Starry Bright Sky Sundays (6): let's talk fabric!

In early August, I announced the Starry Bright Sky QAL and many people subscribed to the mailing list and they seem to be excited about this event!!

Even if the QAL will start in 2018, I decided to start a series of posts (one every 2 weeks, on Sunday) to reveal bits and pieces of the events, so that I can get your feedback and we can get more excited about it!!

I will announce sponsors, featured techniques, color scheme options, layouts, and much much more! There are several special things that I've never seen in other QALs before so I hope you will find them intriguing, inspiring and a learning experience!!

I am working on different layouts, different colorways, sponsors and giveaways, etc. It is going to be extra fun!

If you are interested in learning more about this QAL and join the fun, leave your email address in the Google Form in the QAL page at this link.

In previous weeks I shared:

1. the inspiration
2. the sewing techniques that will be used
3. the reveal of the 11 blocks layout
4. the fun FREE side event
5. ideas for color combinations

And now, for today's post...

Let's talk about fabric!

Given the wide variety of techniques and designs, it is impossible for me to give you precise fabric requirements for this quilt!

Each pattern will contain the amount and colors required for that specific block

Each sashing idea will contain the fabric amount for that specific pattern.

Each textured block pattern will contain the fabric amount for that specific block.

And since I imagine each and everyone of you making your own choices with all these options, I cannot really make reasonable fabric estimates!

However....

I can give you some general suggestions on fabric choices:

1. decide on a color combination (some inspiration in this previous post);
2. decide if you want to have a more scrappy or a more uniform look;
3. decide if you want to use solids or prints or a mix;
4. decide if, for most of the backgrounds, you want to use a single fabric or you want to play around with a more dynamic look ("made fabric background" is the topic of our next post, so stay tuned for this :) )

As a general comment, for each of the 22 blocks, the fabric requirement will typically be less than a fat quarter for the background and less than a fat eight for the star.

You would need some variety in the star color to create the patterns, and you will want to use the same fabric across multiple blocks...

Long story short, I believe that a Fat Quarter bundle, or a bundle of Half Yard cuts would be the best way to go! You can always include small additional pieces from your stash because I am pretty sure that whichever color combination you select, you will find something in your stash that coordinates beautifully!

For a typical 12 blocks quilt, I would recommend to get:

• 8-10 background color Fat Quarters (my color choice: blues)
• 5-10 star color Fat Quarters (my color choice: yellows)

Some amazing companies are sponsoring the QAL next year... there are some prizes waiting for you over the months (topic for a future post :) ).
I had the pleasure of working with some of their fabric and I can honestly recommend them!

For example...

Cherrywood Fabrics: the only hand-dyed quilting fabric that truly looks like suede. Their exclusive gradations are the inspiration for quilters, designers, and wearable artists around the world. 

I personally love their fabric because it has a look of solids, but it has some interesting texture that create beautiful movement. You will see how I use this fabric for some of the blocks next time!!

NORTHCOTT!! They have a fantastic range of choices: prints, shimmery fabric, solids, the choices are endless!! These are some of the collections I absolutely love and I will be using in the blocks I will share with you in the next few weeks!!
Their fabric feels so soft and high quality... and the colors and patterns are incredible: it's very hard to get the actual effect from pictures, but if you have ever seen them in person you know what I am talking about!!!
Here just few links to get you inspired!!

ColorWorks Premium Solid 9000	Artisan Spirit Shimmer
Stonehenge	Artisan Spirit, Water Garden

** Did you know that Northcott  has a "Product finder" option in the right bar of their website, so that you can see which local Quilt shop in your area has the product that you fall in love with? And if none of them has the fabric you are looking for, the "Online retailer" option links to shop that you can use to order the fabric and get it on your door step!

So what do you plan to do? Buy new fabric for this quilt? Use up your stash? Solids? Prints? Mix? Share it in the comments below so that we can all inspire each other!!

Remember to join the mailing list in the Google Form if you don't want to miss out on future posts!

Until next time,

Happy Stitching!!

Remember: all the details about the series are collected in the QAL web page.