Welcome!
It’s Friday and I usually highlight fabrics (Fabric Fridays!) that are in my shop or are out there in other shops but today let’s talk about using those fabrics in Quilt Alongs.
Have you heard about quilt alongs or sew alongs? Are you an eager participant?
Quilters usually find themselves in one of two camps: either they join every single quilt along that’s offered OR they resist the urge and create independently. Ignoring the crowd can sometimes be dang difficult. Everyone wants to be a part of the “in” crowd. Sharing your block or progress in the quilt-making process can earn you “likes” and prizes, even new followers. Plus, it’s nice to get encouragement while you’re working on a quilt. And going it alone is, well, lonely.
A quilt-along is best described as using social media to be led (or to lead) others in creating quilts using the same pattern but whatever fabrics each participant has in their own stash. Some pattern designers lead quilt-alongs when they release a new pattern to help generate interest and sales. Other times it’s a way to increase the number of followers one has. Usually there are prizes involved for participation. Hashtags are used to track participation. It’s fun but one might easily over-commit from wanting to join in every quilt-along offered!
Instagram Quilt Alongs
Here’s just a small example of the current quilt-alongs being offered right now on Instagram:
Moda Block Heads 3
14 Moda designers will create 56 blocks and feature them on their respective blogs every Wednesday. Each block can be made in at least two sizes – 6″ and 12″. The sewalong started this week with Corey Yoder of Coriander Quilts offering her Star Chain Quilt Block.
Two Color Irish Chain Quilt-Along
Say that three times fast! Gigi’s Thimble is hosting a low-key quilt along, meaning you’re not required to post progress pics on Instagram to be eligible for prizes (which means there aren’t prizes offered). This is a low stress quilt-along with encouragement, instructions, tips and a hashtag to use (#irishchainqal) but not pressure otherwise!
Scrappy Trip Quilt Along
Woodberry Way is hosting the Scrappy Trip Quilt Along both on her blog and on Instagram. There’s prizes to be awarded for participation, which requires weekly pics on Instagram of your progress.
There are, I am positive, other quilt-alongs going on that I haven’t noticed. There’s usually someone leading the way to inspire us all to keep quilting! The hard part is finishing what we start so we don’t have so many unfinished projects (preaching to myself here!)
One thing I love about quilt-alongs is that usually the patterns selected are quilts I have on my (very long) list of quilts I’d like to make someday. When someone hosts a quilt-along, it’s just an excuse to mark that particular quilt off of my list.
Are you participating in any (or all) of these quilt alongs? If so, let me know! Fabric Fridays will be back next week. Until then, keep creating!
I need to learn how to quilt!! These are so gorgeous and the fabrics just make me happy! There are a lot of crochet and knit alongs but they never offer prizes! Wow! Quilters know how to get people participating!
Jenny, you’re so inspiring!! I ❤️ Your talent!!
Thank you, Jersey! I feel the same way about you.
I could totally see getting started on too many and not finishing any!! Lol I love the community around quilting, everyone supporting each other!
It surely is a community offering much support, Emily!
Perhaps I should be pulling out my fabric and playing along to have a fun way to use some of it up. This is my thought for so many crafts and then I end up with a wide variety of UFOs. 🤣 I guess that there’s joy in the making, finished or not. 😉