This is my idea of fun! It’s like a reunion tour with old projects, plus a reality check on what I actually own. Each year I decide which projects are ready for a comeback, which can continue to sleep, and which ones are finally ready to exit stage left. I have to keep up the habit, too, because I’m still adding new projects to the mix and have no desire to let my crafty room become overwhelming again. 

This year was different, no trash, instead I found treasure: three projects I started more than twenty-five years ago and then set aside. Twenty-five years is ancient in craft years, yet these have held up beautifully. They’re still adorable! It felt like the sewing-room equivalent of finding a twenty-dollar bill in an old coat pocket. Read on to see what I uncovered.

Now for the buried treasure part of the post: More than fifty years ago, I started quilting, and while I made plenty of quilts, my favorite by far was redwork. It combined everything I loved: embroidery, whimsical period illustrations, and quilting, all in one place. I spent countless happy hours stitching—until one day I quietly put it all away and let knitting take center stage.

During my big declutter, I let go of several quilts in various stages of progress. These three, though, stayed—and I’m so glad they did.