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August Quiltathon

Several years ago, I was hosting Quiltathons monthly.  What’s a Quiltathon?  It’s a weekend or weekday when we plan to get as much sewing done as possible.  We cook meals ahead of time, we do extra cleaning, we make a surprise desert we can pull out of the fridge and our family thinks we’ve slaved in the kitchen for hours and we’ve been sewing!  Let’s do the Quiltathons again!

Previously, we did one on a weekend and the next month, we’d schedule it on weekdays, to accommodate those who preferred weekends vs. week days and vice versa.  How about we schedule them Thursday through Sunday? That will work for those who want week days and those who want weekends and you can do whatever days you wish.  Think of it as almost like a retreat at home.

In the days leading up to the Quiltathon, I’ll share some tips I use for getting meals on the table quickly and with as little as possible mess (remember .. I have no dishwasher!)

Not everyone is going to be able to do every Quiltathon and even if I’m doing it alone, it really motivated me to get a lot accomplished.

You are welcome to work on any project you’d like.  There will be link boxes to share your progress.  There may be prizes . . some days . . nothing is written in stone.

Most months I will try to share easy patterns with you but don’t feel like you have to do them.  Getting UFOs or other projects completed is what really matters.

There will be a Quiltathon on August 9, 10, 11 and 12. 

That’s next week!  There will be a free pattern . . an easy pattern.  It’s rectangles and squares and because of the two blocks, except for where the block corners meet, there’s no real matching up that has to be done.  And, except for the outer border fabric, you should be able to use stash fabrics and make it scrappy.  Want to do this with me?

This one finishes at 76″ x 94″.  Want a smaller one?  Make fewer blocks!

This one finishes at 58″ x 67″.

Of course, you don’t have to use the same colors I used but for the quilts as shown, here’s the yardage.  These amounts do not include the binding.

Large:
Black – 4-1/4 yards
Yellow – 1-3/8 yards
Orange – 1 yard

Small:
Black – 2-3/4 yards
Yellow – 7/8 yards
Orange – 3/4 yards

Don’t want to use black?  Here’s one done in blue:

If you want to participate, choose the fabric you want to use for your outer border and the “frames” in the blocks.  Then choose the fabrics for the other two borders.  Whatever color you choose for the first (inner) border, you will want to avoid having any squares in your perimeter blocks that use that fabric (or anything terribly close) because they will blend in with that border.

Anyone want to do this with me?

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. I am a regular reader here and SSSOOOOOO enjoy your blog. I was born and raised (till 15) a Texas girl. Then I married an Arkansas boy and have been here since. Today is our 30th anniversary. My mother is having biopseies on both breasts today. I recieved my Quiltmaker issue last week and it has a beautiful breast cancer survior quilt in it by Carolyn Cullinan McCormick called Faith, Hope and LOve. I don’t know what my Mom’s results will be but I feel a need to make this quilt. It’s paper pieced (not my greatest attribute) and I NEED a quiltathon. Thank you so much for sharing so much with us.

    • My thoughts & prayers are with you , your Mom & your family…. I think Judy is your angel in this one… You will always remember stitching your quilt with love.

  2. I’m up for a try. Can you tell me if the smaller squares around the border of the second block design are 2 1/2″ unfinished? This will help me use my stash better. I’d be making the small version. Sandi

  3. I will be with you…..yes…..can’t say no to such a fun virtual retreat! I really like the quilt too.

    I already have tons of 2 1/2″ and 2″ scrappy squares cut – so it would be GREAT if it turns out that the quilt uses one of those sizes! 🙂

    Thanks Judy – sounds like fun! I just have to hurry and get my CAMP LOOPY project 3 and my Ravellenics shawl finished!

    sao in Midlothian, VA

  4. I am all over this 🙂 Time to get a couple of tops done and quilted from the UFO stack !! It sounds like fun…I just put a pork roast in the crockpot with plums, raisens, onion, spices and it is smelling good already….I smell leftovers….It would be a great one for the quiltathon…oh you add fresh green beans at the end. Then add some cornstarch and mustard to the liquid to make a sauce….I think I’m getting hungry! Gotta make four labels and four hanging sleeves for Fair quilts. Hence an easy dinner 🙂 Can’t wait for the Quiltathon!!!

  10. What a great idea! Can’t join in this time. We have a dozen relatives staying at our place for a family reunion those same dates. But afterward I’ll really be needing a day to myself. My August ‘Quiltathon’ might consist of finding all the quilting things I’m madly stashing in various hiding places to get ready for company!

  11. That sounds great……. I will be out of pocket on two of those days but maybe if I work diligently I can stay up with everyone else.,

  12. Looks like a fun, easy enough for me quilt. Yup, I’ll be working along with others but will adjust to fit our twin beds. AND I’m going to use your bright colorway. It’s also our sewing Saturday with the guild so will give me a project to work on there if I don’t get most done at home.
    Hugs!!!!

  13. I’m in. That just so happens, those are the days my husband is working. Whoo Hoo. Plus I have a ton of scraps.

  14. I would love to do this w you. thanks for showing it in Blue! i like it. however I’m 4-5 quilts backed up. i don’t know if i can start one more. we’ll see how much I get done this w/e

  15. Oh! I’m SO ready! High school starts on the 8th…so my 9th-12 is booked for ME! My house has been STACKED full with teen boys all summer. I dont’ think I have stopped cooking/doing dishes/ or shopping for the food. Who said summer was relaxing? lolol I’m going to make a list right now…after I run to pick up sub sandwiches for the 5 playing Rock Star! SIGH

  16. I’d love to join the fun. Love that pattern. I’ve got grands coming on the 10th. We’ll see how it goes.

  17. Well, school starts on the 20th so I need to spend as much time before then quilting. Sounds like fun. Not sure if I’ll use the time to work on UFO’s or start somtehing new.

  22. Perfect timing 🙂 I have next week off and would love a chance to work with everyone else “remotely” – will start cutting tomorrow!

  23. Yes! Yes! Yes! Count me in Judy! Thank you for inspiring us & now encouraging us with a quiltathon!!
    Penny in So CA

  24. HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
    I need another project like I need a hole in the head….
    But I’m ONE HUNDRED PERCENT GAME!!!!!
    Can’t wait!

  26. I am in..but i have to work on my own stuff… I have some machine quilting to get done…Not exactly the same thing but it is what I want to work on.

  28. I think I am in! Thanks for offering a motivational quilt-marathon; not yet sure if I’ll start a new project or work on UFO’s…

  30. I would LOVE to join in, but unforunately cannot this month. Ihave family staying with us until the 11th and they have taken over the sewing room 🙁 BUT….I just bought a frame and machine to quilt on it…so will be raring to go come September’s!! So much fun! I am thrilled you are hosting these!

  31. Love the quilt design! I’ll be able to join in on the Quiltathon! Sounds like fun! But before starting a new quilt, I must get the binding on the one I’m working on now.

  32. Count me in too. Have 4 quilts in the making , but I might just make this with you anyway!!

  34. Love those quilts! I’ll tag them for another time as we are having a family retreat 8/10 & 11, but i may be able to work on a current project i have going 8/8&9 after work. I REALLY need to make some progress. Thanks!

  35. Looks good to me and since it’s a virtual sew in for me on another group I should be on here a lot and of course at the machine! Will see what my stash has for borders and go from there!

  36. A virtual quiltathon sounds great! I can use any tips that will give me more time for sewing. As much as I love the new pattern, I’ll be working on some of the new projects I’ve started in the last two months; I just work on top of the UFO’s. ;D

  37. Wish I could but going to be gone from the sewing machine…maybe next time…but will take the pattern…even know what I will make it with…thanks Judy

  38. I’m working on a small quilt with lots of scrappy squares and sashing, so I’ll be ‘up’ for a Quiltathon next week! Need this one done before I start another quilt.

  39. Count me in! Not like I don’t have any UFOs to work on, but I’ll be making the large quilt, just don’t know what colors yet.

  40. I am so wanting to play along with your sewin weekend but I will have to do it later. I am a truck driver and not got scraps with me to start it , plus, on that weekend I will be zooming between Arizona and Michigan, dreaming of my stash in Virginia!
    Nancy (TruckinQuilter)

  42. I read about this just in time to make 2 of the 4 days! I’m normally not much on yellow, but I really like the yellow and black version.

  43. I have no idea how I missed this post, but I’m up for it. I have a ton of things I need to finish and I’m taking a machine quilting class on Thursday night so I will be ready to use my newly learned skills!!! I need to getting planning my meals, I still cannot figure out how I didn’t see this post!!! 🙂

  45. oh, crumb….the only free day i have is saturday…but i think i will join in and finish one itsy bitsy ufo…at least i will feel i have accomplished something…and who knows…maybe i’ll get two or three done…

  47. would love to join in the 2013 quiltathon. Not sur I understand what we have to o but I will hang in thee and learn. I just love to quilt and don’t even care if I cook.My hunny says cornbread and milk sounds good to me(me too).

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