Hey everyone, it’s time for another progress report! We’re at the peak of summer here in WI, and already starting to show early signs of fall approaching. It has been a busy season so far at Primitive Gatherings with a constant buzz of activity going on all week long. Summer projects are starting to come to fruition as they get closer and closer to being finished with each passing day. One of my favorite things about fall are the autumn-based projects, so needless to say I’ll be happy to clear some space in my sewing room and studio once summer tasks are finished.

Finishing a quilt is always a thrill. As I’m approaching the final steps I always seem to get a burst of energy toward getting it done – so I can move on and start something new, of course! I’m super happy to report that I was recently able to bring one of my “Summer Blocks of the Week” projects, “Stars All Around“ into its final stages, and it’s now currently waiting in line to be quilted. I really had a lot of fun with this project because it was simple and easy to work on small sections at a time in between other projects. The pattern is a cinch to do and also makes for the perfect mini scrap buster. With something like 208 total stars, you can really put a dent in your scrap bin with this amazing quilt. All said and done, “Stars All Around“ measures approximately 82″ x 82.”

As I mentioned, “Stars All Around“ is one of this year’s “Summer Blocks of the Week“ projects, which originally started earlier this season. We are getting close to selling out of kits for both the Contemporary and Traditional versions of “Stars All Around,” but still have a few left of each to find homes for. That means that if you’ve been on the fence about doing this project, this is basically your last chance to get a kit! To order yours before it’s too late, hit the link below!

Just an FYI! We are only offering “Stars All Around“ as a PAID IN FULL option this year. This will help to reduce the cost of shipping because it allows us to send you the project directions just once monthly instead of multiple times throughout (meaning a $48 decrease in the price for our domestic customers and an $84 decrease in pricing for our International customers – wow!). PLEASE NOTE: You will be charged immediately when you place your order.

Next up, I’m also delighted to say that another one of my “Summer Blocks of the Week“ projects, “Carving Contest“ is also finished and ready to rock for Halloween. This darling quilt is done in strips, but to look at the finished product you don’t really notice that. I had SO much fun drawing up this pattern… The festive design is super cute, unique, and full of spunk and personality! Measuring at 51″ x 58,” “Carving Contest“ is an excellent choice for a fall home décor project. Its smaller size makes it ideal to display as a wall hanging or over the back of your favorite love seat or porch swing. This is another project we have very limited quantities of so again, if you’re on the fence it’s time to jump off and into “Carving Contest.“ Get your’s now by clicking the link!

“Carving Contest” isn’t the only quilt on my sewing table with big personality right now. Part of our, “Just One” series, “Lulu the Lady Bug“ is an adorable little number that is simple to make, yet has a ton of options as far as how you’d like it to look in the end depending on your fabric and color choices. You’ll be able to pick out your own background to match up with both the Dresden daisy motif, and of course the real star of the show “Lulu the Lady Bug.”

If you’ve never done a Dresden before, this is a great opportunity to give it a try! “Lulu the Lady Bug” makes it fun and easy, and doesn’t produce a lot of scraps because you’re using a lot of the same fabric throughout the project. Machine stitching the appliquéd areas makes it simple and fast, though you could certainly do it by hand if you’re feeling ambitious. At 51 1/2″ x 51 1/2″ “Lulu the Lady Bug” is just the right size to display as a seasonal wall hanging or table top décor.

“Lulu the Lady Bug“ is a pre-order only for just a few more days. That means that when ordering, it should be the only thing in your cart! Other items currently in stock should be ordered separately so we can get it to you as fast as possible. “Lulu the Lady Bug“ should be available to ship the week of August 8th. NOTE: You will need an 18 degree Dresden Ruler by Creative Grids for this project which you can order by clicking HERE! You will also need 3.5 yards of fabric for the backing. Remember, if you order the backing at the same time as the kit, you will get it at 20% OFF! The pattern is not included in our kits, but can be ordered separately. Lulu is 51 1/2″ square when finished. Click the link above to order now!

Do you love working with wool as much as I do? If that’s a big yes, I certainly hope you’re already a member of our subscription wool box. If you’re not, you really should be! Let me tell you a little about it. Boxes ship every other month and contain at least one major project kit and pattern, a pattern for an ongoing project, and recipe cards. Each box is centered around wool and/or stitchery, and might even contain a few novelty things once in a while. Boxes will primarily consist of Primitive Gatherings products and patterns, but we plan to have guest designers and products as well in the future. Projects are exclusive to the wool boxes for six months before they are released to the general public. Boxes are charged the 15th of the month and will be shipped after our billing cycle. Sounds great, doesn’t it? We still have openings available but spots are limited. Sign up today! Click the link above for more information.

I also have several Quilt-Alongs that I’m involved with at the moment, as I’m sure many of you are too. If you’ve been following along with the Moda Blockheads 4 series, you know that currently we’re on Block #20 – “Stop Go“ by Stacy Iest Hsu. This exciting and unique block features a snowball shape-based design, along with multiple color combinations and layout possibilities in the pattern. Color scheme for this quilt includes a medium orange Bella Solid called “Ochre” as my background color, combined with gray-scale fabric selections from my Urban Farmhouse Gatherings II line for the other elements. Lately I have also been throwing in a bit of Zen Chic, and even used a little bit of my Lakeside Gatherings line from a few years back.

This has been a great quilt-along so far and I highly recommend it if you’re looking for one to join. Even though we’re 20 blocks in, it’s still not too late to get started! You can easily find all the information you need, including previously released MBH4 blocks in the Moda Blockheads 4 Archive listed in the main menu of links at the top of my blog page. You can also visit Moda’s Inspiration+Resources Center Page for more information, along with all released bonus blocks by clicking HERE! If you’re having trouble keeping all the details straight, you can also sign-upo to receive Moda’s weekly Blockheads blog posts via e-mail at the Inspiration+Resources Center as well.

Have heard about Letters for Santa? It’s hard to imagine that it’s just about time to start thinking about fall and even winter projects for the upcoming Christmas season. We all know how the holidays always seem to sneak up on us. I like to have a good head start on things well in advance, which is why I really love the idea of this quilt-along. Letters for Santa is a Christmas project quilt-along from Moda inspired by my, “Mini Alphabet Quilt” pattern. “Mini Alphabet“ is a darling little quilt, ideal for a child’s bed or toy room. Measuring at 42″ x 42″ it’s the perfect size for cuddling, all while learning your ABC’s. Super cute, right!?

To participate in the quilt-along you’ll need both the pattern for my “Mini Alphabet Quilt” along with Moda’s monthly word releases, new filler block patterns, and alternate project ideas. You can purchase the pattern by clicking the button above. For more information on this festive QAL, and access to monthly QAL releases, visit Moda’s website!

Another quilt-along that I’m really enjoying right now is my “O’ Say Can You Sew” Mystery QAL. I decided to call it “O’ Say Can You Sew“ because I have so many reds, whites, and blues leftover from previous projects (American Gatherings Quilt-Along, my American Gatherings book, and Stars & Stripes to name a few). I thought it would be a fun way to get an awesome patriotic quilt out of simply recycling my salvage. I also thought it would be entertaining to make this a mystery project – meaning you are not going to know exactly what you’re making until it all comes together in the very end! I think it’s exciting – I love the suspense!!!

How the “O’ Say Can You Sew Mystery Quilt-Along“ works is simple and fun. On the first Monday of every month we will release a new FREE clue (there is no specific time that I will be releasing the clue – please keep an eye on the blog throughout the day)! There will be seven clues released in total. When the clue is released it will be posted not only here on my blog, but also on our YouTube channel, “Stitch with Lisa Bongean.” Each clue will be available to download as a printable PDF FREE for one month. When then next month’s clue posts, the previous clue will no longer be available for free, but can be purchased to download through our website for $5.00 each.

You MUST be squirming in your seat to join up with this QAL A.S.A.P., so wait no longer! We are already on Clue #5 but there is still plenty of time to catch up! Links to all released clues are listed in the O’ Say Can You Sew Clue Archive, which can be found in the main menu at the top of this page. This quilt was designed to be a scrap buster, but if you don’t have that kind of supply piled up don’t worry. We have fat quarter bundles in stock that will be perfect to supplement your stash. There are blues and whites in bundles of 12 fat quarters for $30.00 per bundle (that’s two FREE!). We are currently no longer offering reds in these special OSCYS bundles due to low stock.

People keep asking me how I have so much energy, and when do I sleep!? Really, it’s easy to stay motivated because I am truly living my dream. Simply put, it’s NOT WORK! I love to be ambitious and try to make sure to schedule a time to stitch everyday. I accomplish this with planning, making lists, setting goals, and doing my best to stay organized. These are the things that cause inspiration and an abundance of energy to come easy for me! Achieving my goals only drives me further forward so I can accomplish more. I love what I do!

Speaking of future projects and goals, before I go I want to remind you that my new fabric line Red and White Gatherings is now available to pre-order! I’m super excited after seeing how beautiful this collection turned out. I can barely wait! It’s made up of cream-based whites and a stunning mix of reds, ranging from middle of the road to dark and deep. Print patterns include floral, linear, and geometrical designs that span from tiny to large giving you a wide spectrum of visual variety.

If you’re anything like me, these exciting new fabrics have your mind going in a million directions. I can imagine this versatile line being implemented into several different projects I’ve been thinking about starting. You know how I love the traditional red and white color combination… Of course, I also have a design book coming out that will contain nine unique designs (12 total quilts – some with more than one version) – all based on “Red & White Gatherings” fabric. If you’re looking for a bit of red and white inspiration, this book is the perfect solution! As of now, it will be available to ship in October, 2022. Quilt kits are not available yet but will be coming soon!

I know getting the finished book into your hands feels a long way off as well, but don’t fret! I DO have some good news in the midst of all this longing… As of now, pre-cuts and yardage of “Red & White Gatherings” AND the project book Red and White Gatherings are officially available to pre-order from our website. Just click the link below! Not to mention, now is a great time to stock up on “Red & White Gatherings” because all pre-cuts are 20% OFF (for a limited time)! Please note: Pre-orders should be the only thing in your car when you are ordering. If you have other, non pre-order items to purchase you will need to order them through a separate transaction!

Well everyone – did I give you enough to think about? I hope you’re able to find your own inspiration after seeing these works in progress. Nothing makes me happier than being creative and sharing skills and ideas with my fellow stitchers. Thank you for being a part of it! That all being said, I wish you a wonderful and relaxing weekend. It’s supposed to be scorching hot and humid here until Sunday when we might see some relief – just in time for our big Hogs for Heroes key presentation event. If you haven’t heard, this Sunday August 8th, 2022 we will finally be presenting our chosen veteran with the keys to his new Harley through the Hogs for Heroes organization! We will also be awarding several veterans with much deserved quilts of valor, made 100% by volunteer stitchers from all over the U.S.! If you’re local and you can make it out for this awesome event, please do – there’s even lunch in it for ya (while it lasts – when it’s gone, it’s gone)! Doors open at The Gathering at 10:00 and the ceremony beings at 11. A pot-luck lunch will be served immediately after until we run out! There is no cost for lunch but cash donations are very much appreciated. All proceeds will go to Hogs for Heroes!

For more information about Hogs for Heroes and to read our veteran’s story, you can visit my prior blog post all about it by clicking HERE! If you’re not local or just have other plans, you can watch the event LIVE or catch the replay on my “STITCH with Lisa Bongean“ YouTube channel, which you can find by clicking the “STITCH“ button below! I really hope to see a huge turnout for this event – so don’t let me down. Be there if you can! I will see you all soon. Stay cool out there! ~Lisa