Adding a New Project Amid a Galaxy of UFOs (and Loving It)
I’ve taken on a 52 Quilts Challenge to complete a galaxy worth of UFOs (unfinished objects that I’ve started and set aside over the years. How did I get here? As I mentioned in my Confessions of a Serial Quilt Starter – I love starting new projects! I love the thrill, the novelty, and the organization that comes with a fresh start!
But…Somewhere along the way, I get sidetracked.
Another idea pops up.
Another project must be tried.
Sometimes it happens while scrolling Pinterest or Instagram. Other times, I’m reorganizing my fabric stash, recommitting to using what I already have, and suddenly pulling fabrics for a brand-new project that would “work just perfectly”.
Either way, I have so very many UFOs – we’re talking dozens. That might be a little embarrassing… until I remember how much joy the starting brings.
So of course, during a challenge dedicated to finishing, I started yet another new project. What can I say?
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The Comfort & Joy Mini Quilt Swap
This week’s post is about a quilt swap I spotted on Instagram, hosted by Chloe at Good Lovey Quilt Company. She invited makers to join her #Comfort & Joy Mini Quilt Swap and I was all in. She paired us with a “secret santa” and encouraged us to create a mini quilt inspired by our partner’s style.
This was So. Much. Fun!
I was paired with Lisa Hay at LisasHayloft. I loved scrolling through her Instagram and reading the notes she shared for her swap partner. One thing was immediately clear: she loves Christmas trees. Mission accepted.
Quilting on the Road
While on a work trip in Anaheim, California, I stopped by Orange Quilt Bee. The ladies there were absolutely lovely and I enjoyed chatting with them while selecting both a pattern and fabric for the swap.
I chose “Under the Pines” pattern by Heather Peterson of Anka’s Treasures. I did see the finished size listed on the pattern for the table runner… but somehow it didn’t register. This runner turned out quite a bit larger than I expected!
Fabric Choices
For the piecing, I used Tiny Christmas by Lizzy House for Moda, with a few complementary fabrics added to round out the palette. Teals, greens, pinks, reds — it’s a gorgeous and playful Christmas collection.
This was a very tricky pattern for me. I’ve included some helpful tips below if you’re planning to make it yourself. Hopefully this saves you a bit of trouble.
For Quilting, I stitched in the ditch around the blocks and added outline quilting to highlight the trees and snowflakes.
Planning and completing the quilting stage still feels stressful for me. Probably because I don’t reach this phase as often as I’d like, given all those UFOs… Sigh. But with a full year of the 52 Quilts Challenge ahead, I know I’ll get plenty of practice quilting.
Another Quilt Finish for the 52 Quilts Challenge
I finished the final binding stitches while we were traveling over Thanksgiving. It went out a bit late due to some unfortunate circumstances, but sending it off filled my heart with such joy.
This Mini Quilt Swap didn’t reduce my UFO pile at all — it was a completely new project in fact. But… it did bring me so much joy. More so because I finished it and met some new quilting friends.
Here it is – all ready to be packaged up and sent to Lisa. 🎥 Be sure to follow me on Instagram for the full reveal – Christmas trees on repeat 🎄
As it turns out, Lisa was my secret Santa too. You can see what she sent me here and the unboxing reveal video is here! I love it so so much. 💖 💖
🧵🪡✂ Maker’s Notes:
Pattern: “Under the Pines” by Heather Peterson of Anka’s Treasures
Fabric: “Tiny Christmas” by Lizzy House for Moda, plus additional coordinating fabrics
Finished Size: 22¼” x 62”
Batting: Thrifted batting scraps joined to size, using this method
Thread: Aurifil 50wt
Quilting: Machine quilted by me (stitch-in-the-ditch & outline quilting)
(Note: I enjoy supporting my local quilt shops but I do also buy online as well. I’ve included links to online options but highly recommend checking out your local quilt shop – there’s nothing quite like building community locally when possible.)
💡 Tips for Making “Under the Pines”
- Don’t be distracted: Some quilt projects are meditative, almost “flow state” activities – not this one! The pattern is beautiful, but it requires close attention, unusual cuts, and precise piecing. I’d recommend it for intermediate or advanced quilters. Take your time and measure twice before cutting.
- Label everything: Definitely follow the designer’s instructions to label your pieces with which steps you’ll be using them – it matters.
- Accurate ¼ inch seam: Some pieces are as narrow as ⅞”, so accuracy is critical. Scant seams weren’t my friend here – true accuracy was. Practice your ¼ inch seam on scrap fabric to be sure you have it correct.
- Starch is your friend: When making the berries, finger press snowball corners. Then, starch and press well.
- Go slowly: There were a lot of tricky steps (for me at least)
- Quilt as desired: A phrase that usually stresses me out! I was happy with how outline quilting worked for highlighting the trees and snowflakes.
🌟 Final Thoughts (and More Quilt Reveals Coming!)
Joining a mini quilt swap was such a joy. Making something specifically for another quilter, meeting new quilting friends, and watching everyone’s secret Santa projects unfold on Instagram was incredibly fun. Quilters really are some of the nicest people.
10/10 — I would absolutely do a swap like this again.
This quilt finish was one of several completed over Thanksgiving as part of the 52 Quilts Challenge. If you missed my first few quilt finishes in the challenge, see all quilts from the 52 Quilts Challenge in the Challenge Index.
Check in on me over at Instagram – More quilt finishes are coming — stay tuned!
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