Recently I shared this photo of some fabrics I’ve been collecting for a little while. Actually, some of my older American Jane fabrics that I’ve been saving for several years aren’t even pictured here, and I’m using them along with these for a very special quilt.
A little while ago I was asked if I might be interested in joining an on-line quilt along for an upcoming quilt in the American Patchwork & Quilting magazine. The quilt was designed by Lissa Alexander and appears in the February 2014 issue which debuts tomorrow! Be on the lookout for this issue if you’re a subscriber (or you may have just recently received it). My issue hasn’t yet arrived, but it seems that I’m always a week or two behind every one I see in blog land. The issue should also be available soon at your local quilt shop.
This quilt is one of those quilts…incredible…amazing…wonderful…the kind that goes on your quilting bucket list at first sight. And…it can be made using scraps–fat quarters, jelly roll strips, small pieces…even extra layer cake squares work with this pattern. I’ve certainly had a lot of fun collecting and assembling my fabric stack for this project.
Lissa’s quilt is named “Tone it Down” and features scrappy brights along with an equally eclectic mix of low-volume fabrics. Her quilt was quilted by the incredibly talented Natalia of Piece N Quilt.
I knew my American Jane reserves were the perfect place to start…and I’ve been happily cutting strips from a lot of different collections and mixing and matching bits and pieces. I’m finally using some fabrics that literally have been sitting in a drawer for more than 5 years…and they add so much variety and interest when mixed with the more recent American Jane fabrics (I even snagged a FQ bundle of the upcoming Ducks in a Row at Sample Spree knowing it would add just what I needed for this quilt).
The instructions in the magazine offer two different options: a strip pieced method of block construction and a “super scrappy” construction method. I found the best way for me to work was to use the strip piecing method for my brights. I was able to use a lot of layer cake pieces for my strips; however, I also cut into some fat quarters. The cutting went fast, and soon I had all of the neat little piles I needed to piece my entire quilt.
The next thing I needed to decide was what to do about the “low volume” or background fabric selection. And you know what…I happily found that there are a lot of American Jane “low volume” prints out there. I’ve been having a little fun on Ebay and Etsy and have ordered some of these prints from as far away as Alaska! I have a couple more pieces that should be arriving any day to add into this mix. For some of these low volume pieces I used fat quarters or ½ yards, but there were a couple that I purchased an entire yard of: the black dot on cream and the small floral on cream. I’ve also used extra charm squares, layer cake squares, and jelly roll strips of the American Jane low-volume pieces to cut my backgrounds.
I’m having a lot of fun with this quilt and can’t wait to share more of my progress. Now, there are quite a few others participating in the quilt along…
Amy Ellis from Amy’s Creative Side
Anne Sutton of Bunny Hill Designs
Camille Roskelley of Simplify
Carrie Nelson of La Vie En Rosie
Jane Davidson of Quilt Jane
Kimberly Jolly of the Fat Quarter Shop Jolly Jabber
Lisa Bongean of Primitive Gatherings
Lissa Alexander–Moda Lissa
and Jennifer Keltner, executive editor of American Patchwork & Quilting, at All People Quilt
I, along with each of these women, (I’m so honored to have been asked to quilt along) will be making a unique version of the quilt and sharing thoughts and tips on the construction along the way. We will be posting updates on our progress for you to follow along on our blogs and social media. I hope you’ll join in the fun in creating this wonderful quilt and use the hashtag #APQquiltalong when you post about it! So, are you ready to join in and Tone it Down?!
Liv says
Count me in I love the quilt and I will use my American Jane stash too! I am an avid fan of Sandy's fabrics and even more so since I met her a couple of years ago while in California on a vacation from my home in Ireland.
Sinta Renee says
Well, you are just full of fun surprises! You know that American Jane (Sandy K) was at my guild this summer… I have a nice stash of her fabric also… so I am just going to have to do this one!!! I had bought a similar pattern and it was pictured in traditional colors. I have to say that this is a very fun twist to the block! I love it!
Jeanna says
This is going to be fun watching you all Sew Along.
I love that you share your process for choosing fabrics…I found that very interesting.
Carla says
It looks beautiful! Must look for that magazine
Karen says
How much fun this sounds. What a great pattern, can't wait for my issue to arrive. And I can't wait to see your quilt!
JJ says
It is a very pretty quilt. I am going to have to get the magazine and give it a try.
QLT812 says
Love your blog and would like the tutorial to use my 2 1/2 stash {^_^}! Thanks a lot…
Michele says
I won't be joining in since I already have a big list of quilts to get done for deadlines but I'll be watching.
Nedra says
That is one beautiful quilt. Your American Jane fabrics are a perfect choice. Wish I had the time to join along.
Cynthia says
I collect American Jane fabric too 🙂 It's the best, isn't it? I started collecting it after Peas and Carrots, but I do have two charm packs of it. Your quilt will be gorgeous!!!
Anne Heidi says
Very tempting!!! Your fabric choice will mavke a beautiful quilt!
Thimbleanna says
This looks like such a fun project Sherri — I LOVE your fabric choices. I would love to make this quilt, but it's a little rough during the holidays LOL. You're amazing — I don't know how you get it all done!!!
Nanette Merrill says
I'm oohing and ahhing
Michele says
Oh, I'm going to run out to the mailbox right now!
Carrie P. says
love that quilt. I will be on the lookout for the magazine.
Natalia from Piece N Quilt says
I already love the fabrics that you're using! It's going to be fabulous! 🙂
Karen says
Thanks for the heads up on this nifty project. I may just play along with this one!
Charlene ♥ SC says
Looking forward to following along as a 'hope to one day' quilter!
Beverly says
Love the fabric and I can't wait to see the quilt. I think it's going to be gorgeous!
Grandmasewnsew says
Love that quilt and would love to follow along. So far I haven't been able to find that magazine at any of my local stores 🙁 I'll keep looking as, by the time a subscription started, the sew along will be over!
Diane says
I went to three places that carry this magazine and all of them still had the old issue 🙁 I can't wait to get ahold of the magazine so I can follow along with all the examples you guys have posted!
jazs07 says
I love quilting too, well it is one of my best way to get rid boredom at all, I prefer using different colors of Fabrics too, well it can turn out really great specially when the colors blend well together, just like what you've done they all do stands out.
Grandmasewnsew says
Still can't find the magazine. Does anyone know where it can be purchased online?