Hey, everyone! Remember July? Yeah… neither do I! It sure has been a busy summer at Primitive Gatherings, and between a flood of new project releases, a retreat schedule that was busier than ever, and enough busy sewing energy in the air to make our heads spin, it’s no wonder I haven’t had a second to blog about my latest Monthly Mini Series release, Gladys.

As I’ve mentioned before, this year’s Monthly Monthly Mini Series is my way of honoring my mother, her amazing sisters, and the other important women in my life. July’s mini — number 15 — is named after my Aunt Gladys, one of my mother’s nine wonderful sisters. I picked the name Gladys for this quilt because she had a soft spot for flowers and loved bright, happy colors, just like what you’ll find in this quilt. The fabric I chose resembles the playful spirit of 1930s prints she adored, bringing a touch of my Auntie Gladys and her cheerful style to the project.

To make this sweet little quilt you’ll need two 5″ charm packs, plus about 1/8 yard of the binding fabric of your choice. If you’re picking your own charms, keep an eye on print quantities (some charm packs have two of each print, others have four, etc.) so you have enough of the right colors and patterns. The fabric I used for my version of Gladys is from the Feed Sacks: Good Works collection by Linzee Kull McCray for Moda Fabrics, which has that lovely 1930s look my Aunt Gladys would have adored.

I focused on smaller prints for the quilt top to keep it balanced. Then for my backing, I used some of the leftover charm squares — mainly the larger prints I didn’t use on the front — to complete the look. The finished quilt measures 13″ by 14½”. If you love how it turned out the same kit is available on our website by clicking the button above!

Ready to make my Auntie Gladys a part of your mini quilt family? This satisfying design is all squares pieced on the diagonal, making it simple and fun to put together — even if you’re new to this kind of sewing. And to make things even easier for you, I’ve got a video tutorial ready to go on my YouTube channel, STITCH with Lisa Bongean. Just click the STITCH button below to watch!

Well friends, I should probably wrap things up for the day and go release the impending inferno from the inside of my car. It’s a steamy, sticky day here in Larsen, WI — 90 degrees, blazing sun, and the kind of humidity that makes all Nick’s joints creak. With storms rolling in over the next few days, it’s the perfect time to dive into some quilting and keep my hands busy (and limber!) doing what they love. Have a great weekend, everyone. Stay cool — and safe — and I’ll see you next week! ~Lisa