Hey everyone! Back again on another beautiful Friday afternoon at Primitive Gatherings. After the last couple of weeks being cold and blustery, we’ve actually been blessed with what promises to be some of the final nice days coming up before the snow flies – and keeps on flying for the next five months! Highs for the next couple of days are supposed to be near 70 and sunny, which we will certainly take. Rain at the beginning of next week will bring back the cold so we really need to enjoy it while it lasts. Either way I know winter is on its way, and that there isn’t a darn thing I can do aside from deciding to enjoy it. That’s where keeping busy is the real key! As I’m sure you can imagine, keeping busy for me involves plenty of stitching – old projects and new. We definitely never run out of things to stitch on around here, let me tell you!
Speaking of new projects, today is the official start date of Sewcialites 2 – a sequel to Sewcialites 1 which is a quilt-along hosted by Kim Jolly of Fat Quarter Shop. Kim created this quilt-along to celebrate the quilting community by releasing a new block each week for 24 weeks. Fat Quarter Shop has again collaborated with highly talented designers to bring you all new unique sampler blocks with a ton of options! Starting today through April 14th, 2023, a new block will be released each week on Friday with breaks for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Two additional weeks afterward will be dedicated to finishing and backing the quilt.
This year’s Sewcialites quilt is made up of 24 blocks designed by 24 individual designers. The difficulty level of each pattern is clearly marked from beginner level to experienced. Blocks are constructed using straight seams and traditional piecing techniques. Take a look! 
If you have a specific purpose for this quilt in mind but you’re not sure if it’s the right size, great news! This quilt has three size options including 3”, 6”, and 9” finished blocks. To get started you will need the Sewcialites 2 Information Packet, which includes the fabric requirements, a coloring sheet, the complete block schedule, and a list of optional foundation paper supplies. The fabric requirements are listed for each quilt size, but you can certainly get a good start with your existing stash. And great news! All the quilt sizes are pre-cut friendly! Fat Quarter Shop recommends starting with a Layer Cake for the 3″ blocks, and using a Fat Quarter Bundle for the 6″ and 9″ blocks. To get your copy of the Sewcialites 2 Information Packet visit the Jolly Jabber!
Now without further ado, let’s get on with the quilt-along! This week’s block designer is Beverly McCullough of flamingotoes.com. Beverly comes from a long line of artists and seamstresses, and fittingly loves all things crafty. Sewing since her teen years, these days she is known in the creative world for her fabric, quilt, and cross stitching designs. She loves to mix modern and vintage, taking old styles and making them new and fun again. Block #1, Perennial Block was inspired by her love for flowers. She says, “I don’t have a green thumb – it makes me crazy that I can’t seem to keep them alive! So, I love to sew up flower blocks instead – they’re still pretty but you don’t have to maintain them!” True that, Beverly! Not everyone is a master gardener. Sometimes it’s best to stick with what you’re good at rather than pretend to be something that you’re not. Especially since it doesn’t usually work out well in the end… Anyway, master quilt pattern and fabric designer sounds just fine to me!
Usually I would have my blocks complete and ready to show off by their release date but I have to say, since getting back from my cruise it’s been nothing but go-go-go around here! I 1,000% intended on having not just one, but multiple blocks for this QAL done before the first release date hit, but ya know – it just didn’t happen that way. I do apologize. I hope you’ll forgive me but the digital version is going to have to do this time around. If not, I believe the blog complaint department is closed indefinitely… LOL! Just kidding. I promise that as rare as it is, whenever I fall behind I will make up for it the following week with updated photos of my progress. For now, this will give you an idea of what to expect:
As you can see from the digital rendition, Perennial Block uses half-square triangles with a slight variation on one half of the square. These half-square triangles will then be placed, and pieced into a pinwheel. Eight squares are finished using the stitch and flip method and will then be added to the pinwheel. Be extra careful on placement – it is extra important to be accurate for this block, hence the advanced difficulty rating. To get your copy of the full pattern and instructions of, visit by clicking the link below!
For my blocks, what I can tell you for sure is that I’ve decided to do this quilt using my Garden Gatherings fabric line, sans the five tans (no, I did NOT mean to rhyme and YES, Garden Gatherings is Blog Manager Heidi’s favorite fabric line of all time… – sheesh – I did it again!!!). For the background I plan to use a selection from the Garden Gathering Shirtings Collection, #49176 15 – a cream fabric with an adorable tiny mustard/orange floral print. Needless to say I am super excited to see this quilt finished! I swear, Garden Gatherings is like the hot girl in school… She could wear a potato sack and still look good in it – not fair! This fabric line is the same way. Whatever you make with it is going to look stunning, no doubt about it.
I know many of you are still trying to decide whether or not to participate in Sewcialites 2. One of the best things about this quilt-along is it’s never too late to start – you can join us at any time! Previously released blocks will be posted on the Sewcialites 2 Landing Page along with my blog in the Sewcialites 2 Block Archive, which is listed in the main menu of links at the top of the page.
Newly released blocks can always be found on Kim’s blog The Jolly Jabber, along with a video tutorial on her YouTube Livestream the same day. Each designer will also post their own block to either their blog or their website on that day as well. I will also be posting each block release here on MY blog every Friday for your convenience. Fabric requirements and all block patterns will be posted on the Sewcialites 2 Landing Page, which you can access by clicking the link below. If you’d like to get automatic updates on Sewcialites 2 you can subscribe to the blog by signing up in the Email subscription box by visiting the Landing Page, or by subscribing to the YouTube channel by clicking HERE.
Let me know in the comments if you’re planning to join me for Sewcialites2. I really think it’s going to be a great quilt-along and I’m excited to get started. Sometimes a fresh new project is just what the doctor ordered. Way better than chicken soup if you ask me!
Before I hang it up for the weekend I want to give away a prize! Thanks so much to Sandra G. for commenting on the blog last week! Check your email Sandra – I’d love to send you a little something for not only reading my blog, but also for leaving feedback! As usual, I don’t post last names or email addresses for your privacy, so if you think you’re the lucky winner this week please be sure to check your email! You can also contact Heidi at heidin@primitivegatherings.us if you have not already received a prize confirmation letter from her. She will use your email address to confirm that you are in fact the winner! Remember, every comment, like, and share our posts receive help to keep us afloat in the wild sea of social media. Needless to say, we really appreciate it! Want to be considered for a prize like Sandra? It’s easy! Just leave me a comment here on the blog. That’s all it takes to be eligible! Ok gang, I really hope you all have a wonderful weekend. Nick will be up north hunting so I’m going to spend some time with friends. We might even catch a haunted house tonight. We’ll see! Take care and I will see you all soon! ~Lisa
Garden Gatherings is beautiful fabric!!! Don’t roll any yards tonight! Thank you for the links for Sewcialites!!! Have a great weekend!!!
Oh what fun for Sewcialities2!! Hmm – I just have the fats set aside – a bit of Spring is drawing me already!
You’ll get caught up, Lisa! We know that – enjoy the time to play a bit too!!!
I shouldn’t but I’m in! I’ll stitch along with you and all the designers because you all are best and make it so fun. I’ll be using scraps because the bins are overflowing. I haven’t chosen a background yet- and I’m pretty sure I’ll be making just the 6” size. If you can squeeze it in I certainly should be able to keep up too.😉 I don’t know how you get so much done. You inspire always. Thanks!
I bet your block will be beautiful! Can’t wait to see it!
I’m intrigued and thinking of joining
Looking forward to doing this one. But I have to finish O Say Can You Sew before I start!
After seeing Garden Gatherings again, I remember how much I loved it when it had just come out. Reconsidering joining along with Socialites 2 now…….
Looking forward to Sewcialites 2! Sewcialites 1 was a lot of fun, although it still needs to be quilted! Beautiful fabric line. Enjoy the nice weather and have a fun weekend.
I’m going to do this sew a long but I can’t decide which size of blocks to make!
Garden Gatherings looks very inviting!
Garden gatherings is beautiful! I think Sewcialites will be fun too.
So glad to have a new winter project!
Thanks Lisa! I always read your blog, I should post a comment more often. You always have a ton of information and good stuff for all of us. I am feeling so inspired after attending your pumpkin event this past Monday. I can’t wait to plan a longer visit and actually stay at The Gathering. Thank you again for all you do, enjoy the nice weather this weekend. I starched some fabric tonight and I’m planning on doing some sewing this weekend with my patio door open!
Carol Walters
Are you hunting in the Yoop? Come on up, weather is supposed to be great here too! I love Garden Gatherings too! Just finished one quilt with it and on to my second with the leftovers!!!
I will be joining after we finish moving my daughter. Very excited about this one. Think I may do 1 too.
I’m doing Sewcialites 2 as well. I participated also in Sewcialites 1 and had so much fun!!! But to be truthful, I still haven’t finished Moda Blockheads 4.😭😭 Oh well. I guess I will eventually. Right?!
My MBH4 isn’t completely finished yet either – don’t feel bad! I have all the blocks complete but will be working on putting everything together over the weekend. That’s the goal anyway… LOL!
Always so much good information in your posts Lisa. And inspiration and temptation!
Can’t wait for another Socialites QAL! I love seeing all the different fabrics that people choose. What size box will you be making?
Hi Susuan! I’m pretty sure I’m going to go with the six-inch size but I haven’t set it in stone yet.
Thank you so much for your newsletters. They always motivate me to get up and sewing! Have a wonderful weekend!!
Thanks for sharing your excitement about Sewcialites. It’s inspired me to join in the fun!
Wow! This is so exciting… love your blog, and all the detailed information!,,, if you have to look forward to winter, for me is the fires in the fireplace, great comfort food, and getting all those projects I have put off doing because of wanting to be outside in the warm weather! Have a great weekend…
You always know how to keep us busy! So many projects, so little time. If only we could buy some time along with our fabric and pattern purchases! Garden Gatherings is just beautiful, so many possibilities….hmmmm.
I am using scraps in red, blue, yellow and pink. I love the setting and hope it is as pretty as it is in my head
There seems to always be another project yet to start. I like to keep up with them but then with 4 kids and 6 grandsons and 2 granddaughters, it seems I’m always making something for family! Your plans for this project using your floral fabric line sounds perfect!
Hey…hope you enjoy the haunted house! Not me, thank you very much! I’ll pass! 🤷🏼♀️
Sewcialites looks fun, but I may have to pass that too! Time to play catch up. Looking forward to receiving red/white fabric in November.
Anyway, enjoy this beautiful weather! Oh and have a very happy birthday tomorrow! I sure had fun with friends on my mine! See you soon!
Pat W
Welcome back, Lisa! I love the idea of using Garden Gatherings for this QAL! I may have to follow your lead…still trying to decide on just the right fabrics, but I think that might be it!
Just finishing up with Hogs for Heroes quilt. Better late than never! I regret not doing Sewcialites 1 so plan to do Sewcialites 2 6″ version. There’s always something fun to look forward to on your blog and youtube channel. I look forward to it every week.
I love your blog and how you promote others peoples work along with your own beautiful quilt patterns.
Thanks for always keeping it real, sometimes we just can’t keep up with our ideal schedule…and that’s ok 😄
I plan on doing the Sewcialites QAL, just trying to decide between 3 or 6 inch block
Garden Gatherings will be perfect for this ❤️❤️
Thanks for all the information on the Socialites Sew Along. Very tempting! Can’t wait tosee what you make with that beautiful fabric line.
This sounds like fun! Looking forward to it!
This is pretty !
I have already sewn block #1 and am eagerly waiting for the next posting!
Looks like a fun project! Still trying to complete my “Oh, Say Can You sew…”, so will have to pass on this one for now. But a big thank you to all the shops/companies that are willing to put out these series of blocks for all of us to enjoy. You help make life enjoyable.
Your inspiration has me thinking of joining in on all the fun of Socialites 2. I think I’ll use my reproduction fabrics and make them six inch. Can’t wait to see yours in your fabric line.
That sounds like a great idea Gloria! Can’t wait to see your finished product!
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