Monday, June 24, 2013

Fancy Swooning Along with Us?

Last year, it seemed like everyone in the blogging universe too part in Katy's Swoonalong except me. I just couldn't fit one more thing in when it was all going on. I would see these beautiful Swoon quilts popping up all over blogs and Flickr, and be pea green with envy! Fast forward more than a year, and in a photo challenge I was taking part in over on Instagram, I had to post something I had missed out on - and of course, I posted my regret at missing out on the Swoonalong, and my determination to make it this year. To my surprise, it turned out that I wasn't the only person who missed out, and after a little bit of chat with Rhonda, Cindy, Fiona and Erin, I decided that maybe it would be fun to another Swoonalong. Round 2, so to speak, or Swoon 2013 as I've christened it :-)


This will be a leisurely type of quiltalong. No pressure! As a rough guide I'm thinking pattern purchase and fabric pull this week, then maybe a block a week after that would be do-able for most people. That would bring us up to the start of September and after that its sashing, basting, quilting and binding for which maybe another 2-3 weeks is a good generous estimate. As with any quiltalong however, some people will be ahead of this pace, and some people won't be able to manage a block every week. And, of course, the summer holidays are almost upon us! I'm aiming to have my Swoon finished and on my bed by the end of September at at the latest - sooner if I can manage it (and if the weather smiles on me and allows my kids to play outside during the holidays instead of hanging out of me looking to be entertained!) But really, whatever pace works for you is fine and I hope that the group will remain active for the rest of 2013.

First up - you'll need to buy your pattern. You can buy it from Fat Quarter Shop  here or from Camille Roskelly's own site.

Next you'll need to pull your fabric - you need 18 Fat Quarters and 4.25 yards of background fabric for the quilt top. And those FQs need to be full FQs, as you will be using almost every single bit of them. That's assuming you're making the full quilt - which is a whopping 80" x 80" size. If you're making less, you need 2 FQs per block plus background fabric.

Here's some of my fabric pull:


I'm making Swoon for my own bedroom, and I'm going with an aqua/teal, navy and yellow palette against a white background to tie in with my room decor with is an aqua/duck egg blue and champagne. I've ordered a couple more navy and aqua prints from Cindy and will make my final decision as I go along!

Then all you need to do is to get started on your blocks! These are massive blocks - 24.5" square. I've made my first over the weekend and would say that they are pretty straightforward sewing - half square triangles, and flying geese units, with good pattern instructions. So I think this pattern is very achieveable for less experienced quilters. The biggest challenge is going to be keeping your seams and points precise so everything goes together nicely, and we can share tips and advice over in the Flickr group for this. I used a scant seam and took my time, and mine went together beautifully:


I just LOVE this block. It is labour intensive, lots of cutting, piecing and pressing, but it is so, SO worth it! I can't wait to get started on my next one, I think they might be a little bit addictive. 

So. Have I convinced you? Are you going to join us? You know you want to!! If you have an unfinished Swoon from last year, now is the perfect time to get it out and get it finished. Or you could make a smaller version if you don't fancy the full size.  4 blocks would make a lovely lap size quilt.

If you are, head over to the Flickr group and join. I also have set up a hashtag on Instagram for your pics over there #swoon2013 - if you're not already on Instagram, you should check it out! I love it, so instant and I've met so many new quilters over there.

Even though I had most of the fabric I needed for the quilt, I still needed a few extra FQs to get my palette exactly how I wanted. If, like me, you need to buy fabric for your quilt, my good friend Cindy over at Fluffy Sheep Quilting, is very generously giving a 10% discount to Swoon 2013 participants until 7th July - just enter the coupon code SwoonLove at the checkout, and the 10% will be removed from your order :-) Thank you Cindy!

 

Cindy has lots of loveliness in stock at the moment (some Happy Go Lucky might just have sneaked into my basket over the weekend!) so be sure to check her out, she also has loads of Kona if you need solids for background.

And, I think that might be it for the moment! Oh - one last thing. A button!  Here it is:

FairyFace Designs


Please please, join in, and spread the word!


36 comments:

Lucky Duck Dreams said...

I had my fabric pulled last year and thought to finally make mine and then my sister got engaged and married within a 6 mos! So I jumped in to wedding planning and quilting making for her! A Love Swoon! I finally cut out the piueces for all my blocks 3 mos ago and have made 5! I've paired Hope Valley with Kaffe florals! Glad to have support to keep going and finish!

Cindy said...

Yippee! I'm in. I've had Swoon envy for quite some time and can't wait to join in the fun. I have my pattern ready to go....now just to pull out a few FQs and get to cutting!

Marjorie's Busy Corner said...

Going to give it a try.....I have the fabric ready for one and never got started....fingers are crossed!! Thanks

patchworkdelights said...

Well done Sarah for getting this off the ground. So the bug has bitten me and I will get swooning on to block 3. x

Ginette said...

I am in! I have been swooning over these quilts as well. I purchased the pattern last month and I think I can get 4 blocks done to make a wallhanging for my dining room. My goal is to get it done before the end of the year! See you on Instagram! (Quiltingprincess)

Mack and Mabel said...

I'd love to join in too! I've been meaning to have a go at Swoon for a while, so this is just the motivation I need. It might even make me use my Instagram account for change (julietaylor360)

Helen@Till We Quilt Again said...

Now that I am signed up and ready to go on the computer portion of
this exciting adventure, I need to dive into my "Fiber Collection" to see what I shall use!

Domestic Kat said...

Totally in. When katy was running it last time I love the swoon block and wanted to join in but at that point I hadnt really delved into quilting properly and was too afraid to try it. Then I started hoarding flea market fancy and thought I would need to find a use for it rather than it just being in my stash so thought Swoon was a good use for it. Im planning to have mine finished for April as I am planning to give it to my other half as a wedding gift ( sssshhhh we havent actually announced that yet, haha) so I might be working to abit of a slower pace but it will be nice to do it as part of a group and have some motivation .

Leanne said...

I bought this pattern before the first qal started, so if I can pick some fabrics I will join you for the summer.

Judith, Belfast said...

I missed out last year too, but might need to watch from the sidelines again this year! My friend is buying me the book though, so at least I'll have the pattern! Can't wait to see all your wonderful swoons! Jxo

Sewing Mom said...

This is so tempting...I have the pattern and I have fabric...I only lack time...wonder if I can find some?!?!?!

Can we join in even if we don't have Flickr?

Ruth said...

I'd love to join in. I already have the pattern and I bought 18 FQ's of Crazy Daisy when I was on holidays in the US last May specifically for a Swoon quilt. Perfect timing for me to give myself a kick in the butt and get on with it!

Jennie said...

Is it bad that I'm tempted to make a second one?

Izzy said...

I'm in! Swoon is on my to do list for this year so the timing couldn't be better!

cheeky monkey said...

Oh I am so sad now as I am going on holidays in two days ans will not return until the end of August. Rhonda promised me she will not be finished so I join and hope I can make it than. So when I come back I can see lots of lovely swoon tops (almost) finished! This is brilliant

Judith said...

I've been thinking about this pattern for a while now, so why not? Support and deadlines--even flexible ones--work for me. Thanks for getting this started.

Di said...

I am soooo tempted. Time is an issue but I like the gentle time line. Will I won't I? I need to think about it. Di x

Stacey Napier said...

I just joined hoping to finish my Swoon-in-Progress. Thanks for the motivation!

Erin @ Billy Button Design said...

Oh I can't decide now..... Should I keep going with my blocks that I have. (Got to sewing all the blocks together to make the quilt top) or do I do some scrappy blocks for pillows for the first few weeks.

Kirsten said...

Love your first block and your fabrics Sarah!!! It took me most of last year to make my Swoon as I only averaged a block each month but I am so tempted to do another one!

Mrs Flying Blind... said...

Ask me again in 2015!

Christine Slaughter said...

Yes! I so want to do this! I bought the Swoon kit/pattern from Connecting Threads and it's been sitting on my shelf for two months. I joined three BOM's and ended up getting behind. I'm furiously sewing to catch those up, and hopefully I can join this one with no stress. I even ordered extra fabric to make it one row and one column bigger. Probably too ambitious, but I wanted it to hang off the sides and end of the bed.

Andee said...

I am joining in though not sure I will keep up, gonna try!

Siobhán said...

I am my own worst enemy at any kind of along, but I have all the makings for a Swoon, I just need to do it. I'm going to try to trick my inner contrary teenager by saying that I'm going to work at my own pace and we'll see how that goes. Woohoo! This should be fun. Thanks for organizing it!

Rachell said...

of course I will join! I've just completed my first Swoon block! I wanted to test my chosen background color of red! my Swoon will be for my son who has Autism, so I'm using Riley Blake's Pieces of Hope bundle. I'm waiting for my backing fabric in the mail now, and I need to purchase more background fabric. I'm still cutting my fat quarters!

will you post a schedule?

Melody said...

I'd love to Swoon along. I've had the pattern and most of my fabrics for ages now, so I just need to find everything and get cutting.

Vicki said...

I'm in! I don't have any of the social media sites, but I do have my blog. Can I still participate?

suemac said...

This may be the just the thing to get me going on my Swoon quilt. I have had the pattern for ages.

Kelsey said...

Ooo I love this idea! I didn't have time the last go around but this is still on my hit list! I'm looking forward to this, thanks for organizing it :)

Quilter Kathy said...

Awesome! I'm in!
I have one block done and just need this quilt along for some motivation...thanks!

Quilterbell said...

Great, I am in, I have been trying to resist considering the amount of UFOs I need to finish, but sure, I don't have a strong goodwill. Most of my fabric is ordered and I am heading for the pattern now.
I guess I am already well behind!.

Unknown said...

Oh Flippin Nora! I was so NOT going to join this one....and then late last night, the Internet Fairy made me buy the pattern.....

Meg said...

I have a question about the pattern. It is easy to follow; however, I just don't know what size I should be trimming the HSTs to or the flying geese.
Thanks for any help you can offer!!
megromeo@gmail.com

Katy Cameron said...

I shall be watching from the sidelines again (because that many HSTs would quite frankly kill me) but I shall cheer you on :oD

Stina Blomgren said...

Still havent decided to join or not...have the pattern ( for some time now..lol...) but I am going to USA now in July and will be back in August in Sweden...where holidays will start...so don't know how much time there will be for sewing...but I really ought to join so I will get it done!!! Lol...
kviltstina at gmail dot com

Melody said...

I'll definitely be swooning along with you. I lan to use my SIs Boom Crazy Love. I've had the pattern for months but now I feel ready to start. Should be so much fun. Thank you for organising this for us.