Gosh it feels good to have this book out in the world! When I first started sewing in all the open spaces of my life 8 years ago, I also started this blog and a Flickr account (before the days of Instagram!). I didn’t really understand why, but just making wasn’t enough. I wanted to share my quilts too. I didn’t know any quilters in real life but I loved to sew in company. I loved to sew on my own too! I come up with ideas on my own, I love to stitch in the wee, quiet hours. But when I wasn’t sure where something was going, or when I was super proud of myself, or when I dug up an old WIP or finished a quilt, I wanted to tell someone other than my baby and toddler (though, I would tell them too!).

So making this book was such a different creative experience for me. I loved the deep dive into quilts without putting something on hold to get a good progress shot in daylight. I really loved making a collection of quilts with stories and designs that related to each other. I loved the feeling of clarity. I was writing a book, I had a deadline. Sewing right now is the best thing I can be doing right now! That feeling doesn’t always hang around long! But gosh, I missed sharing the process with you. The decisions, the quilts that got left till after because they weren’t quite right and I couldn’t figure out why, The little wins, the losses, the stress and buzz. It all happened behind closed doors, and when everything was shiny and ready, then I shared it.

So as soon as I settled on the idea of a sampler quilt, I knew I wanted a sew-along with you! I wanted us to enjoy that feeling of stitching together, even though my quilt was already finished. I wanted to enjoy the encouraging, inspiring, community of friends sewing together that first got me hooked to quilting 8 years ago.

Will you make your own quilty garden? Join us! The whole QAL will happen over on Instagram. Share your photos with the hashtags #SeedlingsQAL and the hashtag for the quilt you’re making and then browse around the hashtags to see what others are sewing. You can also use the tags #theseedlingquiltsbook and #talesofcloth or #talesofclothEPP to be seen by more people.

I’ve made a Facebook Group for people who like to share there! Michelle from Cole & Taffy, and I, will drop in at least weekly. The Facebook group is a great place to share and chat! (note: All the following prizes will be given for photos shared on Instagram) : https://www.facebook.com/groups/523991001674767/

** Book errata can be found here**

The Quilt-Along.

Every 2 weeks (I’ve been told Americans don’t use the word fortnight! I never knew!), we’ll be moving through the quilts/panels in The Seedling Quilts. Share your progress for the quilt or panel in it’s designated fortnight on Instagram for be eligible for some pretty amazing prizes!

You can choose to make any quilt from the book, but you’ll be in the running for more prizes if you make Seedlings. If, for example, you decide to make Myrtle Quilt, any progress photos shared on Instagram in the first 2 weeks of the quilt along will be eligible for that prize, and any finished quilt photos shared at the end of the QAL will be in the running for the final prize! If you sew Seedlings and share your progress as we move through the quilt, you could win any of the prizes listed below.

The winners will be chosen at random from the #seedlingsQAL hashtag. The more photos you share, the more chances you have to win.

Share your copy of The Seedling Quilts book on Instagram when you receive it to announce your participation!

The Program.

Myrtle: October 5 - 18

Share your progress of the Myrtle Panel or Myrtle Quilt on Instagram with the hashtag #myrtlequilt and #SeedlingsQAL to be eligible for this fortnight’s prize!

Prize: Anna Maria Horner favourites Fat 16th bundle by Polka Dot Tea Fabrics!

Caraway: October 19 - November 1

Share your progress of the Caraway Panel or Caraway Quilt on Instagram with the hashtag #carawayquilt and #SeedlingsQAL to be eligible for this fortnight’s prize!

Prize: A Fat 8th Bundle of Bonnie Christine’s Open Road Fabrics for Art Gallery Fabrics.

Peppermint: November 2 - November 15

Share your progress of the Peppermint Panel or Peppermint Quilt on Instagram with the hashtag #peppermintquilt and #SeedlingsQAL to be eligible for this fortnight’s prize!

Prize: 3 packs of shapes (your choice!) and an Aurifil Thread Bundle by Tales of Cloth

Yarrow: November 16 - November 29

Share your progress of the Yarrow Panel or Yarrow Quilt on Instagram with the hashtag #yarrowquilt and #SeedlingsQAL to be eligible for this fortnight’s prize!

Prize: Quilter's Field Guide to Color, Book by Stitched in Color

Honeysuckle: November 30 - December 13

Share your progress of the Honeysuckle Panel or Honeysuckle Quilt on Instagram with the hashtag #honeysucklequilt and #SeedlingsQAL to be eligible for this fortnight’s prize!

Prize: 4 yards of Blue Bank Flora from Art Gallery Fabrics (by Mister Domestic). Backing anyone?

Feverfew/Catch Up/Christmas Break: December 14 - January 10

Share your progress of the Feverfew Panel or Feverfew Quilt on Instagram with the hashtag #feverfewquilt or share any further progress photos with the hashtag #SeedlingsQAL to be eligible for this month’s prize!

Prize: EPP pillow papers kit and scrap fabric bundle by Karen Lewis Textiles

Elderberry: January 11 - January 24

Share your progress of the Elderberry Panel or Elderberry Quilt on Instagram with the hashtag #elderberryquilt and #SeedlingsQAL to be eligible for this fortnight’s prize!

Prize: Needlebook made by me, and notions - a collection of great tools for hand-stitching!

Cornflower: January 25 - February 7

Share your progress of the Cornflower Panel or Cornflower Quilt on Instagram with the hashtag #cornflowerquilt and #SeedlingsQAL to be eligible for this fortnight’s prize!

Prize: A choice between:

Legacy wadding roll (8.2m) (Australia Only)

Or a USD$50 voucher for Stash Fabrics! (purchased by me)

Rosemary: February 8 - February 21

Share your progress of the Rosemary Panel or Rosemary Quilt on Instagram with the hashtag #rosemaryquilt and #SeedlingsQAL to be eligible for this fortnight’s prize!

Prize: Fat 16th bundle of Liberty by Ava & Neve.

Lavender: February 22 - March 6

Share your progress of the Lavender Panel or Lavender Quilt on Instagram with the hashtag #lavenderquilt and #SeedlingsQAL to be eligible for this fortnight’s prize!

Prize: Tuva Book Bundle - 2 great books and a cross stitch kit.

Finish Your Quilt: March 7 - March 20

Share your finished quilt from The Seedling Quilts on Instagram with the hashtag #SeedlingsQAL to be eligible for the final prize!

Prize: Complete Paper and Fabric Subscription to 2020 Tales of Cloth BOM club, starting April and running for 8 months!

Seedlings Requirements:

Backing: 5 yds, Batting: 78" x 89", Binding: 2/3 yd

Finished Quilt size: 70” x 81”

You can buy The Seedlings Quilts book and kits here. The papers for the panels are also available separately, if you’d just like to dabble with a pillow or table runner. You can also get the book on Amazon, and use the templates provided in the book, or shapes you already have at home or can buy locally!

I can’t wait to share this fun journey with you! Share your copy of The Seedling Quilts book on Instagram when you receive it to announce your participation!

Seedlings QAL!