Week in Review 1/19-1/23/26

by Maureen Lewicki · January 25, 2026

Becky is never in the Monday doldrums! Let’s find out what’s keeping her hopping in her sewing room!

She kicks things off with a golden nugget (3:46–7:51) for newer embroiderers: rename your embroidery files directly on your USB stick. If your embroidery machine has a small screen (and most do), descriptive file names make finding the right design so much easier. No more guessing which mystery flower is which. And don’t be tempted to think you’ll remember. The files are sometimes just numbers so take a minute to label them for your convenience.

Becky is working on the Prim by Lori Holt Embroidery Quilt in this livestream, The Shaker Boxes. The Shakers believed, among other things, in simplicity and making things that would last. Their 250-year-old buildings are just a few miles from my home, looking sturdy, enduring, and, well, unshakable! Simplicity and endurance, the kinds of things symbolized in Prim.

Speaking of 250! Becky’s gearing up for the “America 250” Quilt Along (29:21-36:42): This year-long quilt-along sponsored by the Fat Quarter Shop, runs from February 2026-2027. The pattern comes from the book Celebrate with Quilts by Lisa Alexander and Susan Achie. Here is the quilt.

Becky will be using American Gatherings 3 fabrics by Primitive Gatherings for Moda (35:50)

It’s perfectly patriotic!

She’s got an additional half yard for blocks and the border and background (5.25 yds)

binding

wide-back backing – 2.5 yds of 108″ fabric,

Here’s the link for the blog with all the details and a calendar of when each block will be done, as well.

Becky shows her completed January and February mini quilts from Designs by Juju. (24:50). She’s going to customize the March leprechaun design using “Embrilliance Essentials” software. This will be fun to watch her eliminate what she wants from a pattern and add what she prefers from the DBJJ St Patrick’s Day Sketch Designs .

Pull up a chair and enjoy. Good conversation, good tips, and oodles of inspiration.

Tuesday #Kimberbell 1-20-26, Sweetheart St. Block 6, Soda Crush/Welcome, the Stitchuation Room,

If you missed Tuesday’s Stitchuation Room, you’re in for a treat. Becky’s excitement about the football championship was a fun kick off. Becky worked on the Soda Crush section of the Sweetheart Street (2:18)

She encouraged everyone to give digital tools a try and gave some tips. Whether you’re a tech lover or a paper‑pattern loyalist, her enthusiasm makes the transition inviting and doable.

Tried Franken batting? (21:56) It’s not out of a horror movie; it’s a resourceful way to stitch together leftover batting pieces. It’s thrifty and sustainable! You can barely see where the batting was taped together.

Add a bit of tape and go go go!

She gave some good pointers to use magnetic hoops safely (24:00). Prevent the Pinch!

Next was a quick refresher on changing a bobbin. Her favorites are DIME Pre-wound Bobbins. Sometimes the simplest steps make the biggest difference.

Becky shared her finished Fat Quarter Shop mystery designer block of the month quilt from 2024. Which is your favorite block? (49:00)

Enjoy this stitching, storytelling, tech tips, and creative inspiration woven together to give us inspiration.

Wednesday, 1-21-26 Mid-Week Quilting, Use AI in Your Quilting! Adding Borders. The Stitchuation Room

The session focused on using AI in quilting. AI intimidates many of us, but a tool is a tool, and even though we love traditional crafts, we can still utilize technology. right? Becky shares her personal experience using AI tools like Grock and ChatGPT to solve common quilting challenges, such as calculating fabric yardage for quilt backing (11:15) or determining border sizes (12:41).

Enjoy the conversation, even on the replay, because there is much discussion between the live viewers and Becky about the ways we can use AI even in this traditional craft. Especially if it’s the math that trips you!

Also, at about (45:15) Becky gives a quick tutorial on how to stitch quilt borders together, using diagonal seam binding technique. Grab something hot to sip, on this cold weekend.

Thursday1/22, #Kimberbell Sweetheart St. Blk 5, Cupid’s Cupcakes/Welcome, Button Sewing

Join Becky in her Stitchuation Room, as she winds down her week, with the same energy as Monday!

Becky explains how to use magnetic bobbins without a spring, detailing their purpose and proper placement. (3:17-4:57)

The Welcome Sign is just so cute, isn’t it? (4:59-29:16)

The more I see the Sweetheart Street Bench Pillow as it develops, the more I want to make it!

Sewing buttons by machine? Becky gave a detailed tutorial on how to attach buttons using a sewing machine, including changing settings and using a button foot. I have never summoned up the nerve, but of course Becky’s explanation makes it approachable! (33:07-45:57)

Have you seen all the goodies from Kimberbell? Becky often refers to their directions as the best in the industry and there is so much to choose from!

For starters, there’s the Applique of the Month. The January kits sold out, but the digital field is still available. This one is for February.

Kimberbell has some clever blanks for easy projects (8:00), like this super cute cinch sack. Add your own design or a Kimberbell design and you have a sweet gift bag!

Enjoy!

Friday, 1-23-26, KB Sweetheart Street, Editing Designs for Continuous Borders, the Stitchuation Room

Fabric Confetti’s owner is celebrating her birthday this weekend and we get to celebrate! Save 25% on orders this weekend only: 23 – 25 Jan 2026.

Becky offers a great tutorial using Embrilliance Software Tutorial (20:08-46:30): She edits designs to create continuous borders, removes unwanted stitches, and change stitch colors for selective deletion (26:38-30:43) and more. This is an incredible tutorial for the software, and we get to learn if for free. Free! That’s priceless!