October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and we find it’s a good reminder to take a pause… Both to reflect on the pure strength of those who’ve battled this awful disease and to remind ourselves to be present… to work on understanding family histories, tending to important self-care, valuing the impact of early detection and annual screenings, and committing to regular and open communication. This disease affects so many… too many… and we are truly impressed with how passionately makers in this industry in particular band together to support, cherish, and drive increased awareness. It’s always amazing to see such strong and intentional action.
This year, we’re proud to be a partner in Moda’s annual Stitch Pink event, alongside Aurifil Designer Camille Roskelley of Thimble Blossoms, as a way to show our love and support for members of the quilting and sewing community who have been impacted by this awful disease. This year’s program has two key components, the first of which is a QAL with Camille Roskelley featuring her Lighthearted fabric collection and Adore quilt pattern.
What does it mean to be lighthearted? To me it means to be cheerful, full of love, and enjoying the simple things in life. Some of my favorite people have been lighthearted and full of hope, even in the middle of difficult treatments and challenging times. This collection is a tribute to them. It includes some of my favorite bright and cheery colors, with lots of pink and of course some red and aqua mixed in for good measure. Its happy prints and florals are playful and beautiful, and the basics are the perfect addition to any special project.
— Camille Roskelley
I am so honored to be a part of Moda’s Stitch Pink program this year. Too many women I love and adore have fought a battle with breast cancer over the years and watching them fight has been both inspiring and life changing. My hope with this collection is that we can do a lot of good through raising funds for important services and research as well as encouraging those in the middle of treatment. We love you and we are cheering you on.
We are certainly looking forward to following along with the Adore QAL. Follow Camille on Instagram (@thimbleblossoms) for more information and be sure to post progress images with #adorequiltalong so we can follow along. Camille will post check-ins on Instagram every Tuesday throughout the month. She will also be auctioning off the Adore quilt that she’s piecing during the QAL and will feature fun giveaways along the way.
Adore Quilt Along Schedule:
October 3: Week 1, Center Star and Blocks 1-4
October 10: Week 2, Blocks 5-8
October 17: Week 3, Blocks 9-12
October 24: Week 4, Assemble quilt
November 1: End of the quilt-along. Post your finished quilts and watch for the quilt auction info!
We are particularly excited about the second part of the 2023 Stitch Pink Event which provides the opportunity to highlight an incredible lineup of Moda Makers and Aurifil Artisans. This Summer, nearly 30 makers were provided with Lighthearted Charm Packs & coordinating spools of Aurifil’s 100% Cotton 50wt thread from Camille’s Lighthearted thread set.
They were all challenged to create something using those fabrics and threads with no reigning guidelines… As the projects have been rolling in, we’ve been amazed to see that so many of them carry a theme of comfort, self-care, and advocacy. We have absolutely no doubt that you’ll feel tremendously inspired as each new project is revealed!
While we’d love to give you a sneak peek, we’re going to keep some of this a surprise. On Sunday, October 1, we’ll kick off a collaborative series with Moda & all of our makers. You’ll find one new project revealed by one new maker every day on our Instagram accounts throughout the entire month of October: @modafabrics & @aurifilthread. If you’re not active on Instagram, you’ll also find updates on our Facebook pages!
While we are sharing, promoting, and celebrating, we would encourage you to snag your own fabric & thread combos and join in on the fun! Find Camille’s Lighthearted threads via the buttons below and be sure to check in with your favorite local or online quilt shop to grab your fabrics!
What to do with your carefully crafted projects, once complete, you might ask? We’d encourage you to follow your heart — gift it to a friend who needs support or a pick-me-up, donate it to a local hospital or clinic, auction it as a way to fundraise for your preferred organization, or simply keep it for yourself when you might need a little extra sunshine in your day. Beyond that, we hope you’ll consider joining us in supporting the National Breast Cancer Foundation. Moda has organized a fundraising campaign and we’ll be contributing and promoting the campaign throughout the month of October. Whether you’re able to give $1 or more, or even just share with your own network, every little bit makes a difference!
And finally, while one month of concentrated efforts is amazing, it’s even more important to keep it in mind year round. Give when you can, however you can. Educate yourself. Take action. Be safe. <3