What Is A Quilt Along?

If you are looking for a reason to jump into quilting, joining a quilt along is a great way to start. A quilt along is an in person or online quilt party where you buy a quilt pattern, pay a fee to participate, and learn to sew quilt blocks. Then you sew quilt blocks along with others who are participating. It is a great way to get started with quilting because you have others encouraging you to sew your quilt blocks as they sew theirs. When you finish, you have enough quilt blocks to complete a quilt. Quilt blocks can be for beginners or they can be for more advanced quilters. You get to see what you are quilting ahead of time unless you are doing a mystery quilt along.

Here is what you need to know about quilt alongs:

1. Where do I find a quilt along?
2. Check out some of the quilt alongs online.
3. How do I join a quilt along?
4. What do I need for a quilt along?
5. You can start slowly with a block of the month until you have completed all of your quilt blocks.

Did you know when you craft with a friend or somebody else, you are more apt to complete your project in a timely manner? Quilt alongs help you do just that. If you want ideas for quilt blocks that can magically (aka you cutting them out and sewing them), create a quilt ,t hen a quilt along is for you. Also sewing and quilting with others makes it more fun and can motivate you to get your quilt blocks all done .

Where Do I Find A Quilt Along?

Start by letting your fingers do the walking and start looking online. There are a lot of well known quilters and quilting sites that host quilt alongs online. Some of the veterans of quilting like Lori Holt, Jenny Doan, and Sherri McConnell have quilt alongs as do fabric companies like Riley Blake and Moda. You might even ask around in your own community. Check your local quilting shop stores and check into your local community center. Find a group you want to participate with either online or in person and hop to! Get quilting!

When you start your quilt journey and learn to quilt, a quilt along is a great way to help you learn a variety of quilt block designs. You will also learn some tips and tricks of quilting. It can help you gain the confidence you need to keep going with your new found quilting hobby. One of the perks of a quilt along is you can take your time. Usually you have at least a month to finish each block and that gives you plenty of time to complete each block. Then eventually you can make a quilt with all of the blocks you have created.

How Do I Join A Quilt Along?

Usually to get started in your quilt along group, you purchase the pattern of quilt blocks everyone will be making. If you are joining in a local quilt along for example at a quilt fabric store, you will sign up on a list and they may have a fee to join in. Also you pay a fee for your quilt block kits. Then in turn they will give you instructions on how to complete each block. They may call them blocks of the month. Don’t procrastinate and put off doing your quilt blocks. Stay on top of it and get them done so you won’t get behind. If you would rather do it yourself and sew on your own timetable, that works too.

One of the positive things about joining an in person quilt along is the new people you meet that may become your new friends . It’s fun to socialize as you sew your quilt blocks. Also another advantage is having a hostess in person ready to help you when you need it. You can improve your quilting skills too.

What Do I Need For A Quilt Along

Sometimes the fees you pay cover your quilting supplies. If they don’t, you will need to purchase any supplies you might need like fabric, batting, and thread to complete your project. Many “in person” quilt alongs will provide everything you need for a fee. Then you take your kit and sew your quilt blocks together. It all depends on whether your quilt along is in person or is virtual participation. Either way can be a lot of fun. There are many quilt alongs set up online for you to participate at any time regardless of the time they posted the event because they will still have their patterns available for you. There are many free quilt alongs online too. You just download the pattern and buy the suggested supplies listed in the downloadable instructions. It is that easy!

Block of the Month

Maybe you have heard the phrase “block of the month”. Before I took up quilting, I heard that phrase at the fabric store and didn’t have a clue what they were talking about. However, this is a block you are assigned once a month, to complete so that in a few months you have enough blocks for your quilt. You have a whole month to get it done. There you go. Now you know some of the lingo haha. This is such a good idea for people who are just beginning their quilting journey. Test the waters without investing too much money and see how much they like it before committing too much to a new hobby.

If you want to move faster on a making a quilt, there are also quilt alongs with block of the week where you have to make your quilt blocks faster than once a month. I noticed an ad for a block of the week where they gave you 9 weeks to complete your quilt blocks. The quilt blocks were called “Cake Stand Blocks”. You would start on a Monday with an hour class where you received instructions as to how it all worked. Then each of the following Mondays they ask you to pick up your quilt block kits. If you quilted along as you were suppose to, by the end of 9 weeks you would have 32 blocks ready to sew into a quilt. They also offered free binding as incentive to complete your quilt blocks and sew it into a quilt. Now that is a real deal because binding can take some time and takes a minute to get the hang of it.

There are many options for quilt alongs. Look for a pattern of quilt blocks that inspire you enough that you will want to start it and finish it. Find a quilt along that fits your schedule so you are comfortable with the time table you are given to complete your blocks.

You may also like:

Need a pin cushion? I have an easy and adorable pin cushion you can make to hang on your sewing machine. Take a look. How Do You Make A Pin Cushion For A Sewing Machine?

How about making your own label to put on a quilt that you have made. How Do I Make A Simple Quilt Label?

Looking to take a personal vacation and enjoy some quilting on the side? Check into a quilt retreat. Not sure what or how? This will enlighten you and give you tips for organizing your own quilt retreat for quilting friends, What Is A Quilt Retreat?