Stay At Home Round Robin 2026

I have wanted to participate in this challenge for the last several years but could not get past the first step - making the center block.

I have had this applique piece stored away for years and years. I purchased it at a local quilt shop as an unfinished project, Someone put A LOT of work in folding and gluing those very narrow (1/4" wide) bias strips. Some had already been sewn using a double needle and monofilament thread. 

I tried my hand at this technique but without success. I could not figure out how to make those tight pivots and after breaking the needle, I had no choice but to try another approach. (I only had one double needle and no time or capability to purchase another.) 

 

I remember reading from Kim Diehl's books that she does her applique by machine, and it is invisible because she uses monofilament thread. I decided to continue with that process, but with a zigzag stitch instead of the double needle. 

It is not as pretty...but then it is, if the stitching is careful and the pivots are made with uniform stitching. In other words, no reverse stitching. 

That was mostly how I did it along with watching my tension so the bias strips did not buckle. And need I mention that you cannot press monofilament thread? I will definitely have to remember that when adding borders during this round robin.

So, with the old adage, "better done than perfect" it is ready for step one of the Stay At Home Round Robin 2026 hosted by Quilting Gale. I only hope to give the original owner of this center block honor as her skills were definitely better than mine!

Now it is time for a fabric pull so I can continue working, creating, and keeping up each week as directions for each round are released. I will try to post my steps and process here as we move on. The big reveal is March 25th...I wonder if that includes quilting. 

You can read more about this Round Robin here, and perhaps follow along also. Do you have an orphan block waiting to be featured in a quilt with surrounding borders?  There are linky parties and prizes! And in 6 short weeks, you will have a finished top ready for quilting and enjoyment. 

Excited yet? I know I am! Kind of like a mystery, but I am in charge of the outcome.  

_____________________________ 

I also finished assembling my Square Affair top after some time thinking and exchanging one of the fabrics. I chose a white on white fabric with stars. I really like the final result and now I am debating about taking this to the long arm quilter, or doing it myself.  

There was much arranging, and rearranging.  Judging what others have done, you can even mix up the 4 squares but I did not.

Sometimes it is helpful to look at it in grayscale to determine a balance in hues and contrasts. 

And it came together nicely once the borders were sewn on randomly. It is 51" x 61" so far without quilting and binding. And it has used 2.5 yards of fabric. (duh - thus the five half yards) And did I mention there is VERY little leftover? After cutting the pieces from the strips, there is slightly less that 1/2" on each left over! Be careful when cutting! I often left the selvage on one end to be sure I did not run short. And I cut those pieces from each individual strip for extra care.

Overall, I am very happy with this quick, easy, and economical project! I have many half yard pieces in my cupboards waiting to be used. Perhaps I will try another using my own stash. And I like this random pattern.

You can ask at your local quilt shop about these "Half Packs". They come with 5 half yard pieces and you choose the pattern you want to make. You can see for yourself at Sassy Sunflower Quilts.   

Now on to that fabric pull....

Happy stitching!

 

 

 

 

New Year Goals for the 2026 First Quarter

I have my list of UFOs (UnFinished Objects) and TBQs (To Be Quilted) for the new year updated and ready for reference, but I have found that looking at that list for the whole year is just too overwhelming. I makes it feel like it is an impossible endeavor. 

Instead, what seems to really work for me is breaking it down into quarter segments. These are projects that I want to focus on, while it also leaves me some room to approach other works as they come up. Any time of year is a good time for new starts, right? (grin)

January to March 2026 Goals:

1. Tilda Christmas Whimsey. Just waiting for the additional fabric I ordered on etsy to finish this darling project to a flimsy (un-quilted top). It can be quilted later before next Christmas preferably. A very simple and easy block that should go together quickly.

2. Square Affair Half Pack quilt. This is another easy project. It has also been a good lesson for me to not purchase kits that will distract me from making the quilts I REALLY want to make!  Those easy projects satisfy our need for a quick one though! I had hopes in this project to be one I really liked because it has the potential to be a big stashbuster. I have many half yard pieces in my stash that I could pull and make some quick quilts to gift and donate. This one finishes at 50" x 59" - a great throw size. 

3. Neon colored floral block using a double needle to applique the stained glass design. I have never tried this technique so it will be a good one for a quiet afternoon to sit at the machine when I feel calm and motivated. I am planning on this to be the center square for the upcoming SAHRR (Stay At Home Round Robin). Quilting Gail's announcement for 2026 can be found here.  I'll have to push this to the top of the list because it is due by January 14th.

4. Piece & Plenty Baskets BOM. I have 2 blocks completed. I need to make efforts to getting one block done per month in order to get this to a completed quilt top. I love the fabrics and they are a pleasure to work with (quality soft cottons). This project is from 2008!

 

5. Jaye's Bouquet. Aiming for a block or two to have the embroidery finished. I am making slow progress but it is coming along beautifully and I don't want to mess it up with hurried stitches. 

6. Montmellick needs the broderie perse rows to be appliqued and sewn on. This step has been a big snag and I need to get over this hump and move on to the next step soon! I recently dyed the pieces so they match the background fabric. This is one of those projects I was referring to as being a quilt I really want to make.  

7. Strip It Earth needs its binding applied and sewn down. It is easy, fun, hand sewing for the evenings. It is a large quilt, 90" x 90", so it will take a few days/weeks. 

8. Fat Quarter Challenge project. Another fun challenge with my quilt guild. It is not due until May but I sure need to begin to make some kind of plan and attack. The fabric given here has me stumped. 

9. I have two tops needing to go to my long arm quilter. My Christmas Irish Chain, and my scrappy Rick Rack. And also, my Material Girls block exchange needs to be quilted and finished by my special Material Girl Long-armer!  

 

 

Yep! That is plenty to keep me focused and busy. Most all of them are very doable and easy finishes. If I finish all 11 of these goals,...well, that should be a hint on how many more I have on the "master list"!

We are so blessed to have the materials and the abilities to work with our hands. Wishing for you all to have a happy and successful year, enjoying hours of sewing and creating with fabric.  

Ha! Ha!

Happy Stitching!