One of the very first things I ever made when I got back into sewing was a chenille rag quilt. It was September, I had just had my first baby and I wasn’t going back to being a first grade teacher—and I was super sad about that fact. I knew that I really did want to be home with that new, sweet baby….but I also knew that I needed something else in my life.
And then I found it. An older neighbor had made the most beautiful chenille rag blanket for her new grandbaby—and I just knew that I wanted to make one too. So, I got up the courage to ask her to show me how to do it and she so patiently sat with me for an hour while I made a diagram and asked all the sewing questions that I could.
And I went home and made that blanket. And as awful as my sewing was (I found it the other day) I had accomplished something. And I felt like my creative spirit was glowing.
Over the last couple of years both liZ and I have found our way back into quilting……and while we are not ready to leave garment sewing any time soon, we thought that 2015 might be the year to focus a bit more on the quilting aspect of sewing.
It’ll be fun! So for those of you who haven’t yet dipped your big toe into the quilting world—2015 is going to be your year! And as part of our year long series into quilting, we thought it would be fun to do a quilt block of the month series where we share some simple and basic quilting blocks that you can turn into a quilt that month.
We are going to take turns focusing the first Monday of every month, introducing a new quilt block, with all the history that we can find and then some examples of quilts made with that block (and hopefully some of them will be our own we have in the works to make!)
So…..hopefully you will join us! What do you say? Have you ever wanted to quilt???? Do you quilt? We’d love to hear from you.
~Elizabeth
I’m so excited for this! I’ve been wanting to do a block of the month and turn it into a sampler quilt of some sort at the end of the year. I think it’d be a nice way to make at least a little time for quilting each month, even when I get really busy. So thanks so much for doing this!!!
Jess
One of my resolutions this year is to quilt something — not necessarily a quilt, but make something quilted. Its just something I’ve never really tried. Looking forward to seeing what you’ve got coming up!
One of my goals this year is to improve my very basic quilting skills. I am all in for a block of the month.
I started out as a quilter, and well I still am one. I started making clothes for my girls for a instant gratification project and that is how I found and fell in love with your blog. All that to say. I would love to try to quilt along, can not promise that I will finish 🙂
Sounds like fun! I am a new-ish quilter and am eager to learn more- and you write such amazing instructions! Can’t wait to see what you share this year!
Sounds like fun!
I’m excited to try this. I’m very new to quilting–I took a beginning quilt class in September and I’m trying to keep up my new hobby which I really love. I’ve made two (and half) quilts and one wall hanging since my class and I’m ready for more! How do I get more information about the block of the month?
I love quilting! A friend of mine has gotten me hooked!
Yes, please!!
YaY Jess! We are so excited about this project too—it’s going to be great!
Laura,
We are making the blocks super basic and easy so people can come up with their own projects—quilts or quilted. Can’t wait to see what you make!
Laurel,
Sooooo glad you are joining us…we are super excited!
So glad you found us!
Sarah,
It is going to be a great quilting year!
Me too! I am finding it so relaxing 😉
So when do we get started? 🙂
Perfect timing – one of my resolutions is to make a quilt!
Yipee! The girls and I want to quilt more in 2015 too.
YAY Audrey!
Sounds like fun!!
I am so pumped about this! I have a stash of DS Quilts fabric I found on sale that I have been itching to use but wasn’t sure what kind of quilt to make with it. Sampler quilt…whoo-hoo!!
Great idea, I’ve never done a block of the month.
This is very cool. Love the sampler quilt idea. I’ve made several quilts but all under my mom’s watchful eye-she is an amazing seamstress. 10 years and 3 kids later, my mom lives 7 hours away and can’t check me every step of the way. I’m ready to dive back in though-miss it. This sounds perfect!
Just came across your blog for the first time and it sounds like this will be a great beginner quilt along. I just launched a site last week that serves as a directory of quilt alongs, QuiltAlong.net and I hope you don’t mind I added your quilt along to the list of active 2015 quilt alongs! Can’t wait to see how it goes through the year!
Looking forward to this
I am a retiree – – new to quilting and looking forward to trying out some sample blocks!
I love BOMs for skill building. thanks.
I would like to participate in your block of the month. How do I proceed?
Count me in! for me, BOM’s are the best way to learn new blocks and techniques.
In the last few months I’ve actually made a couple of quilts, but I really have no idea what I’m doing so I’ve been kind of figuring things out as I go along. I love the idea of a block a month that will give me some more experience and techniques!
id love to take part in a new BOM.
This sounds fun! I might just have to see along.
Thanks Christine!
Come back Wednesday for the first block!
Janelle, all the information will be updated on Wednesday…and we are excited to start 😉
It will be a great way to use up our stashes 😉
Karie, maybe the quilt this year would be a good present for her 😉
Thank you Terri Ann!
Thanks Julia!
We haven’t either Jayne and we are hoping to do it so everyone can participate no matter their skill level—it should be a fun year!
Thanks Stephanie!
What luck! So glad you are going to join us….
Welcome Fran….so glad you are going to join the party!
Thanks Susan!
Deana, all the details will be up on the blog tomorrow.
We are so excited you are joining us 😉
Sarah, we love learning new blocks and it should be a super fun year!
YAY, thanks Karen!
Thanks Kelsey!
Thanks Jennie!
this block of the month sounds interesting, do I need to enrol or will I get an email when you post the block each month
I would be interested in participating. Thank you.
This sounds like just what I need to do. I’ve made several quilts but always under time pressure. You girls make it sound like a lot of fun and from the comments I’ve read it sounds like a great group of new friends. Thank you.
Is it too late to join?
How do I get this party started? Interested in joining block of the month.