THE HOW TO
The Starburst Quilt-A-Long is based on my Starburst design that I did last year. Each quilt consists of 4 large Starburst blocks. The design is given in 3 different sizes so you can choose to make your quilt 57" x 57" (24" blocks), 76" x 76" (32" blocks), or 95" x 95" (40" blocks). This quilt is not made by making one block at a time but rather making one complete set of quilting units (goose in the corner blocks, half square triangles, and flying geese) at a time. Once the units are done, then the blocks will be created. I broke down the construction of the quilt into 5 weeks and then added an additional 2 weeks to get it basted, quilted, and bound. The schedule will be as follows
January 14 - Cutting Post
January 21 - Goose in the Corner and Half Square Triangles
January 28 - Flying Geese
February 4 - Building Blocks - At least 2
February 11 - Finish Blocks and Sashing
February 18 - Baste it, Quilt it, Bind It
March 4 - Starburst Parade and Grand Prizes
So count on checking back each Monday to see what the next week's assignment will be. You will want to try to keep up weekly as there will be prizes along the way!! With that said, there is a tutorial, so if you get super excited and feel the need to work ahead, go for it!! Just be sure to take a picture of each weekly assignment so that you can link it up for the weekly prizes :) Oh, and if you are new to quilting, no worries, this will be super beginner friendly! I will go through each step in great detail in the Monday posts.
THE FABRIC REQUIREMENTS
Quilt Top
Regardless of what size quilt you decide to make, you will need 12 fat quarters. You can pull these from your stash or Julie at the Intrepid Thread has put together 7 stunning Starburst Quilt-A-Long Custom Bundles. They are listed in Fat Quarter Bundles, which is what you need. But, if you really love a bundle and want a little extra for a second quilt or another project, Julie has also listed them in Half Yard Bundles.
I went ahead and put each custom bundle into the quilt layout so you could get an idea of how they will look in the quilt. These bundles are at a special Quilt-A-Long discount price, but there is another little surprise father down, think coupon code :)
Fairy Dell
Figs and Plums
Peaches No Pits
Frosty Autumn
Key Lime Strawberry Pie
Sun and Sea
Aren't these just fabulous. Julie has impeccable taste in fabric!! Good Luck choosing a favorite!! It was a super hard choice for me, but in the end I decided I am going with Fruit Loops and Cocoa Puffs. I am so excited!!
Background Fabric (solid white in quilt sketches)
Once you have chosen your 12 fat quarters you need to get your Background Fabric. I would suggest using a solid for this. The background fabric needed is as follows
For the 57" x 57" (24" blocks) size you need 2 2/3 yards background fabric
For the 76" x 76" (32" blocks) size you need 4 yards background fabric
For the 95" x 95" (40" blocks) size you need 6 1/3 yards background fabric
Binding
If you like scrappy bindings, there will be enough left over from your fat quarters to do a lovely scrappy bindings. If you prefer a one fabric binding you will need the following:
For the 57" x 57" (24" blocks) size you need 1/2 yard binding fabric
For the 76" x 76" (32" blocks) size you need 5/8 yard binding fabric
For the 95" x 95" (40" blocks) size you need 3/4 yard binding fabric
Backing
If you like scrappy backings, piece your backing together to be at least 6" larger on all sides than your quilt top. If you prefer a one fabric backing you will need the following:
For the 57" x 57" (24" blocks) size you need 2 3/4 yards backing fabric
For the 76" x 76" (32" blocks) size you need 4 1/2 yards backing fabric
For the 95" x 95" (40" blocks) size you need 9 yards backing fabric
Coupon Code!!!
Julie is not only offering these beautiful bundles at a tremendous price, but she is also giving members of the Starburst Quilt-A-Long another fabulous discount. Use the coupon code STARBURST at your checkout and receive and extra 10% off your order. This means you can get an extra 10% off your already low priced bundle as well as getting 10% off your background fabric, and if you so choose, your binding and backing. Score!! Thank you to Julie for this extra little perk!!
THE PRIZES
I am so very excited about the Prizes for this Quilt-A-Long!! I don't know about you, but I know that I am highly more motivated to keep up and finish when there are prizes at stake ;) So how about this for a little motivation.
All those that finish their quilt top will be eligible for the Grand Prize. The Grand Prize's are sponsored by The Intrepid Thread and huge Thank You goes out to Julie for her generosity in these prizes. Wan't to know what they are???
A $75.00 Gift Certificate that you can spend as you like!! There will be 3 lucky Grand Prize winners and each will get their own little shopping spree at The Intrepid Thread!! And if that whopping amount of fabric goodness isn't motivation, then I don't know what is!!
But . . . Sometimes it is hard to keep motivated when the end is so far away. So for that . . . We have a little Weekly Motivation. Each week you will be able to link up (You don't have to have a blog to link up, you can link to a flickr picture :) your completed assignment for a chance to win the weekly prize. These Weekly Prizes are sponsored by Fat Quarter Shop and a huge thank-you goes out to Kimberly and her team for their support in this Quilt-A-Long!!!
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BUTTONS AND FLICKR
Now down to the last of the nitty gritty. First, If you are Quilting-A-Long and have a blog, It would be wonderful if you added the button to your blog :) It really helps to spread the word and the more that Quilt-A-Long the better!!! If you have already added the button, thank you!!!
Second, I would love it if you joined the Happy Quilting Quilt-A-Long Flickr group. You can post your fabric here, your progress, ask questions, ect. And it is a super fun place to get to chat along with everyone participating :)
LET'S GET GOING!!
So that just about wraps it up!!! This week's assignment, round up your fabric. Next Monday you will be getting your cutting assignments. (And you will have a whole week to cut your fabric so if you don't have it by next Monday, it's okay, you still have some time :)
If you have any questions at all regarding the Quilt-A-Long please do not hesitate to email me at happyquiltingmelissa@gmail.com. I don't want anyone to not participate because they are confused by my rambling :) I am just so excited, I can't wait for next Monday!!!
