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Monday, July 11, 2011

36 patch quilt along-week 1


Welcome to week 1 of the 36 patch quilt along! I'm excited that so many of you plan on quilting along with me! Today we will be talking about fabric requirements. For this quilt I'm "shopping" from my stash. I'm using fat quarters and other pieces of various sizes. There will be no sashing in this quilt. (Can you believe it???)
Each individual block finishes at 12" square. Each block requires two contrasting fabrics. Think about contrast when you are choosing your fabrics, and pick your fabric in pairs for each block. Pick one light value fabric and one medium value fabric. Or pick one medium value fabric and one dark value fabric. Or pick one light value fabric and one dark value fabric. I think you get the idea. :)

Like I said earlier, I'm using fat quarters, but there will be plenty of leftovers. Each fabric piece that you choose should be at least 8" x 18". Fat eighths would be perfect for this, actually, as fat eighths are typically cut 9" x 22".

Now, on to specific quilt sizes.....

Baby size=36" x 48" will require 12 pieced blocks.
This quilt will require 24 different fabrics.

Lap size=60" x 72" will require 30 pieced blocks. 
This quilt will require 60 different fabrics.

Square lap size=72" x 72" will require 36 pieced blocks.
This quilt will require 72 different fabrics.

Skinny twin quilt**=60" x 84" will require 35 pieced blocks.
This quilt will require 70 different fabrics.

Extra wide twin**=72" x 84" will require 42 pieced blocks.
This quilt will require 84 different fabrics.

Queen size quilt=84" x 96" will require 56 pieced blocks.
This quilt will require 112 different fabrics.

King size quilt= 108" x 96" will require 72 pieced blocks.
This quilt will require 144 different fabrics.

Personally, I'll be making the square lap version. So, I'll be making a 36 patch quilt out of 36 patches! (Thanks Cindy for the affirmation that this was the way to go.)
 
72 different fabrics may sound like a lot, but it really isn't that bad. Now, if you are making a king size and you are trying to round up 144 unique fabrics, you MAY want to consider repeating a few here and there. Or maybe you don't need to. I'm not here to judge. :)

**My typical twin size quilt is about 63" x 88". Since I am working with 12" blocks for this quilt along, that isn't quite possible, so the twin size measurements are a bit out of the norm. The lengths are a little shorter than normal which is typically ok, especially if your twin bed has a foot board. As far as width goes, choose a skinny twin if you would rather have less overhang on the sides and an extra wide twin if you would want more overhang on the sides. You may want to measure the mattress you are fitting just to be sure.

Next week I plan to share a tutorial for the block construction.

Any questions? I know that's a whole lot of math, and I'm trying to recuperate from the retreat this past weekend, so if you see any errors, please let me know! For those of you quilting along, do you know what size you want to make? I'd be curious to know.

Happy Monday to you!

99 comments:

  1. my 1st quilt along! excited!!!

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  2. I just spent 1 hour going through my scraps etc and then I saw this!! I am thrilled to be able to use up so much of my stash. My bins are overflowing. This will be fun. I loved the quilt along last summer and learned a lot. Thanks for organizing this.

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  3. I think I will make the baby or lap quilt. I have been blog stalking you all day today, cuz I am soooo excited! :) Can't wait to go through my stash and get this all ready!

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  4. oooh! what size to make? I'll have to dig through my stash first!

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  5. I want to make this quilt because I need to start doing some stash busting. I'm thinking about the lap size or square lap size. Love those adorable cupcakes and ice cream cones, btw.

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  6. Thanks Amanda. This will be my first Quilt Along ever. I'm so excited. I will make the lap size quilt. I can't wait to use up my fat quarters (so I can fill them back up with nice new lines).

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  7. I am thinking the lap size but who knows maybe bigger if I don't feel like I'm making a dent in my scraps!

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  8. Fabulous! Thanks for doing all that math... that's the part I hate. I think I'll start by aiming for the baby quilt and if I love making the block, I'll keep going and make a bigger version.

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  9. Thanks for posting all the info. I am excited to participate on my first quilt along. I am thinking I will do the 36 block square lap quilt. I am excited about going through my stash tomorrow!

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  10. I'm thinking baby or lap sized quilt....can't wait for next week!

    Cheers~
    Marti in San Diego

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  11. I'm going to make the baby or lap size quilt. My first quilt along!

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  12. this would be an excellent stashbuster... perhaps i should quilt along. it's not that i can't figure out how to quickly and effectively make a 36 patch block; it's that i wouldn't do it if you weren't telling me to!

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  13. Hmmm, I might join too!

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  14. another QAL......I might join in. It all depends on what I feel like when the fabric is talking to me.......LOL

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  15. I've been wanting to join one of your quilt-alongs for a while.

    I'm thinking queen-sized. We need some queen-sized quilts...

    We've been using twin-sized comforters...lol


    I say, bring it on!!

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  16. Yeah my very first quilt along :) Im so exited :)

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  17. Even though I said I would not do any QALs for awhile, I think this is one to make an exception for ;-) Not sure what size...maybe king?

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  18. Oh WOW I just came inside from making my first 2 blocks of a 36 patch quilt to fins this on my blog feed... Like it was meant to be

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  19. How many fat 8s do I need?
    Would one be enough and then use some fabrics twice?
    How about a jelly roll (or 2?)

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  20. I'll quilt along, even though I have two on the go already. Wouldn't mind busting a whole pile of scraps, I'll count and see what size I can squeeze. I might actually have more fabric than I thought.

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  21. I will wait until your next posting before I decide size. Thank you for offering a quilt along once more!

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  22. I am either going to make the baby size or lap size...although I don't think I have that many different fabrics!

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  23. Betty,

    The number of fat eighths depends on how large your quilt is. One fat eighth is enough fabric for half of one block. So you would need two fat eighths in contrasting colors for one block. If you want to repeat fabrics in your quilt, that's up to you.

    Sorry to say, a single jelly roll won't work for this pattern. If you have 2 of the exact same it could work, but there would be a lot of the second leftover.

    Hope that helps!

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  24. I guess it's time to start digging through that stash! I'm looking forward to quilting along with you! Do you have a place to post pictures so we can see everyone's choices/work?

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  25. I referenced you on my blog today! :) www.myothercarisacrane.blogspot.com

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  26. I am ready to go through my fabrics! Depending on what I find, I will do baby, lap, or square lap.

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  27. I'll be making the lap size. Because my snuggle quilt stack isn't QUITE tall enough. And besides, what's one more WIP? ;) Time to go "shopping."

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  28. Hmmm... maybe making baby sized? OR twin? Can't decide, can't wait to start!

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  29. This is awesome! I would love to join but I'm so bummed because I don't have a sewing machine. (Actually 2 broken sewing machines) I'm going to buy one today!! I can't wait to follow what this quilt along.

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  30. Anonymous10:32 AM

    Sadly I won't be doing this quilt along with you, but I love your cupcake block. It reminds me of my Cupcake Quilt I made for my daughter. Except instead of blocks it's log cabin style. :) Which reminds me of the Log Cabin book I got from you and wanted to tell you I recieved it last week and it truly is eye candy! Thanks again!

    Have fun with your quilt along!

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  31. I have one of two options: Throw quilt for my niece (lap quilt) or

    whatever the heck I manage to craft from my 30's fabric.

    I LOOOVE my 30's fabric. But, I have it all set aside for another quilt that I'm working on and I don't want to run out of fabric for the first quilt. So I really should be responsible and not touch the 30's stuff until I finish quilt #1.

    We'll see where things stand at the end of the week! :)

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  32. 1st QAL and my sewing machine's fixed - yay! I'm thinking either the baby or lap size, but it depends on what I find in my stash. I'm still a relatively new sewist/quilter, so my fabric stash is nowhere near the size of my yarn stash. :)

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  33. I am inspired and will be glad to use up some of my scraps. I can't wait until we begin.

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  34. The skinny twin size is right up my alley. To me, it's a comfy couch sized quilt.

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  35. My first quilt along!

    I now know what I will be doing during nap time today. I hope I have enough in my stash to make at least a lap sized quilt.

    I can't wait to make something out of my scraps.

    Thank you so much for doing things like this!

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  36. I can't believe I missed this post yesterday! I will be making a lap size quilt...I have been collecting black and white fabrics for a while...this could be the perfect quilt for them! Can you tell me if the finished quilt will look like a postage quilt? Smiles
    ~Beth

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  37. Will a combination light/medium blocks and dark/medium blocks look ok or would it be better to stick to the same configuation all over ?

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  38. I'm excited to be doing my very first quilt along! I'm going to attempt to make a lap sized quilt out of Christmas fabrics. I may not have quite enough different fabrics, but I'll do my best to make what I have work!

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  39. I'm so excited to be joining in your quilt a long (my first ever). I am new to quilting so I don't have left overs, so I will have to repeat some fabrics. Thanks for hosting.

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  40. Excited to join this quilt along and I picked a project that I will definitely finish. My 3 year old wants a train room, so I am doing reds and blues for a "Thomas" look. It will be a quilt for his bed, so I will be doing either the skinny twin or the extra wide twin, I haven't decided yet!

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  41. Thanks for the nice shout-out, so naturally, in honor of your birthday I'm making 36 blocks! Any other consideration by me would be just silly...

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  42. I'm watching Despicable Me, and just got to the part where Gru says "Hate *that* guy", and totally thought of you and cracked up!

    Love the 36 patch... it's on my list when my sewing mojo comes back... which at this rate will be well AFTER the baby's born, lol.

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  43. I'm in. I'll either be making one of the lap-size quilts. I have pulled my fabric from my stash (I'm using all stripes and dots) sadly I have more than enough. Looking forward to it.

    Marilyn

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  44. 72 fabrics required for the square lap size, eh? Easy to do out of the stash. Can't wait.

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  45. Cindy6:05 PM

    I'm doing a size between baby and lap size. I was going to do the baby size but I like to give a bigger quilt that can be used as they grow. So... 20 blocks, quilt will be 48 x 60 with 40 different fabrics.

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  46. Cinda6:43 PM

    ok...no more creeping...going to join my first quilt along!! Getting back to the things I love...sewing, etc. Undecided about the size. Not sure how much fabric i have...will probably look very scrappy. Thanks for doing this - your blog has really inspired me!!

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  47. Think I will try this. It just looks like fun. I think I will go with a wide twin. I'm excitied.

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  48. I'm a quilt-along newbie...does this mean I actually have to keep up with the group 'cause molasses in January and I have a lot in common (this means I'm slooooow)? If keeping up isn't required, I think I'll go for baby or (maybe) lap.

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  49. i'm nervous because i'll actually be accountable for finishing this! but i'd really like to bust through my stash. have bunches of 30's prints from grandma's that i'll go through this week! can't wait! thanks for doing this quilt a long!

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  50. I'm going to shop my stash too. Especially the old florals, infact I think this might finally get rid of them! I'd like to do the king, but I think I'll just make it as big as I can according to the fabrics I have.

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  51. Amanda,

    Can a non-blogger quilt along? I don't have a blog of my own, but love to read and follow others. I would consider making a large twin or queen and I have a HUGE stash, so could probably make several! Thanks for considering.

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  52. bethanndodd,

    yes, it will look somewhat like a postage stamp quilt.

    aj

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  53. judy,

    i thought about doing some medium and dark blocks and some medium and light blocks. i think it would look great together, to add some interest. but you'd just have to try it and see to make sure. play around with it and have some fun!

    aj

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  54. I am really excited about this quilt along becuase it is beginner friendly. Thank you.

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  55. quiltinmama,

    your molasses comment made me laugh. i love and use that phase. :) no keeping up required, so NO WORRIES! no pressure at all!

    aj

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  56. deb,

    anyone can join along, blogger or non-blogger. i'd be happy to help you use your HUGE stash! :) hope you have fun with it.

    aj

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  57. I'm glad this is the thinking week. I need to plan my strategy and see what I can come up with. I will definitely stash bust but just how and how much remains to be seen.

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  58. I always want to join, but knitting and crocheting get in the way! I might make one block as a quilt for my Blythe dolls.

    You always have such lovely quilts!

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  59. Newbie here too! But would love to try the wide twin. Have to make room for more fabric!

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  60. Argh my bed is king-sized and no one I know cares about quilts. I would want to use it on a bed, too, so I'd probably make it king. Or I'd want it to end up king-sized, anyway. We'll see about the 'making' part.

    Also I want to do it postage-stamp style and that requires smaller squares than two inches, like one inch so there are a good gross of squares in a 12" block.

    How many weeks will this run? I could probably handle doing a few blocks a week even if that's more than you're asking. I know that's sort of customizing all this into unrecognizability, but I really like the idea of doing it as part of a quilt-along with some set goals and a schedule.

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  61. All this excitement about a (virtual) quilt-a-long! I am definately going to use my stash and make a fat twin. I'll have to decide tomorrow on fabrics, it will either match my new slipped covered family room (i've been dying to make a new quilt to match) or it will be a true scrappy design for the cabin. i will get behind because we are heading on vaca. but don't worry, i always finish what i start!

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  62. this is my first qal! i'm either doing the baby or lap size, depending on how many more ebay fabric purchases i can make before my husband goes mad! (my stash is quite bare as i'm a newbie, so it's a great excuse to buy buy buy!) you should create a image we can all post on our blogs to show we're participating in your qal! (i guess i'm a bit keen, being a rookie!) thanks for organizing! i'm excited but nervous...

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  63. Wow! My first quilt along :) I think I have enough in my stash...hope I do anyway! BTW...the retreat was awesome, as was making new friends. Since I've been back, I have spent WAY too much time on your blog. So much wonderful/helpful information.

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  64. OK, seriously being tempted here. Loving the square size...side note question...In the picture, what is that pink fabric? I LOVE it (because I am CERTAIN I need more fabric...LOL)...

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  65. Going with the baby... worried about getting all that fabric together but will work it out :)

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  66. So this is perfect. .. I'm going to do the lap size since I'm turning 30 this year! This is a present to myself! Now to figure out fabric and colors. . . .

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  67. I'm going with the lap size -- with mostly mid and dark values as this will probably be a gift for my son.

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  68. Ginette12:20 PM

    I am going with the lap size. Since I am turning 36 this year too, I figure it should be a gift to me!! lol
    I will be going through my stash... my mother bought me a whole bundle of orange fat quarters for Christmas a few years back... I think I might use those but I need to find the right fabrics to go with them...
    I am so excited to join all of you in my first Quilt along!!

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  69. I think I'll join in and make a lap size...I may be late!

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  70. My first quilt along too! I have a hard time sticking to instructions...so i'm just going to start with you and see where I end up! probalby lap size but who knows. i've been hankering for a new king...

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  71. Ok...I am officially in. (can you hear the scream?) I will be using only "scraps" from previous projects. I WILL make this a stash buster. Really!

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  72. Going through my stash. I'm trying not to do a print and a solid for every block combo. But so far that's what I'm gravitating too. I didn't realize I had so many solids.

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  73. This is a fantastic idea! So, I thought I would join in. Here is my first block:

    http://creatinganaturallife.blogspot.com/2011/07/36-patch-quilt-along-week-1.html

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  74. I seem to be using 1/2 stash and 1/2 new purchases! Oh, well. I see possibilities for more of these in the future.

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  75. I can't resist! I am quilting along with ya'll. I am gearing toward a lap size because my Mom and I are trying to whittle down our stash by making tied quilts for friends who are ill, have surgery, are grieving, etc. This will be the perfect size and a nice break from the Jelly Roll 1600 quilt that I have been whipping up lately. Thanks for hosting!

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  76. My first quilt along also! Can't wait to start! I could probably make at least 10 quilts with all my stash:0)

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  77. my first quilt along as well. gotta check out my stash and see what I have. This is exciting.
    vicki from vancouver island, bc,canada

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  78. I think I'm going to join in! I haven't made a quilt since my youngest was born almost 3 years ago...eeek!

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  79. susan p.8:43 PM

    My first Quilt along. Yikes!! This is scary stuff. I have never made a quilt but why not just jump off the deep end of the pool. If I understand correctly this week I only have to chose fabric. I think I can do this.

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  80. Saw the link to your quilt along on Vicki B's blog. I am very interested but wondering how many blocks a week therefore how many weeks?

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  81. I have never done a quilt along but I might try this. It will be outside of my box because I don't like really busy and I think this will be VERY busy.

    I am thinking throw size. So, I will do 4 rows by 6 rows. Need 48 fabrics. That is how old my husband is. I should use up some of the fall/masculine scraps I have but I am thinking of one of my faves - red or 30s repro.

    Thanks for the open inivite!

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  82. Oooh, which fabrics to choose? It's going to take all week for me since I keep changing my mind... This is the hardest part for me.

    Size-wise I think I'll wait and see, but planning on a lap quilt.

    Happy birthday! I can't quite remember 36 but I know my 30s were a really great time of my life. Enjoy!

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  83. i'll be shopping from my stash as well! can't wait to get started!

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  84. This is not just my first quilt-along, but also my first quilt ever, so I'll be trying baby size (maybe I'll get pillow case)

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  85. Anonymous5:37 PM

    hi well i got too see at last what you look like with you and friends and the new quilt along hope too try and get my stash out love the site renee

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  86. So excited! I found your blog recently and stop in every once in while to envy your work. I am so happy I can participate in a quilt a long. I will admit I am nervous, but excited to do it.

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  87. Anonymous4:37 PM

    This will be my first quilt along and I am excited! I blogged about it here: http://novelideas.typepad.com/novel-ideas/2011/07/log-cabin-rug-july-16-2011.html

    Love your blog AmandaJean!

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  88. this sounds like fun - i think i'm going to join in!! i'm going to go for a big/wide twin. this will get me to use some of my stash. my machine is fixed so i'm ready to get to some big time sewing!!!! it's been over a month. :)

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  89. I won a mis-mash of all different designs/colors of fat quarters at the Christmas party for my sewing group last year. I've been wondering what in the world I'm going to do with it....this might just be the ticket...HA!

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  90. Cindy8:12 PM

    Would the end result look good if I used white as the contrast for all of the blocks? I'm using bright, cheery print fabrics. I do have solids and tone on tones that will work but...can do more blocks if white is the contrast for all of them.

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  91. Cindy, I will be using a rich, antique cream for each of mine, with a deep coloured contrast. from all my paying around I think it will look great, just a little less scrappy than if they were all different

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  92. Anonymous8:14 AM

    Came across your blog doing a Google search. I've decided to join this quilt along.

    The quilt seems like a simple one to put together and Double Wedding Ring quilt I've been trying has been so frustrating I've put quilting away for awhile but now want to get back into it.

    I'm thinking I'll be doing the baby sized quilt since DH and I are having our first baby in November. So I'm going to raid my pitiful excuse for a stash to see what boy colors I have. So I might have to do a little shopping but I mostly stick with FQ anyways.

    I'm really glad I found your blog and I'll be attempting your baby bib tutorial soon.

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  93. I'm in....I went through my stash and have enough to do a square baby quilt!!! Can't wait!

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  94. OK, I'm writing what everyone is thinking...HA!! When will you post the next instructions? ;^) Gone through my stash and think I have enough fabric for my project..yeah!!

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  95. Hello,
    Sounds exciting...will have to join in!

    hugz

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  97. This looks great!! I'm going to try one too :)

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  98. Thank you so much. This will be my very first QAL. Thanks for the tutorials, they are so clear and understandable. :) I am starting late..but I'm not worried. I can catch up. :) I don't haver a lot of scraps :( Since I am a relative newbie. But- I definately don't mind using my 40% off coupons to do some shopping along the way. I am so excited to see everyone's blocks too. There are so many beautiful fabrics & creative women. You all inspire me. Thanks again!I'm IN!

    Sandi from www.makinitheaven.blogspot.com

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  99. It looks like I have permission from the hubby to buy some luscious and bold new fabrics and join the QAL...two months later. We've decided upon a charcoal coloured b.g. in every block, and alternate between cool and warm colours in the setting. Can't wait to see the results. Also, I have no blog yet (missing camera), but as soon as I get a camera, I'll link up!

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