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What is a Quilt Along? And Why You Should Join One This July!

If you’ve ever wished for a quilting friend to encourage and even challenge you, then a Quilt Along (QAL) might be exactly what you need.

What is a Quilt Along?

A QAL starts with a host—someone who organizes the entire experience. They set the schedule, decide how the information will be shared, and, most importantly, choose the project. Every QAL is unique. In the past, I’ve hosted QALs by publishing blog posts on my website, while others have delivered details via email. The structure ...

This month, we’re back and just as beaming as before with the final installment of our 11th Annual Charity Quilt, Moonbeams, and some exciting news about this year’s charity quilt raffle! The digital pattern is now live and available to download on our website. If you want to go back and check out the first six parts of this year’s charity quilt along, you can read all about it on the Moonbeams Charity Quilt Along page.

DOWNLOAD THE PIECED BACKING PATTERN

Grab the Moonbeams Pieced Backing Set

The final pattern in this series consists of three blocks ...

This month, we’re excited to be squaring up and wrapping up the quilt top of our 11th Annual Charity Quilt, Moonbeams! It will be impossible to get bored when you’re piecing the Square-in-a-Square Border, and it’s always so rewarding to see all the blocks come together. For those of you who are putting the finishing touches on your Moonbeam cross stitch patterns, be sure to show them off and use the #MoonbeamsSAL on Instagram!

DOWNLOAD THE SQUARE-IN-A-SQUARE BORDER AND FINISHING PATTERN

The sixth pattern in this series will have you putting together a square-in-a-square border that will ...

We are piecing the blocks for the Seeing Stars Handi Quilter quilt-along this month. There are a lot of half-square triangles in this quilt, which means there are bias edges. You have to be careful when working with bias edges because they stretch very easily.

Last week I told you I make my half square triangles (HST) two at a time. I draw a line from point to point on one square and match it up with another square. Then I stitch 1/4 inch away on both sides of the line. I cut on the line and I end ...

We are piecing the blocks for the Seeing Stars Handi Quilter quilt-along this month. There are a lot of half-square triangles in this quilt, which means there are bias edges. You have to be careful when working with bias edges because they stretch very easily.

Last week I told you I make my half square triangles (HST) two at a time. I draw a line from point to point on one square and match it up with another square. Then I stitch 1/4 inch away on both sides of the line. I cut on the line and I end ...

It’s April, so this month we are piecing the blocks for the Handi Quilter quilt-along, Seeing Stars. Last month we chose fabrics and cut out our pieces. If you are just learning about this quilt-along it’s not too late to join the fun.

Find the pattern here: https://handiquilter.com/product/quilt-top-pattern-seeing-stars/

Find the hints and hacks page here: https://handiquilter.com/download/152247/

Piecing

I have to make a confession here. I’m not so much a “read-the-pattern-and-follow-the-directions” type quilter as I am a “look-at-the-picture-and-sew-the-pieces-to-look-like-the-picture” type quilter.  Can you relate? Let’s take a poll. Tell us ...

It’s April, so this month we are piecing the blocks for the Handi Quilter quilt-along, Seeing Stars. Last month we chose fabrics and cut out our pieces. If you are just learning about this quilt-along it’s not too late to join the fun.

Find the pattern here: https://handiquilter.com/product/quilt-top-pattern-seeing-stars/

Find the hints and hacks page here: https://handiquilter.com/download/152247/

Piecing

I have to make a confession here. I’m not so much a “read-the-pattern-and-follow-the-directions” type quilter as I am a “look-at-the-picture-and-sew-the-pieces-to-look-like-the-picture” type quilter.  Can you relate? Let’s take a poll. Tell us ...

Have you started on your Seeing Stars quilt-a-long quilt? It’s not too late! This month (March) we are selecting fabric and cutting. I will share my progress and thoughts as we go. My friend Pam is also going to quilt along and I’ll share her approach as well.

Selecting Fabrics

My Choices

Since this quilt is mostly scrappy, I started with a fat quarter pack from my stash that was very “well-aged”.  It gave me a start on my color palette. Then I added in some additional fat quarters for more variety.

I wanted to follow the hack ...

Have you started on your Seeing Stars quilt-a-long quilt? It’s not too late! This month (March) we are selecting fabric and cutting. I will share my progress and thoughts as we go. My friend Pam is also going to quilt along and I’ll share her approach as well.

Selecting Fabrics

My Choices

Since this quilt is mostly scrappy, I started with a fat quarter pack from my stash that was very “well-aged”.  It gave me a start on my color palette. Then I added in some additional fat quarters for more variety.

I wanted to follow the hack ...

Have you ever joined a quilt-a-long? Now is your chance to try one on for size. Handi Quilter’s first quilt-a-long is just starting and it’s FREE!

The Videos

The last Tuesday of each month we will premier a video with hints, tips and techniques you can use to create your Seeing Stars quilt. Noon Mountain time (11am Pacific time, 1pm Central time, and 2pm Eastern time in the US) is when the videos will premier. If you are outside of those time zones, you can figure out when to watch here.  If you can’t watch live, you ...

Have you ever joined a quilt-a-long? Now is your chance to try one on for size. Handi Quilter’s first quilt-a-long is just starting and it’s FREE!

The Videos

The last Tuesday of each month we will premier a video with hints, tips and techniques you can use to create your Seeing Stars quilt. Noon Mountain time (11am Pacific time, 1pm Central time, and 2pm Eastern time in the US) is when the videos will premier. If you are outside of those time zones, you can figure out when to watch here.  If you can’t watch live, you ...

At the start of December 2022 our friend, Helen Godden, started her annual Christmas Countdown Quilt-a-long. Helen is our Handi Quilter Ambassador who lives in Australia. She’s an accomplished artist and a superb stationary machine quilter. I decided to join in the quilt-a-long and take you all along with me. So today I will share my journey, some things I learned along the way, and the finish.

In the last post about this topic I showed you how I prepared my fabric with Helen’s design by tracing her pattern. I made a few changes (thanks Helen for understanding ...

At the start of December 2022 our friend, Helen Godden, started her annual Christmas Countdown Quilt-a-long. Helen is our Handi Quilter Ambassador who lives in Australia. She’s an accomplished artist and a superb stationary machine quilter. I decided to join in the quilt-a-long and take you all along with me. So today I will share my journey, some things I learned along the way, and the finish.

In the last post about this topic I showed you how I prepared my fabric with Helen’s design by tracing her pattern. I made a few changes (thanks Helen for understanding ...

Have you seen the Christmas Countdown Quilt-a-long for 2022 from our friend, Helen Godden? This is the 7th year that Helen is doing her quilt-a-long. It’s tons of fun and you just might learn a few new quilting techniques along the way. Helen is our Handi Quilter Ambassador who lives in Australia. She’s an accomplished artist and a superb stationary machine quilter.

Where to join

Go here and download Helen’s free pattern. Print it and tape the 6 pages together. Then transfer the design to muslin or fabric. You can prepare the piece for quilting any way ...

Have you seen the Christmas Countdown Quilt-a-long for 2022 from our friend, Helen Godden? This is the 7th year that Helen is doing her quilt-a-long. It’s tons of fun and you just might learn a few new quilting techniques along the way. Helen is our Handi Quilter Ambassador who lives in Australia. She’s an accomplished artist and a superb stationary machine quilter.

Where to join

Go here and download Helen’s free pattern. Print it and tape the 6 pages together. Then transfer the design to muslin or fabric. You can prepare the piece for quilting any way ...

We’ve all been sewing up a storm in our sewing rooms. At this point in the Quilt Along, we’re creating all the triangles for the Terracotta Fiori Quilt. Hopefully, you’re all enjoying yourselves! 

Changing Up the Timeline

I know life tends to get in the way — so this week we’re slowing down a bit. I thought I would give you a little more time to get the last of your triangles put together, pull all that paper out, create half hexagon sets, and put a few rows together. 

Yes, we’re adding steps this week! But ...

Can you believe it’s already Week 3 of our Terracotta Fiori Quilt Along? Last week we cut our fabrics and this week we’ll work on making all of the triangles for the quilt. Next week is a free week, so if you just received your fabric there’s still time to jump in and catch up.

Foundation Paper Piecing vs. English Paper Piecing

The Terracotta Fiori Quilt is a Paper Pieced Pattern, also referred to as Foundation Paper Piecing. This is very different than English Paper Piecing. They all sound so similar, which can get confusing. 

Paper Piecing ...

Last week we decided on the layout we’re going to make and picked out our fabrics. This week, we’re cutting them up so that we can sew them back together. This is my favorite part of quilting. Well — if my favorite rotary cutter is working and has a fresh, new blade.

The prize this as we are week is a rotating cutting mat, ruler, and rotary cutter. 

Pre-Iron Your Fabrics

First, you need to iron your fabrics to get all the folds and krinkles out. For this quilt I only used a spray bottle of water. 

This is ...

The Terracotta Fiori Quilt Along Starts Now!! This quilt along starts today and will be going on until Nov 26th. If you missed the beginning of the quilt along, don’t worry — you can join in at any time. Get your copy of the pattern in my Etsy shop by clicking here. Today we are Picking out fabric.

Are you ready for the quilt along?? Are you new to paper piecing?? Tell me in the comments below if you have ever paper pieced… and how you feel about it! 

Quilt Along Supply Recommendations

First thing first, in case you want ...

EEKkkk!! The Terracotta Fiori Quilt Along is right around the corner! 

I’m so happy to have you in the Quilt Along. I love meeting quilters who are new to my sew alongs — it warms my heart to see all the past sew along participants come back for more.

If you are undecided about joining us, you can read more about the two quilts I have already finished, Sea Glass and Terracotta, by clicking on the links. Here is a little more about what to expect.

The Terracotta Fiori Quilt is made up of four digital files: 

• Gradient Pattern and ...