This Quilt Block Will Ground Your Next Sewcialites Project

Michael Johnson · 2026-07-24

Welcome back for week 22 of the Sewcialites 3 Quilt Along! We’re celebrating our amazing quilting community, and this week, we’ve got something special. Designer Wendy Sheppard is here with the “Down To Earth” block. It’s an intermediate-level pattern that uses flying geese and lots of piecing. If you’re ready to add some structure to your quilt, this one’s for you. ### Meet the Designer and the Block Wendy Sheppard knows her way around a sewing machine. She’s created a block that feels grounded, just like the name says. The “Down To Earth” block is all about precision, with flying geese units that create a balanced, earthy look. Wendy is using scrappy red, white, and blue scraps from her stash for her Sewcialites 3 quilt. That’s a great reminder: you don’t need fancy fabric to make something beautiful. Just dig into your scraps and let the design shine. ### How to Get the Pattern and Supplies You can grab the free PDF pattern for Block 22 right now. It’s a simple download. But before you start, make sure you have the right foundation paper. The pattern works with 1-inch by 2-inch and 1.5-inch by 3-inch flying geese papers. These help you sew accurate units without the guesswork. Also, check out the Sewcialites 3 Information Packet for all the details on the quilt along. And if you’ve missed earlier blocks, head to the supply page for patterns 1 through 21. ### See the Block in Three Sizes One of the coolest things about this block is how it looks in different sizes. Here’s what our team did: - Kimberly sewed the 6-inch block using “Lyda Rose” by Bunny Hill Designs for Moda Fabrics. - Gina Tell made the 3-inch block in “Wild Honey” by Lella Boutique for Moda Fabrics. - Pat Sloan pieced her 9-inch block with “Rosie” by Fig Tree Quilts for Moda Fabrics. Each size gives the block a different feel. The 3-inch version is delicate, while the 9-inch one makes a bold statement. And three of our Quilty Staffers are making 9-inch blocks using “Blueprint” by Camille Roskelley, “American Gatherings III” by Primitive Gatherings, and “In the Garden” by Corey Yoder, all for Moda Fabrics. It’s a great way to see how fabric choices change the whole vibe. ### Join the Live Tutorial and Community Don’t miss the live sewing tutorial for the “Down To Earth” block. Kimberly will walk you through it on Friday, July 24th, at 9 AM CT, in the Behind The Seams Livestream on the Fat Quarter Shop YouTube Channel. It’s a chance to ask questions and see the techniques in action. And if you’re not on YouTube yet, you can catch the replay later. Want to chat with other Sewcialites? Join the Sewcialites Lounge on Facebook. It’s where we post weekly updates and you can ask questions. Plus, you’ll find tons of inspiration from other quilters. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more updates, and use the hashtag #Sewcialites3 to share your progress. We love seeing your work! ### What’s Next? We’ll be back on Friday, July 31st, with the twenty-third block of the Sewcialites 3 Quilt Along. So keep sewing, keep sharing, and most of all, have fun. Happy quilting!