Episode 119: Lissa Alexander from Moda Fabrics

In this episode, Sherri and Chelsi welcome the prolific quilter and head of marketing for Moda Fabrics, Lissa Alexander, to the show! Lissa shares how she went from working at a local quilt shop to becoming the head of marketing at Moda Fabrics. She explains some of her responsibilities as the head of marketing and reveals how she still gets so much sewing done while managing everything on her plate. Lissa has also authored numerous quilt books. Some of which, are collaborations with her good friend Susan Ache (Episode 65). She shares how they first met and how she has developed such a knack for designing scrappy quilts. She also shares some great ideas for introducing younger children to sewing. Lissa is known to have her grandchildren join her in her sewing room regularly. She explains how to create a safe and fun environment for children to learn how to sew. Thank you Lissa for sharing your quilting life with us today!
Show Notes Blog Post: www.aquiltingl...
Cozy Earth 40% off in August of 2024 with our link (or code AQUILTINGLIFE): cozyearth.com/...
New Podcast Email Address: [e-mail]
Charming From Lissa's Book (Quilt on the Wall): amzn.to/3yInWm1
My version of Surrounded by Lissa Alexander from her book (Quilt on the Table): amzn.to/3Axd1w2
Lissa’s Shop: modalissa.shop/
Lissa’s Blog: modalissa.com/
Lissa on Instagram: / modalissa
Celebrate with Quilts Book by Lissa Alexander and Susan Ache: amzn.to/4fQxfkk
NOTE: Some of the links provided here are affiliate links.
Where to Find Us:
Facebook: A Quilting Life with Sherri & Chelsi: / 459389991531728
A Quilting Life Blog: www.aquiltingl...
Chelsi Stratton Blog: chelsistratton...
A Quilting Life Patreon: / aquiltinglife
A Quilting Life Instagram: / aquiltinglife
Chelsi Stratton Instagram: / chelsistratton
A Quilting Life Pattern Shop: www.etsy.com/s...
Chelsi Stratton Pattern Shop: www.etsy.com/s...
Music:
Lucidity By Kings • Video
Artist SoundCloud / onlyfeels
Music Promoted by goo.gl/5NfMV4

[@lindakQOV]

Another great podcast/video. And Yes..........Lissa and Susan Ache together would be a wonderful show. It might need to be a two hour one, or a two-part continuation.

[@modalissaalexander]

@@lindakQOV we’d be laughing the whole time

[@modalissaalexander]

So fun!! Thank yall for having me!!!

[@dcharlton162]

The best ever. I just had opportunity to watch. I added some ideas for the 50th Anniversary to my comment. Hope you can see it! 🩵

[@twyla2575]

Sherri-this podcast is the best featuring your special guest Moda Lissa. So entertaining and engaging. Thank you for sharing this with your viewers.

[@carolramsey9692]

Isn't Susan just the most wonderful person! I always love getting to see her. And thank you Sherri and Chelsi for all your beautiful fabric and designs; I love them all!

[@carmenbailey1560]

This is certainly a very enjoyable gathering of quilters. I have to comment on the quality of the video, not sure if it’s my imagination but the quality of colour is amazing. So I’m thinking hats off to Billy. Thanks for a great pod cast. 👍❤️🙂

[@sewmaggi]

Super fun podcast! Thanks Moda Lissa for the shoutout and fun stories!!! Such an amazing community, this quilt world of ours, to be a part of. We are blessed.

[@selwynknap6121]

Wow! This has got to be my favorite episode ever! You can just hear the joy in the interaction of the 3 of you! Thanks for a great episode...I didn't want it to end!

[@joanbright5831]

I loved this podcast. Moda Lisa is just the best. So real and down to earth. I love her designs. Please lets hear more about these spirit jeans! I have three teenage granddaughters that would love these!

[@laurahamilton4570]

Enjoyed this interview w/Lissa A. She has such a vibrant personality, I always look forward to hearing her speak. Sherri and Chelsi thanks for bringing us another fun podcast!

[@modalissaalexander]

Wow. Thank you so much!

[@modalissaalexander]

@@laurahamilton4570 ♥️♥️

[@janelicata5328]

Lissa is such fun! Thank you for sharing her with us. ❤

[@karenelliott6869]

A couple days later…I loved this episode. Lissa is a joy to listen to and learn more about! I’m in the midst of sewing Piece and Quilt. I’m learning sew much from changing up the colorations to create totally different looks on the blocks. Thanks so much!

[@cackley1965]

Thanks for sharing a great podcast. I love all of Lisa's work and inspiration!

[@kimhensley4543]

What a fun episode! I’ve been a long-time fan of Lisa’s scrappy style. Her Tone It Down quilt-a-long in APQ was the first QAL I ever did. It’s still one of my most favorite quilts. I saw Lissa at our hotel at Quilt Con in Raleigh and had a total fangirl moment, and she was so sweet to me. 😀

[@modalissaalexander]

@@kimhensley4543 oh my goodness! You are too kind

[@pamelaemery7225]

I Loved this Podcast. Moda Lissa is Adorable. Always has her Beautiful Smile on her face. Thanks for the great interview. Never talked about how She is the Brain behind MODA Blockheads.

[@modalissaalexander]

Awww thank you so much

[@needle.thread.watercolor-jloh]

So nice to learn more about Moda and Lissa's work. I enjoy her sense of humor and am thankful for all that she does for the quilting community.

[@modalissaalexander]

Thank you so much

[@patriciaruppert201]

Fabulous podcast. Thank you so much. ❤❤❤❤❤

[@christieschepers5072]

Loved the interview with Lisa! Thanks for sharing!

[@lisaleblanc929]

LOVE Lissa Alexander, and NOW knowing that she used her recovery period from brain surgery to write a BOOK, I love and admire her even MORE! Lissa, you are amazing! 💗

[@modalissaalexander]

Thank you!!!!

[@pattieverdecanna8984]

Being that I am at work by 6:30 each morning, watch you during my lunch half hourish!!! Thanks for sharing with us!

[@designingdms]

Such a fun episode. So much excitement and energy.

[@CGee17]

Love this so much! Thank you for having her.

[@susiekaiser1]

This was a great video and interview with Lissa Alexander. I love her books. Moda is the best fabric company. Their fabric prints are so sharp. No one else comes close to their fabric. I would suggest a panel of their fabric designers at Quilt Festival in Houston. And a contest with their fabrics with the winner getting a tour of the Moda offices and warehouse. I don’t ever do those contests but I would enjoy seeing the quilts that are submitted. And the quilts could be auctioned off for charity? Those would be great 50th anniversary options.

[@lindacasias8800]

That was a fabulous interview with Moda Lisa! Loved it! Lisa is so talented and I love all of her books and especially her style!

[@modalissaalexander]

Thank you so much!!! You made my day

[@momyali]

I love you Modalisa so smart kind creative humble and funny. This is my favorite eposode!!!

[@modalissaalexander]

@@momyali so kind!

[@kathygroves4174]

Always look forward to your podcast each week, I do get lots of inspiration from the quilt blocks and when you show new tools to make quilting easier 😊.

[@bratmamma]

What a fun show. Dying to know who Susan Ache's heartthrob is😍

[@modalissaalexander]

RYAN REYNOLDS

[@kathymandy39]

OMG, she washed the glue out of her quilt binding! Love this!

[@modalissaalexander]

@@kathymandy39 🤣🤪😬

[@SharonCarbine]

Great, and informative, conversation. Thank you, Lissa, Sherri and Chelsi!

[@Stitchingforthesewl]

This was a fantastic interview! Loved meeting Lissa. Thank you!!

[@DebraDrew-hf7jy]

Loved listening from Lissa and “meeting” her.

[@mariawells8026]

What a wonderful visit you all had!! Such creative gals and very happy!!

[@laurierenstoft5614]

Funny comment about Home Economics. I was actually invited to leave Home Ec by my teacher and had to take shop class with the boys. LOL Love this episode sew much! Great hearing from Lissa!

[@dcharlton162]

I am late watching the podcast and it’s so good! Love the conversation with Lissa. She is so genuine and relatable. You can tell she has the biggest heart and truly loves people. I can say that Moda designers that I have had the pleasure of communicating with and Sherri more so since I am a member of her Patreon group, are so helpful, kind, and encouraging. That speaks volumes about the company as a whole like Lissa touched on. I have a couple of ideas for the 50th anniversary. First : What about panel interviews? Might need a few since there are so many designers and/or scheduling. Create an online submission process to address question to a specific designer or to the group. If duplicates, then you can narrow them down. Second: Moda Bake Off. Two or Four person team of Moda designers. Draw for what tools can be used, fabrics, what to create, etc.not spin a wheel. The winner of that challenge will move up a bracket level. Repeat until the champion team is crowned. @modalissaalexander @aquiltinglife

[@modalissaalexander]

@@dcharlton162 aww. Thanks so much

[@colleenfrancis5899]

Billy is getting his quilting terms on! ❤️ (backing) he's going to be quilting before it's over!

[@dianabirkenholtz8377]

Thank you for a delightful interview with Lissa and mentioning to add her social media.

[@jennystrahley927]

This is such a great episode! Lissa as I was listening I remembered that I never did make your Scrappy Celebration QAL that was in the April 2023 edition of American Patchwork & Quilting magazine. I don't remember how I learned about the QAL but I made my husband drive me to 3 stores before I found the magazine lol. I tried a couple of times to gather fabrics but didn't really see what I wanted to use in my stash...now I have new determination and will make the beautiful quilt. I also fell in love with APQ and am a subscriber to the magazine now.

[@modalissaalexander]

@@jennystrahley927 yay!!

[@janined6586]

Billy Background vs. Backing for the win 😎

[@tearose3763]

Sherri…i love your hair… really pretty! As always i love your videos!

[@pattimarques4450]

What a great interview! Got to know Lisa a little better, she’s amazing ❤

[@modalissaalexander]

@@pattimarques4450 thank you so much

[@marylynnlutenski9196]

I have glued and clipped my bindings and it works very well. I’d like more information on adding fabric to the sides when you get it long armed. How do you do that ? Maybe can you demonstrate it? Loved Lissa on your podcast and all the back talk from the quilt marts you go to. Loved this whole episode and I’ll sure try to follow MODA and Lissa via social media. Thanks again!!

[@martikline4522]

Had a lot of fun today! Thank you everyone!

[@jaynebromley]

A great interview! So fun!

[@BonnieHuntress]

I love today’s program. Lisa was so entertaining.

[@BonnieHuntress]

I agree zippers are easier than when I took home economics. And I’m 75 so I had sewing in high school and loved it. I made all my clothes for my pregnancy. Now I made quilts.

[@carmenmaldonado2982]

I love quilt alongs. And Sherri’ are the best

[@Carol_Sews]

When I started quilting, I was a Thimbleberries girl. After that I moved to loving Moda - the colors and texture of the fabric. My only complaint is that too many of the Moda fabrics are based on straight line prints whether they’re obvious stripes or flowers. I would like to see many more scattered prints so that cutting is easier. A very enjoyable interview. I love hearing about how the fabric business works.

[@marykauffman3686]

Thanks! Another great podcast!

[@PattiMac00]

This was so fun to listen to!

[@melissahlundeen4109]

Awesome podcast. Thank you

[@mandyhawkins63]

Talking of current trends... I think the trend at the moment is very much for seasonal stitching and sewing. So many Halloween quilts, Christmas, 4th July etc...

[@debbiepenalber1369]

Wonderful podcast!

[@laurierenstoft5614]

Glue basting is a great time saver.🤩

[@dedyrae]

I just received my copy of Celebrating with Quilts and I LOVE IT!

[@modalissaalexander]

Yay!!!!! 🎉🎉🎉

[@suepeschke2256]

So excited to hear this podcast. Inspirering

[@slim215]

Sherri, I love your hair!❣️

[@janmatthiesen4142]

So enjoyable!

[@pamelaemery7225]

Mark Dunn is a true Mentor.

[@modalissaalexander]

He is the best! And so inspiring

[@gloriavelebir9335]

So very enjoyable! ❤

[@carmenmaldonado2982]

My favorite notion is Starch. lol

[@gailstraka4839]

My “formal living” is my longarm room!

[@modalissaalexander]

Awesome!!!

[@cherieiduke1723]

I started with the it's ok book. I'm looking at it on the shelf now. All beat up and we'll used😂

[@madonnakaysweeney240]

I was fortunate enough to take a class with Mary Ellen Hopkins in the early days of Road to California. What a talent and such a character. When Lissa talked about getting the Rotary Mat and then subsequently the cutter I could hear Mary Ellen voice in my head talking about using”The Wizzy Whacker”. All these years later I still sometimes say “Where’s my Wizzy Whacker”?

[@dottieyearout8569]

I always enjoy your podcasts. You three really compliment one another. All of your creations and interviews hit the spot. I do wish you could replace the earphones and oversized microphones with more modern and smaller equipment. It would be less distracting to your viewers.

[@Thuuunderous_Wizard]

Target has a cute target 35:12 bucket. That can be the kids scrap pull bin.

[@pamelaemery7225]

Cannot Wait Until January 2025 for another QAL from "Celebration of Quilts"

[@joydicksonquilts]

This was a fun one.

[@idamaerypkema6252]

Awesome. Fun to listen to. What is the quilt behind her? So much fun to listen to Lisa with her history and ideas. Thank you.

[@modalissaalexander]

Piece & Quilt Sampler from Celebrate with Quilts book

[@karenmccleary7616]

A W E S O M E ! ! ! Thanks so much❤ for

[@karenmorton3849]

Love this Podcast, and especially enjoyed "Moda Lissa" today. What book is the Brightly pattern in? I think I have all the books written by the three of you!

[@LizEwing-e8v]

Want to see the your entire Bourgone Surrounded quilt, please.

[@carolramsey9692]

I"m sorry, I meant to say Lissa!!!! Had my mind on them talking about Susan Ache.

[@kathycantu4050]

Great interview,,,, went to the comments to find out who Susan Ache’s crush is??

[@modalissaalexander]

@@kathycantu4050 Ryan Reynolds

[@modalissaalexander]

@@kathycantu4050 Ryan Reynolds

[@Tiggersjm]

Absolutely loved this episode. Thanks. What is the pattern behind Lisa?

[@modalissaalexander]

@@Tiggersjm it’s the piece & quilt sampler from our Celebrate With Quilts book. We have a qal going on right now with it

[@debshane4509]

The quilt behind Lisa. What fabrics are used on it?

[@modalissaalexander]

@@debshane4509 Shoreline by Camille Roskelley

[@bevneuenschwander1635]

What’s the quilt pattern on the wall? Pretty.

[@EllenLOlson]

What is the name of the Quilt behind Lissa & the fabrics used. ❤ The colours.

[@elainewilliams7184]

I would like to know that too!

[@modalissaalexander]

It’s the Piece & Quilt Sampler from our book Celebrate with Quilts (Susan Ache and I). We have a qal going on right now it with. Fabric is shoreline by Thimbleblossoms

[@EllenLOlson]

@@modalissaalexander thank you so much!

[@kimjohnson3110]

For gluing down binding, is it hard to turn the corner? Will it pop out very easily before you can stitch it down?

[@carolbaasch3027]

What is the next quilt Lisa mentioned??

[@rjcatlanta1579]

Re trends: I make baby quilts for a non-profit. It's all aqua. I miss true baby blue.

[@tammymiller9127]

I would like buy the pattern for the quilt behind Chelsea on the white latter. What is the name of the pattern?

[@susiekaiser1]

So, you are sponsored by Cozy Earth? Does that mean they pay you? Do they pay for that day’s production cost or do they pay you in product or with cash? I think it would be helpful for your viewers to know. I purchased a set of sheets based on your recommendation. I do not care for them because after only one night of sleeping on them they stretch out and I then sleep on wrinkles. I don’t put any blame on you or your recommendation. But the truth in advertising laws set by the FTC apply to KZbin. I think you should be transparent in your reviews. Do you use Cozy Earth’s sheets and towels exclusively? And as I asked if you are being compensated for your favorable reviews in what way?