DCMQG 2016 Quilt-Along - Introduction

Welcome to the DCMQG 2016 Quilt-Along (which I offered to host in a moment of stupidity weakness).

I made a button and everything (now if only I could figure out how to give people the code so they can post it to their blogs). But I think I'll need to create a landing page to link it to first, and that's not up yet.

So, I created a sampler quilt that combines some easy sewing with some skill builders. On the docket are basic patchwork, HSTs, precision piecing, triangles, improv, sew and slash (my term, I think), flying geese, QSTs, mitres, HRTs, diamonds, applique, easy paper (foundation) piecing, hard paper piecing, and curves. I even have an optional EPP project in the applique section.

The quilt has 32 blocks, ranging from 4"x8" (finished) to 32"x32" (finished). The finished quilt will be 96"x96" and I will also add instructions for a 48"x48" baby quilt. The baby quilt has to be simplified in a few places, otherwise some of the patchwork would become miniscule.

I will be adding suggestions on where and how you can incorporate some additional improv into the various blocks, either by linking to tutorials or listing out options.

So, without further ado... here is the sampler (please note that not all of the blocks are finalized, or I couldn't get them to look exactly right in EQ7, some of them are just placeholders for the actual pattern as I'm making this quilt right along with you all, just a few weeks ahead so I can iron out the instructions, but this is the general idea and this will be the layout and the block sizes):

Fabric:

According to EQ7, for the large quilt, you will need about 6 yards of background fabric and about 10 yards of other assorted fabrics (although this may be a slight exaggeration, since EQ7 counts one 4.5"x4.5" piece as 1/4 yard.

I will be using a single fabric collection, my FQ bundle of Fandango by Kate Spain, which has 41 prints, ergo 10.25 yards, for the pieces and Kona Snow (which is my usual go-to background for Kate Spain fabric) as the background.

Here are some other suggestions (you can download a blank version of the quilt here to play around with color placement):

• Christmas/Halloween fabric
• Low Volume Background with scrappy pieces
• All solids
• Black and White Prints with one or two colors of solids (i.e. greens and blues)

This is the gorgeous quilt that the DCMQG made for my son and is merely an example.

• Rainbow pieces with black background

• A single color with a white background

• A single color with a black background

As you can see, the theme of this sampler quilt is farm stand (fruits and veggies); however, you are welcome to change the themed blocks (I will be calling those out as we get to them and making a few suggestions as to alternate blocks), so you can trade them out for a different block of your choosing.

Some options for alternate themes:

• Birds (note the addition of a chevron block underneath the turkey to substitute for the 16"x28" pineapple block)

• Nature/Trees
• Christmas/Halloween (use themed fabrics)
• Butterflies/Bugs
• Cats/Dogs
• Flowers
• Nautical

I will be posting roughly a block a week, with 2-3 weeks for some of the more time consuming blocks. We'll be starting with some four patches for the queen-sized and some cutting for the baby quilt, unless you want to make some very tiny four patches. I hope you will all join me on this (hopefully fun) adventure.