Wednesday, July 25, 2012

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.

Blackbird Fly by Poppyprint

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?

The Proverbial Quilt Pattern Packaging

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)!

Proverbial Quilt - A start

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!

Denyse Schmidtlogo    fishskinfabricbutton




27 comments:

greelyrita said...

That song is special to my DH and me too. When we first moved in together, we decided to do some music together. He played the guitar and I played the recorder. We did one performance only - for my mother. I think she was kind of amazed. She wasn't thinking that that's the kind of thing that defined us and it didn't but it certainly made her stop and think, maybe reassess.

Cathy said...

I am in! Pattern is ordered! Exciting!!!

Katy Cameron said...

Cool idea, looking forward to seeing what people create :o)

Donna~~ said...

I've had the pattern at least a year, but couldn't decide what I wanted to "say". Hope your quilt along will give me the inspiration!

GittaS said...

A wonderful quilt and so diverse.
Greetings
Gitta

Heather D. said...

Hmmmm, I'm SO tempted. I have a quote I'd like to use. Might need to jump in...

Dianne said...

eeeps! ordered the pattern...comtemplating a miniature for a wall hanging....we shall see. Intentions are good. Whether anything comes of it or not...:0)
I do like a deadline so perhaps the quilt along will help inspire me to move along on the project.

♥Duff said...

you hinted at this the other day so my pattern is already on the way....
Now to think about the words..

Katie said...

I ordered the pattern! I think this would make a great quilt to give my husband, maybe with a quote from one of his favourite movies, Forrest Gump.

Leanne said...

I will order the pattern tonight, I have to decide on the words I want.

Anne said...

Great idea, I've ordered the pattern. The timing looks good as I'm not a fast sewer.

What Comes Next? said...

oohh - can I fit it in?? I'm going to try - off to order my pattern!

Heather D. said...

Ordered the pattern!!

The Calico Cat said...

Yay - I own that pattern & one of those quilts has been on my to do list for quite some time - now to choose 1 "doable" quote.

Elsa said...

oh, I'm going call my local quilt store to see if they have the pattern, if not I'll order it from Marmalade ~ I'm excited about the quilt along. Not sure what I want to do yet ~ but count me in!

felicity said...

Fancy! This looks like so much fun, Krista. I am being strong and resisting, though. Must...finish...current..projects.

I will be delightedly watching from the sidelines and I'm looking forward to seeing everyone's quilts!

Alison said...

I love this pattern and adore your quilt. Been mulling over a suitable quote for ages and my Miss17 has just just put the perfect one into her school yearbook - bingo! Hope to join your quiltalong and get it done before she heads to university next year.

rstogether said...

I'm in baby! I see my QFF has also joined, so the peer pressure is on. I may need a flickr tutorial, but can't wait. Hmm, what to write, er quilt.

Andrea C said...

I'm in too. I have recently fell back in love with a huge stash of fabric in my condo and have been advised by a very close friend to stop buying and to quilt faster. I'm not friends with Flickr yet and will need some help. Step One down: just bought the pattern.

JuliePickles said...

If I can get the hubby to let me buy the pattern then I am totally in. I already know what I want to say, yay!

Marit said...

I am so in love with your quilt! Beautiful colors and a wonderful quote. Can't stop singing that song, now...
Have the pattern. Very tempted.
; )

Live a Colorful Life said...

You KNOW I'm playing along. I have actually had the pattern for a couple of years and I already know the lyrics I want to use. I'm excited!!!

Chelsea said...

Woohoo! My pattern arrived! Now, James Brown or Johnny Cash? Get on up, get on the scene, like a sex machine. Kinda might be winning out.

Mina said...

Woohoo, I just discovered this QAL and ordered my pattern !!(Took a bit to find one though)

Now what words.....

dutchcomfort said...

A bit late, but I’m playing along and can’t wait for my pattern to arrive! I’m not sure about the lyrics yet.

dutchcomfort said...

I though I left a comment, but can’t find it. Well, I’m a bit late, but I would love to play along. ust orfered the pattern and now I have to think about the lyrics! Can}t wait!

Dana said...

I've had this pattern for about a year, so hopefully this will get me going on it!
Thanks for the push!