Modern Quilt Quiltalong 2008

[SewHelpMe]

Anybody want to join in on a modern quilt quiltalong?

I'm using the book The Modern Quilt Workshop, and I want to make the Marquee quilt (I think).

This will be a loosely structured quilt-a-long.  Just pick a modern/contemporary-style pattern then post your progress as the year progresses.

The only rule would be that the quilt must be bed size.  I'm going to post an art quilt quiltalong, too, for people who want to make a smaller-sized project.

I'm not starting mine until January (2008), but feel free to jump on board and start anytime.  This oughta be fun!

UPDATE
I'm sure there are tons of others, but here are some links to free quilt patterns that would be great for this craftalong:

Amy Butler patterns:  http://www.amybutlerdesign.com/products/free_patterns.php
FunQuilts patterns:  http://www.funquilts.com/gallery/patterns/patterns.html
FreeSpirit patterns:  http://www.freespiritfabric.com/core-pages/patterns.php
Marcus Fabrics:  http://www.marcusbrothers.com/makeit/projects/metro_blue_wallhanging/index.html
Heather Bailey:  http://www.heatherbaileydesign.com/HB_FreshcutQuilt.pdf

Other books to check out:
Happy Hour by Atkinson Designs
Make Your Own Contemporary Quilts by Paola Pieroni
Modern Art with Fabric by Debbie Maddy (Calico Carriage Quilt Designs)
Anything by Kaffe Fassett

[Rose1234]

Wow, this is great. I'd love to quilt along. I just got this book last month. Like you, I won't be able to start until January but I do plan on making at least one thing out of the book.

Thanks for starting this thread. :-)

[SewHelpMe]

Yeaaaaa for Rose1234!  This will be so much fun with other people!  I just ordered The Quiltmaker's Color Workshop (by the same authors as MQW), and I love, love, love the quilt on the cover so I may end up doing a quilt from that book instead.  I can't wait for it to get here so I can see what other wonderfulness they've come up with!

[Rose1234]

I agree, the more people involved, the more fun it will be. Last year a blogger did a quilt along and I saw the photos posted on Flickr.com, but by the time I got the book, almost everyone had finished what they were working on. Hopefully we'll get it going good over here for 2008. :-)

[SewHelpMe]

I made a marquee sample block yesterday, and it turned out pretty well.  I used some left-over blue fabric from my husband's quilt that I just finished. 


Now, though, I have a question...  the fabric requirements call for 9 yards of backing fabric and 7 yards of "field" fabric.  So why would I need 8-1/2 yards of marquee fabric?  Those numbers just seem like way over-kill in the fabric department.  I'm going to see if anybody made a comment of this nature in the dioramarama.com quilt-a-long.  Well...  I just checked the Funquilts website.  There is a list of corrections to the book, but none of them is about fabric requirements for this quilt.

I'm also going to try to use my SERGER to sew together the strips!  I don't even know how a serger works, but I have one, and I'm going to test it out!  Cheating?  No more so than using a sewing machine, I don't think!

[daisyprincess98]

by golly...i think i might join you!  but, fair warning...this will be my first quilt...ever..

I will be doing "fat quarter frenzy" (i think, i'll double check) from "Fabulous Fat-Quarter Quilts"

I already have some pieces cut, but nothing sewn yet.

[SewHelpMe]

fair warning...this will be my first quilt...ever..

Hey, daisyprinces98!  This should be a FUN craft-a-long.  Do you have Modern Quilt Workshop?  It has some FABULOUS quilts that are listed as "simple", but have a HUGE impact.

I also like the authors' attitude toward quilting.  They are quite forgiving, have wonderful explanations for WHY they stray from the quilting norm, and give you creative permission that makes you want to TRY a quilt in the first place--no quilt police here, that's for sure!

This quilt-a-long will be very easy-going, too.  You get the entire year to finish your quilt (though I'm hoping to finish more than one within the year!).

Glad you're joining in!

B

[daisyprincess98]

I don't have the book...but might look into it after Christmas...

[Rose1234]

SewHelpMe, that's a beautiful block. I just love the colors of blue.

[SewHelpMe]

SewHelpMe, that's a beautiful block. I just love the colors of blue.

Thanks Rose1234!  I just bought some fabric for my "real" blocks--I'm going to try a red and green quilt just like what's pictured in the book.  Here's the red fabric (I'm still working on the greens):