Friday, April 6, 2012

My Precious QAL

QAL

I'm so very excited to officially announce the My Precious Quilt-a-long!  We all have some fabric in our stash that's our favorite or the stack that you've been most reluctant to use.  Wonderland, Mendocino, FMF, Park Slope, Munki Munki, Full Moon Forest, Neptune, Katie Jump Rope, Good Folks, Bohemian, Garden Party, Recess, Swell, or whatever YOU hold dear, it's time to use it!  The fabric doesn't have to be desirable to anyone but YOU!  This QAL is designed to push you, not to compete with other people for who has the most sought-after stash.

QAL mosaic

This is going to be the most relaxed QAL ever.  You don't even have to make a quilt!  How's that for relaxed!  All I'm asking is that you take fabric precious to you and make something, anything!  Make quilt, a pillow, a table runner, a mug rug, a mini quilt, a bag, a pin cushion, a pot holder, an apron, etc.  I really don't care what you make, as long as you're using the fabric you never thought you could cut.  It's not doing anyone any good just sitting there!  It's time to use it!

Block 1
This is the start of my own quilt.  I'll be using my Heather Ross stash to make a rainbow of log cabin blocks.  My goal is to make at least 20 blocks (each finish at 15").


Rules:

1.  You must use fabric that you've been hoarding.  Not your regular old stash.  The special stuff.  You know what I'm talking about!  The stack you occasionally bring out to pet or maybe the precious scraps you've been saving forever.

2.  It does NOT have to be hard to find or out of print (HTF/OOP), but it can't be brand new.  I'll admit, my original intention was for everyone to use these types of fabrics, but realistically I know that not everyone has them in their stash.  My only request is that you please don't pick something just released.

3.  This will be a summer-long QAL.  On the 15th of May, June, July, and August I will host a linky party here on my blog where you will share what you've made with your precious stash that month!  It does NOT have to be a finished quilt.  IF you are making a quilt with your selected fabrics, you can post the blocks you've made.  If you are making a smaller project, the project must be completed.  Got that?  If you commit to making a quilt you can post your completed blocks or completed quilt (if you're super speedy).  If you're making a smaller project, you must have a completed project to link up.  You must post something new each month to be entered into the drawing for that month's prize(s)

4.  There will be at least one prize per month for anyone who links up.  Only one entry per person.  Winner(s) will be chosen by Mr. RNG.  So far prizes have been donated by:



5.  I've created a Flickr group HERE.  I'd really like it if everyone considering linking up would also join the Flickr group.  I promise we don't bite!  This is where you can post in-progress pictures, discuss ideas for how to best use your precious fabric, swap for other precious fabric, and, in general, have someone to hold your hand while you cut, cut, cut!!!

6.  Get ideas from our Pintrest board!


7.  Your project can do double duty!  If there is another QAL, swap, gift, or project you want to do, you can kill two birds with one stone if you use your precious fabric!  



So are you in?  This QAL is all about being brave.  You can do it!  Grab a button (on the right side of my blog) and tell your friends!

50 comments:

Kaelin said...

go kelly go! can't wait to start planning some projects for this :)

Katie said...

This QAL is made for me! I'm hoarding or "saving-for-the-perfect-project" Swell, Bliss, Katie Jump Rope, the original Freshcut as well as another Heather Bailey line that is so old I can't remember the name. Count me in!!!!!

Heather said...

Woot! I am just breaking into my precious Neptune stash and having a blast!

Katie @SwimBikeQuilt said...

I'd be happy to donate a prize. Maybe lightning bugs? Send me a note.

stefanie said...

OK, so last month I busted open my hoarded FQB of Bliss. This was a difficult thing for me, but I am excited to know that I will have something beautiful. I've started a BOM on Craftsy with it, so I'll use that project to play along with y'all here, if that's okay.

Elizabeth Dackson said...

I totally love this idea :) I will definitely try to play along, because I sure do need to start using the stuff I'm hoarding! And I'd love to thrown in a prize, too - send me an email!

Anonymous said...

Oh man, good thing I have enough projects in mind to cover all the months! Yipee! Thanks Kelly!

Kritta22 said...

I'm in!!! Thanks for the push!

**nicke... said...

totally in... i have been hoarding my stash of hoe valley... no more! i am going to cut the crap out of it and make something warm and snugly!

Patchwork notes said...

Hoe Valley...heh heh. So mature. Yay! I'm excited. I hope to complete one project each month - I have a lot hoarded and would like to stay off the tv show as long as possible!

Katy Cameron said...

Woohoo, can't wait, got my Prince Charming on standby. I'm especially looking forward to the chance to win Tula Pink herself... ;o)

Anonymous said...

sounds like fun! I am in! I have many treasured OOP fabrics in my stash...

Mrs Flying Blind... said...

I think I can!!!

Jeannette Bruce said...

Oh, great idea. This is something I've been wanting to do, use up the hoarded stash. I think I'll start with Good Folks.

Ramona said...

Sounds fun. Thanks for the incentive to use some of my treasured stash.

Susan said...

Oooh! I have just seen Fiona's post about this QAL! It sounds very tempting! I have a special piece of fabric I have been hoarding, waiting for the push to use it! Thank you!

Isisjem said...

What a fabulous idea!!!

2ndAvenueStudio-Rachel said...

I can offer a prize of my gold FMF seeds (not reprinted) and maybe one of the template sets that I developed with Jill over at tabslot.
would you like that? lmk.

Ill be throwing all my favs into the mix... even my blue Munki poplin art supplies and green gnomes. going very scrappy.

Angela Nash said...

Hi! Could you enable the copy function so I can swipe your QAL button? Not sure how you turn it on and off, but when I tried to take the code on the right for your button - as well as the image - a pop up message said it wasn't permitted. Or if you could just email it, that would be awesome. Thanks!

Bry said...

I'm in! I'm in! I'm in!

Just the swift kick in the butt I needed to do more than pet my special fabrics. (Tula I'm looking at you!)

Al said...

Does Outfoxed count? How about if I haven't even taken it out of the plastic it was wrapped in to ship?
Man...just typing that out makes me feel bad.

Alli said...

Ooh, what a neat idea! I was just thinking this morning that I should make a handbag out of one of my hoarded Japanese fabrics. I'll be joining in! :)

Amy Badskirt said...

I am onboard!

Esch House Quilts said...

I just stumbled across your QAL on Flickr - this is such a great idea!

I don't honestly know if I can clear time to participate, but I did just make a pillow from some of my much loved Echo fabric.

Karen M said...

Have you been poking around in my stash? I have a small selection of fabrics that I have had set aside for approaching 20 years. I love the colors and the way they look together. I have never found a project that I felt worthy of these highly valued fabrics. I am very tempted. I still have to think about it. Once I cut them, there is no turning back.

Jennifer Salter said...

Just found your QAL and blog through another participant :) I won some fabric in the fall and I still haven't touched it because I love it so much! This is the perfect reason for my to finally break it out and make something pretty just for me.

Jenelle said...

I have to decide whether I should cut into my Hope Valley or my Prince Charming stashes. Hum, maybe both!? Thanks for organizing this. :)

Allison said...

this is a fabulous idea! My most precious hoarded fabric is my Meadowsweet collection. I've just cut a small amount of it to make a tote bag, but I need to turn the rest into a quilt :)

The New Mrs. said...

I love this idea. I have a stack of Parisville that has been begging for my attention.

Anonymous said...

Woo hoo. I have a couple "precious" projects to start/finish. This is a great idea!!! Thanks for this idea.

Melissa said...

My Heather Ross Far Far Away fabrics are begging to be used before my daughter gets too old to love them. I even know the pattern I want to use but I'm nervous to see with the double gauze. This is just the kick in the pants I need!

quirky granola girl said...

i just joined up! thanks for starting this. it is a fabulous idea.

Celia said...

I am soooo in!!! This is probably a silly question, but what do I have to do to 'link up'?

Hugs,
Celia
cah252@gmail.com

bohemianmoon said...

Well, I want to do this, I have lots of hoarded fabric, my problem is which pattern to use or what design to use???? But I will look in my stash and try to get something done by May 15, good idea! thanks for the push!

Anonymous said...

I've just cut half of my Salt Air layer cake into strips of different widths.... this isn't even in the UK yet and I've been stroking it for the past few weeks I've had it... I'm going to make the biggest quilt I ever have so far- a double bed size one (mine are usually large lap quilts for napping under on the sofa)

Anonymous said...

OK just realised it's too new to be in the sew a long. Oops sorry- I'm out then, ignore my last comment!

Marci Girl said...

I am in! Cutting into that Heather Ross Macaroni Love Story here I come!

FarahLin said...

Hi Kelly, I'm a novice quilter and I've just found your blog from another participant and was wondering whether is it too late to jump in the bandwagon? I've been hoarding my Echo line and thought of making simple patchwork quilt with 6" squares. Does that count for large pattern?

Aunt Spicy said...

Just broke into my Heather Bailey Pop Garden Stash to make two quilts! Thanks for inspiring me!

Anonymous said...

What a great idea! I would love to join in. I will post and link the button on my blog soon. :)

Judith said...

Okay, I'm in. Twice! I have a Lily & Will jelly roll (the original yellow and brown one) that I keep thinking about when I can't sleep, and a small amount of Patty Young's hummingbird fabric that I haven't been able to bring myself to cut into, even though I know it would make the best cover for my ereader.

Beth said...

I just saw your button on another blog so decided to check it out. I would love to join - just this morning, I again looked at my one yard of Wonderland that was one of the first pieces of fabric I ever bought and still haven't used since I've been waiting to find the perfect project. Well, I guess the wait is over because I am going to join your QAL and figure it out! Thanks.

jennyg said...

I would love to be in it I have a hat box of fabrics in pale pink black and cream , I have been hoarding to make a tablecloth. does this count as a quilt as it will be big and I will be backing it and free motion quilting it ?

Jess @ Elven Garden Quilts said...

I've just decided to join too! I'll be breaking' out the good folks for the retro flowers qal. A bit excited!

Unknown said...

Can't remember if I posted to say I am committed to trying to finish 2 quilt tops during this QAL! Shared my bundles with the flickr group and have just started cutting Quilt #1!

Anonymous said...

just stumbled here.... and i love it! totally inspired to cut into the precious stash..... yeah :)

Kritta22 said...

Okay boss, I'm making a big star quilt with my precious. I read the rules and it says I don't have to be done but have to post something new each month. So can I still be working on my star blocks? Is that considered something new? Or do I need the top pieced by June 15 to qualify??

Thanks for doing this!!

Krista

jenjeb said...

I just joined and made a table runner! Thanks for the inspiration!

Sandra J. Strickler said...

I'm coming late to the party! But I have some fabric with scrapbooking and quilting motifs that I've had forever and have been scared to cut into. This is the push I need!

Unknown said...

Please tell me how I get the pattern for the pixelated heart?

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