Luminous Layers Quilt Along Schedule and Sponsors

Welcome to the eighth annual quilt along here at mmmquilts! I am so glad you are here, and I do hope you will join in with us for yet another year of fun sewing and prizes galore! If you are new to the blog, welcome! I hope you'll peruse the tabs up top, check out some of the activities and makes of mine. Be sure to follow me (see the 'Get new posts by email' buttons for the blog and Instagram on my sidebar) to be notified of new posts over the next few months of the quilt along.

Once again, the free Quilt Along kicks off on my birthday, April 3, and ends on what was the birthday of one 'famous Canadian', (explanation further along) my dad, June 15. The pace is nice and relaxed, so I hope you can squeeze in a little star- (a few little stars!) creating with your other quilt commitments.

Here is the graphic for the QAL. I hope you'll pop it on the sidebar of your blog and/or post it in your feed and stories on Instagram.

This is a quilt I designed for Island Batik in 2019 when I was an ambassador for them. It was a most rewarding three years sewing with their beautiful fabrics. At the time several people asked if I'd write up the pattern and I had planned to, but those were busy years sewing for Island Batik, and it did not happen ... until this year!

The full quilt from when I'd first finished it.

As you can see there are layers upon layers of stars, framed by one giant half star.

There are two size options: a small throw measuring 48.5" square and a large throw measuring 72.5" square. You can make either one.

Questions:

1. What constitutes a finished quilt to qualify for prizes?

Either a completely quilted, useable quilt OR a flimsy, as in pieced quilt top, unquilted.

2. Is this pattern beginner-friendly?

Absolutely! Basic quilt-making skills are required, but it consists of squares and half-square triangles, that's it!

3. Why do you always do these exact same dates every year?

Answer: The first QAL started in spring and just happened to end on June 15, which was my dad's birthday. Every year my mum would put up the new calendar on January 1, usually one that her sister or brother had sent her from England. Some hours after the new calendar went up, Dad would draw our kids' attention to June 15, flipping over the pages, where we'd see that he'd written on his day: 

and then with a twinkle in his eye, he'd give us all a little grin and wink. We loved it. Mum? Not so much; though I think privately she did get a little kick out of his shenanigans. I think it was the third QAL year that I decided that since I was starting in spring, I should start on the birthday of the daughter of that famous Canadian, and it's been so ever since. I love honouring my dad in this way, and I know he'd sure get a kick out it!

Now, although it is not required, a PDF pattern is available in my Etsy shop, SandraJaneQuilts for those of you eager beavers who would rather work ahead rather than at the relaxed pace of the quilt along. To be clear, each week, I will publish the free instructions right here on the blog. Below is the schedule which I will update with links as the QAL progresses. It goes on sale today through Sunday midnight, for 25% off, which means it's just $9, no coupon required.

Next week I'll be talking more about fabric, but if you want to start thinking ahead, either check out the pattern link where you'll find a screenshot of the pattern back 😉 (it will be in next week's post but if you can't wait, just sayin') which will give you a basic idea of yardage.

Schedule

I will update this as posts are published.

April 3 - QAL Kick-off - Sponsors and Schedule

April 10 - Fabric requirements/discussion

April 17 - Cutting instructions

April 24 - Make the giant (gold) star points

May 1 - Make the large (violet) star points

May 8 - Make the small (pale yellow) stars and the four sections of the small (gold) centre star

May 15 - Make the medium (blue/violet prints) stars

May 22 - Assemble the top

June 15 - Quilt Parade opens

June 22 - Winners announced

Once again I have some wonderful sponsors. Apologies that the graphics are not the links, but I think you can copy and paste the URL into your browser.

Canuck Quilter Designs is offering one winner a free PDF pattern of their choice.

Devoted Quilter is offering one winner their choice of two PDF patterns.

Quilting Jetgirl is offering a $24 coupon to her shop.

Quilty Zest is offering one winner a free PDF pattern of their choice.

Make Modern is offering a 6-month magazine subscription.

Hobbs Batting is offering a batt of their Tuscany wool batting to a US winner. They are also supplying the batting for the quilt I will be making with you.

Northcott is offering a fabric bundle of the Stonehenge Gradations fabrics I am using for my quilt.

Sew Fresh Quilts is offering a $50 gift certificate to her shop.

Stitchin' at Home is offering one winner their choice of two PDF patterns.

Quiltinator is offering free longarm quilting services of one quilt, up to 70” x 90”. The quilter must supply their own batting and send their quilt to Gale within six months of June 15.

Meadow Mist Designs is offering two winners their choice of two PDF patterns.

Zipper Valley (new sponsor this year!) is offering a $45 gift card to their store.

Mad About Patchwork has been a sponsor of several of my QALs as well as the two Postcard from Sweden QALs I hosted (psst! they have kits at a terrific price for it) and they are back this year with a $50 gift card to their shop!

mmmquilts (that's me!) is offering two winners their choice of a free PDF pattern.

Phew! That's a lot of great prizes, and this has been a lot of information! If you have any questions, either ask in the comments below (be sure to include your email address if you are a no-reply or Anonymous so I can contact you), or send me an email: sandra@mmmquilts.com

Once again, Michelle @michelleinscotland tested the pattern for me, as did Rose of somethingrosemade, and Tish @tishnwonderland checked my math. I am so grateful to these wonderful ladies. Here is Michelle's beautiful quilt to give you some ideas! You’ll have to come back next week or watch my Instagram to see Rose’s. I haven’t seen it yet but knowing her it’ll be a showstopper. 

See you in one week for the fabric requirements, ideas and inspiration!