Hey, everyone!

One of the best things about my job as a fabric designer is most definitely delivery day. There’s nothing quite like watching a semi roll up, loaded to the brim with something I designed, and seeing a new fabric line go from a stack of drawings and samples to actual bolts sitting in the shop waiting to be cut. Joyful Gatherings II has completed that journey, and I couldn’t be happier to tell you that it’s here — right on schedule, just like we hoped, and even more beautiful than we imagined.

Are you a planner who has your Christmas projects picked out months in advance, or do you wait until the holiday spirit strikes before deciding what to stitch? No matter which way your needle swings, I have a feeling Joyful Gatherings II will light a festive fire under your hiney either way! This collection has been waiting in the wings since we opened pre-orders last October, and now that it’s finally here, I can’t wait to see what everyone will make with it. The line includes 30 beautiful fabrics in traditional Christmas colors like rich reds, classic greens, and soft creams. From stars and sprigs to berries, poinsettias, stripes, and timeless geometric prints, this collection has all the holiday charm you’d expect — but with the versatility to use these fabrics all year long.

If there’s one particular element of Joyful Gatherings II that I’ve been especially excited about since the beginning, it’s the panel inspired by my 2025 wool appliqué quilt, Countdown to Christmas! While I thought the original wool appliqué blocks were super fun to make, I also realize that wool appliqué isn’t everyone’s jam, and wanted to create a way for everyone to enjoy those same festive designs. That’s when I came up with the idea to turn them into printed fabric squares that are ready to piece, stitch, and make your own!

Of course, I couldn’t create a Christmas fabric collection without designing a few quilts to go along with it, so here we go! Naturally, Joyful Gatherings II inspired several new projects featuring these fabrics, each with its own personality while still capturing that traditional holiday feel. From cozy Christmas quilts to smaller projects perfect for gift-giving, there are plenty of ways to put this collection to work!

Call me crazy, but I consider late summer the perfect time to start thinking ahead to Christmas sewing. The days are still long and hot, the crops are growing strong, and we continue to soak up every bit of sunshine we can possibly get, but that doesn’t mean it’s too early to start planning winter and holiday projects! Honestly, this is the sweet spot — Christmas still feels far enough away that I can enjoy the planning stage without the pressure, but it’s also close enough to remind me that December always has a way of showing up before I’m ready. Take it from me… a little bit of stitching now can save a whole lot of last-minute panic later!

Ready to dive into this beautiful line? Joyful Gatherings II has been a long time in the making, and I’m so happy to finally have it here and ready for you (and ME, for that matter) to enjoy. The full collection, along with the panel, pre-cuts, and project options, is available now both in the shop and online by clicking the buttons above!

Speaking of winter and Christmas projects — it’s been another hot one out there today! 85° with muggy haze isn’t exactly my favorite weather combo, but I’m not about to complain because tonight I get to trade my needle and thread for a little country music fun! Thanks to a very generous gift from one of our customers and LIVE with Lisa viewers, along with her son who happens to work closely with the artists involved with the Oshkosh Country Music Festival, my staff and I were lucky enough to score tickets to see one of my favorite country acts, Lainey Wilson!

We’ve never done something like this as a group before, so I’m not only looking forward to some great music and delicious food, but also to spending time with my crew outside of the shop. I don’t always get to see them in that setting, and I think that spending time together doing fun things is important. Team building matters! Even when the team is already perfect and couldn’t be any more in love with each other like MINE is… (😉) it’s still fun to get out, make some memories, and keep that bond strong, so… Lainey Wilson — here we come! See you all next week!

~Lisa