Welcome to the FREE Block of the Month program “Sew grateful for 2021”! This is going to be a really fun opportunity to quilt along with friends, family, guilds and your shop customers.
Hi, Rose here, dropping in to tell you a bit more about what the free Block of the Month (BOM) program looks like, how it will work (even if you are cross state from your quilt along buddies), and what you need to get started.
The “Sew Grateful for 2021” Block of the Month, quilt along is a free and friendly event, bringing your quilters together to work on a common quilting project. The goal of this BOM is to move forward full of optimism, hope, love, peace, and hugs and kisses.
Read on and let’s run through the details.
Where do you sign up for the “Sew Grateful for 2021” Quilt Along?
Have your group register as members here
This is important as they need to access the handouts directly from the designers. The patterns are not to be emailed or shared directly with your members. Please respect the designer's generosity and visit their websites for the pattern or tutorial for the technique. The handouts will have additional information regarding cutting directions for 12" blocks.
Sign up for my newsletter to be notified of BOM updates, receive monthly stretches for makers, and ergonomic tips.
Each Guild or Shop needs their own BOM instructor for the month who will:
Share the meaning behind each block
Share background information about the Sew Healthy & Happy tipster responsible for each block
Be available to answer any questions your members may have.
How this Block of the Month project works
This is a Block of the Month sew along, lasting up to 14 months, if your guild meets in the summer. There are 14 blocks in total, using 11 designs, so you could equally break your sewing time down into 11 months, or less if you prefer. Most guilds meet for 10 months every year, so once you have the block designs downloaded, work with your guild members to decide who will lead each month’s quilting challenge and in which order you’d like the group to work.
Each month, one member of your guild will lead your group. I'll supply videos and other information to explain the meaning behind each block, but will not be personally involved in your month to month quilt along .The BOM quilt along begins and ends at your group's discretion.
When you sign up you will find links to the patterns and instructions for modifying each block design to 12 inch blocks.
I will also give you some ergonomic, sew healthy tips, so you can keep moving and feeling great while you work.
Finally, the last freebie will be a colouring page to plan your quilt.
What does the Sew Grateful Quilt look like?
The ‘Sew Grateful for 2021’ quilt is a nice sized throw / lap quilt measuring 58 inches by 58 inches square. The quilt pattern features blocks from some of the “tipsters” featured in my book “Sew Healthy and Happy”.
These gifted quilters include Sarah Ashford, Jo Avery, Jenna Clements, Jenny Doan, Brigitte Heitland, Stuart Hillard, Bernadette Kent, Melissa Marginet, Christa Watson, Suzy Williams and more.
Here’s what each member of your group will need to take part
Each member will need a few basic tools and trimmings to get going:
Sewing Machine
Rotary cutter and self healing cutting mat
Sharp scissors
A ruler designed for rotary cutting
1/4 yard fusible webbing for any applique
Pins and neutral thread
Fabric of choice, this quilt is a great scrap buster!
The skills your members will need to complete their quilt
Beginner, Intermediate and experienced quilters will all enjoy this project and I have specifically designed it so that beginners will be able to build on skills, week to week.
My son made his version of this quilt between Boxing Day and New Years Eve, and it was his first quilt. His favourite block was the improvised house block, as his home is in an apartment building.
For the more seasoned sewists, you will get to use all the methods you love and maybe a few you don’t. There’s going to be lots of variety!
Meet “Sew Grateful for 2021”
The quilt was designed using blocks that use a variety of techniques and allow for optimal skill-building.
Hugs and Kisses - all straight seams.
Little Houses - again straight seams.
Plus Sign - positive vibes made with easy straight seams.
Dumbbell / Courthouse Steps- simple clean, straight seams in this easy block.
Flying Geese - learn the easy "No Waste Flying Geese" method.
Essential Star - a few flying geese, straight seams and easy half square triangles.
Missouri Star and Healthy Quilting Star- time for some half square triangles
Have Heart - if you're new to foundation paper piecing, this is a great one to start with!
Applique - while this might be a new skill for some, it's easy with fusible webbing.
Welcoming Pineapple - this block is a bit tricky , but well worth the effort. If you have an Accuquilt, use your Drunkard’s Path die and there will be special instructions for your new york beauty crown.
Precious Pets - straight forward piecing, that only looks dificult when it's done.
Improv House - that’s right! It’s time to improvise and design your house block.
To join along with your friends, your local quilt shop, your guild or sew along on your own, please register here.
Don’t forget to share your “Sew Grateful for 2021” quilts with me and the other designers
If you choose to share you creations, use the hashtag #sewgratefulfor2021
and when you tag me as @healthyquilty, I can share on my social media as well.
Please tag the tipster/designer of that month's block, for example @christaquilts and use their hashtag too #christaquilts , they love seeing their patterns come to life.
Most importantly - have lots of fun!
Happy quilting,
Rose.
Download a colouring page and start planning your quilt.
