Today, I am really pleased to tell you that a group of bloggers who you were introduced to during the 2017 New Quilt Bloggers Blog Hop have collaborated and are bringing you the “I Wish You a Merry Quilt Along”! The free QAL starts on August 1st, and every other Tuesday a new 12-inch (finished) quilt block pattern and tutorial will be released. There are bi-weekly prizes for you to enter to win as you complete your blocks as well as a grand prize at the end of the QAL.
Join the I Wish You a Merry Quilt-A-Long Facebook Group to join the party! Designers will post links to the tutorials there, so that is your best way to not miss a single post! You can also ask questions and post pictures of your blocks as you complete them to be entered to win the prizes!
There are 11 bloggers that have designed blocks. They are:
- April at JANDA Bend Quilts
- Bobbi at Snowy Days Quilting
- Diane at Cwilt Fabrics & Haberdashery
- Jennifer at The Inquiring Quilter
- Kathleen at Kathleen McMusing
- Laura at Slice of Pi Quilts
- Sandra at Sandra Healy Designs
- Sandy at Sandy Star Designs
- Sherry at Powered by Quilting
- Sola at Alice Samuel’s Quilt Co.
- Vanda at Quilt in Piece
In addition, some bloggers will be sewing along and making every block too! These quilt-a-long hosts will share tips and tricks for each block, plus you’ll get to see the same block in many different fabrics! These bloggers will be there every step of the way to encourage you to finish the quilt too!
- Abbie at Sparkle On
- April at JANDA Bend Quilts
- Becca at Pretty Piney
- Bobbi at Snowy Days Quilting
- Diane at Cwilt Fabrics & Haberdashery
- Jan at Cocoa Quilts
- Jennifer at The Inquiring Quilter
- Laura at Slice of Pi Quilts
- Sandy at Sandy Star Designs
- Sherry at Powered by Quilting
- Vanda at Quilt in Piece
Still have questions? Here are some common Q&A that might help!
- Do I have to make every block? No! This is laid back and meant to be fun! Make the ones you want! You will be eligible to win the bi-weekly prize for each block you complete.
- Is this for experienced quilters only? No! The quilt-a-long is for everybody! Every block is unique and uses various techniques. That’s why we started a Facebook group – so we can all help each other be successful! Whether you’re new or seasoned, I’m sure you’ll find this an exciting and fun experience!
- Can I see the blocks beforehand? Nope! We are only releasing one block at a time. I know, I know. I’m a control freak too! Trust me, it will be worth it though!
- Who can participate? You! The bloggers are scattered all across the globe, so we hope to have participants from many countries around the world too! International participants are eligible for all the prizes too!
- Can I still participate if I’m not on Facebook? Absolutely! If you’re on Instagram, use #iwishyouamerryqal to be entered to win. Each designer will also have a linky party on their block post so you can link up blog posts or Flickr photos. If you want to sew along, we will find a way!
- What are the prizes? There are so many! It’s best to keep an eye on the Facebook group, as we will begin sharing the prizes there soon! Just some of the prizes include patterns, batting and products from The Warm Co., thread from Aurifil, a gift certificate to The Fat Quarter Shop, signed quilt books, precuts, and much more! You won’t want to miss a single week!
- How much fabric do I need? This is a little tricky. The blocks will each be 12″ finished (12 1/2″ unfinished) and there will be 12 blocks. You might be able to make the whole quilt from fabrics you have in your stash! I personally chose a limited color palette (red, green, turquoise, black, and white) and decided to play it safe with a yard of each. I will pick up fat quarters of other colors if I need them as I go. You will have two weeks to complete the first block. (And two weeks to complete future blocks too.) Hopefully that timeline will give you a chance to purchase additional fabric throughout the quilt-a-long if needed. If you plan to put your blocks together to make a quilt top, then I suggest 1 yard for sashing and 1 yard for a border. To finish the quilt, you will need 4 yards for backing (or 2 yards of extra-wide backing), a twin size batting, and 1/2 yard for binding.
It makes me so happy that these quilters connected through the New Quilt Bloggers Blog Hop and are collaborating together! I hope you consider the QAL. I know I am going to enjoy watching everyone’s progress!
Linking up with Let’s Bee Social and Midweek Makers.
Sounds like fun!
Thanks for sharing our group project, and being an inspirational leader for 2017 NQBloggers!
How fun
This is so cool! Don’t know if I’ll get to play along, but I will definitely be cheering from the sidelines 🙂
Thanks for sharing this, Yvonne, we really appreciate your support!
What a great project the new bloggers have put together! Not sure if I’ll be able to join in, but at least I’ll have fun cheering. Thanks for sharing today!
Will this QAL project be holiday themed? I am thinking so but wanted to ask to be sure?
Sounds wonderful, I joined the group.
This sounds like fun! I’m going to play along. 🙂
This sounds a lot of fun . Christmas seems everywhere at the minute – I’m still making last year’s Christmas stuff !
I think I’m unpacked enough now to join in! Looks fun, thank you!
I hope you feel a wee bit proud, Yvonne, that a group you helped to nurture are doing such great things now.
Thanks so much for sharing, Yvonne! I’m thrilled that we already have 400 people in our facebook group. I can’t wait to see what everyone makes.
So many QALs and so little time!! I’ve always wanted a Christmas quilt…maybe this will be the one!
Oh, I know perfectly well I don’t need another thing on my list. But, I can’t resist! I am in.
Sounds like fun!
How can I follow if not on fb or Instagram
I’m with Aileen, I don’t do any of the face-book / Instagram stuff just e-mail. Can I still participate?
Hello Yvonne. Sure sorry that I missed this post, I love Christmas Quilts a lot and have over the last couple of years been getting hooked on Quilt Alongs or BOMs. So when I read about your Merry Quilt Along with your New Quilt Bloggers of the Year while on Crafty Quilter by Julie on her post today, I right away came over and read about it. Deanna and I were able to get our first blocks all set up today, just not stitched. We both joined the Facebook group also. I Thank You and everyone involved for putting this together. The first block is gorgeous so I can only imagine what all of the other blocks will be like. You are such a great leader and organizer; this will be a fun and magnificent quilt! Have a great day!