Fall into a QAL!

Want to get a jump on Fall and finish a Fall themed quilt by November? Well do we have a quilt along (QAL) for you! I hope that you will join me and the Partners by Design bloggers for the "Fall into a Qal!" mystery quilt along. We are the group that brought you the "I Wish You a Merry QAL!" quilt along last year. We enjoyed it so much that we are back with a Fall QAL!

You will be able to make 12 free, original Fall themed blocks with online tutorials by the Designers and tips from the QAL Hosts. There will be giveaways and support through Facebook and Instagram as well. Best of all, the last block and tutorial will be presented October 16, 2018. Just in time to snuggle up in your Fall Quilt! all patterns will be offered free of charge until the end of the QAL November 13, 2018.

​The QAL starts May 15, 2018. Every other Tuesday, a new , free 12" quilt block pattern and tutorial will be released. If you complete the block before the next pattern release and post it on the Partners in Design Facebook Page, on Instagram with the hashtag #fallintoaqal, or on the designer's linky party, then you will be entered to win some giveaways! There are bi-weekly awards and a mega grand award too! Our sponsors are shown below! You must be eighteen to enter.

International participants are eligible for all prizes!

All the bloggers are in the Partners in Design Group met through the 2017 New Quilt Bloggers Blog Hop. They are:
 
Abbie at Sparkle On (Host + Block 11 Designer)
April at JANDA Bend Quilts (Host + Block 2 Designer) That's me!
Bobbi at Snowy Days Quilting (Host + Block 7 Designer)
Jennifer at The Inquiring Quilter (Host + Block 8 Designer)
Karen at Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats (Host + Block 9 Designer)
Kathleen at Kathleen McMusing (Block 5 Designer)
Sandra at Sandra Healy Designs (Block 10 Designer)
Sandy at Sandy Star Designs (Block 4 Designer)
Sherry at Powered by Quilting  (Host + Block 3 & 6 Designer)
Vanda at Quilt in Piece (Host + Block 1 & 12 Designer)

How can I participate?
There are several ways to join the fun!

1. Join the Partners in Design Facebook Group. Designers will post links to the tutorials there, so that is your best way to not miss a single post. You can also ask questions and post pictures of your blocks as you complete them to be entered to win the giveaways.
2.  Visit a QAL Host's blog. They will post their fabric version of the blocks on their blog along with tips on completing the block. In addition, the QAL Hosts will provide links to the Designers' blocks and tutorials.
3. Use the hashtag #fallintoaqal to be entered to win on Instagram. You can also use the hashtag to see other quilters' blocks, or gain inspiration.
4. Post your block on the designer's linky party on their block tutorial post so you can link your progress to their blog and enter the giveaway. Although you are free to add your own interpretation to the design, to be eligible for giveaways, your block needs to be a recognizable variation of the original design, not a different block.

What skills do I need to make these blocks?
Techniques used in the blocks range from piecing,  to appliqué, to foundation paper piecing, to a little bit of embroidery. Hosts and designers will give you tips on their blog posts, and you can always ask for assistance from them on their blogs, in the Facebook group, or even on Instagram. This is a chance to learn a new technique while getting advice from the QAL Designers and Hosts. Plus, you can choose which blocks to make. However, you can only be eligible for a bi-weekly giveaway if you post your completed block on the Facebook Group Page, Instagram with #fallintoaqal, or on the Designer's linky party.

How much fabric will I need?
The amount of fabric you will need depends on your fabric choices and how you decide to lay out the blocks. The blocks will each be 12" finished (12 1/2" unfinished) and there will be 12 of them. You might be able to make the whole quilt from fabrics you have in your stash! I have chosen to select fal batiks focus fabrics from Connecting Threads (not affiliate link). See below.

My Fall into a QAL! Fabric

If you choose to make a lap size quilt with all 12 blocks and use a classic 3" lattice with 6" border for the layout, then you will need approximately 1 1/4 yd. for the lattice strips, 1 1/4 yd. for the border, 3 1/2 yd. for the backing, and 2/3 yd. for the binding. However, these are approximate yardages and depend on the exact size of your lattice and borders. I am going to wait until later to choose my layout and finishing fabrics. As have discussed before, I like to design as I go. It helps to motivate me.

When will the blocks be posted?
The QAL starts May 15, 2018. Every other Tuesday, a new, free 12" (finished) quilt block pattern and tutorial will be released. (Blocks may be accessed for no charge until the end of the quilt along- November 13, 2018.The last block and tutorial will be posted on October 16, 2018. Since it's a mystery quilt, you won't know what to expect until each block tutorial is released! 

You talked me into it! What next?
First, join the Facebook group so you'll know when each block is released. Second, gather the fabrics you might want to use for your quilt. The quilt along starts May 15, 2018. Finally, invite your friends! Share the quilt along graphic on Instagram and use #fallintoaqal. Share this blog post or a post from the Facebook group on your own Facebook account and in your quilty groups. The more, the merrier!

Do I have to make every block? 
No! This is laid back and meant to be fun! Make the ones you want! You will be eligible to win the bi-weekly giveaway for each block you complete and post.
 
Is this for experienced quilters only?
No! The quilt-along is for everybody! Every block is unique and uses various techniques. That's why we started a Facebook group - so we can all help each other be successful! Whether you're new or seasoned, I'm sure you'll find this an exciting and fun experience!
 
Can I see the blocks beforehand?
Sorry, no. We are only releasing one block at a time. It is a Mystery QAL.
 
Who can participate?
Everyone! The bloggers are scattered all across the globe, so we hope to have participants from many countries around the world too! International participants are eligible for all the prizes! However, you must be eighteen to enter for the giveaways.
 
Can I still participate if I'm not on Facebook?
Absolutely! If you're on Instagram, use #fallintoaqal to be entered to win. Each designer will also have a linky party on their block post so you can link up blog posts. If you want to sew along, we will find a way!
 
Please join me here May 15, 2018 to see my version of Block 1 and suggestions that I have for completion. In addition, I will have a link to Block 1 Designer, Vanda of Quilt in Piece. You will be able to find her pattern and tutorial there.

​Hope you join us!

This post was originally published on JANDA Bend Quilts.