2026 Sewcialites 3: Meet My Block Design

A quick reminder about the 2026 Sewcialites 3 sew along hosted by the Fat Quarter Shop. It's week #8 of the free sew-along and this week I am the featured designer. You can find the free pattern printable pattern for this block, Beacon, here. (Block instructions include directions for a 3", 6", and 12" size block.) This block can have so many different looks based on the color and fabric choices you use!

Here's a look at other fabric variations of this quilt block that the Fat Quarter Shop shared:

What is the Sewcialites 3 Sew Along?

Here's a recap of what the Sewcialites 3 sew along entails: this is a free block-of-the-week quilt along hosted by Fat Quarter Shop. Each Friday, (started on February 20 - goes through August 21 ), a new designer block pattern is released, and you sew right along with the community. The patterns will remain available permanently so you can easily go back and start whenever you like!

This year includes 25 weeks of free block patterns from 25 designers. All of the blocks are very doable and it's a great way to try new block styles and learn new skills.

Because these blocks are so doable, it's definitely not to late to jump in on the Sew Along! Here's how the schedule works:

• A new FREE block pattern releases every Friday
• Kimberly Jolly sews the block live on the Fat Quarter Shop YouTube channel
• Runs from Friday, February 20, 2026 to Friday, August 21, 2026
• Includes a break for the 4th of July weekend

If you want to participate, here's the easiest way to get set up:

1. Everything you need to know is in this information packet.
2. Subscribe to Fat Quarter Shop on YouTube for the weekly sew-along video.
3. You can also join the Sewcialites Lounge Facebook Group to connect with other quilters who are sewing along.

Fat Quarter Shop also has a free Sewcialites 3 Information Packet and a precut guide PDF listed on their Sewcialites page-handy if you like having everything in one handy place.

You can also see all of the previous blocks #1-7 on the Jolly Jabber blog here. For example here's a look at last week's Block #7 designed by Elizabeth Hartman:

I'm so honored to be one of the 25 designers contributing to the sew along this year, and I can't wait to see your version of my block in all the different color palettes and fabrics!

My Sewcialites 3 blocks so far

I've been sewing along since the start, and I'm having fun watching the quilt come together one week at a time. I decided to make the 6" x 6" (finished) quilt block version. They're a great size for quick weekly progress without the teeny piecing of the 3" version. Below are photos of the blocks I've made so far - plus a peek at the fabrics I'm using for my version.

As you can see I'm using solids for my blocks. I picked a warm color-palette from Riley Blake's Confetti Cottons.

For the background on all of the blocks I'm using the assorted low volume prints from Riley Blake Hush Hush collection. I also plan to use these for all of my offsetting blocks so that the pieced solid blocks will really pop. (I started with a 10" Stacker and will supplement with Fat Quarters for the offsetting blocks.)

This quilt along is a great skill builder. The quilt blocks are not too complicated.

If you're looking for some basics for improving your block-piecing, I've put together a free printable PDF of 7 tips and tools to help you accurately piece quilt blocks here.

Are you sewing along with the Sewcialites 3 challenge? I'd love to see what you're making. Tag your photos on social media with #sewcialites3 so I can find you!