Penny Widdison Stitchery & other stuff

The List 2026

Stitching for Pleasure

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 hangng 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 naughtly 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 oufit 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: February - 8 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 (as of January 2026) Update status each month	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
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
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
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
5. 10 x 10cm samples of canvas work Progress February 2026	Jan 2021	The canvas has found its way out of the cupboard, and is on the frame The image is chosen, the wools are selectd
6. 10 x 10cm samples of applique work	Jan 2021	Will I or Won’t I get these done in 2026?
7. Cat & Bird quilted cushion from the Tilda Book	June 2022	Will I or Won’t I get this done in 2026?
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?
*New projects for hand stitching – purchased (or ChrissyMouse presents from November/December 2025)*
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: 10 completed	January 2026	the year long project from Anne Brooke (10 out 52 completed)	Jan, Feb,	2 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
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!
14.
15. Hand-made ChrissyMouse cards	January 2026	On-going for every year
*Kits from Cool Crafting – outstanding in order of purchase (existing and new kits hiding in the cupboard of chaos)…*
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
19. Freya the Fawn + outfit	February 2023	Waiting patiently in the cupboard
20. The 'Dickens' Box – four mice based on ‘A Christmas Carol’	November 2023	Waiting patiently in the cupboard
21. The ten-year Anniversary box – 4 Dutch Rabbity Hares + outfits	June 2024	Waiting patiently in the cupboard
22. Rupert Bear Style outfit for Erik	August 2024	Waiting patiently in the cupboard
23. Tweed outfit for a.n.other character	August 2024	Waiting patiently in the cupboard
24. The Rory knitted jumper for Hamish	August 2024	Waiting patiently in the cupboard
25. The Beach Donkeys + Outfits	November 2024	Waiting patiently in the cupboard
26. Levi The Lion + Outfit	January 2026	Waiting patiently in the cupboard
27. Gracie Grenouille + Outfit	January 2026	Waiting patiently in the cupboard
28. The Percy knitted Jumper	January 2026	Waiting patiently in the cupboard
29. The Ramsey knitted Jumper	January 2026	Waiting patiently in the cupboard
30. The Audrey knitted Jumper	January 2026	Waiting patiently in the cupboard

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Links to all the previous years of Fettled Finishes:

Fettled Finishes 2025

Fettled Finishes 2024

Fettled Finishes 2023

Fettled Finishes 2022

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