Repurposing is finding a better plan! Make Nine finish #4

Another UFO [unfinished object] has found a new purpose! And I’m using it to fulfill my UFO prompt for Make Nine 2026.

A repurposed UFO turned into a functional storage roll for double pointed knitting needles.

While straightening up my studio, I uncovered a partially finished placemat from a few years ago. It was going to be a store sample (showcasing a collection from Art Gallery Fabrics) but I never really loved the look of this patchwork—the pieces felt a bit too small and fussy for a placemat—and it wasn’t an enjoyable project for me to make. Because of my mitten knitting charity project, however, this UFO turned out to be perfect for something else. 

The unfinished placemat and additional fabric pieces
gathered to create a new holder for knitting needles.

Knitting mittens in the round has resulted in frequent use of double pointed knitting needles [dpns]. 

I often use double point needles [dps] for knitting mittens in the round.

The old leather pouch that kept them had reached the end of its life, cracking and shedding flakes every time I picked it up. I needed a better storage solution. 

New needle holder (left) and previous worn-out needle holder (right).

Repurposing a placemat UFO

Why not repurpose the unfinished placemat into a knitting needle holder??? One UFO would be brought to the finish line and I’d have new storage for my knitting needles. Win-win! 

Auditioning thread for the pocket stitching. 
Straight pins mark the position for the stitching.

The unfinished placemat was already quilted—which made the project so much quicker to complete! I combined it with other fabric bits that I found while organizing: an orphan quilt block with colorful Australian aboriginal fabrics [M&S Textiles USA], and a fabric sample from a past surface design workshop. Fabrics for the binding and the pocket’s lining were added to the mix.

Creating the pocket for the needle holder.

The placemat was trimmed, the pocket attached, and machine stitching created sections in the pocket for sets of dpns. The binding was attached on three sides. Because of the patchwork on the former placemat, it was easy to follow seam lines to create the pocket sections. I think this remake was meant to be!

This UFO was an easy repurposed project and now I have a reminder of two favorite fabric lines, and a workshop sample has found its way into a project. All good memories. 

A binding was attached on three sides.

Repurposing UFOs: finding a better plan

This needle roll is actually the second UFO I've repurposed this year. Earlier, I took a patchwork piece that was originally intended for a tote bag, cut it, and added additional fabrics to make a cat quilt for the animal center. In both cases, letting go of the original plan helped each project become something useful and more meaningful… as well as finished!

A new needle roll for my double point needles and two hand-knit pairs of mittens.

The placemat will never become what it was originally intended to be, but as a needle roll it will get far more use. Repurposing these unfinished projects has been a good reminder that finishing doesn't always mean following the original pattern or plan—it can mean finding an even better one. 

Make Nine 2026, 4th finish

This project is my fourth Make Nine finish—fulfilling the UFO prompt.

Make Nine 2026 “UFO” prompt.

Here is my Make Nine tracker as of the end of May.

Make Nine 2026 tracker, May 2026.

 

How to support your local shops during COVID-19 social distancing

With the uncertainty surrounding the Coronavirus, many of us are practicing social distancing and self-quarantine. As quilters, sewers, knitters and makers, we have the skill set (and the supplies, no doubt) to combat this isolation time with the crafts we are passionate about. We got this!

Attending to my Farmer's Wife sampler WIP [work in progress]. Assembling blocks 2 x 2.

Don't forget YLQS (your local quilt shop)!
During this uncertain time, however, I encourage you to not forget about our beloved quilt shops, yarn shops and independent sewing centers. These small businesses still depend on us!

Farmer's Wife blocks. Fabrics from Art Gallery Fabrics.
Directory of Shops that carry Art Gallery Fabrics.

How YLQS is managing
Independent quilt, fabric and yarn shops are getting creative with ways to continue to support our quilting/sewing/crafting endeavors—offering curb-side pickup, personal local deliveries, virtual shopping via Facebook Live, Instagram and social media platforms, offering discounts on products and shipping, while figuring out how to use alternative methods to bring us instruction, tutorials and classes—in addition to keeping a sanitized shop and protecting themselves and their staff. It's an enormous feat of juggling and the learning curve for implementing new technology can be steep.

Ways WE can help and support YLQS:
Keep making and crafting!

Assembling rows of 6" bloc

• Go through your stash and revisit those UFOs. You'll likely need borders, sashing, backing or bindings to finish them. Call or contact YLQS and have them ship what you need.
• Visit YLQS on line. Fill the shopping cart and they will ship fabrics and supplies to you.
• Many LQSs are making kits of their shop samples, packaging class/club/BOM projects so you have everything you need to hunker down and craft at home while we get through this time. Buy a kit for yourself or for your kids as a creative outlet from on-line learning. 
• Ask for a personal shopping assistant. I've seen several shops walk through their store via Facebook Live and show new fabrics, kits, notions and products they have that will inspire or help you with your craft. Place an order.
• Purchase gift certificates—for your own future buying needs or for your friends.
• Shops are posting Flash Sales on social media and through e-news blasts. Take advantage of them.
• Fabric companies have opened up the archives of free project patterns for us to access. Be inspired to make something!
• Fabric and pattern designers, brand ambassadors and others are hosting "I-sew-lation" quilt-alongs and sew-alongs. Refresh your stash, buy the kit, pattern or book, and join in.
• Follow, Like and leave comments on social media. The traffic will elevate YLQS's page in on-line rankings... making them get noticed by others with similar interests.
• Post photos of your UFOs, WIPs and Finishes and tag and hashtag YLQS, the fabric and pattern designers and fabric companies. These small things improve on-line rankings. Spread the love!

Adding additional fabrics for a scrappier sampler quilt.

Non-quilters and non-sewers can support too!

• Purchase gift items (books, note pads, greeting cards, jewelry, etc.), gift certificates and finished shop samples and display items. 
• Inquire about and employ a shop's other services such as making T-shirt quilts, making heirloom or commemorative gifts (pillows, etc.), or embroidery services.
• Got a quilt top you've inherited, rescued or purchased? Commission their quilting services. Get that quilt finished so it can be enjoyed.

Completed Farmer'sWife sampler top. Auditioning possible borders.
I have placed an online order with my LQS for two fabrics to audition additional options.

Out of sight but not out of mind
I'm again working on my Farmer's Wife sampler quilt during social distancing. I've ordered two fabrics from one of my quilt shops for possible borders. I hope you revisit your UFOs and order supplies to finish a few of them. Studies have shown that participating in hobbies and crafts during uncertain times relieves stress and calms nerves.

YLQS may be temporarily out of sight... but don't let them be out of mind. They are depending on all of us NOW so when the world gets back to normal, these small businesses will still be afloat!

UFO quilt assessment

One of my Make Nine goals for 2020 is to finish one of my UFOs [unfinished objects]. 

Oh, where to begin?! 

Work in progress: crumb quilt.

Crumb Quilt
If I choose to finish a project from the "Quilt UFO" pile, there are four *relatively* recent quilts in progress. The one above is a crumb quilt made with leftover bits, trimmings and fabric swatches. It's the most recent project which developed out of the crumb patches I started making in October 2019.

I started piecing crumbs into strips in October 2019.

I was using fabric bits for leaders and enders while working on other projects. So, the crumb patches morphed into strips and the strips began to grow.

Crumb strips in November 2019.

By December, the crumb strips needed to be a project of their own.

15 inch quilt block made from fabric crumbs.

Kinship Sampler
In early December, forty-nine of my Kinship Sampler blocks made it into this top. While traveling in early December, I found fabric for borders and backing at Neff's Country Loft, a quilt shop with a fabulous selection of Diamond Textiles' textured wovens. So, I have the remaining fabrics needed to complete this quilt. I need a plan for the quilting, however.

Work in progress: Kinship Sampler from the 2019 100 Blocks 100 Days project.

The Farmer's Wife Sampler
In August of 2018, I started work on blocks for my version of the Farmer's Wife sampler quilt. The blocks I decided to make were completed in June of 2019 to make way for the July start of the Kinship Sampler.  I've decided on a "kitchen sink" layout for these Farmer's Wife blocks... but the blocks are still on the design wall... awaiting top assembly.

Work in progress: Farmer's Wife blocks

A curated subset of my Farmer's Wife blocks are set on-point for a small quilt or wall hanging. The center section of this project is pieced.

Work in progress: Farmer's Wife blocks

What moves to the top of the 2020 To-Do list?
Do I tackle the smallest project first? the most recent one? the one with all the materials on hand? the one that's been around the longest?

I guess it will be whatever mood strikes me. Unless, of course, there is a deadline.

Relax with Glorious Holiday Hexagons on World UFO Day

I guess there's a day for everything because today, July 2, is World UFO Day. If you're a quilter, however, UFO stands for "Unfinished Object." In other words, a project that was started but hasn't yet been completed—for whatever reason. Oh, and there's no shame in having unfinished projects... just sayin'.

Glorious Hexagon: #2 Carol block
made with Woodland Christmas by Gina Linn for Blank Quilting.

This is also the July 4th holiday weekend. And with all the holiday fabric lines out in the quilt shops, this long weekend is a good time to snatch up a half yard of snowmen, reindeer and pumpkins, some fat quarters of a snowflake or candy corn print, and some coordinating blenders and enjoy slow stitching of Glorious Hexagons.

I purchased either third or half yard cuts of several holiday fabric collections at Machine Quilting by Iva in Sevierville, TN in May.

Grab a half yard of a holiday print and some coordinating blenders.

It's never too early to get a start on holiday projects or gifts, right?

Snowmen hexagons with Woodland Christmas by Gina Linn
and Winter Bliss by Sharla Fults.

Because of the size of the snowmen and the repeat of Winter Bliss (shown below), I was able to get several matching sets (six of each shape) out of that piece of fabric. Enough for four large hexagons, with the possibility of 1 or 2 more.

Various fussy cut snowmen pieces from Winter Bliss.

The spring green and red blenders are in keeping with the fall and winter holiday colors.

Cheeky Pumpkins with a spring green blender.

Winter Bliss with a red blender.

Winter Bliss with a green blender.

Here is the red colorway of Woodland Christmas.

Woodland Christmas (red colorway).

So as you celebrate UFO Day, Independence Day, or Christmas in July, take along a bag of hexie bits to the park, the pool, the lake or a barbecue... or sit on the couch in front of the TV. Just relax and enjoy the long weekend with Glorious Hexagons hand stitching.

Three holiday hexagons.

Start some new UFOs. You can't have too many!