Betty's (dudes22) quilting in 2026

Welcome to my quilting thread for 2026. I’m Betty and I live in Rhode Island. Now that the great Christmas project of 2025 is finished, I can get back to some other unfinished projects and new stuff. I can’t say that my Christmas quilt project made a huge dent in the Christmas fabrics. Mostly because I ended up buying Christmas fabrics for some of the quilts. And I still have about 5 or 6 that I need to finish.

So – what are my plans for this year? I had a lot of plans, but hubby and I decided to rent a place in a warmer climate for a couple of months so most of them are on hold for now. I decided not to take my sewing machine this time. I decided to take a cross-stitch project with me that is the picture at the top. I bought the pattern back in 2022, but then never got started. Meanwhile Mickey liked it and hers is all done. I’m hoping to make a lot of progress on it.

When we return - Now that I’m more comfortable with my “bigger” sewing machine, I’d like to try and finish some of the UFOs I have hanging around. I probably should count them but I’m afraid of what the number might be. I will at least try to finish one each month.

I’m also going to be making pillowcases again this year for the Christmas Child Shoebox project with my church sewing group. The church also helps support a nearby homeless mission which does a Christmas toy drive each year. I thought I might use some of my scraps to make some 18”x24” doll quilts. I also saw a blip on the local news at Christmas about a group that gives out blankets to the homeless and I thought maybe I’d try and finish some of my scrap quilts to donate.

And, of course, there will be new projects. I’ve been following a few quilters on YouTube and I like some of the projects they did in 2025 and I’m planning on doing a few.

Phew! Sounds like a lot …

Pillowcases: 64

Doll Quilts: 3
UFOs:
New Projects:
Baby quilt - Deb
Baby quilt - Haven

Happy crafting in the new year, Betty!

I really like the idea of using up stashed mountains of fabric for good causes. I should look around my area to see what places would take those kinds of donations.

>2 scaifea: - The idea for the quilts for the homeless came from a blip on the evening news. I need to try and find it again and make a note of the group. Interestingly, a friend that sits next to me in church is volunteering at a local hospital and said she found a closet that had a ton of quilts in it. Apparently, they get too many donations of quilts.

>3 dudes22: Too many? Then maybe they should start, I dunno, giving them to patients? Ha!

>4 scaifea: - My friend didn't seem to know what the issue was.

>3 dudes22: I’m looking forward to seeing your cross-stitch projects. I’ve dabbled in a lot of crafts, but I quickly gave up on cross-stitch and embroidery (and I’ve never tried quilting), so I have the greatest admiration for those who work with needle and thread!

>6 Charon07: - I used to do quite a bit of cross-stitch until my eyesight got so bad I was making too many mistakes. And I got more interested in quilting. This is a relatively easy, uncomplicated pattern and I hope I'll be able to complete it. I've done other crafts - knitting, crocheting, scrapbooking, card making, but none of them seemed to be as good as quilting.

Wishing you all the best with your cross-stitch project, Betty, while you're away from home. I look forward to seeing how it turns out for you.

>8 MickyFine: - THanks Mickey. I'm looking forward to it.

My side of the family got together for our family Christmas today and my great nieces and nephews got their quilts. I tied a piece of left over fabric to the handles of the bags as a hint of what was inside. They each got a number for the order to pick, and everyone seemed to really like the one they got. I was really happy that one great nephew got a long rectangular one rather than one of the square ones as he is well over 6 feet. He's in college and was happy it was long. I think it's going back with him. I'd like to post pictures of them with the quilts, but I worry about their privacy, so I won't.

Cross stitch definitely nice for how transportable it is! That is such a lovely pattern (and a bit quilty itself).

>10 dudes22: It's so satisfying when handmade gifts re so well received. Way to go, Betty.

>11 mabith: - Yes, Meredith - I think that's why I was drawn to it.

>12 lauralkeet: - I have to admit that I was just expecting the "Thanks Auntie - this is nice", but they seemed genuinely excited to get them.

On a side note - speaking of cross stitch - my sister Carol (next after me) did some cross-stitch pictures for each of us many, many years ago. (I got a picture of some nutcrackers) My sister Jane (3rd in line) brought the picture this year that Carol had done for my sister Joyce (4th in line) who passed away 10 years ago. She had come across is it in some of her Christmas stuff and she gave it to Joyce's son Nick who was there. It was a nice moment.

>10 dudes22: I'm so glad the nieces and nephews loved your quilt gifts, although I'm not all that surprised because your work is so amazing, plus, in general, the kids are alright these days.

How wonderful that your great nieces and nephews liked their quilts! It’s always nice when recipients appreciate handmade gifts.

>3 dudes22: >4 scaifea: Once of the reasons hospitals don't give quilts to patients is infection control. It is too difficult for the hospital to wash the quilts properly after each patient's discharge without the quilt being damaged.
It does make you wonder though why they accept them.

Looking forward to seeing what you make this year.

>16 SassyLassy: Oh, I assumed the patient would get to keep the quilt when they left! Huh.

>16 SassyLassy: - Like Amber, I assumed they were given to the patients.

>17 scaifea: >18 dudes22: Given what happens in hospitals, even if the quilt was to go home with the patient, it would still need washing while the patient was in hospital, and then there would be keeping track of which quilt went with which patient - yikes!

It would be interesting to know how care homes handle this.

>1 dudes22: The cross stitch project is looking good!

>20 thornton37814: - Ha! Ha! I haven't started it yet. More like wishful thinking.

>21 dudes22: I just thought you had some more rows to go. LOL

>22 thornton37814: - I wish. Maybe soon?

When I went to start the cross-stitch project I brought with me, I figured out that I really should have a bigger piece of fabric. I did manage to find a store near us that sells quilting fabric and cross stitch supplies but the cross stitch fabric they had was somewhat limited. I ended up with a 28 count fabric instead of 22, so my picture will be a little smaller than I was thinking, but that's ok. I'm planning to start it later today.

>24 dudes22: I'm glad you found the supplies you need, even though it's not exactly what you had planned!

>25 scaifea: - And that didn't go as planned either, Amber.

When I sat down this morning and started to work on it, I realized that doing 1 strand over 2 threads was still going to be too big for the fabric I had. And I really didn't want to do it over one thread and have it be so small. So I went back to the other fabric and looked at it again. I'm pretty sure I'll have enough fabric although my framer may have to do some magic when he frames it.

Here's a picture of my progress today which isn't a lot, but it's a start. I'm not going to post every day but at least I have something to post this year.

>26 dudes22: Ope! Well, I'm sure it'll work out okay, and if it's close, the framer will know what to do. It looks lovely so far!

That looks like a challenging cross stitch project, but you've made a good start for just one day. How long do you expect it will take you?

>26 dudes22: You can sew muslin onto the edges if you get it too small for framing.

>28 arubabookwoman: - I really have no idea. We're away from home for a couple of months so, right now, I have plenty of time to work on it when I'm not reading. Once we get home again, I'll have far less time. We'll see how it goes.

>29 thornton37814: - Thanks for the info, Lori. It's been quite a while since I attempted any cross stitch, so I've forgotten those things.

>26 dudes22: Excellent start, Betty. Looking at mine, I'm guessing you're starting from top centre? Or did you change the colour order?

>31 MickyFine: - Ys, I'm starting from the top center. Seemed the safest since I'm a little worried I'll have enough fabric.

Here's a picture of my progress on the cross-stitch project:



We're still going to be away from home for another month, and I find I am missing my sewing machine a lot. (I wouldn't even mind the snow since I really have no reason to go out.) I decided today to make a list of projects I want to finish that got put aside when I started the Christmas quilts. Then there are some that I really would like to start this year. So, for now, it's just YouTube videos.

>33 dudes22: Looking good! That’s quite a bit of progress.

>33 dudes22: That looks great so far!

And I understand missing your machine. I get like that when I'm away, too.

>34 Charon07: - Thanks.
>35 scaifea: - I might have to do a little fabric retail therapy. Even if it's online and sent so it's there when I get home.

Even with bright sunlight, I'm finding it hard to work on the yellow sections.

>33 dudes22: Pretty! But yeah, I can imagine the eye strain of the yellow.

>37 qebo: - Thanks. I think I'll try doing alternating block colors with the yellow.

I did almost a whole square before I realized it was in the wrong place. YUCK!!

>39 dudes22: That's always so frustrating, but the stitching in your picture is looking lovely at least.

Well, we're back from Florida and Mexico. As we traveled back up the coast, we stopped to see our grandson and then the next day stopped to see our granddaughter. It was nice to see them. I had a couple of fabric orders waiting for me which was nice. Now that I'm back, I think the first things I need to work on are 2 baby quilts. And I'll probably do some pillowcases. As I get time. Laundry and taxes should probably be my priority.

After a couple of weeks back, here's the progress I've made. I've done a few pillowcases and went to the church sewing group yesterday where I worked on some more. I have one baby quilted layered and ready to be quilted. And I've started on the other. I also decided to do a "block of the month" with a YouTuber and I've spent part of today cutting the pieces for that. I haven't touched the cross-stitch project I was working on but hope to get back to it soon. And I still have to do organize the tax planner for the accountant.

I watched a YouTube quilter video the other day and she had spent a "quilt retreat" at home, deciding to quilt as much as she could over a weekend. She managed to finish 5 quilts and make progress on others. I decided I should at least take the ones I have on a shelf and see where I am in the process. I'd really like to finish some of my UFOs this year. I was surprised that some of them have everything I need to finish except the batting. Some have a top and binding and some are just the top. I have a bunch of others in various places, but these have been around the longest. Next, I need to go through my batting and see what size pieces I have left over from other quilts that can be pieced together to make some batting for these quilts. I also finished the top for a baby quilt and will drop it off at my long-armer this week.

>43 dudes22: A retreat at home sounds lovely, Betty. Wishing you luck in turning at least a few of those projects into FOs.

I finished a baby quilt for a friend who has a new grandson:

That's so cute!

>45 dudes22: Adorable!

>45 dudes22:

Nice quilt! I love your stitching too.

P.S. I do some quilting as well -- I'll try to post some pics. in this group eventually.

>47 MickyFine: - Thanks, Amber.
>47 MickyFine: - Thanks, Mickey. I've started working on the cross-stitch again - finally. Hadn't touched it since we got home.
.48 - Thanks, Kim. Looking forward to seeing what you do.

>16 SassyLassy:

Why hospitals accept quilts - sometimes here they display them on the hospital hallway walls.

>45 dudes22: What a wonderful gift! The fabric with the trucks is adorable!

I went to a quilt show today and saw this absolutely fabulous Baltimore Album applique quilt. The other two pictures are blocks from that quilt. I'm amazed by the embroidery that the quilter included in the blocks. Look at those little stamens and French knots on the purple flowers. And the little yellow berries are about the size of a man's collar button. Zoom into the pictures for some more details.

>52 dudes22: That is very beautiful. Thanks for sharing, Betty!

>52 dudes22: wow, what an incredible quilt. It's gorgeous viewed from a distance and so impressive to see the detail when you look at it up close.

>53 MickyFine: - >54 lauralkeet: - My photos don't do it justice. All those little leaves in the border. I've seen quite a few of this type of quilt over the years at various shows and this one might be the best I've seen. I can't remember if the card with the description said how long it took her.

Holy moly, that's amazing!

>56 scaifea: - Isn't it?

Thought I'd post an update of my cross-stitch project. I didn't work on it for a while once we got back from Florida, but I've started up again.

>58 dudes22: I scrolled up to find previous photos -- you've made a lot of progress. I love the colors.

>59 lauralkeet: - Mickey did the same one a couple (?) of years ago.

I love seeing your progress! It's looking so nice!

>58 dudes22: It does look like you’ve made a lot of progress, and it’s turning out beautifully!

>60 dudes22: ohhh yes now I remember!

>58 dudes22: It's looking so great, Betty! I hope you're finding it as fun to work on as I did.

>61 scaifea: - Thanks, Amber. Progress is good.

>62 Charon07: - Thanks

>63 lauralkeet: - Thought you might.

>64 MickyFine: - It's so satisfying to finish a square that it keeps me interested.

Not much work lately on the cross stitch. I've had a pain at the base of my left thumb (the bone next to the heel) which I think might be from the way I've been holding the hoop I'm using. So, I'm going to give it a rest for a couple of weeks. I didn't realize how much my left thumb is used for other things.

Meanwhile, I find I've been wanting to cut up fabric for projects while my sewing machine is at the spa. More projects are not what I need.

>66 dudes22: Wishing you a swift recovery, Betty!

Pictures of the front and back of a baby quilt I just finished. For some reason the quilting really shows up more than the fabrics in these pictures.

>68 dudes22: Beautiful quilt! I love the scattering of pinwheels. And it’s actually quite nice to see the quilting highlighted—it’s beautiful in itself, and I’m personally often so distracted by the colors and fabric designs of quilts that I don’t appreciate the quilting enough.

>69 Charon07: - I can't take credit for the quilting. I bring some of my quilts to a long-arm quilter. Before I send it to our niece, I'm going to wash it tomorrow to get any chemicals and excess dyes out of the fabric. I'm curious to see what it will look like then.

>68 dudes22: Oh, I love the pattern! Very cute!!

>70 dudes22: - Thanks, Amber. It's a free pattern on the Fat Quarter Shop website. There was also a Youtube video.

>68 dudes22: - After thinking about it, I've decided that I'm not that happy with how this turned out. The fabrics don't show the patterns on them very well. (It's so low volume pastel) And now that I've washed and dried it, the fabric patterns are even less noticeable. This must be why I usually work in primary colors for baby quilts.

In other news - I pulled out a Christmas quilt that I hadn't finished, planning to get it ready to go to my long-armer and discovered that this was the one I had taken a couple of rows from the bottom because it was too big and I still need to fit some triangles in to even off the bottom. Back on the shelf it went.

And lastly - I got a call that my sewing machine is ready to be picked up. Yeah!

>73 dudes22: I see what you're saying about the fabrics not showing their patterns well but nevertheless I think it's really pretty. Is it a gift?

Yes - My niece had a baby in Jan. She didn't find out whether it was a boy or girl, so I decided to wait until we knew. We were in Florida, so I didn't start it until we got back. Oh well - now I need to pack it and mail it to Tenn.

>72 dudes22: Youtube is such a great crafting resource!

>73 dudes22: I get being not 100% pleased with the soft colors, but also, especially for a baby quilt, that can be really nice, too.

Update on quilt - I asked my niece for a picture of the baby with the quilt and the one she sent showed the fabrics just fine. Must be my picture taking skills. I think I've done something to the settings on my camera which is causing my problems with taking pictures. I'll have to see if I can figure it out.

Here's a picture of my red. white, and blue quilt that I finally got up on the wall over my bookcase in the living room. And a picture of the back fabric with the quilting pattern that my long-armer did on it. If you can zoom in on the quilt front, you can see how it "waves" across the quilt

Nice! Just in time for Independence Day!