Happy Quilting Quilt-A-Long Fabric Requirements

Hello All you Happy Quilters!!!  Are you ready to get going????  Cause we are off!!!  I am excited to announce, that at the conclusion of the Quilt-A-Long, all those that have finished their quilt-top will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win a $25.00 gift Certificate to Burgundy Buttons!!  Yippee Skippee!!

 It was unanimous to do the Variation design!! I will show some more of these layouts in different sizes and different colors at the end to give you some more ideas and help you decide what size you want to do :)

This is the 4 x 4 block layout so it would measure 68 x 68

So I sat down and worked out some fabric requirements.  Now, the fun of this quilt-a-long is that you can make the size quilt you want with the fabric you want.  So don't get overwhelmed when you see these fabric requirements, I am just trying to give all the options for everyone!!

I know this is a little small.  You can click on it to see a larger version :)

Okay, so here is the key to reading this little chart :)

  SIZE is the appx size of the quilt when put together.  This does not include borders!  If you want to change the size around a bit to make a desired size larger you can always add some borders to make it the exact size you want.

BLOCKS are the row x column layout of the quilt in blocks.

The next 3 columns are the different ways to pick your colored fabrics - Only use 1 Column!!


#5" Squares - This is if you want to do a scrappy version of the quilt.  The number of squares listed in the size you want are the number of 5" squares you will need to put your top together.

Pre-Cut Needs - If you plan on using pre-cuts (which this is designed around for convenience and will be what I use) this is the list of what pre-cuts you will be needing.

Yardage in Inches - So this one is a little trickier but not bad.  Each number is the total number of inches you will need.  However, you will want to get these in several different prints, right.  And you also need to remember that you will be cutting 5" squares so you want to keep your purchases in 5" increments.  So I figure an example is the best way to show how to use this.

If I were making a 4 x 4 layout I need a total of 120 inches.  Now I want to decide on how many different prints I want.  Lets say 8.  So I divide 120/8 and get that I need 15 inches of each print.  That is equal to 5" increments so boom!  I would get 15 " or 1/2 yard of 8 different prints.  For the sake of things not coming out perfect, lets say I wanted 7 prints instead of 8.  I would divide 120/7 and get 17 1/2" inches of each print.  Obviously, the 2 1/2 inches extra will do me no good.  So I can either get 20 inches of all the prints and have some extra or I can get 15 inches of 3 prints and 20 inches of 4 prints and just have some prints slightly more used than the others.

I hope this makes sense.  If not, please do not hesitate to email me and I can help you figure out exactly what you need :)  I like doing that kind of math :)

Sashing Needs - Regardless of what kind of way you want to get your colored fabrics you will need to also purchase the sashing requirements for your desired needs.  I will probably go with a solid but you are welcome to pick any sashing you like.  Just make sure it will contrast :)


So . . . .  Did that all make sense???  If not, don't hesitate to email me.  Now, as I mentioned before, Burgundy Buttons is hosting our little Quilt-A-Long!!!  Yippee Skippee for Burgundy Buttons!!!  Leah has agreed to give 10% off your total purchase for your Quilt-A-Long supplies.  Simply add the following code to your order before checkout.

HQQAL  

Not valid on previous purchases, special orders, exclusive offers, Bella solids or other items as listed in their item or special promotion detail.  Cannot be used in combination with another promotion code.  Promotion code valid until 2/10/11 midnight, CST.

So here we go!!!  Go ahead and decide on your size and then get your fabric rounded up.  I will give you a bit of time to do this.  I will be ordering mine today or tomorrow, I am so excited!!  I will be using Giddy by Sandy Grieves.  I love the adorable pinks, browns, and aqua!!  What a great combo!!!

So as promised earlier, here are some of the layouts :)  Leah, over at Burgundy Buttons is also working up some designs featuring collections she has in stock and I will be adding them as soon as she has them finished.  Just to give you some ideas of what you can put together :)

This is the 2 x 2 block layout so it would measure 34 x 34 

This is the 3 x 3 block layout so it would measure 51 x 51

This is the 3 x 4 block layout so it would measure 51 x 68

This is the 4 x 5 block layout so it would measure 68 x 85

Wednesday's Working On

Okay, so obviously, my  new WIP is starting The Happy Quilting Quilt-A-Long.  I am so super excited!!!  It seems that everyone is totally in love with the Variation Design (I was secretly hoping to do that one, Yippee!) so I will be working up the fabric requirements and posting them soon.  I will also be giving you more info on Burgundy Buttons Sponsorship :)  You still have time to jump on in !!!  Oh, and don't forget to join the flickr group HERE if you are sewing along :)

Ya, I am totally loving having EQ 7!!!

I am also still going strong on Block-A-Palooza :)  Here is my third block, can't wait for the next one to come out tomorrow :)

I also just finished up my Bee block for February.  I am loving being part of this bee.  How fun is it to be part of others WIP??  I get so excited at the beginning of the month to see what patterns will be requested and what fabrics sent.  This month was all about the HST.  This is what I came up with :)

And then, as always, I have several quilts on the "drawing board".  I find I really don't work on several quilts at once.  Good thing I am joining all of these groups that force me to do a little at a time.  I think it is helping me to break out of my comfort zone and shake things up :)

Linking up to  

The Happy Quilting Quilt-A-Long!!

Can you say that three times fast :)  I thought and thought about what to call this quilt-a-long.  The basis of this is the quilt I designed and called Nature's Pathways, but this name came mostly from the fabric chosen.  Since I don't plan on using the same fabric the name didn't fit.  So after stressing about it for a while I decided to just keep it simple and call it The Happy Quilting Quilt-A-Long.  Now you can each name your quilt when you are finished :)  Yippee Skippee!!!

So are you ready???  I am so excited!!!  So let's get started.  First off, I made a button for this little venture.  Ya, do you see the theme of my blog coming through here :)  So if you are planning to join feel free to copy and paste the html code below to add the Quilt-A-Long button on your blog :)  (Sorry, I figured out how to make the little box on my sidebar but couldn't figure out how to add it in the post - If anyone knows how, I would appreciate the help :)

<a border="0" href="http://happyquiltingmelissa.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9hzghShqAA0/TUgeXfsQBYI/AAAAAAAAAxI/S7ElYYg97io/s1600/happy-quilting-along-button.png"/></a>

Second, I have created a flickr group here for everyone to share their progress, ask questions, and all that jazz.  So hop on over and join the group.  It will be so fun to see how everyone is doing each week!!

Third, I have created a tab on my blog where you can always check for updated posts.  I don't have a set schedule laid out.  I will try to post as I see the general mass of the group is ready for the next step.  But if you miss a post or fall behind no worries.  There will be links to each step under the tab for easy access to where you are.

Fourth, I am super excited to announce that Burgundy Buttons will be sponsoring the Happy Quilting Quilt-A-Long.  What does that mean for you??  Discounts on your quilt-a-long fabric supplies purchase and a chance at a prize for those that complete the Quilt-A-Long :)  How is that for excitement and motivation!!!

So now that we have covered all the essentials - Let's get to the Quilt-A-Long!!!  I have been playing with my EQ 7 and have drafted up my Original Design and then a Variation of the Original Design.  If you plan on participating can you please leave a comment of which version you would like to do in the Quilt-A-Long.  I have listed a little bit about each to help you make your decision.  I will give everyone a few days to vote and then once we decide which design to do I will get together a fabric list for several different sizes and post it :)

The Original Design -  This pattern starts out the same as the variation but the sashing is different.  The sashing requires you to cut at angels and is a little fickle when piecing.  It is also a little harder to adjust sizes because there aren't "blocks" so if you want to make a smaller version you will most likely end up cutting out some rows or columns losing a bit of the pattern or shrinking the size of your blocks.  Like the other pattern, this can be done with pre-cuts or yardage.  I will be giving fabric requirements for both :)  (I did it in 2 different fabric variations just to give some ideas :)

  

The Variation Design - Once again, this pattern starts out the same but the sashing is different.  This sashing is pieced using some more standard methods and will go together a little easier.  The sizes are easier to adjust as this is more of a standard block.  Just like before, this can be done with pre-cuts or yardage.  I will be giving fabric requirement for both :)

So that's that.  Did you make it all the way here?  Way to go!!!!  Go ahead and leave a comment of which version you would prefer and we will get going :)  I am so excited!!!!!!

EDIT -   Here is a quick link list of all of the posts in this Quilt-A-Long series :)

Introduction :)

Fabric Requirements :)

Cutting 5" Squares Instructions :)

Sewing 16 Patch Block Instructions :)

Sewing the Disappearing 16 Patch Block Instructions :)

Cutting and Sewing the Corner Instructions :)

Attaching the Corners to Finish the Blocks Instructions :)

Finishing your Quilt Top Instructions :)

Love Nest Quilt Contest

So have you heard of Gen X Quilters?  It is a super fun little blog ran by AnneMarie.  She happens to be hosting a Love Nest Quilt Contest  right now.  The request is for quilts that are finished bed sized quilt and Modern.  I figured my Braided Irish Chain is a perfect fit.  So here is a blast from October past :)

 I love Irish Chain quilts.  My mother made me a double Irish Chain queen size quilt for my wedding that resided on my bed for years.  After the children "loved" it a little to much I decided it was time to make a new one.  I wanted to make an Irish Chain Quilt but add some Modern twist to it.   So I began designing.   My design started with a simple Single Irish Chain, a very large Single Irish Chain.  Then I started adding "braids" for that modern flair.  And wha-la, The Braided Irish Chain pattern was created!   I had some much fun designing this quilt and was so surprised and pleased with the secondary patterns that came from it.

This quilt became my second Moda Bake Shop tutorial.  That's right, you can click right here for step by step directions on how to make it.  This was the largest quilt I have made as well as quilted.  Yes, I quilted it on my little Bernina, and yes, my shoulder was sore the next morning :)    I put this quilt together in a two weeks, however, those were some sewing intense 2 weeks :)  This quilt was a blast to put together and I am so super pleased with the final result!!  (Oh, but if I were to make it again some day, I would add a border along the 2 sides so that it hangs a little lower on the bed :)

Oh, and tomorrow is February 1st, and you know what that means, the start of my Quilt-A-Long :)  See you tomorrow!!!!

Block-A-Palooza #2

Okay, so this post is going up about hour after it was planned, but unfortunately, I didn't have my full attention on my blocks and sewed 4 of the little 9 patch sets completely backwards.  Enter Mr. Seam Ripper.  Ah well, that is what happens when you are doing a few to many things at once.  So, here it is.  Block #2 designed by Elizabeth Fransson.  (I varied slightly from the design to keep all of my blocks the same size, but that is something probably only I will notice :)

I also put this little block together and will soon be turning it into an adorable mug rug.  There is a challenge to make a mug rug that represents you.  I thought what better than my new quilting mantra :)