Tag: fig tree quilts

Moda Blockheads 6: Block 7 – Bellissimo by Joanna Figueroa

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This week’s Moda Blockheads 6 block arrives with all the grace and refinement we’ve come to expect from Joanna Figueroa of Fig Tree & Co. Say hello to Bellissimo—an 18″ beauty that lives up to its name in every stitch.

“Bellissimo” means beautiful in Italian, and that’s exactly what this block is—elegant, crisp, and so satisfying to piece. Whether you’re going bold and bright or soft and subtle, this star will shine.

Bellissimo – A Star with European Flair

The Bellissimo Star Block combines half-square triangles, flying geese, and quarter-square triangles in a layered, radiant design. The structured geometry creates beautiful intersections and visual depth, with that classic starburst shape at the heart of it all.

There’s a balance of strength and softness here—something Joanna does so well in her quilt patterns. The block feels tailored and clean, but never harsh. It’s graceful and inviting—exactly the kind of design that anchors a sampler quilt or stands out as a focal point.

One of my tips is that a piece several sets of half square triangle papers in a big size. That way I have lots of sets and colors already made and I can trim down to what size I need for a particular block. It is not like I won’t use any extras on a future project!!

I loved working on this one. Because it finishes at 18″, you get the satisfaction of a larger block that comes together piece by piece, allowing for a little more play with color and contrast. I stayed with my vintage-faded theme but added in a few slightly darker tones to give the center star some dimension and added the stripe for fun. Bellissimo, indeed!

Meet Joanna Figueroa – Classic Elegance in Every Stitch

Joanna Figueroa is the heart and hands behind Fig Tree & Co., a brand beloved by quilters for its timeless patterns, romantic palettes, and soft vintage feel. Joanna designs bestselling fabric collections for Moda Fabrics, filled with florals, fresh fruit motifs, and gentle color stories rooted in her European heritage.

Her quilts are known for clean construction, approachable elegance, and a look that blends farmhouse comfort with a bit of European charm. Joanna’s also a prolific teacher, writer, and pattern designer who brings warmth and precision to everything she creates.

Follow Joanna for sneak peeks of upcoming collections, quilt-alongs, color theory tips, and behind-the-scenes life from her Bay Area studio:

Her site is full of gorgeous quilt kits, patterns, and fabric bundles—and if you’re into seasonal sewing, her fall and Christmas patterns are some of the most charming around.

Sew Along & Shine

You’ll find the Bellissimo block download and a step-by-step video tutorial over on the Moda Blog. And be sure to read Joanna’s thoughts on the block—she always shares thoughtful insights about construction, fabric placement, and why the details matter.

Bellissimo, Indeed

Whether you go traditional or take a more modern route, Bellissimo offers the perfect balance of structure and beauty. Share your blocks using #ModaBlockheads and #ModaBlockheads6, and don’t forget to tag @modafabrics and @figtreeandco so we can all see your glowing stars.

This quilt just keeps getting more beautiful with every block, and Joanna’s design is a standout in every way.

Until next week… happy stitching, amici.

Details about this program, click here.

Follow each of the designers listed below.

Joanna Figueroa

Sherri McConnell

Barb Groves

Janet Clare

Lisa Bongean

Corey Yoder

Betsy Chutchian

Camille Roskelley

Crystal Manning

Debbie Maddy

Jessica Rose

Heather Briggs

Jackie MacDonald

Jenelle Kent

Vanessa Goertzen

Stacy Iest Hsu

Laura Muir

Sarah Thomas

Vanessa Christenson – Download the pattern here.

Lynne Hagmeier -Download the pattern here.

Anne Sutton  -Download the pattern here.

Kiley Ferons-Download the pattern here.

Robin Pickens– Download the pattern here.

If you are not a member of the Blockheads 6 Facebook group, you can join here.

Appreciate you following along.

-modalissa

Fall Parade

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Living in Texas, we don’t experience four seasons. We have winter and summer with a glimmer of spring and fall squeezed in. So when fall is in the air or even just marked on the calendar as the first official day, it is time to act. With Orange being my favorite color, it is time to pull out all my orange quilts.

I shared this quilt top in progress on a previous post but sent it to Maggi Honeyman to let her work her magic, so I had to show it off again. She quilted the quilt with an allover ORANGE PEEL quilt design. It was a perfect complement to the quilt.

The magic of layering the quilt top, batting, and backing and stitching the layers together is what makes quilts so unique.

Then I sent the quilt home with my daughter to get some pictures of the quilt out on her farm. (Thanks, Jillian!)

 I will be sharing some more of my ORANGE- Fall quilts over the next few weeks. It helps me pretend that it isn’t in the high 90’s here in Texas.

Just in case, the quilt above is a pattern from Fig Tree and Co. named Pumpkins and Cream, stock # Ft 1465.

 

Happy Fall Yall,

-modalissa

June, so it must be time for….

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It is June so it must be time for
PUMPKINS!??!!

If you follow me, you know I love Orange so  the new fabric line ALL HALLOW’S EVE by Fig Tree and Co is possibly my favorite line of 2019. I begged Joanna of Fig Tree and Co. to let me test one of her new patterns. I didn’t really beg.

This could be considered another one of my “secret sewing” projects since I was working on it in February, at a
retreat by the ocean!

Life is rough, but a girl has got to do what a girl has to do!

Too much laughing or too much wine or a combination of both made me make a few different diversions from
the orginal pattern. I love it just the same!

The pattern is Fig Tree, stock #FT1465 and is headed to stores now. Fabric is shipping to stores also.

The quilt is off to the quilter and I can’t wait to show it off completed.
The quilt will then be added to Moda’s trunk show program where it will go on tour to some quilt shops.

I can’t begin to tell you how much I love Antler Quilt Design’s ruler for this project.
This is the mini simple folded corner ruler that makes cutting the corners a breeze.

Here is a representation of the range of fabrics in the line courtesy of Moda Fabrics! 
If you are an orange collector like me you will want to stock up on these prints, Seriously!!

Can you say BOOO-tiful?

And if All Hallow’s Eve was not great enough, I have been hoarding a bundle of Christmas Figs! I have got to try the greens and oranges together! Enough about my Fig Tree crush!!

Do you have an all time favorite fabric line? How about an all time favorite fabric designer?

pieceful quilting,

-modalissa

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 What draws you to a quilt pattern? I have wanted to make a certain quilt from the Moda bake shop forever. Well to tell the truth I have several of the patterns printed and waiting in the wings to make but this one was calling my name.

I dove right in. The pattern is Sunday Potluck by KnottyGnome Crafts.  This quilt was faetured on the Moda Bake shop in September 2013. I loved how classic retro the fabrics were and it looked prefect for a Sunday picnic. I planned on making it using the American Jane collection, but I ended up using those fabrics for another project. So I had a Fig Tree and Co layer cake and wondered how different the quilt would look.
Same pattern, two completely different looks. what is your favorite way to change up patterns?

SIDE NOTE: This is a good reason to not try and take a picture on a windy day while your daughter is trying to hide behind the quilt top. My daughter will kill me if she sees this and probably never hold a quilt top for me again.

Enjoy,

Modalissa

Scrappy Nine Patch

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 I have been working on a scrappy nine patch quilt. I guess this is kind of my mindless project. You know when you get that urge to press the pedal to the medal (race car sewing terms?) but only have a few minutes.

 I am using fabrics from Bonnie & Camille, Vanessa Christenson and Fig Tree & Co.

I am using assorted charm  packs and have cut them in quarters OR using mini charms. Chain piecing in sets of 3 so it will be easy to join them all together.

The next decision will be how to put my 9-patches together. Fun, Fun!
-modalissa


Chicago and more…

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I am not a photographer but I certainly pretended to be one this past weekend in Chicago. Camille from Thimbleblossoms and Joanna from Fig Tree and myself all attended the Country Living A Celebration of Creativity Women’s Entrepreneur’s Weekend. Basically a good reason to go to Chicago and hang out! These 2 gals certainly knew how to “work it” for the press on the Country Living catwalk.

Joanna and I took pictures of each other taking pictures! Camille has a great post about the weekend in Chicago. Walking the streets of the Lincoln Park area was a wonderful area to stop and try out the new things Camille had taught me about my camera. I must admit I take pictures of things that are a bit odd. Signs that make me smile, couples making out on Navy Pier, dogs out for a walk are just a few of the shots on my camera. I learned also that you have to take hundreds of shots to get the really good ones. I learned of a new lens that I need to order. (done!)

What mom wouldn’t smile at a stinky pants sign?

We took the train out to an antique mall in Edgewater. Joanna met a delightful man! Don’t be jealous Eric. (Eric, did you like your gift Joanna picked up for you?)

A picture perfect day in Chicago which helps during the photography class!

Spending an entire weekend with these 2 talented ladies you certainly learn alot. Yes, I swore that what happens in Chicago stays in Chicago. I won’t spill the beans about feet, snorting, flying bat costumes. I will share how thoughtful these 2 gals are. There was a huge statue of the American Gothic painting at the Art Institute of Chicago. Everyone knows this painting! As a kid we had this painting in our home. ..(remember I am a natural blonde and come by quirky things naturally)… I did not know this was a famous piece of art, I always thought it was my grandparents. Don’t laugh! It looks just like granny and grandad Collins. I was amazed when I went to a neighbors home and asked, “Why do you have a picture of my grandparents in your home?” Well, Joanna and Camille must have had some time to spare at the airport because they were so KIND to send me this picture. What photoshop skills! I will return the kind dead with my own photographs and photoshop skills when you least expect it.
One note of business! Sweetwater introduced their first line of fabric at Quilt Market. Now they have a blog! Add it to your list to follow!

set-up day one complete

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Due to the limited flights and travel time from Dallas we actually came in a day earlier than normal. This gave us a day to relax and get situated in Pittsburgh. We met some local musicans. We went into a local dining spot and there she was…the queen of market, Anne Sutton of Bunny Hill. We knew we had to be in the right place.

Of course we had to get our Market energy.Here is a before picture. Looks simple, right? We have put down almost 4o00 sq ft of flooring. We got alot more down today but I did not get many pictures. Afterall I had to stay focused on my actual job. I promise I will take more pictures tomorrow.If you have never seen what set-up is all about. It is ALOT of work. If you don’t believe me just look how hard Joanna from Fig Tree is working. You thought she just did pretty fabrics and patterns! Her booth is going to be beautiful, I think. ( her new fabric is laying on the table)Wish you were here,