2021 Homespun Holiday Quilt-Along Starts Today — Day 1: Cutting

 The 2021 Homespun Holiday Quilt-Along starts today!  

We'll be making this cozy 22" x 52½" table runner, and every Monday and Friday, from now until December 20th, we'll be tackling one component of the project.  As we move through the QAL, I'll make each set of instructions available on the quilt-along page and here on my blog.  The instruction sheets will remain available throughout the month of December, and in January I’ll make a complete pattern available in my Etsy shop.  

Our task for Day 1 will be cutting.  This year, we'll be doing the cutting for the entire project in one session, but never fear, you have until Friday (Day 2 of the QAL) to finish. 

Because cutting for an entire project means a lot of moving parts, I made sure to indicate the use for each patch, after its measurement, on the cutting instruction sheet.  To stay organized, you may want to sort your patches by use.  Here's how I sorted my patches:

• star blocks
• poinsettia star blocks
• holly blocks
• tree blocks
• house blocks
• sashing

Ready to get started?  Here's the link to the Day 1 cutting instruction sheet.

If you haven't yet had a chance to gather materials for the QAL, here's the link to the Materials List.  We won't start piecing until Friday, December 3rd, so there's plenty of time to catch up.  And remember, there's no sign up required for this QAL—you can jump in and join us at anytime!  Still on the fence?  Be sure to check out my last blog post for ideas for color palette and size variations for the project.

Good luck with your cutting :).  I'll be back here on Friday for Day 2 of the QAL—when the fun really starts!  Can't wait!

—jen

2021 Homespun Holiday Quilt-Along Coming Soon!

 I’m so excited to announce that the 7^th annual Jen Daly Quilts Christmas Quilt-Along is right around the corner!

This year’s project, “Homespun Holiday," was inspired by both the word “homespun” and homespun fabrics themselves.  For me, “homespun” denotes something simple, handmade, made at home and made with love.  Homespun fabrics are made of woven cotton, sometimes with a brushed or softer side, and typically patterned in plaids or stripes.  I often use homespuns in quilting projects, both on their own and paired with traditional cottons.  They give my quilts a charming, handmade look and a warm, cozy feel that I love—perfect for the holidays!

Homespun Holiday is a 22” x 52½” row-style table runner, featuring five simple (and fun!) Christmas blocks.  For my runner, I’ll be pairing a variety of homespuns with charcoal-gray chambray for a casual, almost primitive look, but definitely feel free to make the project your own.  Here’s what the Homespun Holiday runner might look like made with a lighter background or without homespuns:

lighter background



shown in "Christmas Morning"
by Lella Boutique for Moda

And if you don’t feel like you have the time to commit to an entire runner, you can also halve the blocks and make a charming 22” x 28” wall hanging:

 

The Homespun Holiday Quilt-Along will begin on Monday, November 29th and continue every Monday and Friday until December 20th.  There's no need to sign up for the quilt-along—as we progress, I’ll make each set of instructions available on the quilt-along page.  If you're on my mailing list, you'll receive emails containing links to each day’s instructions (sign up for email updates on the quilt-along page).  The instruction sheets will remain available throughout the month of December, and in January I’ll make a complete pattern available in my Etsy shop.  I'll also do regular posts on Instagram and Facebook using the hashtag #homespunholiday.  If you post pictures of your progress, be sure to tag me @jendalyquilts and use the hashtag #homespunholiday—I'd love to see what you come up with!

To help you get started, here’s a link for the materials page for the quilt-along:

 
Have fun gathering materials for the project and if you have any questions, feel free to email me at jendalyquilts@gmail.com.  I'll be back here on Monday, November 29th for Day 1—can't wait!  

—jen