Has everyone who wants to participate in the Stars & Stripes Sampler “quilt along” received or found their book? Fons & Porter still has it on sale for $5 plus shipping so there’s still time to jump in if you want to do it along with us. Click on the link above to get to Fons & Porter’s site.
For all posts relating to this project, I’ll tag it with “Stars & Stripes Sampler” so you can go over to the search tool in the left sidebar, put in “Stars & Stripes Sampler” or probably just “sampler” and find posts dealing with this project.
I started to pull fabrics for my top and decided there’s plenty to work with and I’m going to pull it as needed. The only fabric I may not have is a mini navy/white check for the eagle’s shield but if I don’t have a stripe, I’ll just use a dot or solid. Here’s how I’m thinking of dividing up the blocks.
My plan is to do one section each quarter (see the green numbers 1 – 4?) and have it all completed by the end of the year. I’m sure by the end of 2011, everyone will have seen components of this top on my design wall plenty of times!
How are you planning to do it? One block at a time? One section at a time? Does breaking it down into quarters seem d0-able for you?
Advice before you start: Get a box or plastic container with a lid or giant zipper bag and put your book in there. Put all the pieces and fabrics you’ve worked with in that box and keep it all together so every time you get ready to work on it, you’re not having to search for pieces.
debby brown says
I got my book and am ready to start! Quarterly sounds do-able.
Kathy says
My book came today, now to rummage around and find a container to keep it all in. Quarters sound doable to me as well.
Diane says
I’ve had the book for a long time and wanted to make it. I like the idea of making it in sections and finishing at the end of the year. Maybe if I do it that way I will actually finish it. Maybe 🙂 With the UFO challenge and a challenge I am doing with some internet ladies I’ll be busy. I do tend to go from one extreme to the other (nothing on my plate to overfull).
Julie says
My book came last week from Fons and Porter – I’m ready to go. Doing it in quarters sounds good to me. I’ve got my container ready and the book is in it.
denise says
I believe that the Fons and Porter show did a whole season on that quilt, one show per block. That must have been over 10 years ago. I bought that book at the Houston International Quilt Show right after 9/11. There was a kit available in the booth but I knew I had stash that was better than the kit. I still think so. Finished the top in two weeks. No kidding. Those blocks were so fun! Even added some borders so it would fit on a queen sized bed. It’s been basted for years but still waiting for machine quilting (no longarm here). I remember being amazed at all the 9/11 quilts being displayed and actually finished by the quilt show. The quilting always stops me in my tracks. I will definitely have to put that quilt on my UFO list this year.
Angie in So CA says
Denise, those sections are crying out for you to do them QAYG – and there is a method that you can do with no sashing. I can send you info if you want.
Susan says
Count me in……….After all I need another challenge. That design is calling my name……..And I have that big bag of scraps to pull from…………
This is going to be a great project. I just ordered my book and I am ready to go………..
Jackie Warren says
Got my book. A beautiful quilt. I would love to make it in 2011. I am so slow though with all of the other things we have going on. I even like the smaller wall hanging. But I will try to keep up. I have so many UFO’s I don’t even want to count them. Have a Happy New Year, Judy. Hope to see you soon.
Mary C says
I called and ordered the book after I read this post. It will be here in 7-10 business days…I couldn’t resist buying two at that price. Just in case I misplace one or need a quick giftie for a Secret Pal. I updated my UFO list again and added another 12 to the list on facebook. I need a reminder all over. When are you callingout the first Number? I’ll try and fit this quilt into the next 12 months after I finish the UFO Challenge each month.
Mel Meister says
I had forgotten about this challenge. I have the book around here…. somewhere. After the mad dash to put everything away for Thanksgiving and Christmas, I have no earthly clue where the book ended up.
I want to do it though. I saw it on another blog and fell in love with it.
I’m going to be starting McKenna Ryan’s “Beach Walk” next month, too. I don’t know how I’ll find time for it all.
June Piper-Brandon says
I have one of those 3 drawer storage containers and I have the fabric and blocks in that. I’ve lost and repurchased the book and found the old book again!! I really want to get this one finished and off my UFO list. I need to hang my flannel back table cloth on the wall and pin up my blocks so I can see what I have done and then I know what I have to do to finish it. I wasn’t organized at all when I started it, hence I haven’t got a clue what I need to do to finish it.
Dot says
Received my book yesterday. I think I will work on one block at a time, start at the beginning of the book and work my way through. I will post as I go along. I don’t know if I will get started this week end or not.
Angie in So CA says
Got my book today. Great minds think alike, Judy – Fons and Porter also have it divided as you do. I’m not sure I’m going to make all the blocks to finish the sampler, but will make them with you and turn in for our Guild’s Soldiers’ Angels quilts that we send to Afghanistan.
Ready to go,
Pam K says
I have my book, I have lots of stash fabric that might work, I hope. I will probably need some gold but we will see. Sound like fun.
bingo~bonnie says
can. not. believe. it.
I read this post – first I’ve heard of it.. though sure you’ve probably mentioned it here a few times before tonight… and I clicked over and WOW shipping all all under $8 so I had to order it too! 😉 Now I can *really* follow along and hopefully work on it too! 😉 I started a sampler on my own in 2000 and it’s a UFO.. I’m sure this will be MUCH more fun with the group! and of course you leading us Judy! 🙂 I’ve never did machine applique before – is that what you have planned ??? machine stitch?
Looking forward to 2011.
Love from Texas! ~bonnie
Sharon says
I got my book yesterday and looked through it. I will need to find some gold fabric as that is not something I ever have. I am ready to start too! It will be a lot of fun doing it together. Looking so forward to it.
Penny J Holliday says
Judy ~ Have book & I am ready! I think this sampler project will be so much fun and a great stash buster for me! Thank you so much for the inspiration!
Penny in So CA
marion morgan says
I have had the book for ages. I made a wall hanging of four squares for my daughter using some of the stars many years ago. Found it easy and enjoyable to make–excellent instructions. BUT I feel I cannot face that eagle–it just looks hard and one more square scares me. I’ll do my best and then put in something easier if I really mess up. I am moving during the middle of this time so it may spill over into 2013, but I do love it.
Norma V says
i am finished with piecing my 7 blocks and am stitching around the stars and circles…yes!