Hey everyone, welcome back! I was just wondering if you got a chance to watch STITCH with Lisa last Thursday. If you did, thanks for tuning in, and congrats to the prize winners! Bummer if you missed it, because that means you also missed out on the debut of my next fabric line release, Rustic Gatherings! I’m super excited about this line coming out and I have a lot of big plans for it. There will also be an exclusive project book that has about 12 different quilt designs in it released as well – all geared toward Rustic Gatherings. It’s going to be awesome! To give you an idea of what it’s like, this line is made up of all antique reproduction prints combined with cream, two shades of orange, three grays (light, medium, and dark), and a variety of blacks. It has a very autumn feel, but still can be used for many types of projects all year round. Prints include itsy-bitsy dots, stripes, triangles, swirls, teeny tiny buds, leaves, and flowers… You know me – I love small prints so of course, there’s a lot to look at!
This line is so new that I only have two completed quilts from the collection back in the studio so far. The rest are still out in the world somewhere being worked on by either me or one of my fantastic sample makers (I thank God for them, because without my team it would take me forever and a day to get everything done!). That being said, I don’t have photos of finished quilts to show you. What I do have is the computerized version which is almost just as good, so I figured heck! Let’s take a minute to look through them anyway.
First on our list is “Round Up.” I really like the gray background on this one. The geometrical orange shapes really seem to glow against it. I don’t know about you, but those shapes look a little like alien space ships cruising along in the night sky, giving this quilt a very Area 52 kind of vibe. Looks like we have company!
“Round Up.” is a very easy and contemporary quilt, all at the same time. Though it has 16 blocks in total, its simplicity makes it a great choice if you want a project you can crank out quick. Finished, “Round Up.” is 78″ x 96″.
Check out this little beauty! “Home on the Range“ is one of the quilts I’m working on at the moment, and I am super close to being done. I have all the putzy stuff completed so I just need to put some time into it this week to get it finished up. If you’re looking for a quilt on the easier side, this is a good choice. Using the flip and sew method helps to make “Home on the Range“ simple, fast, and fun. 
All together, “Home on the Range” has nine total blocks and a lot of white space. It does require some some half-square triangles, but my custom designed triangle papers make easy work out of them so you really have nothing to worry about there (click HERE to shop PG Triangle Papers)! “Home on the Range” is a nice sized square quilt, and measures 85 1/2″ x 85 1/2″ when complete.
Next in line is “Country Courthouse.” As you probably already know, the courthouse quilt motif is a variation of the log cabin pattern. It features perfectly symmetrical strips on alternate sides of the center square, instead of “wrapping” around the square like a Log Cabin pattern would. Because of this symmetry, each row of strips resembles… you guessed it – the stairs of a courthouse. Courthouses were central fixtures in the 1800’s, so the symbol of the courthouse stairs was familiar and meaningful to quilters of that era. Fast forward to 2022 and here it is again, making a come back in this historically inspired fabric line!
I try to incorporate projects for all skill levels into each of my books with quilts ranging from super simple to seasoned quilter level. Simply put, “Country Courthouse“ has to be about as easy as it gets so if you’re new to quilting or just looking for a project that will go together at lighting speed, this could be the winner. Hey, and great news – there’s not a half-square triangle to be found in this pattern! Woo hoo! At 74″ x 82″ “Country Courthouse“ isn’t what I would consider a small quilt, but it’s not the biggest project out there either.
On the opposite of the spectrum we have “Thunderbird.” I really wish I could take credit for this stunning design, but I can’t. My fellow designer Alicia has been working just as hard on Rustic Gatherings as I have, putting in hours of effort between pattern designs and working on sample quilts. In fact, as gorgeous as it is, I took one look at “Thunderbird” and was like there is no way I’m piecing that… Alecia reports that she should be finished with the sample soon. LOL!
I love all the triangles in “Thunderbird,” and the squash orange really pops off the gray background. Different types, sizes, and orientations of the triangles give it what appear to be sharp edges protruding out at you with vibrating movement. I really like looking at it! Funny, if I stare at it long enough I start to see a tiki guy. Am I crazy? Maybe. “Thunderbird” is 62″ x 76″.
At 48″ x 48″ “Desert King“ is one of the smallest quilts in the book. I really like it for a lap quilt, but you could also use it as a wall hanging or décor on the back of your living room sofa. This little gem might be a small quilt but it has a big visual impact. We used three color variations of the same fabric which results in a unique and interesting look.
Loving “Desert King“ but wish it was bigger? You can always boarder it if you’re looking for a larger quilt. I try to incorporate projects of different sizes price ranges into every collection so you have options depending on your needs and budget.
Moving along, let’s talk about “Trading Post.” This quilt is definitely an Alicia design – you can tell by its busy southwest flavor. I love it! “Trading Post“ is the largest quilt in the book measuring 88″ x 96,” making it a nice size for a large bed. I really like the look of this one, to me it’s the perfect fall quilt for that special guy in your life. It would make a great gift for a kid going off to college or full grown adult.
Next in line we have a snowball quilt called “Pumpkin Spice.” In case you’re not familiar, a snowball block is simply a square that has little corners of a contrasting fabric. Like many classic quilt blocks, the “snowball” is named after what it – sort of – resembles. Snowball blocks are easy to make, and the white space they create allows you to show off your quilting, or even add your own personal touch with writing or appliqué!
Have I ever told you how much I love doing snowball quilts? They really are a cinch – so easy, so relaxing. They’re mindless, really. A project you can do while you watch TV! Sometimes that’s exactly what you need. Plus, if you like leader-ender projects, snowballs are the perfect choice. “Pumpkin Spice” has a neat look to it thanks to the layout plan of the snowballs. The grays, creams, and dark blacks combined create a cool looking gradient effect that’s fun for your brain. Finished, “Pumpkin Spice” measures 79″ x 87″.
“Montana“ is another collaboration project between Alicia and I. It features a bear paw motif with a cute nine patch in the center of each, and a nice chunky seminal border. I really love the way the colors seem to play off each other giving the quilt depth and movement. 
Measuring in at 59 1/2″ x 59 1/2″ “Montana” is not a very large quilt at all, making it a great option for wall or table décor. I think it turned out absolutely stunning. What do you think?
If you like traditional quilts, give “Rustic Trail“ a try. Even smaller than “Montana,” at 57″ x 57″ “Rustic Trail” is on the petite side as well. This quilt features what I will call very, “Oklahoma Trail” type blocks, with nine-patch-esque alternating blocks.
I know I mentioned earlier that there are twelve projects in the Rustic Gatherings book total, but since this line is so new three of them have yet to be finalized. Unfortunately, that means I don’t have the computer mock-ups of those last few yet, but no worries! There’s nothing wrong with a bit of mystery, nor is there anything wrong with exercising that little virtue we should all have called patience. It’s good for us! Plus, it will be that much sweeter when they are finally ready.
Now for some GOOD news. We anticipate the delivery date for Rustic Gatherings to be some time in May, 2023. I know you’re probably thinking that’s forever from now, and what’s good about that? Wellll… Now through December 5th, 2022 both the Rustic Gatherings book and Rustic Gatherings and pre-cuts are 20% OFF! Why December 5th? Because that’s MY deadline to have my order into Moda. I’m trying to be a better shopper this year and not buy all willy-nilly. I’d rather stock what we actually need instead of an abundance that takes up space I could be putting other new inventory in. Pre-ordering is basically doing me a favor by giving me a better idea of how much I need, so I figured I could do you one back with a discount. Plus, by pre-ordering you don’t run the risk of inventory selling out before you can get your hands on it. Win, win! This is basically the only time Rustic Gatherings will ever be on sale as a line so I’m not sure what you’re waiting for. Click the button below to shop Rustic Gatherings now!
If you would like to see these delicious fabrics more up close and personal, you can always catch the replay of last Thursday’s episode of STITCH with Lisa Bongean by clicking the link below. I walk you through the entire line and give you close up shots of each print and color so you can get a great feel for what the line really looks like. Are you excited yet? I’ll admit, this one is going to be extra hard to wait for… That whole patience thing I was talking about earlier is proving to be more difficult that I thought. But, as we all know time will fly and before we know it May will be here. There are plenty of things to keep us busy until then, no sense in wishing our lives away!
Alright everyone, I hope you enjoyed my little Tour de Rustic Gatherings. We’ll be back again tomorrow at bright and early at 9:30 a.m. for Shop Talk with Shelley, so don’t forget to set your reminders! And oh! I almost forgot – many of you wanted to know where I got my, “Name the Triangles” t-shirt that I was wearing last Thursday during LIVE, and I promised I’d post a link so here it is…
I love triangles and thought this shirt was super funny. So – I’m a triangle nerd, I’ll admit it. Guilty as charged! My love of triangles has literally fueled my creativity into a career so… I’m going to go out on a limb and say there’s nothing wrong with a little triangle obsession. It could certainly be worse! Enjoy the rest of your day and I will see you all tomorrow! ~Lisa
