What's Really Inside the August Sew Sampler Box?

Amanda Miller · 2026-10-19

Every month, the Sew Sampler box shows up and I swear it feels like a little holiday. You open that box, and suddenly your whole weekend has a plan. The August 2026 edition is no exception. This one leans hard into sunny, butterfly-and-wildflower energy, and there's a brand-new quilt along block tucked inside too. Let's walk through what's actually in there. ### The Fabric That Sets the Whole Mood The star of the box is the Adrift Sunshine & Dandelions Fat Quarter Bundle by Traci Reed for Riley Blake Designs. Picture wispy dandelions drifting across the page, fluttering butterflies, and honeycomb prints in buttery yellow, sky blue, sage green, and classic navy. It's the kind of palette that makes you want to open the windows and sew with a cold drink nearby. If you've been sitting on a spring-to-summer project idea, this bundle basically volunteers for the job. ### Notions Worth Getting Excited About Good tools don't get enough credit. This month's box doubles down on them. - **8" x 8" Sew-In Interfacing (10 Pack) by Lori Holt** — ten precut, light-to-medium weight, non-fusible squares. Lori Holt and Kimberly Jolly both reach for these constantly, especially for string quilts. Precut means less time at the cutting mat and more time at the machine. - **Sew Simple Shaper by Lori Holt** — a brand-new tool with two ball point ends in different sizes. It gently defines curves, smooths edges, and shapes appliqué points without chewing up your fabric. If appliqué has ever made you nervous, this little thing earns its keep fast. - **3-Piece Adrift Butterfly Appliqué Template Set** — a Sew Sampler exclusive made specifically for the Adrift quilt pattern. Use the butterflies on the quilt, then carry them over to pillows, wall hangings, and table toppers. One template set, a whole lot of mileage. - **Small 60wt Cornflower Confetti Cotton Thread by WonderFil** — a fine 100% cotton spool that pairs beautifully with the blue prints. It's built for precise piecing, keeping seams crisp while blending right into the quilt. ### The Patterns (Yes, Plural) The **Adrift Quilt Pattern** is another Sew Sampler exclusive, and it's a good one. Playful diamonds meet graceful butterfly appliqué in a design that feels light and full of movement. It's a slow-down-and-savor-it kind of project, not a race to the finish. Then there's the **Sew Sampler Vault Pattern**, a cheerful forest of pieced pine trees. It comes in two size options, so you can go small for a wall piece or big for a cozy throw. Timeless enough that you'll still love it five years from now. And the one a lot of you are waiting on: **Block #5 of the 2026 Spooled Quilt Along**. Each block peels back a little more of the mystery design. If you've been stitching along since Block #1, you already know how satisfying it is to watch the picture come together piece by piece. > The best part of a sampler box isn't the stuff. It's that moment when a tool or a print solves a problem you didn't know you had. ### A Quick Tip Before You Start Cutting If you're new to appliqué, start with the butterfly templates on a small scrap project first. A mug rug or a single pillow panel is a low-pressure way to get comfortable with the shaper and the template set before you commit to the full quilt. You'll learn how the fabric behaves, and your finished quilt will thank you for the practice. A finishing kit is also available if you want to complete the Adrift quilt without hunting down backing and binding separately. Between the fabric, the notions, the exclusive patterns, and Block #5, August is a genuinely packed box. Happy stitching, and don't forget to share your progress.