Here we go! Year five of 'Fettle Those Finishes'. Encouraged by Mini Archie Wonder Dog and BC (aka Aunty Helen), I'm trying to keep track of the UFOs, WIPs and other things I have hanging around for stitching and how much of my lovely hobby I manage to do. Last year I seemed to do lots of stitching for other people or the TAS travelling books. So this is going to be my year of 'Stitching For Pleasure'. I'm going to start doing the projects that I want to catch up with from the pile of UFOs and kits in the cupboard. The year starts with 30 projects on THE LIST. Shock Horror! some are still there from 2021, others are very recent additions.
Group 1 comprises the projects that have been hanging around the longest. Some are design focused, so I need to be in the 'experimenting and creative zone' for them. We still have lots of empty walls for interesting textile art! Other projects are parts of sets or from patterns that can be picked up and put down more easily. Group 2 are the new projects for 2026 (from recent naughty purchases or a long-term wish list). I've tried to keep this section quite small to give me a chance to enjoy my hobby through more Stitching for Pleasure. Group 3 are all the kits & stuff from Cool Crafting (I have an awful feeling I might not have counted everything in the cupboards for THE LIST...). They are now in date order so I can make the characters that have been waiting longest first. I also want to practise knitting for the chums with the patterns I already have. At present there are no demands from the Grandgirlies...
But knowing how easily distracted I can be, who knows what might be added later in the year???
#FettleThoseFinishes2026 Points is a way of rewarding myself for getting on with different pieces of work. Some projects comprise lots of small parts, while others are just one large piece. For example, Each of the Luna Lapin chums takes a few days to sew by hand, then the outfit takes another few days. I think it is fair to award one point for each i.e. One point for sewing Hamish, and One point for his shir and Kilt. On the other hand for the #52Circles, each circle only takes an hour or so and there is one per week to do. To avoid over-rewarding I have decided to award One point for each month finished. At the end of the year #52 circles will be worth 12 points, plus an extra one for mounting and displaying the complete work. Likewise the Sardines will be worth a total of two points, one for stitching the sardines and one for the border and mounting the work.
Running Total for 2026: March - 9 Points
Progress of my stitchery can also be seen on my Instagram account with the #fettlethosefinishes2026
Outstanding Projects from previous LISTS that now need to be Fettled…
Name & Type |
Date added: |
Status |
Date Sections Completed |
Number of Fettled Finish Points |
| 1. Gwen Hedley course: Contemporary Print & Stitch Wall Hanging | Jan 2023 (hard copy worksheets) |
Must make an effort with this one |
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| 2. Wendy Stanger workshop Plant & Fibre kit to create a wall hanging | A ChrissyMouse 2024 gift |
Find the bag of goodies and get on with it |
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| 3. Linda Harvey online Workshop Rustic Surfaces to create a series of contemporary textured work | A ChrissyMouse 2024 gift |
Must make an effort to develop more ideas from the samples |
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| 4. Nine small panels mixed media pieces based on Ushaw window patterns | Jan 2024 |
Must make an effort to develop the ideas and get on with it |
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5. 10 x 10cm samples of canvas work Progress March 2026 - stitching has started |
Jan 2021 |
The image is chosen, the wools are selected, stitching has started |
now in progress |
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| 6. 10 x 10cm samples of applique work | Jan 2021 |
Will I or Won’t I get these done in 2026? |
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| 7. Cat & Bird quilted cushion from the Tilda Book | June 2022 |
Will I or Won’t I get this done in 2026? |
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| 8 & 9. The 12 days of Christmas set of tree ornaments (2 sets) | January & December 2024 |
Will I or Won’t I get these done in 2026? |
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New projects for hand stitching – purchased (or ChrissyMouse presents from November/December 2025) |
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| 10. 'The Portugese Sardines' Peppermint Purple Blackwork in Colour | January 2026 |
Seven small fishies and a border. Mounted ready for a frame |
Completed Feb 2026 |
2 Points |
11. #52 Roundels – weekly online stitch-along Progress: March: 13 completed |
January 2026 |
the year long project from Anne Brooke (13 out of 52 completed) |
Jan, Feb, Mar, |
3 Points so far |
| 12. 'The Gawthorpe Needle Case' - an exquisite embroidery kit from Jenny Adin-Christie | January 2026 |
It’s been on my wish list for a long time. It’s a long and technically difficult project |
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| 13. 'Honesty' - an exquisite embroidery kit from Jenny Adin-Christie | Awaiting delivery |
It’s been on my wish list for a long time. Something for me! |
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| 14. |
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| 15. Hand-made ChrissyMouse cards | January 2026 |
On-going for every year |
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Kits from Cool Crafting – outstanding in order of purchase (existing and new kits hiding in the cupboard of chaos)… |
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16. Hamish the Highlander + outfit with an unexpected extra kilt and shoes for Luna |
February 2023 |
He's DONE - Hurrah, does jig, waves PomPoms... |
January 2026 |
3 points |
| 17. Ottoline the Otter + outfit | January 2026 |
Jumped to the top of the List ...She's DONE - Hurrah, does jig, waves PomPoms... |
January 2026 |
1 point |
| 18. Ziggy the Hedgehog + outfit | February 2023 |
Waiting patiently in the cupboard |
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| 19. Freya the Fawn + outfit | February 2023 |
Waiting patiently in the cupboard |
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| 20. The 'Dickens' Box – four mice based on ‘A Christmas Carol’ | November 2023 |
Waiting patiently in the cupboard |
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| 21. The ten-year Anniversary box – 2 Dutch Rabbity Hares + outfits | June 2024 |
Out of the cupboard - fabric for rabbits cut out |
started |
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| 22. Rupert Bear Style outfit for Erik | August 2024 |
Waiting patiently in the cupboard |
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| 23. Tweed outfit for a.n.other character | August 2024 |
Waiting patiently in the cupboard |
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| 24. The Rory knitted jumper for Hamish | August 2024 |
Waiting patiently in the cupboard |
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| 25. The Beach Donkeys + Outfits | November 2024 |
Waiting patiently in the cupboard |
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| 26. Levi The Lion + Outfit | January 2026 |
Waiting patiently in the cupboard |
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| 27. Gracie Grenouille + Outfit | January 2026 |
Waiting patiently in the cupboard |
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| 28. The Percy knitted Jumper | January 2026 |
Waiting patiently in the cupboard |
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| 29. The Ramsey knitted Jumper | January 2026 |
Waiting patiently in the cupboard |
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| 30. The Audrey knitted Jumper | January 2026 |
Waiting patiently in the cupboard |
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