Monday, January 23, 2017

New Fabric, New News and Quilt Alongs Galore


Yay for 2017!  There are so many wonderful Quilt Alongs going on right now, it's not funny.  I'm really having to resist the urge to join them all, but with a full time job and a stack of UFO's that need quilted I know there is no way I can.  So, for now I've settled for four to tide me over.  If you would like to see a list of what's out there hop over to Busy Hands Quilts (she has 44 listed right now) and Quilt Fabrication to see lists of QAL's going on.

So let's take a look at the four free QAL's that have my attention.

First up is a The Children's Library hosted by Pat Sloan.


Pat posts the blocks on the 1st(ish) of every month.  January's block was called Mother Goose Rhymes.  For my version of the block I dug into my left over Zen Chic and Bonnie and Camille stash.

Next we have 2017 Aurifil Mystery Designer BOM also hosted by Pat and Aurifil Threads.


Blocks for this one are posted around the 15th of the month.  January's mystery designer was Janet Clare and you can read Pat's interview and get the pattern for her Cat Block block here.  In Janet's pattern she has added some embroidery detail to this cute little kitten, I'm still on the fence if I will give that a try or not.  Thanks to Buzzin Bumble's Crafted Applique method, I'm more willing to make blocks like this one.  I didn't hesitate or try to talk myself out of it once.

Next up we have Have A Jolly Little Christmas over at Sew Fresh Quilts.


Last year I missed out on participating in Lorna's Ugly Sweater QAL so there was no way I was skipping out on this one.  This one kicked off on January 14th and will post new blocks every two weeks until August.  I've decided to make the 15 block sampler quilt.  

And last but not least is Stitchin At Home's Medallion BOM Quilt.  


Cindy will post a block a month on the 3rd Saturday of each month.  This month we made the center block in the quilt.  I am hoping to base the colors of my blocks around that pretty little floral print in the center.  I found it at a local quilt shop (Helen's Hen House) and I just had to use it!

The best thing about these quilt alongs?  I'm using up my stash.  Almost all the fabric I have used this month came straight out of the stash bins in the back room.  The only fabric I purchased is the background fabric for the Christmas quilt and a bit more yardage of the white and floral for the medallion quilt.  So you will find no guilt over here for joining in on this sewing fun.

Now, let's have a look at the fabric I'm drooling over and why I'm drooling...


This (except the white is a Timeless Treasures purchase from Helen's Hen House) is Dixie by Cluck Cluck Sew for Windham Fabrics.  I've loved this line since it came out last year.  So much so, I've decide to use it in testing a pattern I have written.

Which brings me to my news, I have written a pattern!  It is a collaborated effort between Dave the Quilt Engineer and I.  The pattern will be offered in several sizes and right now I'm in the testing phase.  Since this is my first attempt at writing a full pattern, I didn't know if anyone would be willing to actually have a go at testing it for me and giving feedback.  If so you can leave a comment with your email and I will get back to you.  Dave and I both finished our first versions of the quilt this weekend and I have a few small changes to make.


So as you can see, we've been as busy as two cats on a sewing table.

So this leads me to ask, are you participating in any QAL's this year?  If so which ones?  I have to live through my quilting friends for the ones I am missing.



20 comments:

Cathy said...

Love everything! I'm doing Lorna's and Pat's Children's Library Mystery. But that medallion! I may have to go track that one down.

Jen said...

Congratulations on getting that first pattern written! I know how exciting that can be. I am in the self-testing phase of my second pattern. There are so many great people out there that are great at testing new patterns. I would offer, but I don't think I would be able to give it the attention it deserves right now, maybe on your next one? :)
I am not doing too many quilt alongs yet this year. Finishing up the Meadow Mystery and I will be doing my own mini quilt along here soon with Janice.

Beth @ Cooking Up Quilts said...

I haven't jumped on the QAL bandwagon yet, but may do Cindy's. I love the idea of a medallion quilt and her instructions are well-written. Maybe I'll take a cue from you and try to do it strictly from stash! I'm working on designing a polka dot QAL of my own to host later this year so that will keep me busy as well. Have fun with all your projects, and congrats on your pattern! I know it's going to be great!! :)

Stitchin At Home said...

Love the fabrics you are using for my medallion quilt, that floral is a beauty. I am going to be doing Lorna's Christmas quilt too, as soon as I finish cleaning my sewing mess and get my machine back. Kudos on the pattern writing.

Lisa J. said...

I'm doing the Honeypot quilt along and besides Meadow Mystery that's all I can cope with. I'd love to pattern test for you but I'm overwhelmed with guild charity responsibilities. Good luck finding someone to test for you.

Sandra Walker said...

You know one block a month is totally doable, so I do believe I am about 80% convinced I can add Cindy's to my list. I LOVE your choices, especially that floral. I have the 150 Canadian Women project that goes until Fall, nearly finished the Meadow Mystery, doing the Honey Pot Bee, and running one of my own beginning in March so not sure I can fit Lorna's in, but I might do a few here and there. You know I will test your lovely pattern.

Yvonne from Quilting Jetgirl said...

How exciting to have your first pattern written and to be collaborating with Dave on it! Testing is such an important part of it and I love when I find things to go back an improve. I look forward to seeing more!

Janet Sabol said...

I'm doing a couple of QALs: Pat Sloan's Solstice Challenge started in December and we get a block every Wednesday till the Summer Solstice. We're on Block 5 out of 25 and I'm on schedule. I'm also stitching with our Guild's BOM--a Modern Medallion quilt from the book by Janice Zeller Ryan and Beth Vassalo.
Congratulations on writing your first pattern! I'd love to test the pattern. I went to a class last September, and it was a mystery class where the teacher was having all of us test her pattern. I'm a stickler for detail and love to try something new!

Janice Holton said...

I have decided I will see what comes along in between the goal projects. I've got too many UFO's and I really want to pare those down. I signed up for 3 stash bees so I'll have fun doing all kinds of blocks and still end up with at least 3 quilts at the end of the year plus whatever else I can fit in between! Plus a mini quilt blog hop with Jen. I think we're going to try and make it an annual event. Can't wait to see your new pattern! I wish I had the talent to design, but just don't think I got that gene. :)

Anja @ Anja Quilts said...

There are sooooo many QAL's out there...it's hard to choose. I'm going to play along with a few. I'd love to test your pattern if you still need someone. Congrats!

JanineMarie said...

So many great QALs! I love looking at them all, but haven't joined in. Maybe I'll bip in and out of some along the way. We'll see. Your first blocks look great. I can see where embroidery might be fun on the kitty block, but I do like the simplicity of it as a silhouette. Have fun with your first pattern. I love the fabrics you've chosen.

Lorna McMahon said...

Congratulations on the news of your (and Dave's) first pattern! How exciting! Looking forward to the big reveal. About the quilt alongs.... Doesn't it feel so good to be participating and quilting from stash? Yes!

Leanne Parsons said...

All of your QAL choices look great. I always love Lorna's patterns and the medallion center block is stunning. Congratulations on getting your first pattern written!

Emily said...

QALs are sooooo tempting! I'm doing Meadow Mystery. I'm skipping the Scrap Dance series mystery this year, because I still haven't finished last year's. That's it for me for now, though I might do a few blocks in the Lorna's Christmas one.

So exited about your pattern!

helenjean@midgetgemquilts said...

Woo hoo says me in my restrained N Irish way. Congratulations to Dave and yourself , that's a great achievement to write your first pattern . If I offered to test it you would be waiting until 2025, but I'm with you in spirit ! So many qal this year - I'm doing the honey pot and thought I'd catch up on lornas Christmas jumpers but probably better to join in this years !

helenjean@midgetgemquilts said...

If you have a teeny tiny size in your pattern I could test for you ?

Kate said...

You've joined some very fun quilt alongs. I've had to abstain from adding any new ones (other than the Rainbow Scrap Challenge). Congrats on the pattern development.

KaHolly said...

I just don't have the discipline to follow BOMs or QALs, but sometimes when they are over, I go back and make the project all at once. How exciting that you two have collaborated on writing a pattern! Good luck seeing it through to the very end! What fun! Can't wait to see! XO

Susan said...

Yep - hard to resist all those QAL's out there. You've chosen some good ones to use up that stash. Thanks for sharing all the first blocks on Midweek Makers

Cut&Alter said...

Lovely blocks so far this month. I have really tried hard not to jump at everything I have seen so far ..... but still have a fair share. Although I haven't made anything yet I am going to QAL with Lorna's Christmas quilt and I am really looking forward to it.

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