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Friday, March 13, 2020

Willow Quilt Along

I have some fun news for you guys today!
My IG friend Jessica Dayon asked me a couple of months ago if I would like to host a Quilt Along with her and I thought, "What better way to make some new quilty friends?!" so I said, "Yes!"  We've been in close contact ever since - collaborating, planning, and testing blocks to create this really pretty design we're calling Willow.  We hope you love it as much as we do and we hope you'll join us for this free Quilt Along.


Here are the details...

Willow Quilt Along
Hosted by Jessica Dayon and Amber Johnson

- Pattern: weekly instructions for the Willow pattern will be given here on my blog and on Jessica's blog each Thursday.
- Finished Quilt Size: 60" x 60"
- Finished Block Size: 6" x 6"
- Duration: 7 weeks
- Schedule: 
Week 1 (March 26th): Make 6 Harmony Blocks
Week 2 (April 2nd): Make 4 Grace Blocks
Week 3 (April 9th): Make 4 Grace Blocks
Week 4 (April 16th): Make 6 Hope Blocks

Week 5 (April 23rd): Make 5 Hope Blocks

Week 6 (April 30th): Make the cornerstones and cut the layout pieces 
Week 7 (May 7th): Assemble the top 
- Fabric Requirements: 
For the blocks, you will need 2 light-colored fat quarters, 3 medium-colored fat quarters, 3 dark-colored fat quarters and 5 fat quarters for the background. For the setting, you will need 2-3/8 yards of background fabric, 1/4 of a yard for the stashing stars, 7/8 of a yard for the border, 5/8 of a yard for the binding and 3-3/4 yards for the backing.
- Cost: it's FREE!
- Notes: This is another low-key Quilt-Along with no sign-ups and no prizes!  Just check our blogs every Thursday to get the week's assignment and in 7 weeks you will have a beautiful quilt top!  You can also follow along with us @jessicadayon and @gigis_thimble on Instagram.  Use the hashtag #willowqal to post pictures of your progress and see what everyone else is doing.  
- Click HERE for a PDF version of this information.



This blue and white version is what I'm planning on doing (or something very similar).
I'm going to try to use my stash that is heavy in different shades of blue.
I bought a background fabric and am hoping to use my stash for the rest.



Here are my test blocks.  
As you can see there are 3 different blocks for the main part of the quilt.  
We hope you like them.  They sure are fun to make!




 Because they finish at 6" you will become more comfortable working with small pieces.  Some of them have 1" finished Half-Square Triangles!  But I promise you they are not too hard to make. 


I wanted to see what this would look like in a more colorful palette so I also 
mocked up this version with bright, happy solids.


Or there is this version in Farmhouse Gingham from Riley Blake Designs.
I think this fabric line is gorgeous!


Or there is a classic red and white solid version if that's more your thing.


Those are just a few examples.  Really, the possibilities are endless with this pattern.
Color placement creates so many different looks!  I love that and can't wait to see 
the different versions you guys do!

One last thing that I wanted to share -
Jessica and I decided to name this pattern Willow because of what the Willow Tree represents.
The beautiful green symbolizes nature, fertility, and life. The tree also represents balance, learning, growth, harmony, strength, and stability.  The structure of the trunk represents standing firm and withstanding the greatest of challenges.  We both loved that and have named our blocks Grace, Hope and Harmony.  We hope this pattern will remind you of the beautiful qualities represented by the Willow Tree.  


Let me know below if you're going to join us (we really want you to!) and be sure to visit
Jessica's blog HERE to see her version.  It's beautiful so go on over and say "Hi!"!

28 comments:

  1. I’ve decided to join! So excited, and can’t wait to get started! The quilt pattern is beautiful!!

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    1. Yay! We're so excited to have you along for the ride!

      Amber

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  2. This is a beautiful quilt! Thank you so much for hosting this QAL! Sandy at sewhigh.blogspot.com

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  3. I'm in! Thanks for hosting...so excited!

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  4. I'm in! Looks like great fun.

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  5. I would love to join. Thank you!

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  6. Beautiful in any colour way. Yes, I will join.

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  7. Yes, I will join you! The blocks look easy; but the quilt looks so intricate! Thanks gals!!

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  8. I want to join in also. I’m already doing two other BOM but sometimes I want to do more. Thank you

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  9. Looks like fun. Gonna try to squeeze this one in.

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  10. I just commented on Jessica’s. I’m in on this one! Love it.

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  11. I have just completed the Meadowland QAL, and pleased that Julie Cefalu has mentioned your QAL in her blog post today. Love the blocks. Looking forward to a new challenge. Keep well.

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  12. Omg! I cant resist your QALS! I might just have to do it! Love the whole meaning of this!

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  13. Hi Amber I'm in too looking forward to doing this with my sister the_crafty_madam she assures me it's no to difficult for new quilter.

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  14. I'll be joining! I might have to make 2 as I can't decide which colors to use!

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  15. Would love to join and use some stash!

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  16. Is there a kit available to buy? I don't have an adequate stash!

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    1. I'm sorry, we don't have kits for this QAL. Wish we did! Maybe there is a small fat quarter bundle online that you can order. Or maybe there is a shop that will curate a bundle for you? Best of luck!

      Amber

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  17. Excited to join the group, though it's a bit late! Is there a way to print the fabric requirements from a pdf? Would be super helpful! Thank you so much! ❤️

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    1. Glad you're joining the fun! We don't have a PDF for the fabric requirements yet but that is a good idea. We will work on that. Thanks for the suggestion.

      Amber

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  18. Amber, I’m not sure if my comments are posting. I’ve tried a couple of times. Anyway I have converted all of the patterns to PDF. I’m happy to share.

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  19. I'll be joining the quilt along - can't wait!

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I ♥ to hear from you so please feel free to leave a comment. I read each one and try to respond as often as I can. Thanks so much for stopping by! ~Amber