Sew Let's Quilt Along: Introduction

I can’t believe our next quilt along is finally here! I’m really excited to bring you the third mystery quilt along from Partners in Design. We had a blast with I Wish You a Merry Quilt-A-Long and Fall into a Quilt Along, and I can’t wait to start sewing with you again.

Speaking of sewing, that’s our theme! I hope you love it as much as we do. We are doing a few things differently this time around, so you’ll want to keep reading to get the details.

The best part of this quilt along is all of the support you can expect. We have 11 Partners in Design 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 you’re feeling a bit stuck. I hope you’ll join us!

Who Are the Partners in Design?

We are a group of 11 pattern designers that are teaming up to bring you a fabulous quilt along. Allow me to introduce the people that are working so hard to make your experience amazing:

Abbie Danahy @ Sparkle On!
April Adams @ JANDA Bend Quilts
Becca Fenstermaker @ Pretty Piney Quilts
Bobbi Bridgeman @ Snowy Days Quilting <— That’s me!
Jennifer Fulton @ Inquiring Quilter
Karen Thurn @ Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats
Kathleen McCormick @ Kathleen McMusing
Laura Piland @ Slice of Pi Quilts
Sandra Healy @ Sandra Healy Designs
Sandy Maxfield @ SandyStar Designs
Sherry Shish @ Powered by Quilting

How Does This Work?

We’ve added some new options this time around. We thought it would be fun for you to be able to choose between using your blocks in one big quilt or using them in several smaller projects. To facilitate the smaller projects, we’ve broken the quilt along into segments. But don’t worry - we’ll still provide ideas for a whole quilt at the end of the quilt along.

We will be releasing a new sewing-themed block every other Tuesday at 12:00 am Eastern time. Our lovely hosts will share their versions of the block along with tips for success. After each segment, some of our hosts will share a small project idea. At the end, the rest of the hosts will share a full quilt. We will have prizes after each segment, and a grand prize at the very end (more details on that below).

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 Sew Let’s 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?

Since it’s a mystery, each block will be a surprise. Stop by the designers’ blogs to see the new block at 12:00 am Eastern time on release dates. All of the block patterns will be free until September 24, 2019.

Segment 1: March 12 to May 21

Segment 2: May 21 to July 16

Segment 3: July 16 to September 10

The End: September 24

  • Grand Prize Winner Announced

  • Last Day for Free Block Patterns

Wait…There’s 13 Blocks?

Yep! We will have 12 blocks that each finish at 12”, and we’ll also have one larger block that finishes at 18” by 24”. That gives us a lot of options for how we use them!

For a big quilt, you could put the large block in the center, and the 12 smaller blocks around the outside. Or you could put the large block off to one corner or side, and fill in with the smaller blocks. At the end of the quilt along, several of our hosts (including me) will provide layouts that use all of the blocks.

Don’t want to make a whole quilt? No problem! The rest of our hosts will be sharing small projects as we go. Their projects will use all of the blocks from each segment, so there will be no shortage of ideas.

Who Are the Hosts?

This is another way we’re changing things up a bit. We will have 7 full-time hosts that will be quilting along the whole time. We will also have three part-time hosts that are just joining us for a segment or two. Whoever is hosting will share their versions of the blocks along with tips for success.

Quilt Hosts

These ladies will share their blocks and tips every week for the whole quilt along. At the end, they will share a quilt layout that uses all of the blocks.

April @ JANDA Bend Quilts

Becca @ Pretty Piney Quilts

Bobbi @ Snowy Days Quilting <— That’s me!

Sherry @ Powered by Quilting

Project Hosts

We have three full-time project hosts. They will share their blocks and tips every week for the whole quilt along. After each segment, they will share a project idea that uses the blocks from that segment.

Abbie Danahy @ Sparkle On!

Karen Thurn @ Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats

Sandy Maxfield @ SandyStar Designs

We also have part-time hosts joining us for individual segments. While they are hosting, these ladies will share their blocks and tips. They will also share a project idea at the end of their segment.

Segment 1 (March 12 - May 21): Kathleen McCormick @ Kathleen McMusing and Sandra Healy @ Sandra Healy Designs

Segment 2 (May 21 - July 16): Jennifer Fulton @ Inquiring Quilter

Segment 3 (July 16 - September 10): Kathleen McCormick @ Kathleen McMusing

How Much Fabric Do I Need?

Keep in mind that everyone’s needs with vary depending on what they do with their blocks. There’s a huge variety in the fabrics that are needed for different quilt settings and small projects. With that said, I can give you a good idea of where to start for the blocks themselves.

Background - I recommend getting at least two yards of this for the blocks. If you’re planning on using it in your quilt setting or small projects, you will want some more.

Main Fabrics - I recommend going scrappy. Since we’ll only need little bits of fabric in each block, this is a great chance to use up some scraps. The more variety, the better!

If you prefer to select specific fabrics, I would get 1/2 yard each of 8 different fabrics. Once again, you may need more depending on what you do with your blocks.

Brown, Black, and Grey - If you would like to keep the blocks looking realistic, you’ll want a half yard each of brown, black, and grey. Of course, it’s also fine to leave those out if they don’t fit the color scheme you prefer. Your quilt will still turn out well.

My Fabric Choices

For my background, I’m going with Bali Watercolors 1895-597 December by Hoffman. In the picture below, it’s the lovely mottled grey that the other fabrics are resting on.

The foreground of my quilt will be scraps of bright blue, green, and purple batiks. The picture gives you a good idea of the variety I’m going for. I decided to stick to a specific color palette rather than trying to make the colors be realistic for the items in the blocks. I will have enough variety in colors and values to make the blocks come out well without worrying about realism.

For more fabric ideas, check out this post.

What Techniques Will We Use?

One of the best parts of the quilt along is getting to practice different techniques. Our blocks will be made with traditional piecing and fusible applique. We will also have small amounts of hand embroidery and other embellishments.

Don’t be afraid to try something new! We know we will have beginners quilting along, so we’re planning to provide plenty of support. There will be tutorials for anything out of the box, and the hosts will give tips to make each block as easy as possible. The hosts and participants in the Facebook group are great at answering questions. And you’re always welcome to tweak a design to fit your comfort level. Everyone’s creative interpretations are welcome.

How Do I Share My Progress?

I’m glad you asked! My very favorite part of a quilt along is seeing what everyone is making. We have several great ways for you share your work:

Facebook - The Partners in Design Facebook group is open for all of our quilt alongs. There you'll find a great community of fellow quilters ready to cheer you on.

Instagram - Please use #SewLetsQAL on all of your posts so we can see them. If you follow the #SewLetsQAL hashtag, you will also see what everyone else is making.
You can find me on Instagram as @snowydaysquilting

What About Prizes?

We will have a prize package at the end of every segment, as well as a grand prize at the end of the quilt along. The prizes are open to all participants that are at least 18 years old.

Where to Enter

There are three places you can share your blocks to be entered in our prize drawings:

  • Facebook - share in the Partners in Design Facebook Group

  • Instagram - share with the hashtag #SewLetsQAL

  • Blog Linky - the hosts will include a link-up on their wrap-up posts at the end of each segment

See below for specific instructions for the different prizes.

Segment Prizes

To be eligible to win a segment prize, you need to make all of the blocks from that segment. Share a photo or photos of your blocks (in a single post) to be entered.

Grand Prize

To be eligible to win the grand prize, you need to make all 13 blocks from the whole quilt along and turn them into a quilt or other project(s). Quilt tops don’t need to be quilted, but projects do need to be finished. Share a single post that shows all of the blocks in a quilt or project. It doesn’t matter how many projects or what projects you make, or how many blocks you use in each project as long as you show that you’ve used all 13 blocks in a finished project or projects.

Important Note

To keep the contest portion of the quilt-along fair and fun for everyone, only quilters that use all of the designers' blocks (in a quilt or project(s)) will be eligible for prizes. Likewise, our segment prizes will only be open to those that make all of the designers’ blocks for that segment.

Fabulous Sponsors

We are really lucky to have some amazing sponsors on board for this quilt along! Please check them out as thanks for supporting us.

Bluprint
Dear Stella
Everything Mary
Island Batik
Prym
Shabby Fabrics
Timeless Treasures
Warm Company

Additionally, many of the block designers are donating quilt patterns.

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 #SewLetsQAL. 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.

Bobbi's Signature.png
Quilting, Quilt AlongsBobbi BridgemanPartners in Design, mystery quilt, sampler quilt, Sew Let's Quilt Along15 Comments