orange azalea (can't remember the name) is beautiful, here's an outdoor photo.

I think I'll make a matching zippered pouch to include in my package.

I'm linking up with:

Thank Goodness It's Finished Friday @ Quilting Gail

Finished or Not Friday @ Alycia Quilts

Brag About Your Beauties @ From Bolt to Beauty

Needle and Thread Thursday @ My Quilt Infatuation

Pattern:  Plover Pouch by Noodlehead

Started:  May 31, 2015

Completed:  June 13, 2025

Fabric:  fabrics and vinyl from my stash - lining is Purely Canadian Eh! Under the Northern Lights by Robert Kaufman

Thread:  Connecting Threads #21246 Patriot Blue

TGIFF - Spring Equinox

Welcome to Thank Goodness It's Finished Friday (TGIFF).  TGIFF is the opportunity to share your finishes from this week.  You can find out who is hosting each week by heading over to the TGIFF blog.

My guild's Executive Challenge was Curve Appeal -- use curves or a curve as a primary element.  There were so many options, but I finally decided to make Spring Equinox by Taralee Quiltery.

Dena and I went to Blue Rocks to photograph our quilts.  It's such a pretty place on the ocean.

I made the baby size, which ended up about 46 x 53 inches.  I used Kona Citrus, Corn Yellow, Torch, Orangeade, Punch, Morning Glory, Lapis, Deep Blue, Cypress, Clover, and White.

Since I have a large thread stash from Connecting Threads 😉, I was able to find matching colours for my free-motion quilting.

It's time for you to link up your finishes from this week.  Please also visit a few of the link ups to get some inspiration and to share some quilty love. ♥ 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Pattern:  Spring Equinox by Taralee Quiltery

Size:  46 x 53 inches

Started: May 12, 2025

Completed: May 27, 2025
Techniques: machine piecing
Quilting: free-motion quilting on Baby Lock Accomplish

Fabric:  Kona Citrus, Corn Yellow, Torch, Orangeade, Punch, Morning Glory, Lapis, Deep Blue, Cypress, Clover, and White

Binding:  Kona Morning Glory

Thread: Connecting Threads #21115 Jade, #21120 Apricot, #21119 Violet, and #20869 White
Batting: Hobbs Heirloom Premium 80/20 Cotton

TGIFF - Girl Guide Pin Quilt

As a Girl Guide leader, you collect a lot of pins and nametags.  In 2015, I made a pin quilt to hold my collection.  I have made several as gifts over the years.  It's time to make some more -- Kym in New Zealand needs a second one.

The white/blue striped border fabric is from an old Girl Guide leader uniform shirt.  It was the best uniform.

I did put a small hanging sleeve on the back.  Unfortunately, it doesn't take too many pins before it becomes too heavy to hang.

On the back, I used this great Girl Guides of USA fabric that I received from my Sewtopia secret swap partner.

I'm linking up with:

Thank Goodness It's Finished Friday @ Melva Loves Scraps

Finished or Not Friday @ Alycia Quilts

Brag About Your Beauties @ From Bolt to Beauty

Needle and Thread Thursday @ My Quilt Infatuation

TGIFF - Plover Pouches

In November, I purchased a kit when I was at Sewtopia Anaheim to make the Plover Pouch pattern from Noodlehead.  I finally got around to making the pouches at Sewtopia San Antonio last month.  The kit had enough fabric to make all three sizes:  small, medium, and large.

This is the small size.  I did not install the decorative snaps on any of the pouches.

This is the medium size.  I did not include the interior mesh pocket on either the medium or large sizes, but I did include the zippered interior pocket.

My large version is a bit floppy.  For some reason, I thought I read that the fusible fleece was optional.  Oops.  In any event, the pouches are still functional.

There is some fabric left from the kit, so I'm going to make another one or two -- using fusible fleece 😊.

I'm linking up with:

Thank Goodness It's Finished Friday @ Quiltscapes

Finished or Not Friday @ Alycia Quilts

Brag About Your Beauties @ From Bolt to Beauty

Needle and Thread Thursday @ My Quilt Infatuation

Pattern: Plover Pouch by Noodlehead
Size:  small, medium, and large
Started: April 10, 2025
Completed: April 21, 2025
Techniques: machine piecing
Fabric: kit from Sewtopia

Thread: Wonderfil DecoBob #112 Antique White

TGIFF - Oxbow Tote

Although I purchased a kit from Sewtopia Anaheim to make the overnight size of the Oxbow Tote pattern from Noodlehead, I didn't end up using it as planned.  First I changed the lining, then the exterior fabric....and before I knew it, I ended up making the regular size and not using the kit.

I love this cotton canvas I had in my stash.  I still have a small piece left for another project.

I used a cotton canvas for the lining and skipped the interfacing.

I used foam stabilizer and quilted a 2-inch cross-hatch grid on the exterior.  I used vinyl for the exterior pocket and bottom.

I'm happy with my finish and will definitely make the overnight size using the fabric kit I purchased. 😉

I'm linking up with:

Thank Goodness It's Finished Friday @ Quilted Delights

Finished or Not Friday @ Alycia Quilts

Brag About Your Beauties @ From Bolt to Beauty

Needle and Thread Thursday @ My Quilt Infatuation

Pattern: Oxbow Tote by Noodlehead
Size:  regular size
Started: April 29, 2025
Completed: May 1, 2025
Techniques: machine piecing

Quilting: straight-line quilting on Baby Lock Accomplish
Fabric: vinyl and quilting cotton/canvas

Thread: Wonderfil DecoBob #113 Dove Grey and Connecting Threads Essential Thread #21172 Orange

TGIFF - Card Holder

I've been eyeing this DIY card holder for some time.  My nieces are in town, and we were playing some card games.  Aliyah is so tiny, and she has trouble holding all the cards in her hands.  So I thought it was a good time to try this pattern.  It's called Card Kitty by Sew Can She.

I didn't prepare or prep -- I just jumped in and started following the instructions.  I quickly realized I should have read the pattern first LOL because I didn't have the required Peltex.  Caroline suggested trying other stabilizers such as cardboard.  Cardboard works!!

It is an easy pattern to follow and to make.  I had a fun alphabet print in my stash and a piece of velcro that was close enough to the right size needed.

You end up with three pockets which are stitched down the middle so they aren't floppy.

You may have seen on my Instagram that Aliyah had surgery yesterday.  Thanks for the kind words and best wishes.  She should be released this afternoon but will stay in town for another day before travelling home.  We'll have to play some card games tonight so we can test out the card holder.

I have to be honest -- I may be making one for myself.  😀  I like that it folds relatively flat when not in use, so it's easy to store when not in use.

I'm linking up with:

Thank Goodness It's Finished Friday @ Kathleen McMusing

Finished or Not Friday @ Alycia Quilts

2025 Stay at Home Round Robin - Quilt Parade

Did you sew along with Quilting Gail's annual Stay at Home Round Robin (SAHRR)?  It's time to link up your quilt top or finished quilt.

You have one week to link up for your last chance for an entry in the prize draw - link up here.  The SAHRR team has been tracking the weekly link ups.  We will meet via Zoom to chose winners through a random number generator.  Once all winners are notified, we will announce them on our blogs.

As usual, I couldn't decide on a quilting plan, so I did an all-over stipple.  Finished and out the door is better than having yet another quilt top added to my ever-growing pile.

I pieced some leftover wide backing that ended up being just large enough for this quilt.

My quilt progress:

• Centre Block
• Round 1
• Round 2
• Round 3
• Round 4
• Round 5
• Round 6

Pattern: self designed in EQ8
Size:  48 x 48 inches
Started: January 3, 2025
Completed: March 23, 2025
Techniques: machine piecing
Quilting: free-motion quilting on Grace Q'nique 16X
Fabric: Kona Meringue, Lapis, Chartreuse, Black, Pacific, Magenta, Pink Flamingo, Kumquat, Red, Corn Yellow

Binding: Kona Black

Thread: The Grace Company Finesse, #3284 Pearl White
Batting: Hobbs Heirloom Premium 80/20 Cotton

TGIFF - Pop Star QAL

Welcome to Thank Goodness It's Finished Friday (TGIFF).  TGIFF is the opportunity to share your finishes from this week.  You can find out who is hosting each week by heading over to the TGIFF blog.

Sandra @ Musings of a Menopausal Melon hosts an annual QAL.  Pop Star is from 2022, and it seems that I only shared one progress update.

It's finally quilted!

The quilt top was finished on May 15, 2022.  I finally decided to do some hand quilting and basted all the layers.  But I couldn't make a decision on a quilting plan.

In an effort to get quilts finished (and hopefully out the door to forever homes), I did an all-over stipple on my Baby Lock Accomplish.  I love DecoBob 80wt thread by Wonderfil Specialty Threads -- DB113 Dove Grey.

It's time for you to link up your finishes from this week.  Please also visit a few of the link ups to get some inspiration and to share some quilty love. ♥ 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Pattern:  Pop Star by Musings of Menopausal Melon

Size:  40 x 40 inches

Started: April 23, 2022

Completed: March 11, 2025
Techniques: machine piecing
Quilting: free-motion quilting on Baby Lock Accomplish

Fabric:  white tone-on-tone star print  and two green prints

Binding:  one of the green prints (also used for the backing)

Thread: Wonderfil DecoBob DB113 Dove Grey
Batting: Hobbs Heirloom Premium 80/20 Cotton