2025 was a pretty mixed bag as far as my quilting goes, and this annual post may be more of a simple 2025 wrap-up than truly a “best of.” My finishes were few and far between, but I did enjoy the ones that happened. I continued to really enjoy my computerized longarm, even though I went months between uses. I also have stuck with handwork in some form, which in 2025 was mostly blackwork and cross stitch.
In 2025 I made 3 large quilts plus 1 large quilt top, 1 mini quilt, 1 bag, 1 crochet amigurumi, 1 blackwork embroidery, 14 blocks for my bee, and maybe another thing or two that I’m forgetting about. I completed 3 UFOs and quilted 1 group quilt. I also did more technical editing than in any previous year — and there’s obviously a correlation between more editing time and less sewing time. (And it’s a balance I am constantly reevaluating.)
On to the highlights!
Most Sentimental:
I made two memory quilts this year, one for my cousin and one for our neighbors. I don’t make this type of quilt very often, but it always feels very special when I do. I know both recipients are enjoying them, and I’m glad I had the opportunity to help them with hard things in this way.
Most Technical:
Ok, I just made up this category so I can do a quick round up of the technical editing I did last year. I didn’t keep track of the actual number of patterns I edited — that’s something I’m trying to do for 2026. But I can see that I sent 110 invoices, which equates to probably 150-ish total patterns ranging from individual blocks to quilts of all sizes to massive block-of-the-month projects.
I also began working with a publishing company and edited 4 quilting books, and started on 2 more in November/December.
Most Consistent:
I decided to participate in The Steady Thread’s weekly blackwork stitch-along (blog post about this coming next week), and somehow managed to actually finish the piece at the end of the year! I definitely didn’t stitch a circle each week, but I did consistently return to the project regularly enough to keep it going. I have not jumped into the 2026 stitch-along yet, but it’s not too late so I may still do that.
Most Popular Pattern:
I only released on pattern this year — Quarter Moon — so it’s not too surprising that it was also my most popular one. I’m working on another version of this quilt myself right now and looking forward to seeing how it turns out.
Most Popular Instagram Post:
Instagram really really liked seeing me switch to a new cone of thread after 5 years. Proof that you never really know what that crazy algorithm is gonna do.
Most Popular Blog Post:
Yet again my quilted fabric postcard tutorial takes the crown. It lives on and on! The tutorial itself is now a downloadable PDF, but I guess there are enough links still out there from 2020 that I still get traffic to this post. My most popular post actually written in 2025 was the Pantone Quilt Challenge kickoff. Since I am hosting the challenge again this year, with new co-host Audrey, I expect the kickoff post will be popular for 2026 as well!
p.s. Highlights from previous years: 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013
That is a whole lot of technical editing, wow! o_O All I know is that there is no such thing as balance, and I’m glad I have the privilege to be able to shift the balance around in some areas.
Yeah, when I added it up I was like “oh THAT’S why I feel like I never have time to sew.” 🤪🤪🤪
I didn’t know you were editing books. That is really neat – to be a part of at least six books and more to come.
Happy New Year, Sarah! Your “blue moon” quilt is quite lovely—so beautiful! Enjoy your posts and envy your productivity! best wishes to you and your family