Alida (tweloq) Designs: Starry Bright Sky Sundays

Showing posts with label Starry Bright Sky Sundays. Show all posts

December 17, 2017

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:

And now, for today's post...

Let me share the rules and a personal interview!

I already shared this information last year for my 2017 QAL, so if you participated, the rules are the same :)

If you are new here, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE READ the entire post...

My QALs do not follow the usual practice of other people's free events...

The rules are simple, but please read them! :)

RULES: yes, I know, these are the least fun part of the QAL, but we need rules, so please read them carefully! If you have questions you can always comment on a post and if you leave your contact I will get back to you with an answer!! :)

I will share one pattern a month for 11 months, each pattern will contain multiple blocks with the same sewing technique;
Each pattern will be shared for free to people that follow along: this means that if you don't make ONE block from the pattern of the current month, you won't receive the next month pattern for free.
All patterns will be available for sale in my shop for a small fee (less than a Tall Chestnut Praline Latte :) ).
Late comers are welcome, but they will have to purchase any patterns they have missed. Late comers will have to email me to get their first pattern (the current month one) for free.
Please do not distribute my patterns without written consent.
Each block/pattern will feature a different technique (foundation paper piecing, english paper piecing, applique, ...) and the patterns come with step by step tutorials on how to make the each block.

Each week I will share tips and ideas on how to sash the entire quilt, links and inspirations on other people that use the technique to make beautiful quilts, and much more. These posts will be shared here on this blog and will remain free forever.

So, the main rule for the QAL is that you need to share a picture of one of the blocks before the next month pattern is released. The picture should be shared by 11:59 pm EST the day before the next month patterns goes live (for the specific dates, please refer to the QAL schedule shared in previous posts).

Note that you won't have to complete any sashing or anything else except one version of one of the blocks: the blocks are fairly easy so it's not that hard to follow along, I promise!

But where can you share your wonderful and inspiring blocks?

A picture of the completed block can be shared in any of the following places:

(preferred) I host a link party here! I have a blog post dedicated to the link party with instructions on how link either blog posts, FB pictures or Instagram pictures!
send me a picture directly via email (my email is in all my patterns)
post a picture in the AlidaTweloqDesigns FB group
post a picture in the FlickR group

** VERY IMPORTANT **

If you only post your block on our FB group or on Flickr, you NEED to send me an email notification about the submission, because I need your email address to send you the next month pattern. While I can get that information automatically from the link party, I cannot have that from FB or Flickr. It is YOUR responsibility to reach out to me, as I cannot hunt down your email address.

** EXTREMELY IMPORTANT **

I am only human! :)

At any point during the QAL, if you feel that you should have got the pattern but I didn't send it to you, just send me an email and remind me where you shared your block. I will do my best to keep track of who is sharing what, but I am only human, so please be patient!

** EXTREMELY SUPER IMPORTANT **

At this link you can find a self-interview post where I explain why I set up these rules the way I set them up. Before complaining about the way the QAL is hosted, please read the interview, so you can understand my motivations!

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.

December 10, 2017

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!!

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:

And now, for today's post...

Let's share some love with our amazing sponsors!

These are the amazing companies and people that will be providing you HUNDREDS of dollars in prizes during the monthly giveaways that will accompany the QAL!

Show them some love!

NORTHCOTT

Frances O’Roark Dowell @ Quiltfiction.com

Connecting Threads

Green Fairy Quilts

Teresa Down Under

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.

November 26, 2017

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!!

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:

And now, for today's post...

Let's preview the blocks I made with fabric from our sponsors!

In a previous posts I gave general ideas and suggestions about fabric choices...

In this post, we can see some examples on how I used fabric from

Cherrywood Fabrics and NORTHCOTT

You can order Cherrywood Fabrics directly from their website.

And 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!

If you are curious to know exactly which colors and lines I used in each of my block, download this little coloring/fabric guide. You can use it also to keep track of the fabric YOU choose for your own quilt!!

Download the printable coloring/fabric guide

So do you plan to make your quilt all with one line or brand of fabric? Or do you plan to mix and match? Are you going to use up your stash or buy something new?

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.

November 12, 2017

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!!

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:

And now, for today's post...

Let's start thinking ahead!

This block of the month event is a sampler style QAL, which means we will create the blocks each month, but how do you put them together?

I will use the Four patch texture blocks sashing to create a big quilt, but you may just want to join the blocks together using simpler and more traditional sashing options...

If that's the case, I have NINE sashing ideas for you!

I designed them for the Growing up QAL (2017) but they are just sashing ideas that use 12''x12'' (finished) blocks, so they would be perfect for 2018 blocks too!!

Find ALL the FREE sashing patterns links in this previous post.

Note: the fabric amount for each sashing pattern is included in each pattern.

...

Speaking about thinking/prepping ahead.

In the inspiration post, I showed that my inspiration for this quilt is Van Gogh's "The Starry Night" painting. The key element of that painting is the incredible texture and variation of all the different strokes and colors in the sky.

To emulate that, I will use my sashing texture blocks, but there is another way to include some "Van Gogh" within a block: IMPROV MADE FABRIC!!

Several of the blocks will call for a background piece (or few "big cuts")... so why not creating these pieces by improv piecing, mixing and matching shapes and colors to create a dynamic effect?

Take scraps (or big pieces), join them at unusual angles, slice them, join them, slice, join, etc. :)

Stop when you reached a size that is "good" for now. It can be a complete 12.5''x12.5'' background piece, or it can be a small patch that you will use later as a regular small patch.

The point is: you can start preparing these pieces now, you don't have to wait until the patterns come out! The advantage is that you will be saving time later, and you will find it easier to create good contrast with the main "star" pieces if your "crazy background" is already assembled!

So what do you plan to do?

Will you give this improv piecing a try? Or will you go for more traditional/regular piecing?

Share it in the comments below so that we can all inspire each other!!

NEXT TIME...

I will be sharing some pictures and small fabric/coloring cards for the blocks of the QAL that are not a mystery... I have many of them done, so I will provide you a little "printable tool" that you can use when you go shopping (from your stash or from a shop) for the fabric you want to use for your own quilt.

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.

October 29, 2017

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!!

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:

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:

decide on a color combination (some inspiration in this previous post);
decide if you want to have a more scrappy or a more uniform look;
decide if you want to use solids or prints or a mix;
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.

October 15, 2017

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!!

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:

And now, for today's post...

Some ideas on color combinations you can use for you own quilt!

Next time I will share more information about fabric amounts, ideas for cool fabric lines you can use, etc. But for today let me share some color combinations

The first is the color combinations I will personally use because my quilt is going to be inspired by "The Starry Night" by Vincent Van Gogh.

Blue/Yellow!

Some more traditional two colors combinations are Blue/White and Red/White.

By mixing up the sashing colors, the two above combinations can create a US/patriotic color combination.

You can also be inspired by a season or a festivity: for example these are Fall and Halloween color combinations.

Finally you can go all out with a Rainbow quilt!!

If you want to play around with colors yourself, you can download the Coloring Page and Fabric Swatches document!

Remember that these are only 11 of the 22+ blocks I will share during the QAL... every month there will be two blocks: one displayed above and one mystery block using the same technique!!

So are you excited? Which color combination are you considering using?

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.

October 01, 2017

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!!

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:

And now, for today's post...

The fun FREE side event!

Why a side event?

Because just sharing blocks for a quilt is not enough for me!

I want more fun, I want to share more things with you, I want to inspire and encourage you to get out of your comfort zone!!

So the side event will be a collection of TEXTURED blocks!

I will personally use these four-patch textured blocks as "sashing" for my main QAL blocks.

I will make a big 72'' x 84'' quilt, with 21 blocks for the QAL and 21 textured blocks.

As mentioned before, I want this quilt to be inspired by Van Gogh's Starry Night, and his paintings have such a rich textured elements that make them interesting and 3D, so I want to get this effect on my quilt!!

If you don't want to make so many textured blocks, I would still encourage to try few of them!

You can use them as label, or to make matching pillows or table runners... the options are endless!!

Are you worried that you never tried TEXTURED blocks and this is going to be too difficult??!!

Well, join me in this journey, as I PERSONALLY NEVER TRIED THIS EITHER :)

I found this amazing artist (Teresa @ SewnUp)

and she shares video and step-by-step tutorials with so many different fabric manipulation blocks!

Check them all out at this link: https://mypatchwork.wordpress.com/2014/07/26/41-fabric-manipulation-tutorials/

IMPORTANT NOTE: I will link and use her tutorials, but I will also come up with my own measures to accomodate the final 12'' four-patch block.

Every month I will share my own tips and measurements to make the specific design of the month.

I have been talking to Teresa, and she is ok with me sharing my own measurements and comments.

I am sure she will be happy to answer our questions, if we find any issue in this journey of experimenting with fabric manipulation!!

These are the specific textures that we are going to explore over the months:

Twisted pleats
Faux cathedral window variation
Windmill cathedral window
centered tucks with bow ties
Gathered strip
Cross pin tucks
Praire points pinwheel
Star gathering
Diamond smocking
Lozenge smocking
Echidna block

So are you excited?

Have you ever tried fabric manipulation? If so, share your tips or links in the comments below, I would love to read them!!

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.

September 03, 2017

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!!

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:

And now, for today's post...

THE BIG REVEAL of an 11 blocks layout!

Why 11 blocks? Because I will be sharing patterns once a month from January 2018 to November 2018, so that you can have a finished quilt for the 2018 holidays!

IMPORTANT NOTE 1: I will share MORE blocks during the QAL.

Each month I will share 2 blocks using the same technique.

One block is the monthly block shared today and one will be a mystery revealed each month! :) :)

I may also have bonus patterns... so if you don't like one of the blocks, consider participating anyway because you may fall in love with the companion mystery blocks :)

What do you think of the blocks?

Which is the technique you are most excited about?

Which one are you most curious to try out?

IMPORTANT NOTE 2: The layout presented above is only ONE of the possible way you can set the blocks of the QAL. I will have a very special layout/sashing option to share with all of you in one of the future Starry Bright Sky Sunday posts... it is something unique and fun, because I want to create one of a kind quilt for me, and I think you may be interested in following along on that sashing option too... You have to wait to know more! :)

Click here to download the

Coloring Page and Fabric Swatches document!

IMPORTANT NOTE 3: You can use the coloring page to play around with your favorite color combinations. In future posts I will share other color combinations to inspire you, but for now, take out your pencils and color away!!

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.

August 20, 2017

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!!

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.

And now, for today's post...

Let me share the lineup of techniques that we are going to cover as the months go by!!

Applique Silhouette
Traditional piecing
Fabric folding/origami
Improvisational piecing
Fabric cutout (paper snowflake style)
Curved piecing
Fabric weaving
English paper piecing
Foundation paper piecing
Embroidery
New York Beauty

What do you think of this list?

Which is the technique you are most excited about?

Which one are you most curious to try out?

For some additional fun...

I started playing around with the concept of creating stickers that you can use in your planner/journal to add visual and colorful reminders about the QAL and about all the important things in your life that you need to fit in your busy schedule!

You can download the PDF clicking the link below. Print them on shipping label paper, cut them out and decorate your planners and journals! If you use them, let me know what you think of them! I would love to hear your feedback!!

Download the free printable stickers HERE!

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.

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