I’m Designer, Author, Talk Show host Pat Sloan.

In 2010 I created the first original Block of the month for Aurifil and it was so much fun we’ve done it ever year since! 2018 is the start of my 8th year running this super fun program.  Learn more about how it works at our intro of the 2018 team

This year we challenged each designer to create a block inspired by ‘The Places We Go’ and I asked them to use  black & white fabrics  + a color of their choice.

I am super excited for you to get to know my friend Sherri McConnel of A Quilting Life! Doesn’t she have the best website name ever?  Sherri does amazing tutorials, designs super cute patterns and, with her daughter Chelsi,  they design awesome fabrics for Moda!

Recently Sherri joined me on my podcast you can LISTEN HERE right at your computer/ipad/phone while you sew her block!

visit her at A Quilting Life

Missed a month? CLICK FOR PRIOR DESIGNER interviews

Remember we have a Challenge portion of our Designer of the Month interview.

Each month we select one random winner to receive a 12 LARGE spool BOX of Aurifil thread for just making the challenge block and sharing it! Details at the end plus last month’s winner!

Let’s get to know Sherri!

Where do you live and what is your favorite spot there? 

I live in southern Nevada just an hour north of Las Vegas. I grew up in Las Vegas, however, so I’m really familiar with all areas of the city. While it only had 300,000 people when I was in high school and has now grown to over 2 million, it is still a really easy town to navigate.

Las Vegas is surrounded by beautiful areas perfect for the outdoor enthusiast. Mount Charleston is just a short 30 minute drive, and Lake Mead and Hoover Dam are also 30-45 minutes away.

When was your FIRST quilt sighting?

My first quilt sightings were those quilts made by my grandmother. She started quilting in the 1970’s when quilting cam back into fashion (although she had always sewn and done handwork).

I remember thinking she was crazy to cut up her fabrics just to sew them together (at the time I was only sewing clothing).

Have you had a ‘light bulb’ moment in making

I’ve had several of these as I’ve kept learning throughout the years, but my most recent one is that you simply need to make time for sewing for fun!

I think this helps one stay away from creative slumps.

What does your studio look like, and what would you change in it? 

I really do love my studio, especially when it’s clean! I’ve been slowly getting it more and more organized each year and feel like it’s really coming together.

If I could make it a little bigger, that would be wonderful, but I chose this room for the wonderful natural light it has!

Anything else you’d like to share?

Our next fabric collection (I design fabric for Moda fabrics with my daughter, Chelsi Stratton) is Clover Hollow and will be available in stores in August 2018. It’s been my favorite collection to sew with thus far.

I’ve made 10 quilts and dozens of small projects, and I’m still in love with it. But we do have something new coming just around the corner!

What location inspired your block?

My block is inspired by Newport Beach, California. I love to travel, but the ocean truly has my heart! We were blessed to spend a week for four consecutive summers in a wonderful beach house right on the sand in Newport when our children ranged in ages from 5-18.

We went with my in-laws and my husband’s siblings and their kids. There is just nothing like waking up and going to sleep to the sound of ocean waves. As soon as our grandchildren get just a little bit older, my husband and I plan to recreate this tradition for our own family.

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DOWNLOAD Sherri’s ‘Beach Houses’ Block

And Visit Sherri’s article at her website

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Fun Questions!

• What do you collect?

Along with quilts, of course, I collect classic books, home organization and décor books, and business books. I love to read (I have a Bachelor of Arts in English literature and currently teach freshman level composition courses part time at a local community college).

I haven’t read a novel in quite a while though and really have been thinking about re-reading one of my favorites!

Visit Sherri:

CLICK TO MY Website

to see what I cut up and used in my block!

Enter your block BELOW by August 15, 2018 to be in the running to win a BOX of Aurifil

This is SUPER EASY to enter all you have to do is make ONE BLOCK.

We have been able to find a way to enter your quilts here at Aurifil, it does go to a 2nd page, but at least it’s here now!

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https://static.inlinkz.com/cs2.js

CLICK the BLUE button above to Enter YOUR BLOCK in the challenge

last month’s winner is below

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And  JOIN my fantastic online quilt group with the most incredible  quilt show each day… I’d love to meet you!

******* JOIN our Aurifil Family  *******

EACH MONTH we will pick one random winner that has made a block.. that person will receive a special Aurifil thread prize! Winners are all contacted email

Sure glad Our RANDOM picker had to select the winners, your June blocks were outstanding!

Our monthly winner is #13-K!  This awesome quilter has been emailed and WON a BOX of Aurifil thread!  .. see all the great versions HERE

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