My Chemo Brain Quilt Finish

Truth be told…I was a little sicker than I let on back in January.  I had oral chemo all of December and the first week into January.  I had my radioactive iodine treatment on January 7th and from there…it all went downhill.

I had tried to get a quilt done and finished before it got bad but there were some snafus and miscommunications that led me to not having finished when I had planned so that left me sewing it when I was feeling the absolute worst.

With the deadline pushing me I just sewed.  I didn’t think.  Anything to get this quilt done and out of the house was what I needed.  Even though I was feeling crappy, I just sewed trying to hit that deadline.

I finished the quilt, took it to Carla of Longarm Quilting Inspirations, and sighed a huge sigh of relief.

Then a few days later Carla called.  She sent me some pictures.  WHAT??  The quilt was wrong.  I could see it was wrong.  BLAH.

I had to remake the quilt.  Luckily I had enough fabric that I could make it again.  I was still not feeling but the best but by now two weeks had passed so I was already feeling quite a lot better.  That went much better and this time, the quilt was right.

I took that quilt to Carla and she did the longarming.  That quilt was bound and sent out in February.  It will be published in Quilts and More magazine in the Fall issue.

Carla brought back my oops quilt.  After hearing about the quilt drive to get quilts to Ukraine, I thought I would quickly machine quilt this one and send it.

So…here’s my oops quilt.  The fabric line is…
Moda’s The Sea and Me.  All of the fabrics have designs that are sea/ocean-related.

I did a simple swirl motif on it…it was quick which is what I need as the quilts are supposed to be in Florida by the end of the month.


I had plenty of gray fabric so I bound it using gray.

I had a sheet that worked for the backing.  When I was first looking for backing fabric, I didn’t like this but it was the best I had.  Well, I like the print but there was purple in it and the front doesn’t have purple in it.


In the end, I liked it just fine.


I hope someone in Ukraine is comforted by it and forgive my cancer brain for the layout not turning out as intended.


In the end, I’m please with it and am so happy that my quilt is still usable.


That checks another quilt off my “to be quilted” pile.  YAHOO!!  That’s always something to celebrate.

41 thoughts on “My Chemo Brain Quilt Finish”

  1. To be quite frank with you, Jo, I knew you were feeling more ill than you were letting on. I rather like the Oops Quilt, it’s charming with a quirky personality. Someone in Ukraine will absolutely love and appreciate it very much.

  2. It looks great to me!! I sent six quilts, one twin and five smaller. I hope they let me know they got them. Please take care of yourself We need you to inspire us!!

  3. Since I have not seen the correct quilt, I see nothing at all wrong with the Ooops Quilt. I am sure someone in the Ukraine will love to have it. Besides it is a Jo Kramer Original that any of us would cherish.

    By the way, I dropped off 14 more quilts at Quilted Twins today. Five are Jo and Company community quilts and nine are from various friends that wanted to contribute as well.

    1. Quilter Laney

      I don’t know where you get the time, Ray, to do all the community quilting that you do! Reading Jo’s “Quilts from Ray” posts is always the highlight of my day. I love to see how you quilt and finish the donated quilts – even remake some of them! Wish I had your energy! Keep up the great work!

  4. Man o’ man Jo… if that’s your ” oops” quilt… you can make me one anytime. It’s gorgeous. Whomever receives it will be so grateful, I’m sure.

  5. Jo, none of believed you when you were pretending to be so well (after all you’d been through?!) especially after we asked how you were doing and you didn’t reply.
    Now, though, I’m encouraged to see that you were able to create such a spectacular quilt even as you were suffering. You’re just pure magic!

    1. Wish you could post the “right” one beside this one just so we could see the difference between “”right” and “not.” I like this! Glad you are feeling better! This will be a treasure to the recipient!

  6. Great quilt but what is the “oops”? I didn’t see anything wrong, but anyway if there is, I’m sure the recipient will just love the quilt in spite of it. The only hint we had of you being worse off than you let on, was knowing how miserable your mouth was and that would cause so many more issues. So thankful you are mostly your ole self again.

  7. Looks fine to me. Can’t wait to see your perfect quilt in the fall issue. God Bless and keep you strong to quilt your beauties.

  8. This quilt is fantastic! I am in awe that you powered through 2 during chemo brain.

    Smile and pat yourself on the back. Nicely done!

  9. This is an Oops Quilt?? I’m not seeing any oops–looks great to me. I’m sure the recipient in Ukraine will love it.

  10. I agree with the others. It’s a beautiful quilt and I honestly don’t see the oops. Can’t wait to see the second one!

  11. no drama needed, Jo. You are doing great, and that quilt will carry so much love all the way to poland and ukraine ! Way to go, girl !

  12. Judith Fairchild

    Jo, I wish I could Oops like that with my normal brain. It is beautiful
    For you to have powered through everything that was happening to you I say Wow. So thankful you have been doing a lot better physically. I know you must have down days but you do what you feel needs done. Thank you for setting the rest of us an example of how to live in spite of big problems. .an Jesus bless and complete your healing.

  13. It is not obvious to me what is wrong with this quilt that it had to be done over. Can you please show the “correct “ one? This one for Ukraine looks pretty good to me. You are amazing.

  14. Maria Merante

    I get the chemo brain part-I’m going through it now, and am back to teaching, but I literally confused left and right!- but the quilt is lovely. Hope your recovery continues to go well.

    1. My thoughts are with you Maria. It’s hard because at the time, I had no clue I was as confused as I was…not looking back, I can see it. I hope this passes quickly for you. It’s not fun!!

  15. Once you publish the real thing you will have to show us side by side what the difference is. Can’t see any at all. There must be something or Carla wouldn’t have called.

  16. Quilter Laney

    If that’s an “oops” quilt, I’d like all my regular ones to be “oopsies.” The backing looks great with it; we don’t often see both sides of a quilt at the same time, anyway! I love the pattern; please be sure to let us know when the magazine is on the market.

  17. I don’t see any oops! Also, I like the back, all those circles remind me of the suckers on the bottom of an octopus’s arms. Fits right in with the ocean theme. Glad you are feeling better.

  18. Ah, Ms. Jo, I am relatively new to your blog, and alas, not an overly seasoned quilter. However, I have to agree, if this is an oopsie…? And yes, a Jo Kramer original is definitely to be cherished. You are truly an inspiration to us all. We are all sending you love. Thank you for all that you do and share with us.

  19. I didn’t think you were feeling so good. I once ruined a cross stitch quilt top while on drugs in the hospital. Pooh poohed my dad’s recommendation to set it aside. Sheesh what a mess!
    It is still a beautiful quilt, can’t wait to see the published version.

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  21. Dottie Newkirk

    The quilt looks WONDERFUL – sure doesn’t look like an oops to me. AND, it’s remarkable that you could get two tops made considering all you’re going through with the chemo and radiation. Kudos to you!

  22. My good quilts have half the character as your Oopsie quilt….it will be loved by the recipient because of the love you put into it, and every handmade thing you make. Thank you for sharing and inspiration you so freely share.

  23. Barbara Kramer

    I hope you are on the mend and doing better, just doing anything while going through chemo is really a accomplishment, you did a beautiful job, I couldn’t spot anything wrong with it.

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