Alida (tweloq) Designs

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 16, 2017

And we have FIVE winners for the final giveaway!
I already contacted all the winners, and some already received their prize.
If you didn't win, please keep participating, I have many more prizes for 2018 QAL!!

The Random drawing picked...

Winner 1: Lori (#192)

BIG spools from Aurifil, sent by Aurifil, anywhere in the world!

Winner 2: Nancy (#413)

Mad About Patchwork: $40 gift certificate!!

Winner 3 and 4: Patty (#266) and Irene (#14)

One bundle of one yard of grey fabric (Northcott or Island Batik) plus 3 FQ of Northcott fabric, sent by me, anywhere in the world!

Island Batik Merry And Bright - 121622012

Northcott - Toscana - Going Grey - 9020-93

Northcott - Toscana - Latte - 9020-352

Northcott - Artisan Spirit Shimmer - 20255M-34

Northcott - Artisan Spirit Shimmer - 20260M-36

Northcott

Winner 5: Nicole (#38)

A bundle of useful things for your sewing activities, sent by me, anywhere in the world!

The great book "Birds in the Air" by Frances O'Roark Dowell

Mini Quilters Planner

A package of Bobbini

Various patterns

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 21, 2017

Just a few reminders today!! We have been seeing so many beautiful blocks!! I am very happy to see that you are all enjoying this event!!

If you didn't hear about the QAL before, please visit the Growing up QAL page!

Visit the QAL page to find all information about the quilt layout, all the future blocks and the rules to participate.

I recommend you to subscribe to the QAL announcements via email, so you don't miss out on future posts! You find the subscription Google form on the same QAL page (at the end of the page).

Now let's get down to some details.

This month technique is New York Style piecing
(Foundation Paper Piecing+Curved Piecing)

Remember that the pattern for the block is shared for free via email to the people that shared a picture of last month finished block in the linky party.
If you did that, you should already have the pattern!

If you didn't (and you think you should have) just send me an email at tweloq(at)gmail(dot)com and I will get the pattern out to you.

For the full list of rules and explanation on how/where to share your projects, please refer to the post listing all the QAL rules!

And if you need an extra incentive, we are going to have

FIVE WINNERS FOR THE FINAL GIVEAWAY FOR THE ENTIRE QAL EVENT.

The prizes for this month are listed in a previous post!

I will draw the random winners ON DECEMBER 11th, 7 am EST.

ALL the entries since the beginning of the QAL will count in this drawing, not just the ones in the last month!! You have several ways to get extra entries for this final month:

AS USUAL... each picture/entry depicting the completed block(s) for this month will count as an entry
ONE PICTURE, showing ALL the blocks you created this year will count as an extra entry. They don't need to be stitched together or have sashing... just be in the same picture will count! Note: if you have troubles uploading that entry in the linky, just email me the picture at tweloq(at)gmail(dot)com and I will link it for you
Any block of the QAL that you didn't share before will count as an extra entry. So if you were late completing the second block of a past month, just upload it now

****

FOR THIS WEEK INSPIRATION...

There are so many artists that use this month technique to make amazing masterpieces!

Here I feature just few to give you some different ideas on things you can do with this month skill.

Pinterest eye candy (https://www.pinterest.com/eled/quiltsnew-york-beauty-blocks/)
Some NYB free blocks (http://www.lenzula.de/en/pattern/free-pattern/new-york-beauty.html)
A QAL with tutorials and patterns from Sew Sweetness (https://sewsweetness.com/2012/02/new-york-beauty-quilt-along.html)

****

So, let's link up our fun block, friends!

(I am including the linky in every post so it's easy for everyone to find!)

An InLinkz Link-up

Thank you all for joining the 2017 QAL!

I hope you enjoyed it and you will join 2018 QAL!

Until next week,

Happy Stitching!!

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

November 13, 2017

Let's share our blocks, cheer each other up and inspire the quilting community!

If you didn't hear about the QAL before, please visit the Growing up QAL page!

Visit the QAL page to find all information about the quilt layout, all the future blocks and the rules to participate.

I recommend you to subscribe to the QAL announcements via email, so you don't miss out on future posts! You find the subscription form on the same QAL page (at the bottom).

This month technique is New York Beauty style piecing.
We have two different blocks to practise!

Remember that the pattern for the blocks is shared for free via email.
If you shared a picture of last month finished block (in the linky or via email directly with me), you will get this month pattern by the end of today (or maybe you already got it)!
For the full list of rules and explanation on how/where to share your projects, please refer to the post listing all the QAL rules and to the post with my self-interview.

If you shared a picture but you don't get this month pattern by Tuesday, please send me an email at tweloq(at)gmail(dot)com. I will send you the pattern.

If you were not able to share the picture of the previous pattern, don't worry!
This month's pattern is available in my shop for a very small price: if you buy the pattern, make the block and share it before the deadline, you will get future patterns for free again!

If you are new here, you can get this month pattern for free, but you will have to pay for previous month patterns, if you want those blocks too.

AND NOW... FOR THE FINAL GIVEAWAY AND GRAND PRIZES...

And if you need an extra incentive, we are going to have FIVE winners for this month.

So this what you are playing for:

Winner 1

BIG spools from Aurifil, sent by Aurifil, anywhere in the world!

Winner 2

Mad About Patchwork: $40 gift certificate!!

Winner 3 and 4

One bundle of one yard of grey fabric (Northcott or Island Batik) plus 3 FQ of Northcott fabric, sent by me, anywhere in the world!

Island Batik Merry And Bright - 121622012

Northcott - Toscana - Going Grey - 9020-93

Northcott - Toscana - Latte - 9020-352

Northcott - Artisan Spirit Shimmer - 20255M-34

Northcott - Artisan Spirit Shimmer - 20260M-36

Northcott

Winner 5

A bundle of useful things for your sewing activities, sent by me, anywhere in the world!

The great book "Birds in the Air" by Frances O'Roark Dowell

Mini Quilters Planner

A package of Bobbini

Various patterns

I will draw the random winners ON DECEMBER 11th, 7 am EST. ALL the entries since the beginning of the QAL will count in this drawing, not just the ones in the last month!!

You have several ways to get extra entries for this final month:

AS USUAL... each picture/entry depicting the completed block(s) for this month will count as an entry
ONE PICTURE, showing ALL the blocks you created this year will count as an extra entry.
They don't need to be stitched together or have sashing... just be in the same picture will count!
Note: if you have troubles uploading that entry in the linky, just email me the picture at tweloq(at)gmail(dot)com and I will link it for you
Any block of the QAL that you didn't share before will count as an extra entry. So if you were late completing the second block of a past month, just upload it now

If you have questions, don't hesitate to write me an email!

So, let's link up our fun block, friends!

An InLinkz Link-up

Until next week,

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.