"Everything Goes" Quilt-Along Week One

Week One - 26 Nov-2 Dec, 2020 (or, join us as soon as you can - late arrivals welcome!)

A huge, happy hello to you all! Thank you for participating in my very first QAL. I'm so excited & can't wait to share our "Everything Goes" quiltmaking journey. There will not only be new stitching friends to be made, but also plenty of giveaways & some exclusive QAL special offers.

As I have already flagged, this QAL will be at a relaxed pace. It's generally a busier time of the year, but also a time for relaxing & enjoying time with those we love (potentially via Zoom this year!). While there are targets for each week, it is your quiltmaking experience, so "Everything Goes" - if you are running behind, that is perfectly okay; if you forge ahead, then that is perfectly okay too. Your quilt, your pace. This QAL is not so much about keeping up, it's about connecting with other quiltmakers & sharing the journey.

Some general housekeeping: we are each other's cheer squad. I don't think it needs to be said, but let's leave our differences at the door & simply encourage one another, be kind & be helpful.

So, let's get Week One underway!

This week's Instagram homework:

1. print the first page of your pattern (if you haven't already bought your pattern, you can get it here)

2. pull some fabrics that you plan to use in your quilt - this could be a pile of scraps, or some pre-cuts, any fabric at all - just remember that Everything Goes!

3. style a colourful picture that includes both the first page of the pattern + your fabrics (no pattern in your picture will deem you ineligible for giveaways)

4. share the picture on Instagram, with an introduction & hello to other QAL participants, that includes: your name, a little about you as a quiltmaker & what excites you about making this quilt

5. important: remember to use the hashtag #everythinggoesquilt in your post

This week's "Everything Goes" target:

1. this week is all about getting ready to sew, sew, sew! So, begin by sorting through your scrap stash (as per the pattern instructions). Have fun with this, dig deep & throw in some treasures, as well as some that you really don't like - they will surprise you in this make. Remember - variety is the key, not too much of any one fabric.

2. iron your fabrics as you go - this ensures a better finish

3. cut your corner squares & strips - I just began with a whole stack of strips, occasionally topping them up as I went

4. fill some bobbins in readiness - this is a great project for using up your odds & sods thread

5. tend to your machine - clean & oil, & consider changing the needle

I'm excited! I hope that you are too!! Remember, that the "I Am In" giveaway will be announced both here & on Instagram on December 1, 2020 - so be sure to check for that announcement.

From These Clever Hands, to Yours...

Jo xo