I plan to be better at posting whatever I am sewing on this year. And I plan to try to sew every day, even if it is for a half hour. Since my quilt shop closed in June 2011 I have not been very productive. I get distracted and don't focus on any one thing. I read something recently that suggested scheduling two or three things, with a set time limit, each day. It worked the times I tried it so I've got my calendar out and I'm trying to plan! I'm thinking computer work in the morning and creative stuff in the afternoon. We'll see how it goes.
I've spent a couple days poking around the internet, looking for exciting things to do this year. If you are like me, you have enough fabric stash to last for several years. I am determined to use what I have, one block at a time. So with this in mind, I've built a list of various blocks of the month, quilt alongs, blog hops and challenges (not so many of these, I don't need anyone adding to my challenges). Most are free but a couple have nominal fees. I plan to select a couple and sew along with them. A block or two a month should be do-able, right?
Mary
Blocks of the Month
Lucky Stars BOM ($10)
This is a foundation paper pieced stars BOM that has a $10
membership fee till January 5, then it increases to $15. This gets you a monthly block in 6” and 12”
sizes, plus a bunch of extras. Run by
well known modern quilter Elizabeth Dackson.
The Sugar Block Club ($7.95)
Yup, a new block of the month series! This time, I’m
branching out and offering you a sweet monthly treat for your inbox- 12 fresh
modern blocks (but all with traditional roots), laid out in clear, step-by-step
printable patterns. Follow along with me and make a throw-sized sampler quilt
from your twelve 12″ blocks, or let the blocks stand alone. Each is worthy of a
quilt all its own! Plus, each block pattern will come with one of my tried
& true favorite dessert recipes (and you all know what a sucker I am for
sweets!)
Skill Builder BOM (Free)
Designed for all levels, walk away in December 2013 with new
skills or skills refreshed or sharpened. Goals that readers surveyed asked for:
·
Learn different piecing methods like paper
piecing, sewing curves, etc.
·
Learn/practice free motion quilting.
·
Conquer a large quilt.
·
Finish one entire quilt in the year.
You will be making 24 blocks, 2 per month. The first lesson will be posted on January
17, 2013, and each will be available as a pdf to download. This looks like a
really fun quilt. Sign up and receive
occasional emails exclusive to BOM participants.
Barbara Brackman
12 blocks free, posted the first Saturday of the month
Civil War stories told through quilt patterns
Each monthly block includes a story taken from one of the great Civil War documents--Sarah Morgan's Confederate Girl's Diary, first published 100 years ago in 1913.
Starts January 2013New Block tutorials post the 1st Friday of the month10 Block Tutorials; November and December will be spent finishing the quiltflickr group ooh-ing and ahh-ingSkill level: Confident beginner - IntermediateNo mystery - You'll see the quilt design up front
Starting January 1st, monthly free block from a
different blogger, for 6 months
Little Quilt Ladies 2013 Quilt block of the month – 12” star
blocks
Sulky International
Free BOM “I Love Sewing”
2013 Block of the Month Club – piecing, appliqué, paper
piecing, blocks are a mystery
Pattern free during the month it is released.
And Sew On… A 9 month paper pieced BOM with a sewing theme. Each month’s block will be a free pattern for
the month only.
Started in September, still going on. Includes skill builder lessons as well as
block patterns.
Consider the Lilies Embroidery BOM
www.craftsy.comCraftsy Block of the Month 2013 with Laura NownesLearn new quilting techniques, make new friends and create a sampler quilt! Each month, Laura Nownes demonstrates one great quilting technique in this FREE class.
2013 BOM “The Two of Us”
Designed by Sue Nickels and Pat Holly
Must be a member, but it is free to join as a basic member
http://auribuzz.wordpress.com/category/designers-of-the-month/
14 designers pieced blocks
Erin Russek http://erinrussek.typepad.com/Marie-Claude Picon-Iperti http://www.lessecretsdemarie.com/Jeni Baker http://www.incolororder.com/Katy Jones http://imagingermonkey.blogspot.com/Jackie Kunkel http://cvquiltworks.blogspot.com/Wenche Wolff Hatling http://northernquilts.blogspot.com/Polly Minick and Laurie Simpson http://www.minickandsimpson.com/Jill Finley jillilystudio.comKimberly Einmo http://www.kimberlyeinmo.com/Allison Harris http://www.cluckclucksew.com/Laurie Tigner http://ontheqt-quiltingtangents.blogspot.com/Lyn Stalowy http://www.bigforkbaycottonco.com/quilting-blog/Pat Bravo http://www.patbravo.com/Pat Sloan http://blog.patsloan.com
Back to Square One Mystery Medallion
It will be a medallion type quilt. The finished size will be 92″ x 92″. Don’t panic . . you don’t have to do the whole quilt!
Our new block of the month is a travel theme! We hope you come along on this adventure through 2013 with us! To download the free pattern click on the tab above labeled “Free BOM Adventure.” This is where all the patterns will be posted at the beginning of each month along with the colors of threads we used.
Jingle block of the month – 8 pieced blocks and 8 appliqued
blocks
Quilt Alongs
Paper pieced blocks with several size options.
Pattern is a free download at Craftsy.
Nov 13, 2012 – Feb 5, 2013
Valentine’s theme with a variety of blocks including
appliqué and paper piecing
My Favorite Block Quilt Along – starts Tuesday, January 15
Bee in My Bonnet Row Along – started Sept 2012,
continuing. Nice beginner project.
Curve it Up QAL – started in October and will be 12 blocks
made with a specific “Curve it Up” ruler.
No details yet:
Judie Rothermel 25th Anniversary Quilt Along
starting January 25, 2013
Details coming for 3 different size quilts
Beginners Mystery starts in January 2013
Blog Hops
Runs 12/31 – 1/6
Blogger Block Hop of the Month
Sept 15, 2012 thru Aug 15, 2013
Miscellaneous
Starts Jan 7, 2013, runs quarterly – join for 1 or all and
get encouragement finishing UFOs
Nothing but UFOs in 2013 – good idea, but there are a couple
quilts I need to make from start to finish.
I’ll promise not to add to my UFOs this year, and try to finish one a
month.
