It’s a go! We are going to have a Calico Rose Quilt Along.
Here is the basic plan: I am going to build a middle size quilt myself (72″ square) but I will try very hard to give (accurate) directions for folks who want to build large and small versions. The quilt is based on 2″ squares. If you want to build it based on 2-1/2″ squares, that is fine with me and I will answer questions as they come in, but I am not planning to write a pattern for that size at this time. But don’t let that hold you back. After all, when it is all said and done you will have a great time, fewer scraps and a new quilt. Sounds like a win-win-win to me!
The first installment will come out probably March 10. It will include fabric requirements, a signup of some kind (looking for suggestions here) and the schedule.
You can quilt along making any size or a modification of your own. I love to see your work. It appears that most linky parties do not work on the WordPress platform and I don’t really want to do the Flikr thing, so I am not sure of the best way for us to keep up with each other’s work. Suggestions here?!
This is a new thing for me and I am really excited to have a shared experience. I know, waiting is the pits, but while you wait you can get your thoughts together and start cutting squares if you need to. The original is made of three colors, but you can choose more or less or anything goes. This time I think I will make a bright, springy version on a white-white background.
Should be FUN!!!
Wedding Dress Blue 
Yay! This is great! People could just leave a comment to sign up?
Oh, that looks like so much fun. I think I’d like to do a small one.
Im looking forward to your QA. The link ups and flickr pages are really motivational and increase the fun. Maybe you could work with a blogging friend who could host the link up and/or flickr page? I just posted my first In Link and didn’t have a problem (I’m on blogger). I would love to help if needed. :0)
I am in!!! sign me up…i have my print squares all cut…I am making mine all small flower prints and I want my background to be white on white—I have the fabric but not cut…you will do great..just pictures of what you are doing is fine with me..now I can use up this million skillion 2″ squares I have…what fun..
Your florals are beautiful and will make a lovely quilt. Remember to collect aside some larger pieces for the points of the stars.
Yippee yay! My scrap square bins are singing. They can’t wait to make this. Do you have a rough idea of how much white is needed for the 72″? I am always combing fabric sales for background fabrics.
Good question! It can’t be more than four yards, but probably closer to three. I haven’t calculated yet, but you might want to get four to be on the safe side.
Sounds like a wonderful plan! Can’t wait to get started.
Looks like fun!
Sounds wonderful. I have 30 containers (color sorted) of 2″ squares I cut for a “mosaic” class which I started and never finished because it was NOT my thing. And a busy box of scraps cut into 2″ squares. I will be keeping my eyes open for a neutral for the background. Is your white all the same or do you have different tones in the block and the same throughout the rest of the quilt??? I am going to share your blog with my Quilt Bee buddies from my guild. We have been “looking” for a project that we might like to do as a group. 🙂
I recommend you keep the background fabric uniform, particularly if you are going really scrappy. It helps to unify the quilt. Also you want some larger scraps saved aside for the points of the stars. Glad you are joining us! You KNEW you were saving all those small pieces for something!
I will be happy to join. Love the colors you use. But what do you think of doing it in 2 colors? Blues and Whites. Blue is my favorite color. Thinking of making 2 twin with it for our beds at camp. Walls are a pale blue. Thinking of doing them in various shades of blue. HMM?
I will be joining to make a Quilt of Valor from my growing blue & red scraps. Thank you for hosting this QAL.
I want to join in! I have not done any of this with you but have kept up with you for a while and this is the perfect project at this time!
I am soooo low tech…just a regular email blast to let us know when the installment is ready would probably work for me. Or you could post is as you do your tutorials. Can we email you photos of our work and then you can post it? I don’t even know how to use flikr, so keeping it as easy as possible for fools like me would be great. Whatever you decide to do, as long as you give some directions, I can probably figure it out. I am 66 yrs old and just discovered READING blogs about a month ago, but I have been quilting 35 years, so I am pretty good at figuring things out. How does a Quilt Along work? Thanks for posting this beautiful quilt!
So glad you found blogging, and WeddingDressBlue in particular. I am always happy to see photos of your work. There will be a special gallery for those. If you follow my blog (upper right hand corner of the page) you will get an e-mail every time I post, including the monthly quiltalong posts. You can also just make a note on your calendar and check back about the 10th of each month. There will be directions, pictures and tips. You can just watch, or join in the fun, as you wish. That is about all there is to it. See you on the 10th.
I have thought this is such a beautiful quilt. Decided I would try one some day. Now I have decided this is the time. Will start making my cuts now, so I’ll be ready. I am a beginner quilter, frequently my stuff doesn’t match up, thus I have avoided seams that have to match up. So this will really stretch me, going to have to lose that “folk art” mentality & do something to be very proud of the quality of the work. That’s my goal now, going to have to pray for steady hands, straight seams, & accurate cuts. In Jesus name I pray.
So glad you are joining us. Yes, it is a lot of little pieces, but it is possible with patience and accuracy. If you have a lot of problems cutting, see if you can find a more experienced quilter and have them watch you cut. There may be little tips that would really help. A good ruler, proper height cutting surface and a sharp blade are all critical. I look forward to seeing your progress, and, if it is a little “folk art”, we’ll just pretend that was part of the plan all along and admire your individuality.
Instagram is a great way for people to share their progress without a lot of work for you. Just sign up as weddingdressblue and have us follow you, then create a hashtag for the quilt along like #calicorosequiltalong. When we post a picture, we insert the hashtag in the comments. By searching for the hashtag you can pull up all the photos. It’s easy and would work great. My name on Instagram is janequiltsslowly.
Is there a time limit on getting it done? I’d like to do this, but have another project that I’m obligated to finish ASAP. I think I can do both. I do already have a lot of 2 1/2 inch squares, so would probably make the bigger version.
There is no time limit and we are taking a very leisurely pace. I will post steps once a month, probably on the 10th. Do join us!
You can sign me up. Looking forward to it.
Sign me up!! I cannot wait. I have a stash of 2 1/2″ squares and have wanted a project to use them up. I have never done a quilt along but am looking forward to expanding my quilting experiences.
What a pretty quilt. As you can see given the fact I am just now finding this post, I’m way behind. I just wanted to comment to tell you how pretty this quilt is. I really like this one. Can’t wait to see more.
You are not behind at all. The first post–fabric and cutting–comes out this week. Feel free to join us.