2026 Quilting Projects & Finishes
This blog is an ongoing post that will be updated throughout 2026, so make sure to check back often for new finishes and progress.
It’s designed to serve two purposes:
1. Inspiration for you.
I hope this list of finishes sparks ideas for your own projects, encourages you to revisit works in progress, or reminds you that every finish—big or small—deserves to be celebrated.
2. A creative diary for me.
Yes, this part is a little selfish—ha!—but I love having a single place to document what I made in 2026. It’s a way to slow down, reflect, and appreciate the work that actually came together over the year, instead of only focusing on what’s still waiting in the wings.
January
Just One Layer Cake Quilt
Finally finishing this amazing quilt top! If you remember, I made two of these: one with just one layer cake and another where I expanded on the layer cake. For both of these quilts, I used a flannel backing, making it sooooo cozy! I finished the first one (that used just one layer cake) in 2025, but the second was in my quilt top pile. One of my 2026 Quilting Goals is to practice walking foot quilting. This was the perfect quilt to incorporate into that goal. YAY!
February
Appliquéd Heart Wall Hanging
Isn’t this wall hanging just the cutest? I created it as a fun alternate project to go along with my Owl Quilt tutorial—especially for quilters who don’t have an AccuQuilt system. I wanted a design that anyone could jump in and make, no special tools required!
This sweet little wall hanging finishes at 16.25” x 25.5”. In the tutorial, I guide you through the whole process from start to finish—yes, even the quilting and binding!
March
Antique Quilt Top Restoration
I featured this quilt top in a Lessons from an Old Quilt video on March 8, 2026. It was wonky and in rough shape. I decided to try to restore it. Although I wasn’t hopeful, I pushed through it anyway. I wish I could say I was confident that it would end up being a quilt. I was not. In fact, I was fairly certain it would be a tote bag, a few table runners, or even coasters. Much to my surprise, it turned out to be a quilt! I am very proud of this one. I learned so much from the quilt top itself, and it continued to teach me lessons on finishing it. I recorded the entire process, too! This was fun and rewarding.
Fall Table Runners
I know, I know. It is a little early for this, right? But when I saw this upholstery fabric (FIVE yards for $4.99!) at the thrift store, I had to get it. I knew right away it would make great fall table runners. Around the same time, a friend asked me if I could make a 10-foot fall table runner for his huge dining room table. I love how things just come together! I made him one, myself one, and I plan to make a few more. I still have a lot of this fabric left. Although this isn’t quilting, I wanted to include it in my 2026 finishes.
April
The Walmart Trip Around the World Quilt
I just love how this turned out! I made this quilt from fabric from Walmart. I used four coordinating fabrics for the front and a package of fleece for the back. There is batting in this, but you wouldn’t have to use batting. The fleece would be enough. It is so soft and cozy! I quilted it in a grid first to stabilize it, and then did a flowing free-style wave on the diagonal. It was so much fun! It would be a perfect quilt for a charity event. I have a tutorial and a blog for this one, too!
May
Lanyards & Keychains
In May, I went on a retreat with some friends, and I made eight sets of lanyards and keychains as gifts for each of them. I used batik fabric to make them. I love how they turned out! I used the same technique that I showed in Day 17 of 2025’s Christmas in July series. They worked up fast and were so much fun to make.
Boxy Zipper Bags
While I was cleaning out items for my 2026 Quilting Goal of Use It or Lose it, I found a kit that I purchased a few years ago. The kit contained the pattern (Nantucket Mini-Charm Bag), a mini charm pack, hanging charms for the zippers, and a zipper. I added the batting, background fabric, and another zipper to make two of these. I wish I could say they worked up easily (they did not), but I am pretty happy with these, I think.
June
Scrappy Log Cabin Quilt
This quilt is made all from scraps! I have a tutorial for this block, and I made a video of me quilting it, too! I just love this. The blocks are 12” finished and the quilt measures 48” x 60”. It contains 20 quilt blocks, each with 11 strips. That means with the backing and binding, there are 222 pieces. I really should piece the label with 28 more pieces to make it 250! This would be a great representation of the semiquincentennial!
Basket Weave Table Runner
I made this table runner for a donation idea for a fundraiser raffle. This is a great example of how a simple pattern can come to life with quilting! This was so much fun to make! The table runner measures 17” x 42.5”. Each block is 8.5” square (finished). I will be showing how to make this in the upcoming Christmas Quilting in July series. I used just three fabrics to make this.
Quilted iPad Case
I love the panel by Rachel Rossi called Bee Haven (Benartex). I just had to make something fun with it. I used the tutorial by Ginger Patch Designs to make this. In her tutorial, she shows how to use a lighter batting. I used foam as batting for this one. If you decide to use foam, make sure to add a little extra space for the bulk. I just love how this turned out!
