The Proverbial Quiltalong

 "Let's start at the very beginning , a very good place to start"

-Oscar Hammerstein II, from the Sound of Music

The lyrics to the first dance at your wedding? A cherished poem? Movie quotes? Family names? What text would you like to stitch into a quilt? The possibilities are endless, but I chose my favourite song.

After sharing my Blackbird Fly quilt I heard from several readers and friends that they have always wanted to make a word quilt.  Well, here's your chance!  I made a few calls (well, actually I sent a few emails, but making calls sounded rather pro, didn't it? Like I have Denyse Schmidt on speed dial, hehe), secured some awesome sponsored prizes and discounts, so we're ready to go!

I am so excited that Denyse Schmidt has not only given her permission to run a quiltalong using her Proverbial Quilt Pattern, her company is also sponsoring prizes! Text quilts are all the rage and there are several ways to create them including templates, patterns, free-piecing and applique, but for this quiltalong you'll need to purchase and use Denyse's pattern to be eligible for prizes, kay?

Here's some good news: quiltalong participants can take advantage of sponsor discounts both here in Canada as well as south of the border. Flare Fabrics  is offering a 15% discount on the pattern with checkout code Proverb15 until August 30th. As always, Marlene ships free within Canada. U.S. shoppers can check out Tammy's special price on the pattern at Marmalade Fabrics. Both sponsors have a limited number of patterns available so act fast to secure yours (international participants are absolutely welcome to order from either of these shops as well)!

It's summertime and the livin' is easy (hey, that could be a line on someone's quilt!) so I'm not going to be too formal with a planned out schedule or anything. I'll try and post weekly or thereabouts.  For now, if you would like to quilt-a-long here's what you need to do:

1. Order your pattern from Marmalade or Flare Fabrics or purchase at your local quilt shop
2. Join the quiltalong flickr group where we'll share our progress and discuss any issues that arise
3. Think about what size quilt you plan to make and what proverbs, lyrics, quotes, sayings, poem or collection of words or names you would like to piece. Don't forget, you are also welcome to emulate Denyse's own proverb quilt that you see on the pattern cover.

Let me know in the comments if you plan to play along. I realize there are many quiltalongs on the go in blogland at the moment and that's why we'll be taking it slow (so you have time for all of them!!). After all, it took me a year to complete my quilt. That was partly intentional though; don't let that scare you away. Not only am I slow, but I wanted this to be a mindful project that would be entirely pieced on my Featherweight while on retreats.

While we wait for everyone to get their patterns, I'll post about fabrics and layout ideas so you can start planning. Once everyone has their patterns, we'll have our first participant giveaway!  To be eligible for this first giveaway, a FQ set of Cloud 9 - Across the Pond organics from Flare Fabrics, I want to see a photo of you with your Proverbial Quilt pattern in the flickr pool. That way we all get to 'know' each other, too. I think we're going to have lots of fun and I'm imagining a small, friendly group working through our quilts together.

Thanks Sponsors!