Backyard Chicks QAL - Week 1

Welcome to Week 1 of the Backyard Chicks QAL!

I'm so excited to kick off this quilt-along today! In this first week we are planning our quilt, selecting our fabrics, and cutting the pieces.

• Plan your quilt. You can make any size quilt as part of this QAL, though the pace is based on the medium (throw size) quilt. If you intend to make the smaller or larger sizes you'll need to adjust your pace accordingly by making fewer or more blocks over the next three weeks.

• Download the printable colouring page if you would like to plan out your colour placements. 

• Get your fabrics together - feel free to share your fabric pulls on Instagram with the hashtag #backyardchicksQAL if you would like to! The material requirements are at the bottom of this post and also in the pattern.

• Purchase and download the pattern if you haven't done so already.

• Cut your fabrics following the cutting directions in the pattern. Tip: Starch your fabrics before cutting for more precise results in your patchwork! Using a can or bottle of spray starch, first spray your fabric lightly then press it with a hot iron till the fabric is dry and the starch has set. Take care not to scorch the fabric! The fabric should feel stiffer following this process, and your cuts (and subsequent piecing) will be a lot more precise. 

• Share your cut pieces on Instagram tagging them with #backyardchicksQAL!

• Go ahead and sew a test block if you are an overachiever! ;-) 

This week's prize:

On Sunday evening I will randomly pick a winner from all the entries on the Instagram hashtag #backyardchicksQAL. The winner will receive:

• 3 fat quarters of quilting fabric (from my own fabric collections)

• 3 patterns of their choice from my pattern collection. 

See you back here next week, below is a recap of all the details for the QAL!

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Backyard Chicks Quilt Along Details

Dates: 16 September - 27 October 2019 (6 weeks)
Block size: 10" finished
Finished quilt size: 60" x 80" (throw)
Experience level: Beginner

Schedule

Week 1 - Planning, fabric selection, cutting

Week 2 - Make 16 blocks 

Week 3 - Make 16 blocks
Week 4 - Make 16 blocks

Week 5 - Sew the quilt top together (+ catch up!)
Week 6 - Quilting and binding

Materials

Here are the fabric requirements for the quilt:

You will also need the pattern!

Follow Along

• You can follow the QAL via my Instagram account here. Use the hashtag #backyardchicksQAL to post pictures of your progress and to see how others' quilts are coming along.
• Sign up to the weekly QAL emails here. 
• I will share a new blog post every Monday so feel free to check my blog each week for updates.