Hey everyone, and welcome to the weekend! Friday is upon us yet again and you know what that means – it’s time for another Sewcialites 2 block release! This week’s block designer is one of my fellow Moda sisters and friends, Lissa Alexander of ModaLissa.com. Lissa is best known for being a talented quilt maker, savvy businesswoman, and Jill of many trades. One of her main roles is that of Marketing Manager for Moda Fabrics where she has not only worked behind the scenes with other talented Moda designers on their book projects, but has also written and co-written several excellent quilting and creative books herself. Her latest, Oh, Scrap! is available now in stores and online for purchase – I highly recommend it. Oh, Scrap! features a dozen unique scrap quilts bursting with colors, prints, and textures – all sure to dazzle your eye. I love a good scrap buster which is why I love this book! If you’d like to order a copy of Oh, Scrap! for your sewing room library I’d be happy to help – just hit the button below!

With over 40 years of quilting experience under her belt, Lissa describes herself as a lover of both scrappy and two-color quilts. She is a firm believer in the idea of including as many fabrics and designers into a project as she can. Her attitude is, “the more, the better” because that way she has a “good” reason to use more fabric, and then in-turn BUY more fabric to replenish her stash. LOL! Sounds reasonable to me… 

Lissa’s block, “Nurture“ is fairly simple but may pose some challenges for newer quilters. The layout is basic, consisting of four 2-patch blocks and five square in a square blocks, all the same size. While the 2-patch blocks are beginner level, the square in a square blocks are mostly likely the reason “Nurture“ was given the “Intermediate” rating on the skills level scale.

As you know, there are a lot of things that can go wrong when making square in a square units, which often times means wonky looking blocks with inadequate seam allowance at your points as a result. During her tutorial on this block, Kim Jolly of Fat Quarter Shop recommends using square in a square papers to help keep things neat and tidy during this process. Feeling apprehensive? Don’t. For step-by-step help and guidance through it all you can watch Kim’s full tutorial on Block #11 by clicking HERE! For the full pattern and instructions for “Nurture“ click the link below.

If you’ve been following along with my progress so far, you know that I’ve decided to use my Garden Gatherings fabric line for this quilt-along, leaving out the five tans. For the background I’m using a selection from the Garden Gathering Shirtings Collection, #49176 15 – a cream fabric with an adorable tiny mustard/orange floral print. Want to do yours just like mine? Click the button below to shop Garden Gatherings fabric while it’s still in stock!

In case you are still trying to decide whether or not to participate in Sewcialites 2, don’t worry about being behind. One of the best parts of this quilt-along is that you can do it on your time, however your schedule allows – you can join us at any time! Previously released blocks are 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.Are you having fun yet? I am! You know how I love my sew and quilt-alongs. In fact, I’m a little jealous of Jess right now… If you got a change to watch our LIVE show this week, she mentioned the 2023 Moda Charm Pack Challenge that she was getting ready to start. If you’re not familiar with it, Moda is hosting a virtual #CharmPackChallenge sew along over this weekend – January 14th and 15th – where participants will make the Moda Love Star block using charm packs. Fun right!? I would usually be joining Jess in this fun little game but since I’m still traveling out west, it’s going to have to be all her this year. Then again, coincidentally enough, the famous Lissa Alexander just so happens to also be doing this challenge and come to find out, she’s a full quilt version in my Red & White Gatherings line! I’m sure it looks stunning. She promised me a photo so I will post it later with the rest of the challenge details. If this fun challenge sounds like something you’d like to participate in hang tight. I am going to put together a post later on today explaining all the details, so keep an eye out for that.

Well everyone, I’m being paged by the girls to step away from the work and get back to all the play… I’m sure you’re surprised to hear that Val, Darcie, and I are having a blast doing all the things we do when we’re on the loose on a quilting rampage and away from our husbands. Yesterday after a pampering at the spa we kept the fun going when we visited a new “Sew Yeah” quilt shop location in Las Vegas. It was huge, and awesome and…. it only took me a matter of minutes to find  something that felt awfully familiar out on display, so that was pretty cool (that’s Starlight Gatherings!).

We’re hoping to get some hiking and other adventures in before heading to UT to visit another friend so it should be great. Time to get back to it! I will see you all back here later this evening when I post the details on the Moda Charm Pack Challenge and announce this week’s comment prize winners. Don’t miss it – it could be you! See you then. ~Lisa