The Saturday Stitch Report #1

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New Projects, New Fabric, and Two New Supervisors

Welcome to the very first Saturday Stitch Report!

I'm not entirely sure whether this is a newsletter, a sewing diary, a weekly status report, or simply proof that I spend far too much time thinking about fabric.

Perhaps it's all of the above.

What I'm Working On

This week I've been working on a project from my December Sew Sampler box from Fat Quarter Shop. It has been nice to pull out something that has been patiently waiting its turn and finally give it some attention.

Like many quilters, I occasionally suffer from what I call "project optimism." This is the belief that I can start new things at a rate significantly faster than I can finish old things.

The evidence suggests otherwise.

Still, progress is progress, and stitches were made this week.

What's Arriving in the Sewing Room

Fat Quarter shops Limited Edition Liberty box greeted me on my porch earlier this week, well worth it as always, and the monthly Sew Sampler subscription box will be arriving soon! If you’ve ever been curious about the program, or looking for an easy way to avoid choosing your next project, you can learn more about this subscription here.

I also have a few fabric collections on my wish list that I'm eagerly awaiting.

At the top of that list are:

• Poinsettia & Pear by Sherri & Chelsi for Moda

• Little Ladies by Tami Jones for Andover Fabrics

I'm especially excited about Little Ladies because it's Tami's very first fabric collection. There is something special about watching a designer's debut collection make its way into the quilting world.

What's Next

Over the next few weeks, I'm hoping to complete:

• The May and June blocks for the Missouri Star Spring Dreams block of the month.

• The first block for Fat Quarter Shop's 2026 Designer Mystery Block of the Month

I'm also looking forward to participating in Fat Quarter Shop's Jolly Tree Farm sew along when those weekly patterns are released at the end of June. This is a free seasonal quilt along done for various holidays and I LOVE them. 

There is absolutely no possibility that I have overcommitted myself.

Please do not check my project baskets for confirmation.

This Week's Lesson

This week's reminder is simple:

Progress counts.

Not every sewing session results in a finished quilt. Sometimes progress looks like organizing fabric, trimming blocks, pressing seams, or making a plan for what comes next.

A quilt is built one seam at a time, and sometimes one seam is enough.

Around the Blog

This week on Chris Cross Quilts:

• 10 Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me Before I Started Sewing

• Fabric Matters More Than You Think

• coming soon:

  • Why I Prefer 100% Cotton

  • Quilt Shop Fabric vs. Big Box Store Fabric

If you're new here, welcome! Grab a cup of coffee, look around, and stay awhile.

The Adjustment Period

The newest members of the household are still settling into their new surroundings. As expected, the first few days have included a little uncertainty, some growling, a few hisses, and extensive inspections of every available hiding place.

Both felines are gradually becoming more comfortable, though each is handling the move differently. One has decided that exploring is an acceptable pastime as long as nobody makes any sudden movements. The other is taking a more cautious approach and appears to be conducting a thorough risk assessment before fully committing to family life.

For now, they have not yet assumed their official roles as Sewing Room Supervisors. Their current duties seem to consist primarily of observing household activities, evaluating the dogs from a safe distance, claiming their territory and determining whether the humans are sufficiently trained.

The adjustment period is going about as expected. There have been encouraging moments, a few dramatic moments, and several reminders that cats rarely read the instruction manuals humans write for them. Each day brings a little more confidence, a little more curiosity, and a little less concern about the strange new place they've landed.

I suspect it won't be long before they discover the true purpose of a quilting studio: sitting directly on the project you're working on, stealing the warmest chair in the room, and contributing cat hair to every quilt as a signature design element, this may not go over well with me…. we shall see.

If all continues to go well, they may become regular contributors to future Stitch Reports. For now, they're still in orientation.

Until Next Saturday...

Thank you for spending a little time in my sewing room this week.

May your seams stay straight, your bobbin stay full, and your favorite rotary cutter be exactly where you left it.

(Unlike my scissors, which continue to disappear under mysterious circumstances.)

Until next Saturday,

~Chris