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At a Crossroad

Sometimes when you come to a crossroad, you change directions. That is what I am doing this week with a new fabric layout for week 7’s block, Crossroad.

The fabrics I used are from a new line by Heidi Pridemore of The Whimsical Workshop called Woodcut Blossoms. Here is Seasons of Love in a digital mock up of the fabrics.

I really love how the overall colors are blues with that great pop of pink.

This week, when YOU make a Crossroad block and post it Instagram (read rules below) you may be the lucky winner of a Woodcut Blossom Fatquarter bundle! Here’s a look at the whole line.

How do I win this awesome prize?

  • Follow both hosts on Instagram: Lissa and Cassandra
  • Follow our weekly sponsor on Instagram: The Whimsical Workshop
  • Use the primary and weekly hashtags: #quiltconcert2022 and #quiltconcert2022week7
  • Tell us in your post if you are a US or international resident. This week’s prize is available to US Residents.
  • Post a photo of your Crossroad Block using a public Instagram account by 11:59 Eastern on Thursday, July 21th, 2022 (if you don’t want to make your primary account public, you can always create a second, public account to use for this quilt along and other projects like this)
  • Winners will be selected by random drawing and will be contacted via Instagram direct message by Saturday, July 23, 2022. The winner must claim their prize by responding to the message with their mailing address by 11:59pm on Monday, July 25th, 2022. If the prize is not claimed at that time, we will select an alternate winner.

Last but not least!!!

Here is the download! Remember it’s only free until the end of the weekend. Then you can find it at ShoppeLovinglyLissa

See ya later, alligators!!

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Optical Illusion

We are half way through the blocks with a really big one this week!

The Optical Illusion block is the main focus of the quilt and introduces a new technique, the Half Rectangle Triangle.

Cassandra has written very clear instructions for the HRT and also created a video that you can check out. Half Rectangle Triangles have a bit of a twist to them, so make sure you read through and watch.

Isn’t it beautiful? I can imagine a whole quilt with just this block, can’t you?

If you are here after July 10th head over to Cassandra’s Etsy shop to purchase this block.

This week’s Sponsor

Have you read Make Modern? I adore this quilt magazine. The Ladies there are wonderful supporters of quilt designers. My patterns Stargazing and Rising Star were both originally published in Make Modern.

Make Modern will send a six month subscription to one lucky Concert Goer.

How do I win this awesome prize?

  • Follow both hosts on Instagram: Lissa and Cassandra
  • Follow our weekly sponsor on Instagram: Make Modern Magazine
  • Use the primary and weekly hashtags: #quiltconcert2022 and #quiltconcert2022week6
  • Tell us in your post if you are a US or international resident. This week’s prize is international!!
  • Post a photo of your Optical Illusion Block using a public Instagram account by 11:59 Eastern on Thursday, July 14th, 2022 (if you don’t want to make your primary account public, you can always create a second, public account to use for this quilt along and other projects like this)
  • Winners will be selected by random drawing and will be contacted via Instagram direct message by Saturday, July 16, 2022. The winner must claim their prize by responding to the message with their mailing address by 11:59pm on Monday, July 18th, 2022. If the prize is not claimed at that time, we will select an alternate winner.
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Monthly Color Challenge

Purple Sumac

I am so thrilled to return to the Monthly Color Challenge hosted by Jen Shaffer. I chose this month more for the color Purple than for the spice. I seem to always be drawn to purple, you’ll see my logo is designed in purple. I would love to use purple more in quilts, but it doesn’t photograph very well so it’s not that great a choice for pattern covers.

I created the this month’s block to finish at 6″. I LOVED creating the small square inside a square piece. It’s so much fun to work on a small scale.

I used a purple Kona sheen for the main fabric and a light purple grunge for the highlight.

To get the block to lay as flat as possible, make sure to use a mix of open seems and spun seems when pressing. It really makes a difference.

I actually do have a pattern out that features a purple background fabric!! Rising Star is a paper pieced pattern that comes with two layout options. Or you can create a grid to design as you want! For the month of July use coupon code RSPURPLESUMAC at QuiltPatternMart for an additional 20% off this pattern!!

Click on over to the other Monthly Color Challenge bloggers to say hi!

Jen Shaffer – Patterns by Jen

Kathy Nester – Penny for My Thoughts

Lissa LaGreca – Lovingly, Lissa   <—  You are here!

Kathy Bruckman – Kathy’s Kwilts and More

Raylee Bielenberg – Sunflower Stitcheries

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Hayes Corner, Part Deux

Are you ready for the second half of Hayes Corner? This week we are making the Hayes Four Patch Corner. It goes pretty much like last week’s block, except there are four patches where the Half Square Triangles were.

Sorry about the digital drawing, this is the one block I forgot to grab a photo of when I was making them. LOL!!

Once again, please be aware of color placement, and directional placement when you sew the whole quilt top together!

Remember!!!! These instructions are only available for free until July 3rd at midnight Eastern. After that time you will be able to purchase them for $2 at ShoppeLovinglyLissa for a limited time.

This week’s Sponsor

Have you wanted to try out Aurifil Thread? They have a wonderful Color Builder Series and in 2021 Cassandra designed a free pattern for every month to go with the thread!

This week, post your block and you will be entered to win one color builder box from 2021, your choice!

How do I win this awesome prize?

  • Follow both hosts on Instagram: Lissa and Cassandra
  • Follow our weekly sponsor on Instagram: Aurifil
  • Use the primary and weekly hashtags: #quiltconcert2022 and #quiltconcert2022week5
  • Tell us in your post if you are a US or international resident. This week’s prize is international!!
  • Post a photo of your cut fabric using a public Instagram account by 11:59 Eastern on Thursday, July 7th, 2022 (if you don’t want to make your primary account public, you can always create a second, public account to use for this quilt along and other projects like this)
  • Winners will be selected by random drawing and will be contacted via Instagram direct message by Saturday, July 9, 2022. The winner must claim their prize by responding to the message with their mailing address by 11:59pm on Monday, July 11th, 2022. If the prize is not claimed at that time, we will select an alternate winner.

See you next week!!!

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Putting Baby in a Corner

The next two weeks are the Hayes Corner block which Cassandra and I split into two sections. The full Hayes Corner blocks will look like this in the quilt:

We separated them out to help with the final quilt construction. This week you are creating what we call the Hayes Triangle Corner and it will look like this;

Once again, please read over the pattern and watch where the color placement goes. We didn’t mean to be so tricky, but we do like to keep you on your toes!

Remember!!!! These instructions are only available for free until June 12th at midnight Eastern. After that time you will be able to purchase them for $2 at ShoppeLovinglyLissa

This week’s Sponsor

Let’s all give a round of applause to Hobbs Bonded Fibers for sponsoring this our quilt along this week! Hobbs will be sending a Queens size heirloom 80/20 batting to one of our Concert Goers.

How do I win this awesome prize?

  • Follow both hosts on Instagram: Lissa and Cassandra
  • Follow our weekly sponsor on Instagram: Hobbs Batting
  • Use the primary and weekly hashtags: #quiltconcert2022 and #quiltconcert2022week4
  • Tell us in your post if you are a US or international resident. This week’s prize is only available to US residents, but we have international prizes coming up in future weeks!
  • Post a photo of your cut fabric using a public Instagram account by 11:59 Eastern on Thursday, June 30, 2022 (if you don’t want to make your primary account public, you can always create a second, public account to use for this quilt along and other projects like this)
  • Winners will be selected by random drawing and will be contacted via Instagram direct message by Saturday, July 2, 2022. The winner must claim their prize by responding to the message with their mailing address by 11:59pm on Tuesday July 5th, 2022. If the prize is not claimed at that time, we will select an alternate winner.

Now Appearing at Quilt Pattern Mart!

Both Quilt Concert patterns are available now in their own shop at Quilt Pattern Mart!!! Cassandra and I both have shops there as well. Be sure to scroll down the designer page and check out all the talent at Quilt Pattern Mart!

Until the end of June, you can use coupon QSOPENINGNIGHT at Quilt Pattern Mart to receive 20% either or both of the Concert Patterns. Or, to make it super simple just click HERE and it will automatically be added to your cart!

Lovingly, Lissa

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Lucky Clover

How did block 1 go? It got a little tricky with the color placement, but just keep an eye on the diagrams and you should be good to go!

This week we are sewing up block 2, Lucky Clover. Once again, be sure to keep a sharp eye on the diagrams to see where the different fabrics are placed.

Remember to download the block instructions for FREE until Sunday June 19th. After that day you can find them at Cassandra’s Etsy Shop for $2 (but that is also a limited time). Block 1, The Nine Patch T, is still available at Shoppe Lovingly Lissa through Thursday, June 23rd.

Now Appearing at Quilt Pattern Mart!

Both Quilt Concert patterns are available now in their own shop at Quilt Pattern Mart!!! Cassandra and I both have shops there as well. Be sure to scroll down the designer page and check out all the talent at Quilt Pattern Mart!

Until the end of June, you can use coupon QSOPENINGNIGHT at Quilt Pattern Mart to receive 20% either or both of the Concert Patterns. Or, to make it super simple just click HERE and it will automatically be added to your cart!

This Week’s Sponsor

Electric Quilt is our sponsor this week! They will be sending one lucky Concert Goer a copy of Barbara Brackman’s Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt Patterns. This book is the Holy Grail of quilt blocks! It is where almost every block that we use in the Quilt Concerts comes from. Anyone and Everyone who is a quilter should own this book!

How do I win this awesome prize?

  • Follow both hosts on Instagram: Lissa and Cassandra
  • Follow our weekly sponsor on Instagram: Electric Quilt
  • Use the primary and weekly hashtags: #quiltconcert2022 and #quiltconcert2022week3
  • Tell us in your post if you are a US or international resident. This week’s prize is only available to US residents, but we have international prizes coming up in future weeks!
  • Post a photo of your Lucky Clover block using a public Instagram account by 11:59 Eastern on Thursday, June 23, 2022 (if you don’t want to make your primary account public, you can always create a second, public account to use for this quilt along and other projects like this)
  • Winners will be selected by random drawing and will be contacted via Instagram direct message by Saturday, June 25, 2022. The winner must claim their prize by responding to the message with their mailing address by 11:59pm on Monday, JJune 27, 2022. If the prize is not claimed at that time, we will select an alternate winner.

I can’t wait to see your blocks!!

Lovingly, Lissa

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Let’s start Sewing!!!

All right Quilty Friends! You’ve pulled your fabric, you’ve cut your pieces. Let’s start sewing this week.

Our first block is called the Nine Patch T.

Let me give you a strong word of advice, READ all the instructions before you start sewing this block!!!! The fabric colors change placement on the stitch and flip blocks as well as the pressing directions, so pay attention or you and your seam ripper are gonna be enjoying each other’s company!!!!

Remember!!!! These instructions are only available for free until June 12th at midnight Eastern. After that time you will be able to purchase them for $2 at ShoppeLovinglyLissa

If you don’t purchase the cutting instructions by June 16th, you can get them by purchasing the complete pattern.

This Week’s Sponsor

Sew Fine Thread gloss is something you will find pretty much any place I sit and sew in my home. Don’t believe me? Here are a few photos I just went through my Instagram account and found.

I also have a little tutorial on my Instagram account on how to melt it back down and clean out the lint if it starts to get a little fuzzy! That small blue tin up there is almost empty, it is a lovely Pina Colada scent.

Why do I use Sew Fine for hand stitching? Honestly, it keeps the thread from tangling and knotting up. I feel like I can cut slightly longer threads because of that. I really do have three tins around my house and a few more unopened waiting their turn. It’s great to have them where ever I sit to sew.

Sew Fine is going to send one set of three tins to a lucky winner this week! USA and CANADA residents are eligible!

How do I win this awesome prize?

  • Follow both hosts on Instagram: Lissa and Cassandra
  • Follow our weekly sponsor on Instagram: Sew Fine Thread Gloss
  • Use the primary and weekly hashtags: #quiltconcert2022 and #quiltconcert2022week2
  • Tell us in your post if you are a US or international resident. This week’s prize is only available to US and Canadian residents, but we have international prizes coming up in future weeks!
  • Post a photo of your cut fabric using a public Instagram account by 11:59 Eastern on Thursday, June 16, 2022 (if you don’t want to make your primary account public, you can always create a second, public account to use for this quilt along and other projects like this)
  • Winners will be selected by random drawing and will be contacted via Instagram direct message by Saturday, June 18, 2022. The winner must claim their prize by responding to the message with their mailing address by 11:59pm on Monday, June 20, 2022. If the prize is not claimed at that time, we will select an alternate winner.

I can’t wait to see your blocks!!

Lovingly, Lissa

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Seasons of Love

Woot! Woot!

It’s time to get started with the Quilt Concert 2022 Quilt Along. I am so excited for us!

As you have seen by now, my quilt is a lovely red/pink colorway for Valentine’s day. I’ve always wanted a red quilt, but I have always been terrified of the colors bleeding in the wash. These Painter’s Palette solids from PBS Fabrics were washed in hot water with color catchers and didn’t leave any dye behind, so I think I’m safe! Cassandra has this bundle for sale in her Etsy Shop if you would like to recreate it!

Valentine Bundle

Are you ready to get started?

Remember!!!! These instructions are only available for free until June 5th at midnight Eastern. After that time you will be able to purchase them for $2 at ShoppeLovinglyLissa

If you don’t purchase the cutting instructions by June 16th, you can get them by purchasing the complete pattern.

This week’s Sponsor

Let’s all give a round of applause to Hobbs Bonded Fibers for sponsoring this our quilt along this week! Hobbs will be sending a Queens size heirloom 80/20 batting to one of our Concert Goers.

How do I win this awesome prize?

  • Follow both hosts on Instagram: Lissa and Cassandra
  • Follow our weekly sponsor on Instagram: Hobbs Batting
  • Use the primary and weekly hashtags: #quiltconcert2022 and #quiltconcert2022cutting
  • Tell us in your post if you are a US or international resident. This week’s prize is only available to US residents, but we have international prizes coming up in future weeks!
  • Post a photo of your cut fabric using a public Instagram account by 11:59 Eastern on Thursday, June 9, 2022 (if you don’t want to make your primary account public, you can always create a second, public account to use for this quilt along and other projects like this)
  • Winners will be selected by random drawing and will be contacted via Instagram direct message by Saturday, June 11, 2022. The winner must claim their prize by responding to the message with their mailing address by 11:59pm on Monday, June 13, 2022. If the prize is not claimed at that time, we will select an alternate winner.

Now go get cutting!!!!!!!

Lovingly, Lissa

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Quilt Concert 2022 Presents….

Our Sponsors!!!

You know what Cassandra and I  love most about the Quilting Community?  The love and support we receive from others. It has blown us away this year and last year.  We are so appreciative and thankful for the support of the sponsors for the Quilt Concert Series.

We are proud to introduce to you our Quilt Concert Sponsors…

Hobbs Bonded Fibers

Hobbs has manufactured high-quality quilt batting (wadding) for hobbyist, commercial, art and show quilters since 1978.

Hancock’s of Paducah

Established in 1969, Hancock’s of Paducah holds three generations of fabric knowledge service and selection. Their vision is to promote artistic creativity through textiles.  

Oliso

Surprise, Delight and Simplify your life.  Ergonomic productions designed to make your creative life more enjoyable.

Aurifil

Aurifil is an accomplished Italian company based in Milan, specializing in the production of 100% Cotton threads from the Mako region of Egypt. The threads have achieved worldwide success thanks to a dedicated collective of quilters, sewists, embroiderers, and textile artists who herald the thread for its versatility, its strength, and the fact that it produces virtually no lint.

Electric Quilt

The Electric Quilt Company’s mission is to provide quilters with the best software and support for turning their quilt design ideas into reality. In addition to its flagship quilt design software and add-ons, the company also offers companion books, printable fabric, and software education for quilters around the world.

Make Modern Magazine

Make Modern is Australia’s only dedicated modern quilt magazine. It began in 2014 when a group of passionate quilters had a dream of producing a magazine for quilters, by quilters, filled with beautiful patterns and articles to inspire quilters like us to make more modern quilts!

Sew Fine Thread Gloss

Sew Fine Thread Gloss is a beeswax based scented (and unscented) thread conditioner to help tame your unruly threads and make your hand-sewing a more enjoyable experience.

The Whimsical Workshop

The Whimsical Workshop, LLC is a full-service design studio and retailer led by Heidi and Matthew Pridemore. We specialize in bright, fun quilt patterns, fabric, fabric kits, books and licensing.  We also offer lectures and workshops about design, quilting and crafting.

Fat Quarter Shop

The Fat Quarter Shop was founded in 2003 by Kimberly Jolly. An avid quilter, Kimberly began her shop as a side business while still working a corporate position, cutting, packing and shipping right out of her house during evenings and weekends. From the very beginning, she was committed to delivering top-notch service for every single order and customer.

Every one of these companies has provided a weekly prize for our Concert this year, and we’ve also put together a Grand Prize package at the end.

Each week, Cassandra and I will highlight one of the Sponsors and let you know what the prize is.  You will have to post a photo of that week’s block by a certain date, follow Cassandra, me and the Sponsor on Instagram, and use the hashtag #quiltconcert2022weekNUMBER (replace NUMBER with the digit number of the week)  Full details will be in each week’s post.

Now, how can you contribute to this community?  It’s easy.  Just head to each sponsor page, take a look around, follow them on Instagram.  If you are so inclined, support them with a purchase.  

Show them your appreciation too!  Without them, our Quilt Along wouldn’t be as much fun.

Lovingly, Lissa

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Quilt Concert 2022 – Seasons of Love

Concert (verb) Arrange by mutual coordination

Concert (noun) Public performance typically given by multiple performers

Lissa of Lovingly Lissa and Cassandra of The (not so) Dramatic Life invite you to attend the second annual Quilt Concert!

This year’s FREE* quilt along features a shortened timeline that means you will have a completed quilt top by the end of August!

*Patterns are available for free for a limited period of time. More details below.

Valentine Colorway by yours truly.

Design

It’s a medallion! We loved working with alternative grid work last year, and continued that technique with this year’s design. Here are a few key features of this years Quilt Concert:

*Includes six traditional blocks 

*Additional blocks using traditional components tie the design together

*Construction uses all straight line seams and traditional machine piecing techniques (no curves, foundation paper piecing, appliqué, etc.)

*Visual interest is added through a non-symmetrical design

*Finishes at 60″ square for a generously sized lap quilt

Halloween Colorway from Cassandra Beaver

How it Works

Each Friday at 12:01am Eastern time, Cassandra and I will post a blog that includes the instructions for that week.  These instructions will be free for three days, so make sure you download the instructions before the end of the day on Sunday. On Monday morning the free download will be removed.

If you miss a download, the stand alone block will be available for $2 at the link provided on the post for twelve days.  

New for 2022! The full pattern will be released for purchase next week on Friday, May 20, 2022! This is great news for those of you who like to work ahead to account for an upcoming vacation or if you like to make a full project all at once.

There are lots of fantastic prizes this year! Each time you finish the goal for the week, post a picture on Instagram using the hashtags for that week, and you will have a chance to win that week’s prize. (More on this next week!)

The best way to stay on top of the free pattern downloads is to subscribe to my and/or Cassandra’s newsletter! Each Friday morning during the quilt along we send out the link you need to get to the free download.

Subscribe to the Lovingly, Lissa newsletter!

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Fabric Requirements

Quilt Concert 2022 features six fabric colors. The color in parenthesis indicates the color that is shown in the diagram.

Fabric A (Purple): 1 yard

Fabric B (Fuchsia): 1 yard

Fabric C (Green): 1- 3/8 yards

Fabric D (Yellow): 1-1/8 yards

Fabric E (Pink): 2/3 yard

Fabric F (Black): 1-1/3 yards

This year Cassandra and I each made our sample quilts using holiday inspiration. (Thanks to everyone who voted to help us choose the color ways!) 

Cassandra is thrilled to offer fabric bundles for my Valentines Day themed quilt and her Halloween themed quilt. Additionally, the vote was so close (just one vote!) between Halloween and Americana that Cassandra decided to offer the Americana fabric bundle, too!

We love seeing different color schemes, so below is a coloring sheet to help you experiment with color placement.

This quilt could also be fun using scrappy fabrics, just remember that you may end up needing more total yardage than is listed to make sure you have the right sizes to cut all of your pieces.

PJ Jam

Starting June 3 Cassandra and I will be hosting a weekly Pajama Jam Session on Friday evening from 9:30 to 10:30pm Eastern time. Get in your comfy pj’s, grab a snack, and we’ll all sew together! To protect everyone’s privacy, the Zoom link will only be sent out via our newsletters, so make sure you sign up!

Subscribe to the Lovingly, Lissa newsletter!

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Badge

Spread the word about the Quilt Concert quilt along! Save the image below and post it to Instagram for your first chance to win! Post by May 25, 2022, and you will be entered to win a $25 gift card from Fat Quarter Shop!

Timeline

Starting Now: Purchase and/or pull your fabrics. Sign up for the newsletters put out by Lovingly Lissa and/or The (not so) Dramatic Life to make sure you receive all of the notifications. Post the I’m attending badge for a chance to win the first prize of the quilt along! 

May 20: Full Pattern available for purchase

May 25: Last day to post the “I’m Attending” badge for the prize drawing

May 27: Winner of the first quilt along prize is announced!

June 3: Cutting Instructions (Lovingly Lissa)

June 10 Block 1: Nine Patch T (Lovingly Lissa)

June 17 Block 2: Lucky Clover (The Not So Dramatic Life)

June 24 Block 3: Hayes Triangle Corner (Lovingly Lissa)

July 1 Block 4: Hayes 4 Patch Corner (Lovingly Lissa)

July 8 Block 5: Optical Illusion (The Not So Dramatic Life)

July 15 Block 6: Crossroad (Lovingly Lissa)

July 22 Block 7: City Square (The Not So Dramatic Life)

July 29 Block 8: Towers (Lovingly Lissa)

August 5 Block 9: Interconnection (The Not So Dramatic Life)

August 12 Block 10: Flying Geese (Lovingly Lissa)

August 19: Assembly (The Not So Dramatic Life)

August 26: Quilting Suggestions

September 1: Final day to submit a photo of your quilt top to be entered in the grand prize drawing

September 9: Final Round Up and Grand Prize Announcement

I look forward to seeing you all! I can’t wait to get started.

Lovingly, Lissa