Finished UFO #1: Beautiful Buttons

One of my resolutions for 2025 is to complete my UFOs – Unfinished Objects. I have twelve projects that I want to finish so I am going to complete one each month in 2025. This post is the first of the twelve. Most sewists I know (including me) are collectors. We collect fabrics, sewing notions, gadgets, scrap fabrics, and sometimes, sewing machines. One of the items that I have collected over the years, is buttons. I like to find unique buttons that are special, but to be honest, I also collect common everyday buttons that I’m sure I may need for an unknown project someday. This post is about finishing a project that has been in my UFO pile for quite some time. It is a small art quilt that uses two contrasting fabrics ( I chose two Batik fabrics) and features some of my favorite buttons. The finished size is 11” x 14”.

Supplies

• Fabric #1 – 12” x 12”
• Fabric #2 – 12” x 12”
• Batting – 12” x 15”
• Backing fabric – 12” x 15” – the batting and backing are slightly larger than the finished size so it can be trimmed to match the pieced quilt top.
• Twelve decorative buttons
• Paper-backed fusible web
• Binding Strip, 2 1/2″ x 72″
• Presser Feet: Quarter Inch Foot, Open Embroidery Foot, Overlock Foot

  Cutting and Fusing the Squares

1. Use the diagram below for cutting the squares needed for this quilt.
2. Cut fabric #1 into six 4” squares and six 2” squares.
3. Cut fabric #2 into six 4” squares and six 2” squares.
4. Cut twelve 2” squares of the fusible web and fuse them to the wrong side of the 2” fabric squares following the manufacturer’s instructions.
5. Remove the paper from the 2” squares and fuse each one to the center of the larger squares of the opposite fabric. You should have six background squares of fabric #1 and six background squares of fabric #2.

Joining the Squares

1. For the first row, piece three 4” squares using quarter inch seams, alternating them as shown in the photo.
2. Piece the remaining three rows.
3. Stitch the four rows together, making sure the background squares are alternated as shown.
4. Press the quilt top, pressing the seam allowances open or to the side as desired.

Appliqué the 2” Squares

1. Attach the Open Embroidery Foot to the machine.
2. Select the Blanket stitch and adjust the needle to the far-right position.
3. Place the fabric under the needle with the edge of the 2” squares next to the inside toe of the presser foot.
4. Stitch the edges of each 2” square with the blanket stitch. Guide the inside toe along the fabric edge. The right swing of the needle should drop outside of the 2” square into the background fabric.

Attaching the Buttons

1. Audition your buttons on the quilt. Once you have the buttons in place, take a photo as a reference.
2. Lower the feed dog and select the Button Sew-On Program. Note: Another option is to use the zigzag stitch, stitching 6-8 times across the button, and then pull the threads to the back and tie them to secure the stitching.
3. Using the handwheel, make sure that the stitch width is the same as the distance between the holes on the button. Note: I used the Button Sew-on Program to attach ten of the buttons. There were two buttons that I had to stitch by hand because one had holes that were spaced too far apart (more than 9  mm) and another button had tiny holes that were very close, making it likely to stitch into the button, breaking the needle.
4. Stitch the buttons to the quilt. The program will secure the stitches and then stop automatically.

Backing and Binding

1. Trim the batting and backing to match the size of the quilt top. Place the backing behind the quilt top with the batting between them, using temporary spray adhesive to hold the layers together.
2. Attach the Overlock Foot to the machine and select the Overlock stitch.
3. Stitch along all four sides of the quilt. The Overlock stitch sews over the edges of the quilt, compressing them to make it easier to attach the binding.
4. Fold the Binding strip in half lengthwise and press.
5. Using a 1/4″ seam, sew the binding to the front of the quilt, mitering the corners.
6. Wrap the binding to the back and stitch it by machine or hand.

I’m so glad that I can check this project off my list! Hope you like it and that it inspires you to finish a UFO on your list. Let me know if you do and I’d also like to know if you do not have any UFOs – I’d love to know your secret!

As always,