So many of you have emailed me asking for more quilting tutorials. I’ve listened and now I’m delivering!
(Grab the code from the right sidebar to display the button on your blog and let everyone know you are on board.)
Today I launched the first ever Crafty Gemini video quilt along!
I’m so excited to post Block #1 of 12 in this series. Every few weeks I will post a new video tutorial with complete step-by-step instructions on how to create a new 12″ block. At the end of the quilt along we will each have 12 blocks. Each block will finish measuring 12″ x 12″ once it’s sewn into the quilt. All blocks will be simply pieced together. No fancy techniques like applique or paper piecing either. Just nice and easy 1/4″ seam piecing. Then I’ll post a tutorial showing you how to sew them together to create your quilt top and then how to layer your quilt sandwich and finish it all up.
If you have never made a quilt before and have been anxious (but scared) to try… this is the quilt along for you! I will walk you through everything and I’ll answer your questions, too! Each of the twelve blocks will only require two contrasting fabrics. There are no set rules as to whether or not all your fabrics need to be the same or from the same line, etc. Mine will definitely be scrappy (all different fabrics) so I can use up some of my stash. If you do want to use the same fabrics I would estimate about 2.5 yards of each fabric for the quilt top and you’ll probably have some left over. The backing fabric will need to be at least 40″ x 52″ so you can pick that out now if you want as well. The finished quilt top will measuring roughly 36″ x 48″. A perfect first time quilt for a baby or small lap quilt.
Block measures: 12.5″ x 12.5″
Choose two fabrics– one will be your light and the other the darker fabric. You need 1/4 yard (22.86 cm) of each fabric. You won’t use it all in this one block but can use the extra in some of the other blocks if you want. In my sample block above the blue fabric is my dark and the flowered print is the light.
If you are going to join us please post a comment below so we can see who is in! If you have a Facebook page you can also post to the Crafty Gemini page and announce your participation there, too. We want to see pictures of these blocks, too! You can upload them to our Facebook page or post them to our Flickr group.
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Are you on board?!
Quilting Lodge
Ok…ok…I’m in. This will be my first quilt along. How will I ever decide on just 2 fabrics???
Vicki @ Quilting Lodge
Evita
I’m for sure making this quilt. I need to downsize my stash also. As always, thanks from the heart.
Ingrid
I’m on board! My scrap basket is out of control so I’ll be scrap busting for this one.
manybooks
How cool is this??? THANK YOU – it looks like fun! I’m not picking just 2 fabrics. I have various bits and pieces of a holiday line from last year that I’m going to use up with this.
Question – will it all be piecing, or will there be (gulp!) applique? (crossing fingers for all pieceing 🙂
Patty
Thanks so much for doing this for us, Vanessa. Your voice sounds a little tired–hope that baby girl isn’t keeping you up, but I know she’s worth it! Planning on doing a 3 block table runner for a Christmas gift. Will use your 4th of July tutorial.
Can’t wait to see your colors, everyone.
Crafty Gemini
manybooks: I updated the blog post to show that we will only be piecing the blocks. No applique or paper piecing! LOL.
Crafty Gemini
Patty: you got me! I recorded that voice over at about 1:30am! But the baby was already asleep. thankfully she is already sleeping 7-9 hours per night! I do my work late at night when everyone is asleep.
МамаФиалка
Thanks so much
Donna
Count me in. I would love to participate. Will be my first quilt-along. Thanks!!
Donna
Debbie B Sam
Loved it Vanessa! Thanks so much, I’m in!
Ella
Thanks for this I will do it
beaquilter
what a cute block!! never thought of doing THAT!
meant to email you too, this weekend my in laws ended up paying for train tickets for us to go to disney, I’ll wave though!?
Kari
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Kari
I am so excited to try this! Can’t wait to get started!
Anonymous
Count me in also, this is going to be fun.
Scotchbroad
pamela
I did my block. With your instruction it was easy. Only it didn’t turn out 12.5×12.5. I used 1/4 in seams. It looks great can’t wait for more
Crafty Gemini
Pamela: Its very easy to go just a hair over the 1/4″ seam and even though it may not seam like much but if you add up going over by just one thread on every seam you can end up with a significantly smaller block. Try sewing what we call a “scant” 1/4″ seam allowance. Just one or two threads inside the 1/4″ mark and you should get closer to the 12.5″ square size. Hope that helps. :o)
pamela
Thanks for the tip. I’ll try it. Thanks
Anonymous
I am excited about this.
Marianne
Just found your post and would love to quilt along. I will have to hurry an catch up:)
Anonymous
Just found your blog, I am a beginner quilter and I will be quilting along.
Tracey
Thank you! Thank you! The hardest part will be waiting for each new block. Lol. Will be following along and joining in the fun.
kristine
I have never sewn before last night and I made 2 envelope pillow covers. I can’t wait to start on this quilt!!
Kelly Dannemann Scentsy Independent Consultant
This will be my first quilt ever, I also, have tons of scrap material. Looking forward to it. Vanessa, Thank you for hosting quilt along
Snowprincess
I’m kind of slow and nervous, but I’ve decided to Quilt Along with you. It’s great that I can watch you again and again, whenever I can. Thank you so much for this great opportunity to learn how to quilt properly!! I’m really grateful! 🙂
Beeshebags
I’m hoping to convince my next door neighbour to do this QAL with me….scrappy style (coz neither of us has many of them!) and will post pics. Any idea when the finishing video tutorial will be ready? I found the list of videos for all 12 blocks, but is there a list of just the written instructions so we can print those off and have them beside us as we sew please???? Thanks for all you do for the crafting community Vanessa.
Hugs
Naomi
Sally Lewellen
Just found this quilt along, looks like it was fun, will be making the blocks for myself a quilt.
Anonymous
Decided to follow your quilt along…. looks like I am a few years late 🙂
But, It has been a blast. I am using flannel scraps for a baby blanket gift. These are my first true quilt blocks. I love it! Can’t wait to follow your other quilt alongs. So far in this one I think I have three blocks to go.
WPBMOMMY1
Better late than never! I’m in!