Wednesday, April 25, 2018

Fire Burst Mystery Quilt--Details


I have been working hard behind the scenes over here to get things ready for the Fire Burst Mystery QAL, the newest pattern by myself and my husband David (Dave the Quilt Engineer).  The pattern has been tested and is being reviewed.  All is looking great.  To make things official I wanted to discuss the tentative schedule for the quilt along.

May-fabric requirements and cutting instructions
June-piecing instructions
July-piecing instructions
August-Block 1
September-Block 2
October-Block 3
October-Layout reveal
November & December-finish quilt tops

January 1st fireworks display of quilts!

Why January 1st?  January 1st is a special day for me and this year especially.  It will mark my 40th birthday and what a better way to celebrate than with friends!  Also, we will be about half way through my daughter's senior year of high school so I'll probably need a pick me up.  Nothing makes me feel better than beautiful quilts.  Plus, who doesn't love fireworks to ring in the new year?  This will be a more quite way to enjoy them without terrorizing the neighborhood dogs.

I'm also happy to announce, that the QAL will have sponsors!!!  So far I have had six very generous quilters step forward with prizes to celebrate our finished quilts.  I will be contacting a few more possible sponsors in the next few weeks and announcing all of them very soon.

If you are new to quilting or quilt alongs maybe I should define what a mystery quilt is and how it works.  You are given clues one at a time.  The first clues are picking fabrics and cutting instructions.  Then the piecing instructions are given in small chunks.  Part of the fun is arranging your pieces seeing if you can crack the code of what the top will look like.  The very last set of instructions will be the quilt layout.

Fire Burst will be beginner friendly and offered in baby size (32" square) and lap (64" square).  No crazy Y seams or half rectangle shapes.  Worried about being able to keep up?  I promise that the schedule will be very forgiving.  A month will be more than enough time to finish each step of the quilt, or play catch up if you get behind.  The last piecing instructions will be given the first of October with the layout a week later.  You will have from then till December to finish piecing your quilt top or quilt your quilt top.

I also understand that not everyone is comfortable with mystery quilts.  It's a big commitment not knowing what you are making.  With the layout reveal at the beginning of October, there is still plenty of time to make a quilt top/finished quilt before the end of December deadline and join in the fun.  The baby quilt is easily pieced in an afternoon.

Another great QAL getting ready to start is Sandra at mmm!quilts Playtime Plus Quilt.  Playtime Plus was a featured quilt in Benartex's ezine, Modern By The Yard.

Photo curtsey of Modern By The Yard 
The magazine is a free download full of goodies.  Hop over to mmm!quilts and read more about the quilt along, find out how to get your copy of the ezine and read all about the awesome sponsors and prizes.

Back to Fire Burst...will you be sewing with David and I and partying on January 1st?  I hope you will.  We will kick things off starting next week with picking out fabrics and cutting instructions.  I hope that I can provide you with guidance in your decisions.  You can always email me with questions.  If you are sewing along, please grab my button on the side bar (clicking on it will direct you to my QAL landing page) and let everyone know, you will be brining in 2019 (that's so weird to type) with a bang!



17 comments:

Yvonne from Quilting Jetgirl said...

I'm excited for the hard work you have done and looking forward to seeing the QAL unfold!

Sandra Walker said...

I'm super excited to do this one with you! Or through you, ha! Thank you for the shout-out for my second annual QAL, which, like 2019, seems very weird to write out! Glad you're so okay with turning 40...I sure was NOT.

Anja @ Anja Quilts said...

Great news about the sponsors. Can I go back to 40??? Only few months left and then I have to say....gulp....50.....

Louise said...

I'm looking forward to playing along! It will be fun to finish on New Year's Day. What a great day for your birthday :)

piecefulwendy said...

Oh, I'm in! So looking forward to this! What a fun way to celebrate with you!

Bernie Kringel said...

I am so excited for you Tish. This event promises to be a blast. (haha - pun intended). I love the easy, relaxed time schedule - all culminating with the New Year's celebration.

Sue said...

Hi Tish! I'll definitely be playing along although I hate mysteries when it comes to quilts so guess I'll have to wait. No chance of a sneak peek I suppose?

Nancy J said...

You are going to have so much fun with this, I am excited, and maybe will just have to buy some NEW fabric.

Stitchin At Home said...

A great way to bring a new year or celebrate a special birthday!.

Denise said...

This is my first time visiting, what a lovely site. I'll have to come back when I have more time to spend.

Jen said...

This sounds like a lot of fun. I have so much going on. Tempting though....very tempting. So many quilts, so little time. :)

Kate @ Smiles From Kate said...

What a wonderful way to celebrate your 40th birthday Tish. I wasn't going to make any more commitments this year but I just have to celebrate with you, I'm in.

Emily said...

I'm in, and what a fabulous idea for a birthday celebration!!!! Can't wait to see fabric requirements so I can go stash-shopping.

Unknown said...

Sounds fun....
I will give it a try!

Lisa J. said...

Hi Tish. I'm in also....I'm another one that isn't crazy about mysteries but for you friend I'm doing it. Besides all your quilts are awesome.

helenjean@midgetgemquilts said...

I think I found my squirrel moment for this month. I said I WAS having a break from qal just to catch up on some stuff. And then this appears! And I am sucked into the vortex of the rabbit in Alice/Tish in Wonderland all over again!

suzie4d said...

Sounds pretty cool. I’m in!

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