Category: Books

Oh Scrap

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Oh Scrap was my first published book in 2018. It had never been my dream to write a quilt book, but I was intrigued at the process. I like to learn and I am always up for a challenge.

And a challenge this was. In 2016,  I was experiencing massive headaches, which eventually caused a seizure. While in the hospital, they discovered I had a subdural hematoma. I am getting to the part about the quilt book but need to fill you in on the back story. After many more seizures, the doctors got a handle on those and I went home. Headaches continued, back in the hospital and had a right craniotomy on March 16th, 2016.

Brain surgery – Egads!!

Because of the seizures I could not drive for several months, state law. I was just sure that my brilliant doctors had now created Izzy 2.0 and my brain was going to be bionic. I imagined myself as the bionic woman, I can do anything after all of this.

While off work during this time, I decided I could/would tackle a quilt book. So it began. I kept a file folder on my desk, titled Oh Crap.

Is anyone going to like this?

Why am I second guessing myself, after all I am the bionic woman.

Once the quilts were completed and projects were sent in, I told me editor of my Oh Crap folder and that is actually where the name of the book came from, Oh Scrap.  This book was a solo book and then I went on to do 3 more books that were collaborative books with various Moda designers and other friends in the quilting industry. I have written about this book before, so for more details, pictures and more check here, here and here.

Writing a quilting book is no small feat. It begins with an idea, a spark of inspiration that blossoms into a collection of designs, patterns, and stories. Authors pour their hearts and souls into the creative process, testing and refining each pattern, selecting fabrics, and weaving narratives that resonate with fellow quilting enthusiasts. The journey involves countless hours of stitching, experimenting, and revising until the vision is realized on the pages of the book. I have such a great appreciation of my friends and fellow authors.

Oh Scrap

Fast forward a few years and I received a call from my editor about the future of Martingale Publishing.

Martingale Publishing, a renowned name in the quilting book industry, played a pivotal role in bringing quilting inspiration to homes worldwide. Known for its commitment to quality content and being an employee-owned company, Martingale fostered a sense of community and collaboration within its ranks. The decision to close its doors came as a surprise to many in the quilting world.

The closure of Martingale Publishing marked the end of an era for myself and quilting enthusiasts. As an employee-owned company, the decision to close must have been a difficult one. While the specifics of the closure may not be fully known, it serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by even well-established entities in the ever-evolving publishing landscape.

Writing a quilting book is a laborious yet fulfilling endeavor, culminating in a tangible representation of one’s passion for the craft. “Oh Scrap” and the closing of Martingale Publishing remind us of the ever-changing landscape of the quilting world. As the quilting community adapts to new opportunities and challenges, the legacy of creativity and camaraderie will continue to thrive, stitching together a vibrant tapestry of shared experiences.

Authors were given the opportunity to own all of their books and the assets included with that. This is a very important story to tell. It is a bit complex and while the quilt designs are my own, the text, photography and illustrations are not. Martingale could have very easily sold this off to the highest bidder with no regards to how the books would be stripped apart, reused and repurposed with no acknowledgement of the original creator.  Yes this has happened before with other publishers and it was not pretty.

I am proud to own all of the assets of my books. While I will always direct purchases to mom and pop quilt stores, many of my books are no longer available. I am in the process of creating individual patterns and as that is happening, I have partnered with Fat Quarter Shop to sell my books as downloads. To purchase Oh Scrap, click here.

This is very exciting especially for international quilters who often had to pay way to much for printed books.

I cannot thank my life-long friends from Martingale enough for believing in me and teaching me so much.

-modalissa

Blockheads Update

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New Year, New Projects or in this case a continuation of last year’s Blockheads 5. Each blockheads series I struggle with what my setting is going to be. While I think I am one of those go with the flow kind of gals, I know I suffer from paralysis from analysis.  Knowing what the layout is, does influence the fabrics you are using in your blocks or at least the color placement.

Do you struggle from this also?

This is the newest block to start 2024 off with a bang. The block is from Sherri McConnell of A Quilting Life.

This block is also by Sherri Mc Connell (round 1).  I made the 6″ block inside of the 12″ block. Squint at it. I see a secondary design and think once it is quilted, it will show the design more.

All of the block blocks can be found here on Moda Fabrics website/blog.

I have made some of the blocks as 12″ versions but now that I know what my setting is going to be I am making all 6″ blocks.

I started my project with Nantucket fabrics by Camille Roskelley, mixed in some greens and lights from her current line Lighthearted and will be adding Shoreline which will be in stores later this spring.

We have a weekly Facebook group for Blockheads. If you have not joined the group, please do.

Moda Blockheads Facebook Group:   / 253867175058745 

I decided to  use the  BLUEPRINT quilt by Susan Ache as inspiration for my setting. I am using 6″ blockheads blocks and larger filler blocks from the Celebrate with Quilts book. I did a quick video showing the book and the status of my progress on Blockheads.

So far the quilt has a soft and vintage feel.  I can’t wait to finish it.

For a complete resource guide for everything Blockheads, visit here.

-Modalissa

Celebrate with Quilts

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In the heart of every quilt, there lies a story. It whispers of patience, creativity, and love stitched meticulously into every seam. Susan Ache and I celebrate our new book, Celebrate with Quilts for this very reason. We both make quilts to captures the essence of celebrations and wanted to share a resource to be able to make a quilt exactly as featured in the book but also a design book to create your own variation.

Quilts hold a special place in the realm of gift-giving. They are more than just pieces of fabric sewn together; they are tokens of love, patience, and dedication. Imagine gifting a quilt to a newlywed couple, symbolizing the warmth and comfort of their new journey together. Picture a quilt presented to a graduate, embodying the support and pride of their achievements. Quilts are not just gifts; they are cherished memories woven into fabric, making them the perfect present for any celebration.

“Celebrate with Quilts” unveils a collection of 60 unique blocks, each thoughtfully designed and presented in four different sizes, providing endless possibilities for creativity. From vibrant birthday parties to cozy holiday gatherings, this book is a tribute to the art of celebration, offering quilting patterns that perfectly capture the spirit of various occasions. Shown above is our Blueprint quilt. It is a simple go to quilt that can be made over and over showcasing your favorite fabric line with the larger squares sprinkled with patchwork.

Mi Amour quilt will be part of our quilt along happening early December on Moda Fabrics blog.

There will also be a QAL March 2024 featuring Camille Roskelley’s upcoming fabric collection, so stay tuned for more info.

 

I am in love with this quilt that Susan made and may have to plan a QAL for this one also or some how try to add this one to my to-do list. See what I mean by making quilts to celebrate with? Decorating for Holidays or special events is one of the best reasons to make a new quilt and there is oodles of quilt inspiration for you in this book.

Whether you are an experienced quilter or a novice, this book is a gateway to a world of creativity, color, and joy.

So,  pick up your needles, choose our fabrics, and start stitching our own stories of celebration. After all, in the world of quilting, every stitch is a small celebration in itself—a celebration of creativity, passion, and the enduring tradition of quilting.

A special thank you to the publishing team of It’s Sew Emma. The talented team helped put our vision down in print in the most beautiful way. Thank you Kimberly Jolly, Sarah Price, Jocelyn Ueng, Nova Birchfield, Cheryl Cohorn, Brittini Cortinas, Victoria Larsen, Karen Hardy, Peach Lambert and Sophia Esquivel. Thank you to our quilters, Angela McCorkle and Susan Rogers.

And what a trip to be able to work with Susan Ache! the most prolific creative and very very fast quilter!

Ask for this cook at your favorite quilt or specialty store NOW!

Hope you enjoy the book as much as we did creating it.

Happy Quilting!

Enjoy!

Oh Scrap QAL- Sashing and nine patches

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hello, Hope you had a nice Thanksgiving break. I so enjoyed the break and can never have enough food or family time. Not all my crew was able to come home but we did have a houseful.

I re-arranged my sewing room and did some SECRET SEWING and vegged on the couch some, so it was a productive break.

The countdown to Christmas has begun both at home and at work. At work we are working on getting the rest of Holiday 2022 out to our salesteam. They will be making their rounds showing stores fabric lines shipping info next summer. seams so crazy to be living in Christmas 2021 and 2022 all at the same time. FUN ! FUN!

Today’s assignment on the #OHSCRAPCHRISTMASQAL is to add your sashing pieces. I cut my sashing pieces first since they are a bigger piece and I wanted to make use of some of the larger scale prints.

The corner squares are nine patches so you can use parts and pieces from your four patches or following the directions in OH SCRAP to assemble these.

This should come together fairly quickly. I have heard from several of you that have completed your quilt top already. I know when I am excited about a quilt project I am working on, I cannot stop sewing.

As a quilter, I am so highly influenced by color so seeing some of the combinations other people have put together always inspires me. That is the reason I had to make this Christmas version, inspired by @happinessinthemaking and the Hustle and Bustle fabrics by Basic Grey.

I wanted to share just a few of the pics I found on Instagram of some of the progress happening on the QAL as more color inspiration.

This is where it all started. A fat quarter bundle and some extras. I love how Jennifer has her book on a bookstand for easy reference.

i

Richy’s from Basic Grey ‘s version is dreamy, using the greens where I used lights.

 

Kim Walus  of @bittybitsandpieces has finished her quilt top and I love it. It is always amazing to me how scrappy versions can be so different and intriguing to zoom in to see all the different fabrics.

I can’t wait to see Candee complete this one. It is going to be a classic for sure!


Love the romantic feel of Dianes’ progress.

This one just makes my heart happy. I love anything rainbow and this fun colorful set of four patches from Gina of @Games56 is a ton of fun! Gina is a long armer so I bet the quilting will be fun to see as well.

I fell in love with Jen’s 4 patches. Don’t they look like boxes of trusty fruity or mike and Ike’s? I was drawn in to the background fabric also but realized that is her Ruby Star ironing board cover.

 

Thanks so much for following along on this little quilting journey. Check back next week for my final post about the quilting  and maybe a few other surprises.

 

Enjoy,

 

-modalissa

 

 

 

Surrounded QAL- Blocks

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I have had so much fun sewing with you on this QAL.   I have enjoyed the pictures you have shared and so proud of those of you that have already completed your quilt top. Kuddos to you!!

This stack of completed quilt blocks looks like a hot mess but will turn into a wonderful keepsake. What is your favorite part of the quilt making process? I love picking out the fabrics, planning what the project is going to be and making a test block. Then I am very inpatient after that. I just can’t wait to  see each part of the quilt develop.

Quilting is my job and my hobby but mainly it is my therapy. The hum of the sewing machine and watching bits and pieces of fabric put me in a mediative zone of some sort.  I sew and sew and sew until the quilt top is complete, then  I get to the point of second guessing some of my choices, kind of a lull in the process.

I send 99% of my quilt tops to be machine quilted. Once I get the quilt back from the quilter, it is like I receive a special package of magic that has made my quilt come to life. Not that the quilt is full of sparkles, glitter and neon thread, but there is just something so special about the artistry and texture that the quilter adds to my project. More on this in a future post.

I don’t have too many tips on how to assemble your blocks other than just do it and enjoy the process. Each block is a creation all it’s own when working scrappy.

What fabric is going to be the prom queen?

What fabric has a bit of the clash factor?

Squint at the blocks and see what fabric choices worked and some not so much.

Don’t dare rip anything out if you don’t like it, just learn from it.

I recently was on a photo shoot where some of my quilts were being photographed. Through the lens of the camera I saw things that were like, Oh Wow! that probably was not the best fabric placement choice.  This is where I get the saying, not all the fabrics can be the prom queen and only my over critical eye of my own work would have ever even noticed.

We are taking a break for the Thanksgiving Holidays and will be back to talk a little about sashing, corner squares, pieced backs, quilting and binding.

Enjoy your family, friends and health and I am praying for moving closer to some degree of normal. (fingers crossed)

Use the hashtag #OhScrapChristmasQAL so I can follow along.

SIDE NOTE! The global supply chain has been tough this past year and has created an overall upheaval in deliveries. This is tough especially for the  independent quilt retailers.  Be sure and support your favorite quilt or specialty retailers  during this holiday season. If you don’t have a quilter on your shopping list, then buy yourself a quilty present, wrap it, put it under the tree, act surprised when you open it and thank “whoever” bought it for you because they knew just what you wanted. (ask me how I know?)

Break for Thanksgiving
-Wednesday, Dec. 1st – Sashing
-Wednesday Dec. 8th – Assemble Quilt top

Enjoy,

-modalissa

Surrounded QAL- Week 5- Side Bars

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Side Bars- That is kind of a funny name for the pieces we are going to be working on this week, but I had to name them something.

These little side pieces are interval in making the design happen. Thought I would share a little history about this quilt design and my inspiration for this color option.

The geometric pattern of this quilt–commonly known as Burgoyne Surrenders or Burgoyne Surrounded–is said to refer to one of the most pivotal events in the American Revolution. In 1777, the British failed in their attempt to take control of the strategic Hudson River, and in the end British General Burgoyne with nearly six thousand of his men were surrounded by American troops and forced to surrender near Albany, New York. Burgoyne’s army is represented by the squares at the center of the blocks, encircled by the American troops. This design design could have also been inspired by the simple, grid-like patterns seen in handwoven linens and woolen coverlets of the first half of the nineteenth century.

When my book, Oh Scrap launched there were several quilt alongs using this design, but I fell in love with Haley Anderson of @happinessinthemaking Christmas version of 2019. I knew I needed to make it just like that! Does that happen to you?

Katrina Thennis you are the winner of my book, SCRAP SCHOOL.

Next week we will start assembling blocks together. Several of you are already doing this and it is so great to see your progress. Be sure and use #ohscrapchristmasqal when you share your blocks so I can follow along.

Each  post will go live at 6:00 pm central.
-Wednesday, Nov. 10th – Assemble Blocks
Break for Thanksgiving
-Wednesday, Dec. 1st – Sashing
-Wednesday Dec. 8th – Assemble Quilt top

 

Scrap School- Meet the Professors

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Today starts the Instagram hop for my new book, SCRAP SCHOOL. Every day for the next 2 weeks each “professor” will be sharing their quilt on their IG page along with a giveaway.

Each of these people made a quilt for the book. Each one is different and has a story to tell. While we were working on this book, many of us were staying home due to Covid- 19 and what better time to dig into your stash, finish your UFO’s and your WIP’s.

And just look at the results….. A rainbow of scraps.

I wanted to share a little more about my quilt that what I could share on IG. Every quilt tells a story and here is mine.

Today I am sharing 1 of my 3 quilts in the book, Ombre Butterscotch Baskets. I wanted to make a basket quilt and while I was pulling fabrics I kept thinking I would name the quilt Cornucopia. I wanted to make something a little less predictable than basket blocks that are all perfectly the same.

As I was piecing the triangles, I was inspired to go in a different direction. Off and on for many years I worked as the graveyard cashier at the local grocery store. I had several duties during the night including cleaning all the counters, restocking the sacks, stocking the spice section and the BRACH’s candy section.

The candy display had bins of candy that were bought by the pound. Take a Bag -Pick Your Own Mix just like the sign says. What the sign did not say is to be sure and clean up after yourself if any candy spills over into a neighboring bin. Don’t worry about that, the night cashier will do that for you. I spent a lot of time taking the butterscotch candies out of the peppermint’s bin and so forth. There was some sort of square soft candy that was brown, pink and coconut. I never had one and have no idea what kind of candy it was but I loved the combination of color compared to the other solid hard candies and knew I need to add the brown to this quilt.

I just love all the triangles lined up in rows.

Adding the dark triangles gave some weight to the quilt and this is when I decided to ombre the baskets from dark to light through the quilt.

This is one of my favorite blocks in the quilt for a couple of reasons. It represents the Brach’s candy bins at the end of the day, all the colorful candies mixed in one of the bins. The other thing I love about the block, is the teeny tiny spider that was on one of the fabrics and it made the cut, if you know what I mean.

The yummy golden fabrics are also why I decided to name it Butterscoth, after the butterscotch Brach Candies. Maggi Honeyman used an allover orange peel design on the quilt.

 

You know how I love a pieced back. I couldn’t end this post without sharing my really big basket. I can’t wait to see your version of Ombre Butterscotch Baskets, maybe Blues and Whites or Reds and Greens. Be sure and use #scrapschool on your progress so I can follow along.

Scrap School

Thank you for stopping by,

-modalissa

#madewithmartinagle , #showmethemoda #modalissa #scrapschool #scrapquilts #modafabrics #lissaalexander @lisabongean, @sarahhuechteman, @etheringtonmary, @diaryofaquilter, @aquiltinglife, @gedesignsgudrun, @yardgrl60, @crazymomquilts, @kim_diehl_quilts, @modalissa, @martingaletpp, @sewmaggi @sewshabbyquilting, @suziquilt @martingaletpp @modafabrics

Sewcialites-Block 19

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Happy Valentine’s Day/Weekend/Sewcialites Friday

Thank you for joining me on my day for SEWCIALITES.

I am making my version using Moda’s Bella Solids and I thought pink was the perfect color for the valentines week.

I have started putting my blocks together. This will be one quarter of the quilt. Once it is complete it will be a big sawtooth star.

I had mentioned in one of of my PROGRESS REPORTS posts that I knew how I wanted to quilt this one. The crew at Moda recently made a quilt for someone retiring and I wanted that project quilted the same way I was planning on doing my Sewcialites quilt. Machine quilted in vertical lines in a small range of colors and some big stitch quilting added throughout is the plan. The picture above was hand quilted by Laurie Simpson, so I will have to consult her when I am ready to dive in to my quilt.

For all the information, patterns and how to’s visit Jolly Jabber- Sewcialites. 

and be sure to follow all of the Sewcialites each week to see what they are up to.

Lisa Bongean of Primitive Gatherings

Brigitte Heitland of Zen Chic

Vanessa Goertzen of Lella Boutique

Sherri Mc Connell of A Quilting Life

Robin Pickens

Bonnie Olaveson of Cotton Way

Joanna Figueroa of Fig Tree and Co.

Vanessa Christenson of V and Co.

April Rosenthal of Prairie Grass Patterns

Me and My Sister Designs

Camille Roskelley of Thimbleblossoms

Susan Ache

Chelsi Stratton of Chelsi Stratton Designs

Lori Holt of Bee in my Bonnet co.

Carrie Nelson

Anne Sutton of Bunny Hill Designs

Corey Yoder of Coriander Quilts

Fat Quarter Shop is doing a giveaway each month, you can enter to win one of several giveaways by posting your progress on Instagram using #SewcialitesQAL.

We all love a good giveaway, so leave a comment here for a chance to win my new book, SCRAP SCHOOL., in stores now.

I will pick a sweetheart of a winner on Feb. 14th.

Thanks for sewing along,

-modalissa

Green and Red Quilts

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 Are you ready for a beautiful new book for the holidays?
If so, now is your chance to get an early Christmas present
from one of these talented designers.

Sunday November 22nd  there will be several giveaways on the designers, blogs, Instagrams or Facebook pages. We are all different just like the quilts in this book so each designer is doing her own giveaway on one of their social media platforms, so you have to check it out to see where. One thing we do all have in common is that we love quilts and sharing surprises.

I will be giving away my book on my Instagram page – @modalissa 

so be sure and follow me and enter on November 22nd.

I wanted to share the other designers in the book so you can drool over all the yummy quilts in the book.

Christmas Star by Mary Ellen Robinson and Paula Barnes
Sweet Mint by Edyta Sitar
Tudor Rose by Karen Styles
Home Sweet Home by Pam Buda
Primrose Holly by Lisa Bongean
Heritage Mountain by Sheryl Johnson
Star Frond by Corey Yoder
Snow Lillies by Carol Hopkins
Holly Bears Crown by Sandy Klop
Winterberries by Jo Morton
Holly Berry Baskets by Betsy Chutchian
Starstruck by Susan Ache
Theodores World by Laurie Simpson
Scrappy Sisters by Lissa Alexander

This is my quilt and they said we could add a little bit of gold/yellow to our quilt. I did not ask define little bit?!

Be sure and follow everyone so you will be ready for the giveaway on the 22nd.

#redandgreenquilts  #martingaletpp #giveaway @corianderquilts. #corianderquilts @minickandsimpson #minicksimpson @yardgrl60  #susanache @betsy_chutchian #betsychutchian @joquilts #jomorton @temeculaquiltco #temeculaquiltco @modalissa #modalissa @lisabongean #lisabongean @heartspunquilts #heartspunquilts #laundrybasketquilts @laundrybasketquilts @karenatsomerset #somersetpatchwork @carol_hopkins_designs #carol_hopkins_designs @martingaletpp ##madewithmartingale @redcrinolinequilts #redcrinolinequilts

Enjoy,

Modalissa

Must have book for every quilter

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stock # EQ B-ENCYC

If there is one book of mine that I have completely worn out the pages, hands down it has to be Barbara Brackman’s ENCYCLOPEDIA OF PIECED QUILT PATTERNS. I could not have been more excited when Barbara told me she was going to be making the 3rd edition.  I have been stalking both Barbara and Electric Quilt Company so I would not miss out on any update. Well the time is getting really really close to when I am able to get my hands on the actual book. Merry Christmas to me!!

And if you are doing a little shopping for yourself as any red- blooded quilter would, be sure and add this to your list.

compliments of Electric Quilt

To whet your appetite a little more I am going to share some of the beauty within the pages, compliments of Electric Quilt Company.

Full Color and Line Drawings of over 4,000 pieced  quilt-block patterns.

A complete key to how to locate any one of the 4000 blocks.

The content is so well organized. Each section is categorized and documented with history and time periods.

 

The graphics are crisp and clear and inspiring. Literally as I type this I feel my heart start to race. I am that excited!

Ready for a sampler quilt? This book will certain inspire you. The color options alone are worth the price of the book.

 The book can be preordered through your favorite quilt store or contact

Electric Quilt for more information.

@theelectricquiltcompany

161 new blocks in the 3rd edition

The blocks are referenced by some of the greatest quilt designers of all time. Names like Nancy Cabot, Jeffrey Gutcheon, Laura Wheeler and more. Quilt blocks from publications like Hearth & Home, Kansas City Star and Workbasket are just a few  references as shown above.

The only other thing you will need to make sure to get is a set of post it notes so you can mark which blocks you want to make first.

Thank you Barbara for sharing all your brilliance and knowledge with us through the pages of this book. Thank you EQ for making it all come to life in such artful pages.

Thank you to myself for my own present and how I will act completely surprised when I open it from my family!

Merry Christmas and treat yourself!