Tag: Red and White

True Blue… with a Little Red Attitude

2 Comments
True Red QAL

 

There is something comforting about a quilt-along. It feels a bit like a recipe card that’s been passed down for generations. Same method, same heart, but every time it turns out a little different depending on who’s in the kitchen or sewing room and what fabric is selected.. The True Blue QAL is exactly that kind of experience. last week it was picking fabric. This week it is making block 1.. Following directions in the magazine gives you exactly how many pieces you need to cut and sew. I never mind having some extra so I cut 2″ strips and strip pieced them. Subcut, mix and match to have a variety plus some extras!!

If you are just joining and don’t know about the QAL, here is the info.

While True Blue is the name of the QAl and the colors used in the original quilt,  I’ve decided to take a tiny creative detour and bring in my color of the year: red. Not “oops I grabbed the wrong fabric” red. Intentional, bold, patriotic-quilt-meets-heirloom red. Plus I had to sew along with y’all which means making another quilt!

Why red?
Red has always been one of those colors that carries emotion. It’s warmth. It’s courage. It’s love. It’s tradition. Red and white quilts have been inspiring me for years, especially after seeing the Red & White Quilt exhibits that celebrate the power of a limited palette. There’s something magical about taking one strong color and letting it tell the whole story.

You can follow the pattern exactly, or you can bend it just enough to make it unmistakably yours. I almost went red white and blue!!

Using red fabrics has also made me slow down and think more carefully about contrast and balance. Beth at American Patchwork and Quilting did a gtrreat post last week about choosing her fabrics and tacked about scale etc. My reds started with a bundle of fabric from Bunny Hill so I had a nice range to start with, then adding more lights and reds to create larger variety and to use up some more of my “stash.”

And honestly, using red’s make me smile every time I sit down to sew.

So whether you’re sewing in blue, red, or something completely unexpected, remember: quilts have always been about using what you love, what you have, and what speaks to you. That’s how traditions stay alive. They grow, they shift, and they welcome a little creative rebellion now and then.

Make 5 of these blocks and you will be ready for next week!!

Enjoy!

-Modalissa

NEW YEAR 2026

No Comments

New Year-2026

There’s something about a brand-new year that makes us want to reorganize everything—our schedules, our studios, our inboxes… maybe even our lives. This year, though, I’m trying something a little more daring.

I’m slowing down.

Less hustle. Fewer shoulds. More joy. If quilting has taught me anything, it’s that rushing only leads to crooked seams ( ha ha)—and I’ve made peace with the fact that life (and quilting) looks better when we ease up a bit.

A Softer Kind of Goal-Setting

This year’s inspiration is coming not from a planner packed with checkboxes, but from a book currently living on my nightstand: The Book of Alchemy by Suleika Jaouad—a creative practice for an inspired life. It’s gentle, reflective, and encouraging… which feels exactly right for the season I’m stepping into.

So instead of resolutions, here are my intentions:

  • Take it easy and enjoy life
    Quilting is about the process, the people, and the stories stitched between the seams. I want to linger there a little longer.

  • Journal daily
    A few thoughts, a spark of inspiration, maybe a note about what’s happening on my design wall—or what’s been sitting there a very long time. No pressure, just presence. During the writing of my books, I started a journal for each. The minute I received a phone call from the publisher to the process of writing the book was logged. I skipped a few pages and then used this same book to start my daily life journal in. So cool to go back and read through it. My favorite is the Moleskin soft cover notebooks. So easy to write in no matter where you are with the soft cover. the Pen I hoard for pretty much everything is the Sharpie click. pens. For a while I could not find them anywhere, but they are back and available almost everywhere. No bleed!

  • Blog bi-weekly
    Consistency without chaos. Enough to stay connected and inspired without turning blogging into another full-time job. Not sure I have much to say but just thinking about this as my personal journal on quilting. If there is anything you want me to share about quilting, feel free to leave a comment.

Color of the Year: RED (Is there any other color?)

My color of the year is red.
Honestly, it’s always red.

I’m hoping to make a red and white solid quilt this year—just like I hope to every year. I’ve long been inspired by the legendary red and white quilt show in New York, Infinite Variety: Three Centuries of Red and White Quilts.

This Year’s Quilty Theme: Cuddles

Over the years, I’ve given myself a “quilty theme” for the year:

This year?

It’s the Year of Cuddles.

Soft, cozy, sink-into-the-couch cuddles.

Moda is working with Shannon Fabrics to create designer-branded Cuddle fabrics, and let me tell you—my family is already cheering. They love Cuddle on the backs of their quilts. Between Moda’s upcoming Cuddle prints and Shannon’s existing 50 Cuddle solids, I’m pretty sure I’ll have enough options to keep everyone wrapped up and happy all year long.

If joy had a texture, this would be it.

What You’ll Find Here This Year

As I settle into this slower, cozier rhythm, blogging here on Modalissa will cover all the things I truly love:

  • Real quilting experiences—the wins, the lessons, and the “what was I thinking?” moments

  • QALs (because quilting together is always better) I have 3 lined up to start the year.

  • Favorite fabrics (old loves and new crushes)

  • Notions I actually use and swear by

  • Quilt patterns and techniques I’m exploring

  • And yes… plenty of talk about backings, bindings, and cuddles

  • And if you have anything you want me to add my two cents to, leave a comment.

Here’s to 2026

Here’s to a year of red and white quilts or quilts of any color, cozy finishes, thoughtful stitching, inspired journaling, and enjoying the view along the way.

Happy New Year, friends.
Let’s make it a good one—one stitch, one cuddle, and one blog post at a time.

Red and White

83 Comments


What is your favorite color? Mine is red so when I was asked to participate in a collaborative project from Martingale Publishing, I jumped at the chance.

In 2011, I was able to attend the Infinite Variety: Three Centuries of Red and White Quilts exhibit in New York City. If you are a quilter, you would understand when I say this was a religious experience. 650 red and white quilts from the collection of Joanna S. Rose were exhibited in Park Avenue’s 55,000 sq. ft. Armory’s Wade Thompson Drill Hall. Mrs. Rose celebrated her 80th birthday by creating this exhibit and sharing it with all of us.

Walking up the steps to the Armory everyone was a-buzz with excitement, but as soon as the doors opened, there was silence. Everyone’s breath was taken away with the greatness of the exhibit and the venue. Quilter’s from all over the world attended the exhibit along with historians, educators, children, and artists. To read more about this exhibit, visit Park Avenue Armory.

Crowd Pleaser by Victoria Findlay Wolfe

Daydreams by Camille Roskelley

Enough With The Curves by Jen Kingwell

Flower Power by Helen Stubbings

Forever Thoughtful by Sue Daley

Happy Accident by Susan Ache

Memory of a Masterpiece by Lisa Bongean

All of the quilts will be on exhibit at the International Quilt Market and Festival in Houston, Texas, November 2019.

Ruby Jubilee by Karen Styles

Scarlet Song by Kim Diehl

Stars in Flight by Jill Shaulis

Sweet Dreams by ME!! with massive quilting by Teresa Silva

I left there hoping to make 1 red and white quilt a year. I have made 3 since 2011 so that was another reason I wanted to participate in this book. Now I have 4 red and white quilts along with patterns for several more.

Tracking Tradition by Debbie Roberts

#Twisted Cabin by Sarah Huechteman

Walk This Way by Carrie Nelson

How is that for a virtual quilt show?

Does it make you want to make a red and white quilt?

Or Maybe even just drool over the pages?

Well, guess what, I have some advance copies of Red & White Quilts, 14 Quilts with Timeless Appeal from Today’s Top Designers, and I want to give away a few.

Leave a comment telling me your favorite quilt show you have ever been to. If you haven’t been to a show, let me know which one you want to go to.

DISCLAMIER: I will be attending Quilt Market and Festival so I won’t be able to do the drawing and announce the winner until Saturday, November 10th.

Next week there will be an additional chance to win, follow my Instagram page,  https://www.instagram.com/modalissa/for details.

Books will be available in stores mid November, but if you are attending Quilt Festival, Primitive Gatherings will have some for sale.