"Hope" is the thing with feathers -
That perches in the soul -
And sings the tune without the words -
And never stops - at all -
And sweetest - in the Gale - is heard -
And sore must be the storm -
That could abash the little Bird -
That kept so many warm -
I've heard it in the chillest land -
And on the strangest Sea -
Yet - never - in Extremity,
It asked a crumb of me.
~Emily Dickinson
2021 opens so hopefully. Here goes!
Quilting
As always, many ideas for a prompt run through my mind but something different kept coming to the top. Repeated comments about the angled strings and the tulips gave me the idea for a quilt along instead of a prompt. So this time, let's have an Electric Socket Shock QAL. I was asked if there's a pattern. Answer: Of course not. I was making it up every step of the way. But it's a simple variation of a string quilt and those are always useful for clearing out the scraps. And it will force me to write something down.
Electric Socket Shock quilt |
I'll start writing guidelines for us and we'll head out. Remember, they are merely suggestions. Change anything you want or go in a completely different directions. That's why we love improv.
Interestingly the tulip quilts were constructed like kawandi. I started with the border and worked my way in. So we will do the same with this QAL. We will start with the string blocks and then move to the string tulips. You can make one or both parts and add your own variations.
String Tulips quilt |
My previous quilts are about 40" square - baby quilt sized but you should choose a size that works for you. The final size will determine how many blocks you need to make. And BTW, my blocks were 5.5" unfinished/ 5" finished. Feel free to change those up, too.
You'll need assorted strings and scraps, about 2/3 yard for the background {more if you make a larger quilt}, and some leftover binding for the tulip stems. Or you can pull from your stash. Or go shopping. I also used newsprint for a base. You can do that, or nothing. If you sew with a fabric base, you should increase your seam allowances due to the extra bulk.
Are you in? Let me know in the comments. If it's a go, we will start sewing next month and continue monthly.
56 comments:
Love your blocks and quilt. Sounds like a fun quilt along.
January is my traditional (!) month for a scrap quilt. I'd love to play along.
I have tons of scraps. I'm ready!
I am in - will also send you an email.
I'm in, or maybe I've already begun. I sorted strings yesterday. :)
I plan a string quilt for my 2021 leader ender...count me in! But I will be working all year.
I am in -- IN the next few days I will try to uncover my boxes of strings and scraps.
Thank you! When I saw this quilt I wanted to make it and now I can!!
I'm pretty sure I'll end up running late, but of course I'm in.
I'm in of course. How can I resist a tulip quilt and one with strings? lol
I'm in...right up my alley.
Beautiful use of scraps ... :-) Pat
Most definitely I am in and looking forward to this!!
I hope you will join us.
What a good way to pick a month or two to make scrap quilts. See you in the QAL, Jean.
Funny thing is, I always seem to have as many scraps at the end as I did when I started. Does that happen to you? See you in the QAL, Cindy.
I'm glad you're joining, Julie. It means a lot to have you participate, Julie.
Ooh. And overachiever. It's always a good day when we get to pet our fabric, isn't it? See you in the QAL, Tammy.
Good idea for a leader/ender of scraps. Take as long as you like. We all have our own speed and plans. See you in the QAL.
I'm glad you are joining us. Good plan to sort all the stuff sitting on top of the scrap bags.
How kind of you, Kathie. I'm delighted you are joining us.
Don't we all run late. Like the White Rabbit. But didn't that help us this year as we all stayed home! There's a silver lining. See you in the QAL, Kaja.
Hahaha. You will make something fabulously unique. I can't wait! Now to start writing some directdions.
Oh, good. See you in the QAL, Shirley.
Thanks, Pat. It's always fun to use every last bit.
I'm delighted you are joining us, Maureen. Hooray. Take care.
Just seen this on blog post and will be following ...thanks
Count me in, Ann!
Glad I sorted my strings and scraps just before the new year with just hours to spare! Sounds like too much fun to miss.
So excited about this SAL! Count me in!
I have been admiring your tulip quilt since you first put that block in the center of your string quilt blocks. And now you're having a quilt along? Of course, I'm in!
You're welcome.
Hooray, Nann. I will enjoy seeing what you make and which organization receives it.
A little bird must have told me you'd finished sorting. Haha. I'm glad you're joining us.
How delightful that you will participate, Susan.
You were one of the many quilters who asked about the String Tulips and made me think it would be a good QAL instead of a prompt this time. Thanks, Angie.
I think I have some string pieces ... LOL I have a whole bin of them I sorted from my scraps as you know! I will be joining in so I can use up those strings.
I'm glad you have enough to join in. Haha. It's hard to get the volume of the bin to reduce, isn't it? Such a treat to have you in this QAL, Patty.
Well, I HAVE been thinking of using some of my strings...
This might be a good way to start.
Looking forward to this quilt-along. No shortage of interesting things in the scrap bins.
Betty
I'd like to do this! I love the tulip quilt!
Glad you're joining us, Betty. We always need to use our scraps.
Thanks, Diane. I'm glad you're joining in.
Can't say that I've ever been part of a quilt along, but I love this quilt. Knowing how I work, it will likely take me longer than you, but it will be fun to work along with you.
I'm in and I can't wait to get started. There are lots of pieces in the string tote waiting for attention.
I'm glad you're joining. Take as long as you like.
I am trying to resist but every time I see your quilt, I want to make something similar. I have zero willpower :)
This is a good way to use some of them up.
There are always more ideas than we have time. Whether you join us or not, you will continue making creative quilts.
OK, I'm in! I think I'll sort through the strings for spring colors so it won't be quite the Shock of yours. And I'll look forward to the tulips because that is new to me.
That sounds lovely. Tulips will fit right in, too.
I would like to try to play along. I work a lot... But this sounds fun!
Hope I am not too late to join!
Welcome, Nikki!
Fit it in on your own schedule. We post biannually but everyone works at their own pace... sometimes years later.
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