Tag: Moda Fabrics

My Journey with the Moonbeams Charity Quilt Along

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Moonbeams QAL

MOONBEAMS QAL

I’m thrilled to share my journey with the Moonbeams Charity Quilt Along, the 11th in the series designed by the Fat Quarter Shop to support Make-A-Wish, North Central Texas division.

As many of you know I suffer from Paralysis by Analysis. Not a medically diagnosed affliction but a self induced one. When I see a quilt, I want to make it just like it is shown. How about you? Same thing, right? Picking the fabrics and color is the hardest part of quilting for me. Add another layer of pressure knowing that this quilt will be auctioned to raise money for the Make A Wish Foundation, so it has to be perfect in every way. So this is where I need your help to help me choose which option.

 

Christmas version

I can just imagine how gorgeous the quilting would be on this dark green grunge.

 

I started the Moonbeams QAL and was inspired by the blue background from Sherri and Chelsis fabric but knew I needed to make it different. So how about a Christmas/Winter version using Basic Grey’s PINE VALLEY  and grunge fabric for the background.

I love the fabrics. They are so rich and elegant but about month 3, I started to doubt myself….

OPTION 2- Blue and green

If you have been following along on the Piece and Quilt QAL, you know I have been using blues and greens from Camille Roskelley’s Shoreline collection. If that is not enough I have also been using blues and greens in my Moda blockhead’s quilt. This is more of a scrappy version using pieces from Camille Roskelley, Minick and Simpson,  Fig Tree and Co., Janet Clare, 3 sisters and more. As I was cleaning up and starting to put these fabrics away, I had a thought…. what about Moonbeams in these fabrics?

 

Yes this would be my 3rd quilt as of late using these colors, but what is wrong with that?

 

But you can never have too many Christmas quilts and maybe that would be the best version to donate to the raffle?

Paralysis by Analysis... Help me! Which version would like to take home? Just a few more days and they will be launching the finishing instructions so I have my work cut out for me. I am not afraid, just need to make the plan and work the plan. While I tend to overthink, I am best under pressure and the pressure is on!

Just in case, you too can make this quilt. Each of the patterns are available as downloads via the Jolly Jabber, along with a minimal donation to The Make A Wish Foundation, Central North Texas division. You can find all the patterns and videos for the event on the Moonbeams Quilt Along page.

More information directly from the jolly jabber.

Quilt and Cross Stitch Pattern benefit Make-a-Wish Central & South Texas.

As we soar through our 11th Annual Charity Quilt, we continue to be amazed by the generosity of this sewing community and inspired by the stories of the children who have been granted life-changing Wishes. We encourage you to donate just $10 for the use of each free quilt pattern or a total of $50. For the cross stitch patterns, we are asking for a $20 donation. No amount is too small, and every bit counts. Fat Quarter Shop is proudly partnering with Moda Fabrics to match up to $30,000 in donations.

Fundraising Surprises for Moonbeams

We’re getting closer to our goal of $100,000 for Make-a-Wish, and when we reach $50,000 in donations, one lucky donor will receive a 1-hour virtual visit with Kimberly Jolly!

  • To be entered, you will need to donate $25 or more to our Make-a-Wish campaign. If you have already donated $25 or more with your name and email (not anonymous), then you are automatically entered to win!
  • Make sure that your donation is not anonymous so that we can contact you by email.
  • When we reach $50,000, we will randomly select a qualifying donor and notify them by email.

Each milestone goal we hit with our Make-a-Wish fundraiser will unlock special offers and surprises!  When you donate today, you’ll get us closer to our goal of granting ten wishes, and closer to awarding each special surprise.

BONUS 1 – Cross Stitch Supply List and Quilt Fabric Requirements

BONUS 2– To be unlocked when we reach $50,000 before the end of July

Quilters have the biggest hearts and are so good at giving back, so please donate and be sure and be on the lookout to win a quilt made by Kimberly Jolly, Pat Sloan, myself and several other quilters.

 

Leave a comment and vote Christmas Version or Blue version to help me decide which version to finish and donate.

Much appreciated.

-modalissa

 

I love this quilt so much!

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Experiment with color placement, combine different fabrics and colors, and let the quilt tell its own story. I am dying to do this in Christmas fabrics with darks in the middle.

Chains

So fun!!

Light fabrics are not normally fabrics that you gravitate to buy. It is so much easier to be attracted to color and print when shopping. Think of lights like milk and bread. You always need them and buy good ones when you see them. They are timeless and don’t expire like milk and bread.

Kisses from Gammy

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October is more than just a month of falling leaves and pumpkin-spiced lattes; it’s a time when the world turns its attention to a cause that affects millions of lives – Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This annual campaign aims not only to raise awareness about the most common cancer among women but also to educate, support, and inspire action.

I am humbled and honored to be a part of the annual Stitch Pink campaign with Moda Fabrics. This year Moda has partnered with Camille Roskelley and Aurifil threads.  We all know someone that has been effected by Breast Cancer including my mom, aka GAMMY!

Gammy was not just an ordinary woman; she was a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, who possessed a heart filled with wisdom, patience, and an infectious sense of humor. But above all, she was incredibly strong, especially when faced with the formidable opponent called Breast Cancer.

She had always been the cornerstone of our family – a source of endless love, guidance, creativity and laughter. We all admired her not only for her resilience but also for her ability to find joy in the most challenging of circumstances.Gammy loved loading the grands upper a fulfilled trip to Chuckie Cheese with an endless supply of quarters. She loved chatting about your latest boyfriend or girlfriend and no topic was off the table for her.  Another thing Gammy loved doing was leaving a big ol’ smooch on everyone’s cheek, so when it came time to make my stitch pink project, I decided to reproduce this kiss.

I cut the lighthearted charm pack and layered the pieces, topstitching them with Aurifil threads to a base cloth. Piecing the red charm packs together to create lips and raw edge appliquéd them to the pillow top. I came across a “Gammy’s Girls” clothing label and knew it was a sign I had to include it on the pillow.Gammy’s Girls was the name of my sister and I’d company that made and sold things at craft fairs.

one label just wouldn’t do the job, so I added some additional ones as a representation of what a fashion icon Gammy – Ruth was. Making this into a pillow was the perfect finishing touch so that it can be hugged and loved on as much as she hugged and loved on us.

She left behind a legacy of strength, wisdom, patience, and laughter along with lessons on living life with resilience, grace and humor.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a reminder that unity is powerful, and together, we can make a difference in the lives of those affected by this disease. By fostering awareness, supporting research, and encouraging early detection, we can create a world where breast cancer is not a threat to future generations. Let October be a month of inspiration and action, reminding us all that our collective efforts can and will lead to a future without breast cancer. Thank you for taking the time to read about the inspiration behind my life and my project!

Get screened!

-Modalissa

Scrappy Celebration QAL

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Time flies! I can’t believe it has been 10 years since I did a quilt-along with American Patchwork and Quilting for their 20th anniversary.
Fast forward to their 30th anniversary and I am honored and proud
to be featured….on the cover…
APQ April 2023 Cover

I am a newbie to using the quilt design software, Electric Quilt. To play with this I started adding a variety of nine patches, four patches and any similar block. I fell in love with the mathematic look of the quilt and knew I just had to make it.

All images in this blog post are used with permission from American Patchwork & Quilting magazine . Meredith Operations Corporation. All rights reserved.

Let’s skip to the good part. American Patchwork and Quilting is featuring my quilt as one of their 2023 QAL and they have a Facebook group you can join to play along. I am going to make another version of this quilt during this QAL using red, white and blues with my collection of Minick Simpson fabrics.

If you want to join in, the details are included below.

Pattern Details

Finished quilt: 63-1/2×72-1/2″

 For this quilt, you’ll need:

  • 1-1/8 yard total assorted pink prints
  • 2-3/4 yards total assorted white prints
  • 1/2 yard total assorted red and dark pink prints
  • 3/4 yard total assorted green prints
  • 1 yard total assorted orange prints
  • 1 yard total assorted blue prints
  • 7/8 yard total assorted yellow prints
  • 5/8 yard orange-and-white print (binding)
  • 4 yards backing fabric
  • 72×81″ batting

All of the following info is available here also.

Get the Quilt-Along Pattern

Quilt-Along Schedule

The quilt-along runs from February 20-April 16. While there is a recommended sewing schedule (see below), you can also sew at your own pace!

Scrappy Celebration

If you’re posting on Instagram, use the hashtag #APQQuiltalong to share your progress.

I hope you join us as I share more about Electric Quilt and all things 9 patch.

and lastly THANK YOU so much to the talented team at American Patchwork and Quilting. The April issue ( on newsstands now) is full of wonderful projects and a look back over the 10 years. I have drooled over the pages and talented in this issue.

-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 4- Center Blocks

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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

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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

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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!)

Surrounded Christmas QAL- Week 1- Cutting

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Welcome! Hope you are here to join the Surrounded Christmas QAL. This is week 1 and the goal is to get your entire quilt cut out.

You will need Oh Scrap book available at quilt stores now for the actual measurements.

Today ‘s post is about yardages and cutting for the SURROUNDED QAL.

The original quilt used light sashing so the yardages from the book will vary some if you want dark sashing like I used in my version.

IF using a Fat quarter bundle, cut your sashing pieces first ( Listed under fabrics A in the book- qty 49) This is always a good rule of thumb when cutting fabrics, start with the largest cuts first in case of a mis cut. It is always easier to replace a small piece of yardage than to have to replace fabrics for bigger cuts. Most patterns/books are written this way but always pay attention to this..

Then cut your 80 block rectangles ( also listed under A).
On some of the blocks I cut 4 of the same so they would match especially on the fabrics that would add a bit of pop. This was also where I used some fabrics that I just had small bits.

Shown above where the aqua fabric is

 

Everything else is pretty much exactly like the book says regarding if it is a dark or a light.

I always cut extra. I don’t know if it is a character flaw or what, but I like to have options.

Keep your pieces together, labeling them by the size. Some of the same size pieces are used throughout and some pieces are almost the same size so it is easy to get then mixed up!

I did not subcut strips into squares for four patches and nine patches. Instead I strip-pieced and then subcut. Do whatever you are comfortable with. Next week we will start sewing 4 patches and I wanted to show you that I even cut strips from charm packs or scraps for this. Next week we will start sewing 4 patches.

 

GENERAL TIP: Sorting through scraps does add some time to the process. Anytime I straighten up fabrics, i don’t just cut a sliver to straighten the edge, I go ahead and cut at least 1 1/2″, sometimes 2 1/2″ depending on much fabric I have. Once I finish cutting any project I go ahead and submit the remaining fabric into “scraps” and sort them by size. I tend to do this the most with lights. I use lots of lights.

Use the hashtag #OhScrapChristmasQAL so I can follow along.

Hope you join me!

-modalissa