Exploding Heart Quilt Along Announcement - TAKE 2!

At the start of 2021, I hosted an Exploding Heart quilt along. Many people weren't able to finish or wanted to sew along but couldn't, so let's do it again!! Let's make the Exploding Heart quilt TOGETHER in 2022!

That's right, starting on January 6th, sew along with me and make your own Exploding Heart quilt!

I'm SO excited for this second QAL! There will be weekly tips and hints and hundreds of people sewing along!

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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 QAL will be hosted through a weekly email delivered straight to your inbox. The weekly info will also be right here on the blog, and I'll also post it on Facebook and Instagram . Be sure to follow the hashtags  #explodingheartQAL and #explodingheartquilt to see and cheer others on in the quilt along too!

ALL THE DETAILS:

Dates: January 6th - February 10th (six weeks)

How to join the QAL: Sign up for the weekly email to receive all the tutorials, inspiration, and tips right in your inbox each Thursday! You can follow along on Facebook and Instagram too.

QUILT INFO & SUPPLIES:

Be sure to purchase the Exploding Heart quilt pattern before the quilt along starts! If you don't already have one, you can purchase the Exploding Heart paper pattern or the Exploding Heart PDF digital pattern in my Etsy shop. Your favorite quilt shop might have them in stock too!

Be sure to get your fabric and supplies before the QAL begins on January 6th! I've shared several color options in this post, so maybe one of those will inspire your fabric choices! The pattern recommends 15 or more fat quarters, so this is a great time to use a fat quarter bundle, but scraps from your stash work fantastic too! For more inspiration, be sure to check out the #explodingheartquilt on Instagram! (Click the hashtag to hop to Instagram!) There are so many amazing ones!

I love using my AccuQuilt cutter and quarter-square triangle die for this quilt! If you don't have that, you can get the cutter and die you need in this bundle . I use die #55711 from my 8" Qube , though there are other dies that cut the same size including the Ohio Star die !

If you'll be sewing along without an AccuQuilt, then I recommend using a laser sewing machine so you don't have to draw lines to make the quarter-square triangles. (You can get it HERE on Amazon too!)

A 4 1/2" HST Bloc-Loc ruler will really speed up the block trimming too!

Of course you can sew along without any of these optional tools too! I'll be sharing tips for that along the way!

QAL SCHEDULE:

Pick your fabric and share the I'M IN button on social media! Use the #explodingheartQAL and #explodingheartquilt on Instagram so we can all see what fabrics you've picked!

Week 1 - January 6th - Cutting (with tips and tricks for both AccuQuilt cutting and traditional rotary cutting)

Week 2 - January 13th - Sewing the blocks (with tips for chain piecing, using a laser, and pressing)

Week 3 - January 20th - Continue sewing the blocks and trimming them (with tips on trimming with and without a Bloc-Loc ruler)

Week 4 - January 27th - Sewing the rows (with tips on layout, staying organized, and pressing seams)

Week 5 - February 3rd - Sewing the quilt top (with tips on nesting seams)

Week 6 - February 10th - Quilting and finishes (lots of ideas, inspiration, and celebrating!)

INSPIRATION:

I've mocked up several versions of the Exploding Heart quilt to get your creative juices flowing!

Almost Blue by Libs Elliott with solid white background

True Colors by Tula Pink with purple solid background

Bright solid fabrics with a black background

Trellis collection from Clothworks

Solid blue fabrics with light blue background

From the Heart collection by Sandy Gervais for Riley Blake Designs

Golden Aster collection by Gabrielle Neil Design Studio for Riley Blake Designs

Solid fabrics in oranges, pinks, and purples with a navy background

Solid fabric in pinks, purples, and yellows with a white background

Just My Type fabric from Island Batik with a black background

Forest Life collection from Dandelion Fabric & Co. with solid dark teal green background

Declassified by Giucy Giuce with a black background

Equator collection from Kaffe Fassett Studios

Tula Pink Linework with solid hot pink background

Solid pink fabrics with solid black background

Primavera collection by Figo fabrics

I will be making an Exploding Heart quilt with Color Wall fabrics from Riley Blake Designs during the quilt along. I've made the quilt SEVEN times so far, and I haven't seen one yet that I didn't like!

Pink, purple, and teal Island Batik scraps with solid white background

Morrison Park collection by Pat Sloan with sky blue background

Love & Kisses collection from Island Batik with solid white background

Parakeet collection from Kaffe Fassett Studios

Emperor collection from Kaffe Fassett Studios

Confection Batiks by Kate Spain for Moda with solid white background

Solid pink fabrics from Riley Blake Designs with a light pink solid background

AND if that's still not enough inspiration, check out all the quilts people have made and posted in the #explodingheartquilt on Instagram! See those HERE !

Sign up to get the emails in the form above, pick your fabric, and tell your friends to join the fun! 

Let's quilt along!