If you love sew-alongs, a new one started up this week that looks like it will be a lot of fun, and a skill-builder too. It is the Sampler Spree Sew-Along, based on the book Sampler Spree by Susan Ache. A lot of great designers are participating in this one, everyone doing their own thing as far as colors, etc, but all the 6" block patterns come from Susan's new book. There are 100 quilt block patterns in the book, so it is a nice resource.
Here is a link to Moda's website introduction to the project. And here is a link to Lella Boutique's website. I am going to use Vanessa's layout (which is a big maple leaf), and even copy her on the fabric collection she is using. I have fat quarter bundles of both Persimmon and Cider by Basic Grey, which I have been hanging on to for the perfect project for a fall quilt. I plan to make five blocks a week and just start on page one of the book and dive in. Lots of people are posting their blocks on Instagram #samplerspreeqal which are fun to see.
This is Vanessa's planned layout for her blocks.
Now that the Sewcialites Sew Along is a wrap-up, there may be room in my life for another sew-along. I know I have been rather impulsive in jumping into every sew-along that starts up lately, so I thought I would give you an update on the status of the ones I have joined.
Moda BlockHeads 3: all but finished. One final vertical row to assemble and attach. Then off to the quilter.
365 Little Blocks: these paper-pieced blocks are too much, and besides I have no idea how in the world I would use them in a finished project. This one has been shelved indefinitely.
Sewcialites: all but finished. I have sewn all the rows and just need to sew those rows together. Then off to the quilter.
Heartfelt: I have shelved this one for the time being. I may get back to it, but no guilt.
Serendipity: still enjoying this one. I have a couple of rows to complete, then will sew the rows together for a finish. The colors are quite springy, so I don't feel a big rush to get it done right now. Once I decide to wrap it up, it won't take long.
Red Sampler with Lori Holt: loving this one and have completed three of the ten weeks released so far. I don't feel a rush with this one. The red and white color scheme works well for the holidays, so I'll keep plugging away at it.
So out of six sew-alongs, I have just about finished two, have shelved two, have one that I am in no rush to finish, and one that I am actively working on. So, I have decided to jump into Sampler Spree. I just can't resist. I realize that the idea of juggling so many sew-alongs can be extremely over-whelming. I am going to be concentrating primarily on two of them (The Red Sampler and Sampler Spree). My goal is to complete MBH3 and Sewcialites and get them quilted and off my conscience this next week.
Are any of you as impulsive about joining in on these sew-alongs as I have been? I would like to be a bit more discriminating and not join so many of them. The thing that I love about sew-alongs is the structure of the weekly block making, and the camaraderie of so many other quilters working on the same project. At this point in my life, I don't NEED any more quilts, but still enjoy the process of getting into my sewing room and working on something. The drawn-out schedule of these sew-alongs suits my needs right now, and I find I can still learn new techniques and skills as I participate.
What are your thoughts?
39 responses to “Sampler Spree Sew Along- and, Let’s Talk About Sew Alongs”
I am in your boat! I have some half finished from long ago, am enrolled in several block of the months, and doing a couple of sew alongs. What is eating up my sewing time is two Jen Kingwell quilts, Boho and Gypsy Wife.
Love the finished quilts but you must keep organized with these. I have one
Lori Holt started and fabric bought for her red sampler. Did I mention I am never bored😉
I am in your boat! I have some half finished from long ago, am enrolled in several block of the months, and doing a couple of sew alongs. What is eating up my sewing time is two Jen Kingwell quilts, Boho and Gypsy Wife.
Love the finished quilts but you must keep organized with these. I have one
Lori Holt started and fabric bought for her red sampler. Did I mention I am never bored😉
I am in your boat! I have some half finished from long ago, am enrolled in several block of the months, and doing a couple of sew alongs. What is eating up my sewing time is two Jen Kingwell quilts, Boho and Gypsy Wife.
Love the finished quilts but you must keep organized with these. I have one
Lori Holt started and fabric bought for her red sampler. Did I mention I am never bored😉
I am in the same boat with you all….love that I have something to look forward to and keep it to only two at a time….than being said, I did at one time have an overlap of three and found it a bit stressful… so, now only two and enjoy doing these. I do get behind a bit once in while but find I can catch up so not bad…and yes, I am a Lori Holt Red and White sewing member…loving those blocks!
I am in the same boat with you all….love that I have something to look forward to and keep it to only two at a time….than being said, I did at one time have an overlap of three and found it a bit stressful… so, now only two and enjoy doing these. I do get behind a bit once in while but find I can catch up so not bad…and yes, I am a Lori Holt Red and White sewing member…loving those blocks!
I am in the same boat with you all….love that I have something to look forward to and keep it to only two at a time….than being said, I did at one time have an overlap of three and found it a bit stressful… so, now only two and enjoy doing these. I do get behind a bit once in while but find I can catch up so not bad…and yes, I am a Lori Holt Red and White sewing member…loving those blocks!
A few years ago I participated in the monthly Schnibbles parades & those are still some of my favorite little quilts. I’ve tried a couple sew-alongs, but I just didn’t follow through with them. So, I guess I’m just a one-project-at-a-time quilter & that’s ok, too!
A few years ago I participated in the monthly Schnibbles parades & those are still some of my favorite little quilts. I’ve tried a couple sew-alongs, but I just didn’t follow through with them. So, I guess I’m just a one-project-at-a-time quilter & that’s ok, too!
A few years ago I participated in the monthly Schnibbles parades & those are still some of my favorite little quilts. I’ve tried a couple sew-alongs, but I just didn’t follow through with them. So, I guess I’m just a one-project-at-a-time quilter & that’s ok, too!
I find myself doing more hand applique when it is so dang hot. These look like funprojects. Stay cool!
Mary
I find myself doing more hand applique when it is so dang hot. These look like funprojects. Stay cool!
Mary
I find myself doing more hand applique when it is so dang hot. These look like funprojects. Stay cool!
Mary
I have to admit I have never been involved in a sew-along. I have so many projects in minds that I want to start and several unfinished ones I really want to tackle. With being stuck home more during the Covid situation, I thought I would get more accomplished but haven’t. I’m impressed to complete so many projects!
I have to admit I have never been involved in a sew-along. I have so many projects in minds that I want to start and several unfinished ones I really want to tackle. With being stuck home more during the Covid situation, I thought I would get more accomplished but haven’t. I’m impressed to complete so many projects!
I have to admit I have never been involved in a sew-along. I have so many projects in minds that I want to start and several unfinished ones I really want to tackle. With being stuck home more during the Covid situation, I thought I would get more accomplished but haven’t. I’m impressed to complete so many projects!
Unless the sewalong is over a short period of time, I am unlikely to participate. I did one of the Moda Blockheads a few years back and found that by week 50, I could not wait to be done with it. Also, I don’t need any bed sized quilts so am gravitating more towards wall hanging/throw sizes (I seasonally/monthly change 6 hanging quilts) or table runners.
Unless the sewalong is over a short period of time, I am unlikely to participate. I did one of the Moda Blockheads a few years back and found that by week 50, I could not wait to be done with it. Also, I don’t need any bed sized quilts so am gravitating more towards wall hanging/throw sizes (I seasonally/monthly change 6 hanging quilts) or table runners.
Unless the sewalong is over a short period of time, I am unlikely to participate. I did one of the Moda Blockheads a few years back and found that by week 50, I could not wait to be done with it. Also, I don’t need any bed sized quilts so am gravitating more towards wall hanging/throw sizes (I seasonally/monthly change 6 hanging quilts) or table runners.
I avoided sew alongs, knowing I could never keep up with the schedule. But I am enjoying my Little Blocks 365 project. Still, I don’t make five blocks a week and because I only need 56 for my setting, I am almost finished. In general, I am more of a focus-on-one-quilt-project-at-a-time kind of gal but I am thinking of doing another sampler quilt of some kind. It might be the Summer Moon book. I was reminded of that one because I just received the new book from Carrie Nelson (and Joanna Figueroa) and there are several projects in it I would like to make. Also, on Joanna’s blog, she mentioned a “pillow along” will be coming June 22. That could be more my speed.
I avoided sew alongs, knowing I could never keep up with the schedule. But I am enjoying my Little Blocks 365 project. Still, I don’t make five blocks a week and because I only need 56 for my setting, I am almost finished. In general, I am more of a focus-on-one-quilt-project-at-a-time kind of gal but I am thinking of doing another sampler quilt of some kind. It might be the Summer Moon book. I was reminded of that one because I just received the new book from Carrie Nelson (and Joanna Figueroa) and there are several projects in it I would like to make. Also, on Joanna’s blog, she mentioned a “pillow along” will be coming June 22. That could be more my speed.
I avoided sew alongs, knowing I could never keep up with the schedule. But I am enjoying my Little Blocks 365 project. Still, I don’t make five blocks a week and because I only need 56 for my setting, I am almost finished. In general, I am more of a focus-on-one-quilt-project-at-a-time kind of gal but I am thinking of doing another sampler quilt of some kind. It might be the Summer Moon book. I was reminded of that one because I just received the new book from Carrie Nelson (and Joanna Figueroa) and there are several projects in it I would like to make. Also, on Joanna’s blog, she mentioned a “pillow along” will be coming June 22. That could be more my speed.
No quilt alongs for me. I did one with Bonnie Hunter on a cruise to AK, and that worked well, another with BH at a local shop also worked well. Otherwise, I’ve had a list in my head of quilts I wanted to stitch, either from patterns I loved or fabric I purchased. My list is still going after 15 years, not done yet. I also spent 3 years in charge of our guild’s community quilts with lots of donation quilts made by members and myself as well. That was a fun diversionary experience.
No quilt alongs for me. I did one with Bonnie Hunter on a cruise to AK, and that worked well, another with BH at a local shop also worked well. Otherwise, I’ve had a list in my head of quilts I wanted to stitch, either from patterns I loved or fabric I purchased. My list is still going after 15 years, not done yet. I also spent 3 years in charge of our guild’s community quilts with lots of donation quilts made by members and myself as well. That was a fun diversionary experience.
No quilt alongs for me. I did one with Bonnie Hunter on a cruise to AK, and that worked well, another with BH at a local shop also worked well. Otherwise, I’ve had a list in my head of quilts I wanted to stitch, either from patterns I loved or fabric I purchased. My list is still going after 15 years, not done yet. I also spent 3 years in charge of our guild’s community quilts with lots of donation quilts made by members and myself as well. That was a fun diversionary experience.
It’s nice to know that someone else is shelving the Little Blocks! I’ve been feeling guilty about it, but trying to keep up started to feel like a job instead of a hobby. Sewcialites is much more manageable with only one block per week.
It’s nice to know that someone else is shelving the Little Blocks! I’ve been feeling guilty about it, but trying to keep up started to feel like a job instead of a hobby. Sewcialites is much more manageable with only one block per week.
It’s nice to know that someone else is shelving the Little Blocks! I’ve been feeling guilty about it, but trying to keep up started to feel like a job instead of a hobby. Sewcialites is much more manageable with only one block per week.
I don’t do many group projects because I want to totally love my project. I’m recently interested in the Tilda fabrics. Etsy seems to be the best source.I also try to complete each project before starting a new one.
I don’t do many group projects because I want to totally love my project. I’m recently interested in the Tilda fabrics. Etsy seems to be the best source.I also try to complete each project before starting a new one.
I don’t do many group projects because I want to totally love my project. I’m recently interested in the Tilda fabrics. Etsy seems to be the best source.I also try to complete each project before starting a new one.
I’ll second your sentiment. You never know what sew-along is coming and I join the ones that have variety. Making the same block over and over is not satisfying to me. My 100 blocks/100 days is a 2019 project getting the sashing sewn now. The Stitchery Sampler with Joanna is stalled. I haven’t learned foundation paper piecing and I need to set aside time to learn. The newest sew-along is Corey Yoder’s due to loving her Spring Brook collection. I truly enjoy sewing!!
I’ll second your sentiment. You never know what sew-along is coming and I join the ones that have variety. Making the same block over and over is not satisfying to me. My 100 blocks/100 days is a 2019 project getting the sashing sewn now. The Stitchery Sampler with Joanna is stalled. I haven’t learned foundation paper piecing and I need to set aside time to learn. The newest sew-along is Corey Yoder’s due to loving her Spring Brook collection. I truly enjoy sewing!!
I’ll second your sentiment. You never know what sew-along is coming and I join the ones that have variety. Making the same block over and over is not satisfying to me. My 100 blocks/100 days is a 2019 project getting the sashing sewn now. The Stitchery Sampler with Joanna is stalled. I haven’t learned foundation paper piecing and I need to set aside time to learn. The newest sew-along is Corey Yoder’s due to loving her Spring Brook collection. I truly enjoy sewing!!
I have two monthly SALs and they are very relaxing to do. My rainbow scrap project is one color a month your choice patterns, and I’m doing a very simple one as Leader-Ender which is great. Finally, I’m trying to get started on a pattern that had free downloads every month which I filed, and am now organizing as a project. I’m really interested in this one as a quilt and I am very excited to make it!. I do like having a variety to choose from on different days depending on how I feel.
I have two monthly SALs and they are very relaxing to do. My rainbow scrap project is one color a month your choice patterns, and I’m doing a very simple one as Leader-Ender which is great. Finally, I’m trying to get started on a pattern that had free downloads every month which I filed, and am now organizing as a project. I’m really interested in this one as a quilt and I am very excited to make it!. I do like having a variety to choose from on different days depending on how I feel.
I have two monthly SALs and they are very relaxing to do. My rainbow scrap project is one color a month your choice patterns, and I’m doing a very simple one as Leader-Ender which is great. Finally, I’m trying to get started on a pattern that had free downloads every month which I filed, and am now organizing as a project. I’m really interested in this one as a quilt and I am very excited to make it!. I do like having a variety to choose from on different days depending on how I feel.
Hi. I’m Sandy and I am addicted to Block Of the Month programs. But I work 60 hours a week 9 months of the year so most of my sewing is done in the summer. I just finished a Fig Tree BOM from 2018. I keep telling myself to stop, but then a new one comes along and I can’t help myself. Last Christmas I bought Primitive Gatherings new line for a Patriotic quilt with their sew along (block a week for a think 20 weeks). Was supposed to start earlier in the year, but shipping issues made it just begin two weeks ago. I also signed up for the Strawberries & Rhubarb sampler from Fig Tree, and another from my local quilt shop using reproduction fabrics. My summer is now half over and I need to decide to try and keep up with all the sew alongs or work on the quilts I want to make for Christmas gifts… I also bought the Sampler Spree book but have decided I just can’t right now. I have to be a realist at some point!
Hi. I’m Sandy and I am addicted to Block Of the Month programs. But I work 60 hours a week 9 months of the year so most of my sewing is done in the summer. I just finished a Fig Tree BOM from 2018. I keep telling myself to stop, but then a new one comes along and I can’t help myself. Last Christmas I bought Primitive Gatherings new line for a Patriotic quilt with their sew along (block a week for a think 20 weeks). Was supposed to start earlier in the year, but shipping issues made it just begin two weeks ago. I also signed up for the Strawberries & Rhubarb sampler from Fig Tree, and another from my local quilt shop using reproduction fabrics. My summer is now half over and I need to decide to try and keep up with all the sew alongs or work on the quilts I want to make for Christmas gifts… I also bought the Sampler Spree book but have decided I just can’t right now. I have to be a realist at some point!
Hi. I’m Sandy and I am addicted to Block Of the Month programs. But I work 60 hours a week 9 months of the year so most of my sewing is done in the summer. I just finished a Fig Tree BOM from 2018. I keep telling myself to stop, but then a new one comes along and I can’t help myself. Last Christmas I bought Primitive Gatherings new line for a Patriotic quilt with their sew along (block a week for a think 20 weeks). Was supposed to start earlier in the year, but shipping issues made it just begin two weeks ago. I also signed up for the Strawberries & Rhubarb sampler from Fig Tree, and another from my local quilt shop using reproduction fabrics. My summer is now half over and I need to decide to try and keep up with all the sew alongs or work on the quilts I want to make for Christmas gifts… I also bought the Sampler Spree book but have decided I just can’t right now. I have to be a realist at some point!