FYI: October 2025

Join the third season of the Spooky Season Sampler for free hauntingly fun patterns delivered to your inbox from October 1-9.

Fat Quarter Shop has an adorable seasonal pattern up for grabs that is both spooky and sweet. 

Quilt Block Mania for October has a fall theme, and there are some "not to be missed" patterns:

              

Jennifer Wagner of Snapdragon Quilting has devised a neat way to obtain pieced curves without adding seams. Check out her YouTube channel and the video below.

 

The Solstice Sampler runs from October 12 - December 14, so sign up now for free patterns.

Because you can never have too many artistic pursuits... perhaps some of you want to whip up a bag, or play around with leather/faux leather.  Helaine of Springbok Craft Co. is delightfully entertaining and generous with her leather bag patterns and tutorials. Check her out on YouTube or pick up her patterns on Etsy.

   

For faux leather, Simply Classic (referral link) also has an awesome community and patterns that include video tutorials.

I saw a pretty clever covered corner quilt facing idea at the Oliso booth by Colleen Carlson with a free pdf download for a limited time.

 

FYI: July 2025

Brittany at Lo and Behold Stitchery is hosting Summer Scrap Bash, which runs until August 7. Four coordinating block patterns are shared as part of the sew along, cumulating in a scrappy finished top. Opportunities to share progress and win prizes (IG account required) are part of the fun. Check out #summerscrapbash and #loandbeholdpatterns on IG to see what the community is making. Tips for planning, organizing and sewing are sent via e-mail, and you can sign up here.

Cheryl at Meadow Mist Designs is hosting her eleventh annual mystery quilt along, Magnificent Mystery Quilt Along, from July '25 to April '26.  Instructions to make the throw-size quilt will be posted on the first Thursday of each month on her blog.

Angela Walters of Quilting is my Therapy is hosting a free weekly video series, Negative Spaces Free-Motion Challenge Quilting Along this month.

Debbie at Piecing the Past Quilts is hosting a "Baskets, Birds, and Blooms" block of the month. There's no charge, but you can make a donation if you like.

FYI November 2024

Bethanne Nemish, a very generous and experienced quilter, is offering a free feather class.

You don't need to wait until Black Friday for sales at Fat Quarter Shop. Daily category sales can save you up to 50%.

FYI: June 2024

I hope your introduction to summer has been a good one. My kids just wrapped up school, and will be starting up summer sports and programs before long. I'm also going be starting a fun project with Fat Quarter Shop. Lori Holt has designed an adorable scarecrow quilt that I'll be piecing from assorted batik fabrics. The year-long Quilted Scarecrow Sew Along begins June 9 with the first "Scarecrow Sunday". 

Check out the blocks being made and share your progress with the #QuiltedScarecrowQAL hashtag. To participate, you need the pattern (available as a paper copy or a downloadable, but not tangible, pdf) and fabrics of your choice. There's a kit from Lori Holt's Autumn fabrics available for those who want to simplify the selection of fabrics. I also think Quiet Grace fabrics by Kim Diehl for Henry Glass would be very well-suited to this pattern.

For cross stitchers, there is a stitch along you can follow or join  (#TheQuiltedScarecrowSAL) complete with pattern (pdf or paper) and kit.

Angela Walters is starting a new quilt along. She's an excellent resource for all things free-motion.

Fellow US women, don't forget to celebrate 104 years of being allowed to vote by going out and making your choices for primaries. Review your candidates at https://www.vote411.org/plan-your-vote.

For those who are even more local to me (or fancy yourself a visit to the southwest), the Albuquerque Modern Quilt Guild is hosting the de-accumulation event of the season (or if we're being honest, it typical results in the opposite).

If you have you or your kiddos just scored all A's and have a Boba Tea near you (a rare combination---to be sure), check out the 2B Smart reward program.

My sewing machine case was on its last leg and needed replaced, and even though I'd adore a Tula Tutto, I went for a low-budget option from Harbor Freight. Don't forget to look for quilting supplies in unconventional locations. I also sighted this rotating mat at Tandy Leather.

FYI November 2022

Ever wanted to be a fabric brand ambassador? Benartex has their application open.

 Sew It Yourself Blog has tons of free project patterns. As an added bonus, they host monthly giveaways. Here's how to enter: 

ENTER THE GIVEAWAY!

We’re challenging YOU to #siysewityourself for a chance to WIN a mystery fabric bundle from one of our Jaftex brands.
⁠
Here’s how it works 👇:⁠
⭐1. Make ANY of the projects listed on SIYSewItYourself.com or the SIYblog.
⭐2. Share a photo of your completed project to your Instagram feed tagging @siysewityourself and #siysewityourself.⁠
⭐3. We will randomly select the winner and DM you as well as announce in the next SIY email.⁠
⭐4. Multiple projects count for multiple entries. ⁠
⁠
We can’t wait to see what you can #SIY! ⁠
(Eligible countries: US and Canada)

Art Gallery Fabrics Quilterpreneurs are offering free block patterns. Check out the post on the AGF blog.

You have until the 14th to join the Passport to Quilting Holiday Edition. It's free, so hurry and get all the fantastic patterns.

UNM Continuing Education is hosting the first annual Arts & Crafts Festival November 19. I'm teaching a free-motion class, so register if you're an ABQ local.

That else should quilters know about?

FYI October 2022

A collaboration with free quilt block patterns? Yes, please! Sign up for the Solstice Sampler. Check out everyone's blocks on IG at #SolsticeSampler2022.

Natalia of Piece N Quilt is giving free access to the 9 Patch 3.0 Quilt Along. Sign up to get the 12 free lessons for stitching.

This month, Quilt Block Mania is featuring farm-themed blocks. Gather your chickens...ahem, blocks... before the end of the month.

What other fun is happening that I neglected to mention? 

FYI September 2022

So many exciting things are going on, I need to keep you in the know!

C&T is having a major warehouse sale with up to 70% off.

Creativebug is having Free Week from the 19th to the 25th. There's no better time to take an online course.

Debbie of Piecing the Past Quilts is hosting a free quilt along, Harvest Gatherings, with a cozy fall-themed pattern. The program starts September 26, so sign up on her website now. Blocks are e-mailed each Monday, and kits are available. The finished size is 84" x 100".

If you want to work a little farther out, Fat Quarter Shop is hosting the Christmastime Mystery Quilt & Stitch Along Tuesdays September 13- August 11. Check out the Jolly Jabber blog for details.

Fat Quarter Shop is hosting daily giveaways in honor of National Sew a Jelly Roll Day. Check out the following Instagram accounts each day:

⁠🧵 Monday, 9/12 - @fatquartershop

🧵 Tuesday, 9/13 - @sliceofpiquilts⁠, @browneyedquilter⁠
🧵Wednesday, 9/14 - @happyquiltingmc⁠, @mistletoequiltingco⁠
🧵Thursday, 9/15 - @piecedjustsew⁠, @nicholspohr⁠
🧵Friday, 9/16 - @quilterpatsloan⁠
⁠

Also, don't forget Art Gallery Fabric's library of free quilt patterns. you can pick up the specified fabrics at Fat Quarter Shop.

What other news have you heard? Tell me if I've missed anything in the comments.

FYI December 2021

Perhaps the snow is starting to fall, and you're in the mood to make a holiday quilt. Click the logos below to be taken to some delightful, free quilt alongs and holiday fun.

Moda Cozy Little Christmas

And to get you all set for the project, check out the holiday collections at Fat Quarter Shop.

Cozy & Magical Fabrics