Christmas Quilt-A-Long starts August 1st!

Do you love trying new things and learning new techniques? Do you want to meet some new quilty friends? Would you like to finish a Christmas quilt BEFORE Christmas? Then you should join me and a dozen bloggers for the "I Wish You a Merry Quilt-A-Long!"

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If you're new here, hello! I'm Laura! I design quilt patterns, and I'm a self-proclaimed deal hunter! Be sure to join the popular Quilting & Sewing Deals Facebook group where I post sales, deals, and coupon codes from all around the web!

The quilt-a-long (QAL) starts August 1st. Every other Tuesday, a new FREE 12" quilt block pattern and tutorial will be released. If you complete the block before the next pattern release, then you will be entered to win some AMAZING prizes! There are bi-weekly prizes and a mega grand prize too!

Join the I Wish You a Merry Quilt-A-Long Facebook Group to join the party! Designers will post links to the tutorials there, so that is your best way to not miss a single post! You can also ask questions and post pictures of your blocks as you complete them to be entered to win the prizes! (In the Facebook group, the link to the current block will be in the pinned post, and all links to past blocks can be found in the group description.)

All the bloggers that are participating in the QAL met through the 2017 New Quilt Bloggers Blog Hop. There are 11 bloggers that have designed blocks. They are:

Block 1 - August 1st - Vanda at Quilt in Piece (Block 1 pattern HERE) (no longer available)
Block 2 - August 15th - April at JANDA Bend Quilts (Block 2 pattern HERE) (no longer available)
Block 3 - August 29th - Laura at Slice of Pi Quilts <-----That's me! (Block 3 pattern HERE)
Block 4 - August 29th - Jennifer at The Inquiring Quilter (Block 4 pattern HERE)
Block 5 - September 12th - Sherry at Powered by Quilting (Block 5 pattern HERE)
Block 6 - September 26th - Sandra at Sandra Healy Designs (Block 6 pattern HERE)
Block 7 - October 10th - Sandy at Sandy Star Designs (Block 7 pattern HERE)
Block 8 - October 10th - Sola at Alice Samuel's Quilt Co. (Block 8 pattern HERE) (no longer available)
Block 9 - October 24th - Bobbi at Snowy Days Quilting (Block 9 pattern HERE)
Block 10 - November 7th - Diane at Cwilt Fabrics & Haberdashery (Block 10 pattern HERE)
Block 11 - November 21st - Kathleen at Kathleen McMusing (Block 11 pattern HERE)
Block 12 - December 5th - Laura at Slice of Pi Quilts <-----That's me! (Block 12 pattern HERE)

In addition, some bloggers will be sewing along and making every block too! These quilt-a-long hosts will share tips and tricks for each block, plus you'll get to see the same block in many different fabrics! These bloggers will be there every step of the way to encourage you to finish the quilt too!

Abbie at Sparkle On

April at JANDA Bend Quilts
Becca at Pretty Piney

Bobbi at Snowy Days Quilting
Diane at Cwilt Fabrics & Haberdashery
Jennifer at The Inquiring Quilter

Karen at Tu-Na Quilts
Laura at Slice of Pi Quilts <-----That's me!
Sandy at Sandy Star Designs
Sherry at Powered by Quilting
Vanda at Quilt in Piece

Still have questions? I've got answers!

Do I have to make every block? No! This is laid back and meant to be fun! Make the ones you want! You will be eligible to win the bi-weekly prize for each block you complete.

Can I join the party late? Yes! You will be eligible to win the bi-weekly prize only while that block is the current block. However, you can always go back and make the previous blocks at any time! At the end of the quilt along, everyone who makes a quilt top using all twelve of the blocks will be entered to win the grand prize!

Is this for experienced quilters only? No! The quilt-a-long is for everybody! Every block is unique and uses various techniques. That's why we started a Facebook group - so we can all help each other be successful! Whether you're new or seasoned, I'm sure you'll find this an exciting and fun experience!

Can I see the blocks beforehand? Nope! We are only releasing one block at a time. I know, I know. I'm a control freak too! Trust me, it will be worth it though!

Who can participate? You! The bloggers are scattered all across the globe, so we hope to have participants from many countries around the world too! International participants are eligible for all the prizes too!

Can I still participate if I'm not on Facebook? Absolutely! If you're on Instagram, use #iwishyouamerryqal to be entered to win. Each designer will also have a linky party on their block post so you can link up blog posts or Flickr photos. If you want to sew along, we will find a way!

What are the prizes? There are so many! It's best to keep an eye on the Facebook group, as we will begin sharing the prizes there soon! Just some of the prizes include patterns, batting and products from The Warm Co., thread from Aurifil, a gift certificate to The Fat Quarter Shop, signed quilt books, precuts, and much more! You won't want to miss a single week!

How much fabric do I need? This is a little tricky. The blocks will each be 12" finished (12 1/2" unfinished) and there will be 12 blocks. You might be able to make the whole quilt from fabrics you have in your stash! I personally chose a limited color palette (red, green, turquoise, black, and white) and decided to play it safe with a yard of each. I will pick up fat quarters of other colors if I need them as I go. You will have two weeks to complete the first block. (And two weeks to complete future blocks too.) Hopefully that timeline will give you a chance to purchase additional fabric throughout the quilt-a-long if needed. If you plan to put your blocks together to make a quilt top, then I suggest 1 yard for sashing and 1 yard for a border. To finish the quilt, you will need 4 yards for backing (or 2 yards of extra-wide backing), a twin size batting, and 1/2 yard for binding. This post discusses fabric options a little more too.

I'm using Moda Bella White 98 (because I always have a bolt on hand!), Kona Black, Kona Breakers, Kona Lipstick, and Kona Cactus. I have a bit of Kona Chocolate and a metallic silver that I'll try and throw into a couple blocks too.

Ok, I want to do it! Now what? Yay!! First, join the Facebook group so you'll know when each block is released. Second, gather the fabrics you might want to use for your quilt. The quilt-a-long starts August 1st! Lastly, invite your friends! Share the quilt-a-long graphic on Instagram and use #iwishyouamerryqal. Share this blog post or a post from the Facebook group on your own Facebook account and in your quilty groups. A party's more fun with friends!

I can't wait to sew with you!


Linking up with Let's Bee Social at Sew Fresh Quilts, Needle and Thread Thursday at My Quilt Infatuation, Finished or Not Friday at Busy Hands Quilts, and Finish It Up Friday at Crazy Mom Quilts.