Fall into a Quilt Along: Introduction
We had so much fun with our last quilt along that we've decided to do it again! This time, our theme is fall. Fall into a Quilt Along is a free mystery quilt along brought to you by Partners in Design, a lovely group of ladies that met during the 2017 New Quilt Bloggers blog hop.
The best part of this quilt along is all of the support you can expect. We have 10 people working together to make this a success, and we're all here to answer your questions and cheer you on. Not only that, but our Facebook group is full of friendly quilters that are always happy to jump in if someone gets stuck.
Who are the hosts?
I'm hosting this quilt along with six other people. When a block is released, we will each post our take on it along with tips for success.
Abbie Danahy at Sparkle On
April Adams at JANDA Bend Quilts
Bobbi Bridgeman at Snowy Days Quilting <--- That's me!
Jennifer Fulton at Inquiring Quilter
Karen Thurn at Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats
Sherry Shish at Powered by Quilting
Vanda Chittenden at Quilting with Vanda
Where do I get the patterns?
If you follow my blog, you will get an email when each new block is released. The email will include my take on the block, any tips or tricks I found to help you succeed, and a link to the tutorial. Sign up here to stay in the loop!
I have also created a page just for Fall into a Quilt Along. As each new block is released, I will add a link to it on that page. You can bookmark it for easy access, or find it by clicking the Quilt Alongs tab at the top of the blog.
What's the schedule?
All of the blocks will be released at midnight Eastern time on the release date. The first block goes live on May 15, 2018. We will release the last block and setting ideas on October 16, 2018. To be eligible for prizes, quilt tops that use all 12 blocks must be finished by November 12, 2018 (more on that later).
Here's the full schedule:
May 15 - Block 1 by Vanda Chittenden at Quilting with Vanda
May 29 - Block 2 by April Adams at JANDA Bend Quilts
June 12 - Block 3 by Sherry Shish at Powered by Quilting
June 26 - Block 4 by Sandy Maxfield at SandyStar Designs
July 10 - Block 5 by Kathleen McCormick at Kathleen McMusing
July 24 - Block 6 by Sherry Shish at Powered by Quilting
August 7 - Block 7 by Bobbi Bridgeman at Snowy Days Quilting <--- That's me!
August 21 - Block 8 by Jennifer Fulton at Inquiring Quilter
September 4 - Block 9 by Karen Thurn at Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats
September 18 - Block 10 by Sandra Healy at Sandra Healy Designs
October 2 - Block 11 by Abbie Danahy at Sparkle On
October 16 - Block 12 by Vanda Chittenden at Quilting with Vanda and setting suggestions from the hosts
November 12 - Quilt along ends
Can I see the blocks now?
Since this is a mystery quilt, we get to wait for each block to be released. But that's ok, because the suspense is half the fun! I can tell you that everything will be fall-themed, and there will be a total of 12 blocks that each finish at 12".
How much fabric do I need?
We aren't giving exact fabric requirements since everyone's needs will vary with different block interpretations and setting ideas. That said, I can give you a good idea where to start.
I'm using one background fabric for all of my blocks. I chose Bali Watercolors 1895-534 Hemp by Hoffman. If you would like to use one background fabric, 2 yards should be enough for the blocks. If you also want to use background in your final setting, you'll need a bit more.
Other than the background, my plan is to go scrappy. I'm excited to pull out my fall colored batiks. Since we'll only need little bits of fabric in each block, this is a great opportunity to play in the scraps. I'm kind of wondering how many different fabrics I can use in this quilt.
Looking at this, I can tell that I need to find more browns. I'm I'm also thinking I'll need to pick up a little bit of white or off white, and a touch of black. The white and black will just be small accents in the blocks, but they will help to keep things more realistic.
For more fabric ideas, check out this post. There you'll find the fabric choices of all 7 hosts, along with a discussion on how much fabric you may want to have.
What techniques will we use?
One of the best parts of the quilt along is all of the different techniques that we get to practice. There will be regular machine piecing, foundation paper piecing, fusible applique, split applique, and a touch of hand embroidery.
Don't let that list scare you! We know that we have beginners among us, and we're planning to provide plenty of support. The designers will include tutorials for anything out of the box, and the hosts are here to answer your questions. Of course, if you really aren't comfortable with a technique, you can always do your own spin on the block. Everyone's creative interpretations are welcome.
How do I share my progress?
I'm so glad you asked! The best part of a quilt along is seeing what everyone is making. We have several great ways for you to stay in touch:
Facebook - The Partners in Design Facebook group is open for all of our quilt alongs. You'll find a great community of fellow quilters ready to cheer you on.
Instagram - Please use #fallintoaqal on all of your posts so we can see them.
You can find me on Instagram as @snowydaysquilting
Link-Ups - At the end of each tutorial, the block designer will have a link-up for that block. The link-up will stay open until the next block is released. That gives you two whole weeks to finish your block and join the link-up.
Are there prizes?
Yes! We have some fabulous sponsors for this quilt along, and all giveaways are open internationally. We will have a prize drawing after every block. To be eligible to win, just share your finished block before the next block comes out. That gives you a full two weeks to complete each block.
We'll also have a grand prize drawing at the end for anyone that completes a quilt top using all 12 blocks by November 12, 2018. That gives you 4 whole weeks to complete your top from the time the last block is released. It doesn't need to be quilted to be eligible to win.
To keep the contest portion of the quilt-along fair and fun for everyone, only quilts that use all of the designers' blocks will be eligible for prizes. Likewise, our bi-weekly giveaways will only be open to those that make the designer's block for that fourtnight.
How do I join?
Easy peasy! Just follow my blog (or any of the other hosts' blogs) and you will see when each block is released. Make the block with your own fabrics and share it so we can all cheer each other on.
The more people that participate, the more fun it will be. If you decide to join, please tell your friends. If you're on Instagram, save the quiltalong graphic and share it with #fallintoaqal. If you're on Facebook, share this blog post or a post from the Facebook group with your friends. If you're a blogger, tell your followers and link back to this post. And most of all, leave me a comment so I know you're in!
I can't wait to get started. I hope you'll join us! It's going to be a blast.