A Dozen Sew Alongs You Might Love

This post is going to be full of information.  I will provide lots of links to a plethora of fantastic sew alongs that you could stitch happily along with while you are "sheltering in place".  If we are all stuck at home, we could at least have something to show for it at the end, right?  Also, if you want a distraction from the COVID-19 situation, these projects provide it. 

The first sew along I will tell you about is one I started last week.  I posted that the pattern "Village" is being provided for free at various websites.  This is a great scrap buster and is super fun to work on.  Charm squares work great for this one.  It is a scrappy house block designed by Carrie Nelson of Miss Rosie's Quilt Co.

This sew along is Moda BlockHeads 3.  It started at the beginning of 2020, but all the weekly patterns are archived on the Moda website.  There are also a number of layout options you can choose for the four block sizes.  Pick one size block or make all four sizes.  There is definitely a Love/Heart theme going on, which is super cute.

This sew along is over, but there has been a book published with all the block patterns and some suggested layouts.  This is Moda BlockHeads 1, which started it all.  This is a sampler block of the week sew along, with designs by a number of well known Moda fabric designers.  I had a blast with this project, and as you see, am in the process of trying to figure out my borders.

This was a block of the week sew along hosted by Primitive Gatherings.  The pattern, "Star Studded Event"  is available on their website.  I signed up for a weekly kit which they sent me (it was kind of pricey), but if you have a large stash of scraps, this could be your answer to reducing it.  It is a great block, and you will get really good at piecing that 2 1/2" center star if you decide to make this block.  The pattern makes a very large quilt, but there is no reason you couldn't stop at any point you like and make something smaller.

This sew along is a mystery quilt hosted by designer Edyta Sitar of Laundry Basket Quilts.  The pace is pretty intense with this sew along, but you could certainly print out the daily block instructions and go at your own speed.  So far (as I write this) we are on day 6 and I have made 40 blocks!  Edyta also does YouTube video instruction for each block, which is a terrific support, especially for not-so-confident sewers.

Here is a list with links to some other sew alongs that sound amazing.

Summer Moon Sew Along, hosted by Fat Quarter Shop and Carrie Nelson.  This sew along is over with, but there is a book complete with patterns available, plus a slew of YouTube Fatquartershop tutorial videos for the blocks.  The finished quilt is amazing.

Comfort and Blessing Sew Along by Piecing the Past Quilts.  This is a free sew along, but it doesn't start until April 13.  I am so intrigued about this one!  I have a ton of leftover Kansas Troubles fabrics, which would be perfect for this project.

Amber Johnson ( Gigi's Thimble) and Jessica Dayton are hosting a quilt along called The Willow, which looks so beautiful.  I am really interested in doing this quilt at some point.  There are two sample suggestions, one made with Minick & Simpson's Mackinac Island collection and the other a collection of blues.  Gorgeous quilts, both of them.

Sherri McConnell from A Quilting Life is hosting a block of the month sew along, and has released free instructions for three blocks so far.  All of them have been super cute, and have instructions for making two different sizes. 

Gundrun Erla of GE Designs is hosting an Elvira Quarantine Quilt Along.  If you enjoy modern designs, you will love this one.

Pat Sloan is a favorite of quilters everywhere for a good reason.  She has such an engaging personality and is known for her great pattern designs and sew alongs.  She has a free 2020 Wild West sew along going on, which I haven't joined but am t.h.i.s close to signing on for.

If you want to start a Christmas quilt, this is the perfect time for it.  Gather up your red and white fabrics and pick up this little book from Primitive Gatherings.  You can make a different block each week and end up with a fabulous Christmas quilt that will be a family heirloom.   These blocks are challenging, but oh so worth it.

I am sure there are more sew alongs out there, but with any luck, one of these will pique your interest and get you started on a project to fill the empty hours until we can get our lives back to normal!  

If you know of any other sew alongs, please do share in the comments.

Have a great weekend everyone. Stay healthy and engaged in stimulating activities.

Comments

[Susan Earle]

Carole,at From my Carolina Home, is hosting a Vintage Christmas sew-along, based on Lori Holt’s Vintage Christmas book for her FB group.

[Mary]

Thank you for sharing this. I will be participating in one - just not sure which one yet.

Also, I ordered The Promise last night and am looking forward to reading that. Please keep up the blog posts; sometimes they cost me an arm and a leg, but they are so enjoyable. :)

[Marsha]

I have the Summer Moon book and love everything Carrie Nelson does, and want to get started on it soon. I’m doing the Moda Blockheads 3 and am pretty much caught up with it - right now. But, I have 5 quilts to make for others for graduations - if there will be any graduations...😢.
I did order the 2 books you posted yesterday and can’t wait to start on them.
Thanks for posting as much as you do. I love living vicariously through you!!!☺️

[Stephani in N. TX]

Thanks for your info on QA's. I'm drowning in my TX Twister blocks so I'm glad to see other things to look forward to. Have to turn off the bloom'n TV. Love that you are blogging every day, it's so hopeful and nice to be connected. Home alone is not what it's cracked up to be, so thanks a million. Will be looking into more books as well.

[Mary Kastner]

Thank you for some great information on quilt-alongs. Crazy times we live in. I am trying to limit my time watching the news. I am really trying to control my anxiety level. Hand quilting and hand appliqué seem to help a bit. I will be glad when this is over for sure. Take care, stay healthy Nicole.

Mary

[T Holzer]

So many great things to keep us busy!! Actually yesterday I finished my blocks for a year sew along with www.bordercreekstation.com and it's called the Stash Buster challenge. It is a one block sew along and at the end of the year if you have at least 52 blocks sewn into a quilt, you get entered for the prize draws. I made 144 blocks in three months and there's a good chance that I'll get my quilt sewn together by December LOL!! I'll send you a pic, Nicole.

[Jan]

There's something for everyone! It's really a great way to use stash fabric to create something beautiful. I'm branching out to keepsake Teddy bears using a baby's first sleeper. The new mom caught me at a good time...when I need to keep busy! Oh, boy! Those pattern pieces are tiny--the newborn size sleeper is tiny!! Have a good weekend. Stay well!

[KimS]

I appreciate all of your posts you have given us. Plenty of inspiration and happy, creative thoughts to keep our minds temporarily off of our current reality. Take care and have a good weekend! Love ya and give Ozzie a hug!

[Jannette B.]

Alyce at Blossom Heart Quilts (http://www.blossomheartquilts.com/blog/) is offering a free scrap-busting QAL. It just started this week, and I believe that she releases blocks twice weekly. Simple blocks so far - they take about 30 minutes to make.

[Norma]

Sewin' Wild Oaks is doing a video SAL of her Little Orphan Scrappy pattern. So cute!

[Carolyn]

Thanks so much for the links to the free patterns to keep us occupied, much appreciated. Carolyn (from NSW, Australia)