So, are you going to play along with us? Thelma, Lisa and I are going to make this wonderful Spools quilt from Camille Roskelley's new pattern "Spools". Don't you think every one of us needs to have a version of this quilt hanging in our sewing rooms? It will be like a Flag of Sisterhood. We Quilt and We Are Awesome.
In honor of Camille's spectacular pattern, which is going to take the quilting world by storm (if you don't have yours yet, you better order it!), Lisa and Thelma and I are all using Camille's upcoming fabric collection "Marmalade" which she designed with her fabulous mother Bonnie (of Cotton Way). I won't tell you how we three girls scored the Marmalade fabric before its release, but let's just say, it is sometimes helpful to know people who are "connected". Even though we three are sewing with Marmalade, as Camille did, you all KNOW that whatever fabric you choose to make your versions is going to be dynamite! I cannot wait to see what you do!
I would like to share just a bit about the two wonderful women with whom I am doing this sew along. I started blogging in 2007, after "lurking" for some time and making the occasional comment on a number of quilting blogs. Lisa of Stashmaster and I shared a common aesthetic and love of similar fabrics and quilting styles. She was so kind to me whenever I commented on one of her posts and a chatty dialog soon ensued. In no time, she became my blogging BFF, and with her encouragement, I started my own blog. We actually met in person in 2008 when we agreed to sign up to take a couple of classes from our favorite designer, Carrie Nelson of Miss Rosie's Quilt Company. We had a fantastic time, became acquainted with our rock star quilting guru, and the rest is history. In 2009, a lovely woman named Thelma began to comment on my blog, and had a lot of questions about maybe starting her own quilting blog. She and I developed a dialog as well, and Thelma's blog Cupcakes 'n' Daisies has become an amazing hit in the quilting blog world. In 2010, Thelma and Lisa and I were able to get together to take more classes from our favorite designer, Carrie Nelson, and have remained fast friends ever since. I tell you with all sincerity, my life has been immeasurably enriched by my friendship with Lisa and Thelma.
So, this sew along not only honors Camille Roskelley for her outstanding pattern and fabric, but celebrates the friendship three quilters have forged through blogging!
So, all you Girlfriends out there in blog land, how about sewing along with us and making this easy, fun, Spools quilt? No rules, no deadlines, let's just sew together and have fun.
As you can see from the pattern picture, each Spools block is made up of three strips of fabric from the same color family. I have decided to break my construction into parts, and the assembly of these strip units is my first step. I am going to post weekly, on Fridays most likely, on my progress. This is going to be a fast easy quilt and I am hoping to get mine done by the end of this summer. Lisa and Thelma have already posted on their progress, and I am inspired to get going and catch up with them!
We really hope you will join us and send up pictures of your progress. You can pick Lisa, Thelma or me to send your progress pics to and we will post them on our blogs. Thelma's got a Pinterest board for posting pictures of your finished quilts. There will even be prizes as we sew along. Come on, join us on this fun journey to celebrate our common friendships based on quilting! Let's SEW girls!
Love the fabrics and the cute fabrics, but, alas, my life is toooooo crazy to jump into this project and my tiny sewing room has no blank walls. I am serious about that and have given thought to moving into DS2's soon to be vacant (but not much larger) bedroom.
AMIL comes home from the rehab facility today (joy!!) but FIL seems to be losing his marbles more than ever.
It's less than 2 weeks until DS2 moves, too.
Oh, did I mention the garden is producing like crazy and the beans, peppers, and peas need to be picked and put up?? Glub, glub!
Hugs!
Posted by: Barbara Anne | July 20, 2012 at 06:08 AM
What a sweet post, Nicole. Yes, you really can meet a terrific friend online! I'm so happy to have met you. And Carrie. And Thelma, Monique, Candace...
I'm really enjoying the Spools quilt. Are you making the large or small size?
Posted by: Lisa D. | July 20, 2012 at 06:39 AM
What a lovely quilt pattern and your fabric is delightful!!
What a beautiful story of friendship.
Posted by: LoriD | July 20, 2012 at 06:52 AM
Yes, we all do need that quilt in our sewing rooms! I'm in! Hopefully, I can buy the pattern tomorrow at my LQS. Nicole, your blog is one of the first quilting blogs I read and have been hooked ever since!
Posted by: Denise in PA | July 20, 2012 at 07:29 AM
Now that is putting on the pressure Nicole! I have several projects. Well maybe I will hunt up that pattern. Being part of the group would be lots of fun.
Posted by: Paula Zumaris | July 20, 2012 at 07:44 AM
When you posted this quilt several days ago, my brain immediately screamed--scrappy strip sets! Stash busting! Easy Peasy!
No, really, I have all sorts of odd strings that I can now sort by color, sew up into the thread portion of the spool, add a top and bottom, and voila! I'll be sewing along soon!
Posted by: Annette | July 20, 2012 at 07:59 AM
I love the Flag of Sisterhood! And flying the banner knowing your quilty buddies are doing the same is very tempting. The fabric is gorgeous. I regret not getting a bundle when I could but I still have Ruby and Vintage Modern smiling at me from their shelves so I could not excuse it. I love the orange. It has been absent from Camille's lines since Simple Abundance and it is so refreshing.
I can't wait to see how your version comes to life!
Posted by: Sandy | July 20, 2012 at 08:22 AM
I'm starting this weekend! I'm still waiting for my spool fabric to arrive from FQS (they had a huge MODA sale, so they are a little behind on shipping)... but I can start on the thread strips. BTW - for anyone really wanting Marmalade - you can find precuts on eBay for sure. That's where I get all my early releases. I have to wait for the yardage though ... :( Happy quilting!!
Posted by: Jennifer | July 20, 2012 at 08:43 AM
I would love to join in, but I'm afraid there are too many bills and not enough free money to go around. (2 kids in college will do that to a person!) If I can swing using some stuff from my small-ish stash, then I will attempt one. Even if it means it will be just a table topper size.
I'll be joining you in spirit for sure!
Posted by: sillysally | July 20, 2012 at 08:49 AM
What a lovely tribute to your friends. I feel blessed as well to have "met" such wonderful blog friends. Some in real life, and some as an internet friend. One of the friends I cherish that I have met is you!
Got my pattern!!!! Just have to decide which fabric and away I go!!! I love what you say about it being a Flag of Sisterhood. I'm sure Camille is overwhelmed by the outpouring of love towards this pattern.
Posted by: Jean | July 20, 2012 at 09:57 AM
Blog friends are the best :-) This will be such a fun time. I hope to be able to join in.
Posted by: Michele | July 20, 2012 at 01:58 PM
Excellent post! I loved your post when you blog buddies finally got together, and this one is just as nice. What a great group you three are.
Thanks for all your quilting inspiration. Have loved your blog for as long as I've been reading and blogging myself.
Posted by: mary | July 20, 2012 at 02:44 PM
Quilting blog friends are THE BEST. I love the spool quilt and am going to see if I can fit this in my schedule! MMMMM..marmalade! Yours will be yummy.
Posted by: Mary on Lake Pulaski | July 21, 2012 at 08:40 AM
I got it out and poured over my pattern - soooo cute! I can't wait to make one of these, only trouble is I have to wait for Marmelade to hit the stores! ;O) Cannot wait to see how yours comes out! And if you have any tricks/tutorials/squaring up details to share as you go! I always learn so much from you! I am actually starting my zippy strippy bag - have zipper and am excited to get it done for a gift. You always inspire me and I learn a lot from your tutorials! Hope you are spool in right along! :O)
Posted by: Bari Jo | July 21, 2012 at 08:56 PM