Two draws for Modern Bee quilt book

Thanks so much for all your great comments on the Modern Bee quilt book giveaway. After reading each one, I know you are all my peeps. The majority of us – though we love to sew and quilt with friends – when it gets down to getting the job done, alone is best. In short, groups motivate and inspire, while flying solo allows focused attention on our projects. Further, whether we sew in silence or stitch to music, TV, audio books or movies, alone gets us to a blissful state of contentment.

Now, back to the giveaway winners. Yes, you heard right, it’s plural. Not only is the publisher (Stash Books) of Lindsay Conner’s new book, Modern Bee: 13 Quilts to Make with Friends, giving away a copy to my first draw, I have decided to give away my review copy, also provided by Stash. That’s two draws and two winners!

Drum roll please…..allowing Random.org to do the choosing, winner number 1 is commenter 74, Jodie, who wrote,

While it’s nice to join in with friends I find I don’t actually get much done. We talk too much! Quilting by myself means that I can get the job done.

My second draw is commenter 76, Kylie, who said,

I like to sew alone. Its my time to relax and get lost in what I’m doing. I let my imagination do my best work.

Congratulations to the winners! You will get an email from me to wrap things up.

Thanks to all who entered, and do stay tuned for future Craft Gossip giveaways!

Next Quilting Pattern:

Some fabric collections feel pretty, some feel useful, and then there are those rare ones that instantly spark a dozen ideas the moment you see them. The In the Garden Layer Cake from Fat Quarter Shop falls firmly into that last category. From the moment I opened the pack, it felt like stepping into a watercolor garden—soft, romantic, full of movement, and brimming with detail that invites you to slow down and really look.

This collection brings together an elegant mix of florals, garden motifs, and soothing color palettes that feel like they were created for spring quilting. Instead of loud novelty prints, the designer chose a gentle balance of botanical sketches, scattered blossoms, tiny seed patterns, and larger feature florals that work beautifully in both traditional and modern layouts.

What struck me most is how thoughtfully the color stories are arranged. Each print blends seamlessly into the next, giving you a spectrum that includes soft rose pinks, leafy greens, lavender tones, fresh sky blues, rich corals, and delicate neutrals. It’s the kind of palette that instantly feels “quilty” in the best way—inviting, calm, and incredibly easy to mix and match. You can tell the designer planned this for maximum versatility.

Layer cakes are one of the most beginner-friendly precuts, but this collection elevates them with a sense of sophistication. The prints are strong enough to shine in simple patterns, but subtle enough to support more complex designs. Whether you prefer classic half-square triangles, framed squares, modern grid quilts, or something scrappier, this fabric adapts beautifully. It’s also a wonderful choice for table runners, spring wall hangings, and even quilted bags or home décor projects.

One of the nicest surprises with this layer cake is how it manages to feel seasonal without becoming locked into one particular holiday or theme. While the palette is undeniably perfect for spring, the prints themselves are timeless enough to work year-round. A floral quilt made from this collection would look just as lovely on a summer sunroom sofa as it would draped over a guest bed in winter.

The fabric quality is exactly what you’d expect from Fat Quarter Shop—crisp, clean cuts, vibrant printing, and a smooth hand that makes piecing feel effortless. Nothing is too thin or too stiff, and the colors are even more beautiful in person than they appear online.

If you enjoy sewing projects that feel light, fresh, and inspired by nature, In the Garden is a collection worth adding to your stash. It has all the qualities quilters look for: balance, versatility, gentle movement, and that spark of creativity that makes you want to start a project immediately. Whether you’re planning a gift quilt, treating yourself to a new spring project, or simply building your fabric library with a set of prints that will play nicely with others, this layer cake is a thoughtful and inspiring choice.

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