Tag: Martingale Publishing

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.

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

4 Comments

November 10, 2021

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 4- Center Blocks

27 Comments

October 27, 2021

I sew any chance I get. I quite often get up early so I can sew a little before work or stay up late to work on any project I am obsessed by. To be able to work on items in short little burst of time, I have a few processes to help keep me on task. Today I am going to share how I pieced the center section of the block together. The is somewhat a mindless, therapeutic method that lets me stop and start without loosing my place.

I shared with you that the main focus fabrics for this quilt were from Hustle and BustIe by Basic Grey and that I also added some of Christmas Morning by Lella Boutique. The fabrics above are from Christmas Morning and Red Barn Christmas by Sweetwater. Those of you that follow me often know that I am obsessed by dots. Everything I make has some dot fabric in it. I would buy an entire bolt of the red and green dot shown above. It is just that good!

I stack all my pieces on one design board and chain sew working vertically down each section. This helps me keep all my pieces in order. (shown above is just 1 layer, normally I would have layers for all the blocks needed for my quilt.)

Shown above – all my center 9 patches chain pieced and ready to join into blocks.

I do not clip the threads so this keeps the sections in order and eliminates pinning. it is hard to see in the picture but there is a few stitches from chain sewing that hold these sections together. As I sew, I flip the seam allowance towards the dark and they nest together beautifully. If you like to press your seams open, not cutting the threads can be problematic. You will need to trim the threads once you have sewn the pieces together to press open. I press my seams to the dark side so don’t have to worry about that. (remember mindless, therapeutic sewing!)

Here you can see how one side of the block is sewn together and the other side is just “hanging on by a thread” waiting to be joined.

Last week I shared how I make some of my own design boards, so if you missed that post, click here.

Week 3 of this QAL is a perfect time to include a GIVEAWAY for one of my other books, SCRAP SCHOOL. This book has a fantastic line up of designers like Kim Diehl,
Amanda Jean Nyberg of Crazy Mom Quilts, Connie and Mary of Country Threads, Lisa Bongean, Susan Ache, Amy Smart, Sarah Huechteman, Gudrun Erla and Sherri L. McConnell.

Leave a comment and check back here next Wednesday to see who is the winner of their own copy of Scrap School. Also giving away a copy on my instagram so , visit @modalissa for another chance to win.

Join me back here, Wednesday Nov. 3rd to make side bar section of the block. We are almost done with the sections!

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

I hope each of you have a fun Halloween and enjoy something sweet. What is your favorite Halloween candy?

#ohscrapchristmasqal

-modalissa

Surrounded QAL- Week 3- 9-patches

4 Comments

October 20, 2021

How did you do on your four patches? Did you get them all done? I know it is a crazy time of year to try and tackle one more project, right? Just do what you can each week.

What is a 9-Patch?
9 squares joined together to make one block or section of a block.

For this quilt, we will be making
2 different sizes
and
styles of 9- patches.

This week is a simple basic 9-patch where all the squares are the same size. Next week will be a combination of different sizes.

If you have time and want to keep sewing, go ahead and put together your 4-patches and 9- patches into units as shown in the picture. You will need 4 per block.

I don’t have any tips on making the 9-patches but wanted to share the design boards that I use all the time. (shown above)

These design boards come ready-made in variety of sizes but I use a ton of these so I make my own from left over batting. They aren’t as pretty but they work just the same.

Shown above a variety of boards I use. The black one is the back side of one of my boards. The 2 with trim are ones I have bought.

Foam core board is available at most craft/art stores in assorted sizes. I also use the boards that are sold for science experiments which is easily assessable at many stores. Cut the foam board to your desired size and using spray adhesive, coat the batting and board following directions on the label. I wait to trim the batting to size until after I have glued it to the board. Flip over the board with batting on the bottom and using a rotary cutter you can trim the batting to the exact size of the board. 14″ is a good size for me. It fits nicely in the sewing space I have and works well with any 12″ block.

These come in so handy to stack up pieces to sew together.I don’t use a board for each block but instead use one board and stack the sections to chain sew. Plus I can put them away quickly without disrupting the pieces if I need to work on something else or the grandkids want to sew.

I can’t wait to see your progress.

Be sure and share using #ohscrapchristmasqal.

See you next week- Wednesday October 27- Center Blocks

-Modalissa

Each post will go live at 6:00 pm central.
-Wednesday Nov. 3rd – Side bars
-Wednesday, Nov. 10th – Assemble Blocks
Break for Thanksgiving
-Wednesday, Dec. 1st – Sashing
-Wednesday Dec. 8th – Assemble Quilt top

Surrounded QAL- Week 2- 4- patches

6 Comments

October 13, 2021

WEEK 2 of #OhScrapChristmasQAL

Wednesday, October 13th- 4 patches

Whew! that was a lot of cutting, right?

Last week when I mentioned cutting the biggest pieces for the quilt out first, we are going to do the opposite when it comes to sewing. Begin strip piecing lights and darks together. Sew, Sew, Sew. This is somewhat mindless sewing while binge watching your favorite show or listening to an audible book. This part seems like it will never end but just keep sewing.

GENERAL TIP: I like setting my seams by pressing the strips right after I sew them. This seems to help keep everything nice and straight before pressing the seams to the dark side. The picture below is charm packs, cut and chain pieced together. Use you favorite way to press, but for this project I pressed everything to the dark side to make the seams nest nicely. I put together a few videos to explain these tips.

I stacked up sections right sides together with darks opposing and sub cut into the size needed for 4 patches. This gave me sets to sew, already paired up and could chain sew them. The combinations can be as scrappy as you choose.

-Save any leftovers of strips or 4 patch sections for possible use later.

-Wednesday, October 20th- 9 patches
-Wednesday, October 27th – Center Blocks
-Wednesday Nov. 3rd – Side bars
-Wednesday, Nov. 10th – Assemble Blocks
Break for Thanksgiving
-Wednesday, Dec. 1st – Sashing
-Wednesday Dec. 8th – Assemble Quilt top

Use the hashtag #OhScrapChristmasQAL so I can follow along.

Enjoy!! ( sorry my videos are sideways!)

Season of Taste book

7 Comments

February 2, 2021

I am joining Jessica Dayon on a book blog hop
for her new book, Seasons to Taste.
I received an advance copy and had a hard time picking which one to make. I choose Sunkissed. I love the yellow and white but
how could I scrap it up some?

I knew the colors I wanted to use, so I started with scraps from one of my quilts in Sisterhood of Scraps and combined them with a quilt that will be in Scrap School this Feb. Pulling these fabrics was fun to think about and how different they look with a few added fabrics.

Originally some of the colors I added were a little out of my comfort zone but they added some “clash factor” took on a life of their own.

Even the trimmings look dreamy!

Adding Low Volume for backgrounds and sashing allowed me to do a deep dive into my fabrics and include a huge variety of lights.

And while I was at it I had fun creating a pieced back.
Maggi Honeyman worked her magic on the quilting!

In case you missed it here are the other people on the blog hop.

#seasonstotastebooktour

Seasons to Taste is available now from your favorite book retailer.

Thanks Jessica for inviting me.

Enjoy,

-modalissa

Guess What?

148 Comments

October 19, 2020

GIVEAWAY CLOSED !!

I am so very excited to announce my new book coming February 2021, Scrap School. 9 designers have joined me by sharing one of their scrap quilts along with tips on color, fabric placement and more. Each quilt also has a color option to inspire how you can use your scraps or fabric collections to personalize the quilts for your style.

Scrap School

Lisa Bongean, Gudrun Erla, Susan Ache, Amanda Jean Nyberg, Amy Smart, Sherri McConnell, Sarah Huechteman, Kim Diehl and Connie & Mary of Country Threads have joined me as “PROFESSORS” at Scrap School.

I have included link to the professors instagram accounts above, so be sure and follow each of them for more information as we get closer to the book launch. The book is available for preorder from your favorite quilt store or book dealer now, so treat yourself.

Color Bars

I love putting together color bars to play with color and pattern before starting a quilt. Join me as I share more of this process.

February seems like a very long time from now, so to wet your appetite for scrap books, I am going to have a few giveaways and events throughout the rest of the year. I am starting off with a copy of Sisterhood of Scraps.

To win a copy of Sisterhood of Scraps and some other goodies thrown in, please leave a comment and tell me your 2 favorite colors to use in a quilt. I am also giving away a Sisterhood of Scraps on my instagram so you have 2 chances to win.

Enjoy and thank you so much for following along,

-Modalissa

Cakewalk by the Moda All Stars

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September 18, 2020

Sherri McConnell’s quilt shown on the cover. All photography supplied by Martingale Publishing.

I am so excited to share the newest Moda All Star’s quilt book, Cakewalk, Stock # B1553

You probably know that Moda’s layer cakes are my favorite cut of fabric. If you don’t know about layer cakes, they are 10″ squares of an entire collection totaling 42 squares. Layer cakes are so versatile and can be sewn together as is for a quick easy project or cut into all different sizes.

Designer royalties from the sale of this book will be donated to Feed The Children.

Kathy Schmitz

Be sure and follow Kathy Schmitz. She will be teaching Scissor Happy in an upcoming Martingale University video class. For more information on the class information, click here.

Betsy Chutchian

Lisa Bongean

Vintage or New? The quilting is outstanding and makes this new quilt have the look of a vintage piece. I may have forgotten to mention that you may need a hunk of additional fabric to go with your layer cake if you want to make this quilt.

Zen Chic

Me and My Sister

Kansas Troubles

Wouldn’t this one be dreamy to complete for Christmas?

Sandy Klop of American Jane

Laurie Simpson

I love Orange and American Jane so this quilt will probably be the first on my to do list.

Linzee Kull McCray & Pam Ehrhardt

Deb Strain

Corey Yoder

Brenda Riddle

No matter if you already have a stack of precut Layer Cakes in your stash or if you need a good reason to head to your local quilt shop to replenish your supply, rest assured the patterns in this book offer layers of fun! Thank you to the uber talented Moda designers for sharing their creativity and given to a very worth while charity during these crazy times.

Enjoy,

-modalissa

Zigzag Quilt- Sisterhood of Scraps

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August 24, 2020

Orange Zigzag

It is finally finished. I had made the goal to share this before the first pumpkins were out and I think I made it.

When I asked some of my friends to join me in the Sisterhood of Scraps project, I was very honored that Barbara Brackman said YES. She shared her Orange Zig Zag antique quilt that had been on my bucket list to make. There was no time like the present to reproduce her version.

I am in love and I can cross something off my bucket list.

I am ready for the pumpkins.

Aren’t all the shirtings so yummy?

Shirtings are generally a reproduction fabric but I am seeing more and more new styles of shirtings with the popularity of low volume styles growing in popularity.

This is what I can do all day every day!

Play with Fabric

These are just a few of my lights for this quilt. I really tried to get some bold stripes, tickings and other vintage inspired pieces. I added some dots since I think 100% of the quilts I make have dots in them.

Fig Tree and Co. has the yummiest collection of fabric, All Hallow’s Eve and I was hoarding the Orange, stock #20354-11 from this collection. This fabric was the perfect piece to use for this quilt.

photo courtesy of Martingale Publishing

Barbara made a mini version of her antique quilt. Such fun!

photo courtesy of Martingale Publishing

Always support your independent book retailers by shopping there or asking them to order this book for you.

Book is also available from Martingale Publishing

Next up to reproduce from Sisterhood of Scraps is Sheryl Johnson’s quilt, Halfsquare Hashtags.

Side note: If you are a fan of Barbara like I am then you will want to be on the lookout for

Encyclopedia of Pieced Patterns and BLOCKBASE, both from Electric Quilt.

These are available late 2020 and would be terrific Christmas gift to yourself!

Here is a page example from the book courtesy of Electric Quilt. I own her original book and can’t wait to get my hands on this one. This book is great for designing, as a resource and historical information.

Thank you for following along,

-modalissa

Blue and White book

65 Comments

April 4, 2020

Give away closed. Winners have been notified.

Frances Reed and Kathy Stokes

It is never too late to share these beautiful quilts in the latest book series from Martingale Publishing, Blue and White.

The book’s release date was perfectly timed with Pantone’s color of the year release.

Don’t know how that happened, great minds or coincidence, probably both.

Country Surprise by Nancy Mahoney.

Nancy is a very prolific designer. She is a Bernina ambassador, has done several books on paper piecing, is published in magazines, teaches online and on cruises.

This one is mine!

The subheading of the book is 13 remarkable quilts with Timeless Appeal, so I planned on making a classic orange peel design. To be quite honest I was not happy with how my points on the applique lined up, so I decided to add some sashing. I loved how it turned out. What could have been a big mess-up actually made me do some creative thinking and design a completely different quilt?

Baskets in Blue from the collection of Julie Hendrickson of JJ Stitches. Julie has a shop in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin and is a quilt historian and collector. She has shared one of her antique baskets quilts in the Blue and White book.

Cornered by Jill Shaulis of Yellow Creek Quilt Designs. Jill’s shop is in Pearl City, Illinois. Jill certainly creates timeless projects in everything she touches.