October 2026 Furtle - Fettle Those Finishes Update

October Review / Furtle

As defined by Mini Archie, ‘Furtling’ means ‘having a rummage, a delve, a look at the contents of something’. So I have furtled around to see what I have been doing this month and now I’m going to furtle around the blogs of anyone else who links up over at Archie the Wonder Dog!

-Janine at Rainbow Hare on 2/28/2019

To socialize with my online crafty friends I'm linking up with Mini-Archie, one of my favorite online personalities, and his person for the monthly progress link-up from Fettle Those Finishes! 

Continuing weekly stats here for possibly linking up once a month with Kate at Life In Pieces. My 2021-2024 goal was to stitch at least 15-minutes 50% of the days in the year. 2025 and forward, the goal is any number of minutes in a day for 50% of the year since the puppy is still under 2-years old he's a handful and I want as much time to enjoy him. 

• Week 40: 7 of 7 = 100 %
• 105 minutes/day average across 7-days
• Week 41: 7 of 7 = 100 %
• 58 minutes/day average across 7-days
• Week 42: 7 of 7 = 100 %
• 73 minutes/day average across 7-days
• Week 43: 7 of 7 = 100 %
• 158 minutes/day average across 7-days
• Week 44: 6 of 6 = 100 %
• 77 minutes/day average across 6-days
• October 31 of 31 = 100 %
• 2026: 301 of 304 = 99 %

October has been a struggle for me emotionally. The dogs are doing well and Hubby is struggling through life, too. 

Focus continues now at a slower, more relaxed pace on my projects planned in 2026 see my Furtle planning post HERE.  

Projects Half Done Progress update:

There were 53 projects already started before January 1, 2026 (up from 52 in 2025). The below screenshot of my projects from the spreadsheet provided (and a little expanded) by QuiltingGail is my 'official' list with reference numbers used throughout the year.

As of October 31st, 20 projects have been completed (Blue Highlight), 2 UFO's and 18 new projects. 4 projects completed in October (Green Highlight on completion Date), 0 UFO's and 4 new projects. 10 projects progressed in October (Pink Highlight), 2 UFO's and 8 new projects. 

How did sewing go?

October Projects Completed:

1) Turns out my family needed the 4 Holiday Pillowcases so they were completed and the Halloween pair put into use after a soak and wash. 4 Holiday Pillowcases are 2026 Project 23 completed in 7-hours and 14-minutes. And we found that the purple cat fabric has some glow in the dark spots!

2) While working on the 4 Holiday Pillowcases, it seemed like a good time to put together the Pillowcase for the Free Motion Quilting Academy Sampler quilt. FMQA Sampler Pillowcase is 2026 Project 25 completed in 1-hour and 48-minutes.

3) Send Quilter of Hearts to AQS for photography. American Quilters Society accepted my 2024 "Sew Your Heart Out" Challenge themed quilt as a potential for the 2028 Weekly Calendar. I love these calendars so it's such an honor to be chosen. They wanted to have the quilt by a certain date in October for their own photography. We will see if the Queen will be able to be photographed with her Vinyl covered faces and hands. It was a funny experience as Mr. Hubby Bear and I tried to buy a box to send it and then found that he had saved a box that was perfect to cut down and send the rolled up quilt. Sending Quilter of Hearts to AQS is 2026 Project 29 completed in 3-hours and 51-minutes. Quilt front from 2024 show when it received an Honorable Mention:

4) It didn't go the way I expected, but the AQS sew along is no longer on the list. After the reveal of the Quilted placemats or optional simple quilt, the project was no longer of interest and has now been cancelled. That removes it from the list and for the moment, I'm calling it Completed. AQS Mystery: Make A Little Christmas JOY was 2026 Project 11 completed in 0-hours and 24-minutes. No photos of this as the supplies are partially put back and I will finish that when I get a chance.

October Projects Progressed:

1) The basting station is setup and now all 8 Half-Circles have been basted and 8 of the 34 (24%) Clamshells. The two-pass thread basting is working so much better than the initial tests. I realize that not really knowing all the steps to complete the quilt adds a little resistance, if I can keep myself to working on the current task, I will be able to continue making progress. Happy As A Clamshell is 2026 Project 15 in progress for 7-hours and 49-minutes. 

2) Alchemy - some more time spend on sewing Rows 1 and basting hexies for Row 3. Finished preparing the darkest fabrics into segments to sew onto the medallions and finish the 'traveling' portion of Row 1. Previously completed Row 1 shape image for fun. Alchemy is 2026 UFO 6 in progress for 133-hours and 17-minutes.

3) Finished my Orbital Quilt flimsy from the GeekyBobbin's Introduction to Curves online class and I’m so proud. The PreQuilt coloring included with the pattern was a great way to pick fabrics from my stash. Sandwich and quilting will have to wait; I have some ideas but need time to listen to the quilt before starting. Geeky Bobbin’s Orbital Mini is 2026 Project 19 in progress for 20-hours and 4-minutes.

4) One of my Guilds had a making workshop on October 17th to make the flimsy of Christa Quilt's Beaded Lanterns quilt (free pattern). The Guild has purchased and cut the multiple print fabrics to provide as kits. I have purchased and received my replacement background fabric. I have reviewed the pattern and am ready to cut. Beaded Lanterns is 2026 Project 20. 

5) The PaperPieces' The Welcome Quilt featuring Heather Ross fabrics kit was purchased with the idea of adding more of the Heather Ross fabrics I already have to make the quilt bigger for me to snuggle with on the couch. The pattern has been reviewed and planning the expansion. Additional Paper Pieces where ordered to expand the quilt. PaperPieces' The Welcome Quilt is 2026 Project 24 in progress for 0-hours and 24-minutes.

6) The Picnic quilt has been planned differently from the purchased pattern as 2026 Project 26 in progress for 2-hours and 40-minutes. EQ8 Simulation image:

7) Two Thanksgiving Holiday Pillowcases for the household are well underway with the fabrics pressed and cut then the cuffs sewn. I will use the French Seam method and have found that pressing that seam open turns much more easily in my hands. 2 Thanksgiving Pillowcases are 2026 Project 27 in progress for 1-hour and 49-minutes.

8) One of my Guild Sisters provided Pillowcase Kits for the Cases for Smiles program. I picked up 2 kits on Tuesday night to be collected at the early December meeting. 2 December Donation Pillowcases are 2026 Project 31 and they are ready to get started.

9) From the Nina Clotfelter workshop "Quilting in Negative Spaces" I have a plan to finish my sample. It was time for my machine's annual service so I left my Ruler-work enabled machine at the workshop location at the end of October. I will need to finish the Rulerwork part and then start the Free Motion Quilting. Quilting in Negative Spaces Sample is 2026 Project 28 progressed in 14-hours and 4-minutes.

Second quilting plan from the class is my favorite.

10) February page is getting started! @gothamquilts Embroidery 101 with @jenstrauser Embroidery Sampler book 2026 UFO 53's February page in progress for 0-hours and 41-minutes out of 23-hours and 48-minutes for the entire course estimated to be 28% complete. 

October Stats:

• 3 Completed
• 1 Cancelled
• 10 Progressed
• 51 UFO's remaining
• 12 2026 started projects remaining

What did you get done in October?

End of October Focus 5:

1. Two home pillowcases for Thanksgiving Holiday as 2026 Project 27
2. Provide testing feedback for 2027 Guild Exchange program. I was able to provide feedback to the organizer on the 2026 instructions so she asked me to review before they are provided to the participants as 2026 Project 30. This needs to be done on 11/1 ASAP.
3. Quilting in Negative Spaces example as 2026 Project 28.
4. Happy as a Clamshell, 2026 Project  15 - Continue with the new method for thread basting EPP curbed shapes, Clamshells and Half-Circles. All 8 half-circles are basted and 8 of 34 clamshells are basted.
5. Alchemy, 2026 UFO 6 - Row 1 stitching the last color to the medallions is still in progress when traveling and Row 3 glue basting of the medallion 3rd color is available when time permits.

Link-Ups:
* Mini Archie's October 2026 Furtle Around The Blogosphere as #5

* Ms P Designs - October PHD in 2026 as #4