The Border Quilt Quilt Along Fabric Prep

If you are here for the start of the Quilt Along, you're a bit early. :)  We had a schedule change, you can read about it HERE.

Get all the information on the Quilt Along HERE. We have a special treat going on right now, an interview with each of the bloggers, the photographer, quilter and fabric designer, each week until the start of the quilt along. Find the interview schedule HERE.

Still need to grab your pattern?

Printed: The Border Quilt

Etsy Digital: The Border Quilt

Craftsy Digital: The Border Quilt

Payhip Digital: The Border Quilt

Stores that are selling kits when the fabric arrives:

USA

Fabrics Plus

Rockin' Bobbins

The Quilt Shop of Two Rivers

Canada

Quilting in Muskoka

Today we'll go over fabric prep. If you are using Enchanted Forest from Northcott, or any other flannel, please DO NOT wash the fabric. If you are a firm believer in washing first you will need to purchase more fabric. The flannel shrinks enough that you may struggle to get enough cuts from each piece.

This piece was 44" before washing, as you can see it is now only 40" wide. As long as you are using flannel throughout, and not mixing with quilting cotton, it will all shrink evenly when quilted.

I washed and dried all of my Enchanted Forest before discovering this fact. Dried it wrinkles a bit, just like quilting cotton, and I may not be the best at remembering to get things out of the dryer before the wrinkles set in.

If the wrinkles are really bad I will spritz with water first, but usually I just use Best Press. There are many versions and recipes for starch. I choose to use Best Press, because I don't want to worry about mixing up the right amount, or taking the time to do it. It is worth it to me to have it already done. Your preferred method is just fine, use what you love!

For greater accuracy, make sure you are also pressing that selvage flat. When lining them up for the first straightening cut, it's important to be able to see the selvage line up.

Once you have pressed your fabric fold it up nicely.

Wrinkles can come back, even when your pieces are folded nicely.

When your fabric is already starched, giving it a quick press with a hot iron takes the wrinkles right out.

For accurate cutting tips go HERE.

We're almost ready for the quilt along to begin! Keep up with the interviews for the next few weeks and get ready to start The Border Quilt Quilt Along September 12!

Happy Stitching!
Jen

New to Patterns By Jen?

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The Border Quilt Quilt Along is coming September 2018

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Border Quilt Quilt Along Dates

The quilt along officially begins August 15 September 12. So. Far. Away.

Thankfully there are some things we can still do to get prepared and build our excitement.

Updated version coming as soon as I get this baby finished and to the quilter!

In July I will have a post with all the things you could possibly want or need for the quilt along. We will also talk shop; sewing with flannel, tools of the trade and all things quilty. It will be a great time to ask questions, but feel free to ask those at any time.

Until then you can purchase your pattern: The Border Quilt. It's available through Etsy, Craftsy and Payhip.

If you are using the Enchanted Forest fabric from Northcott Fabrics it will start shipping to stores in July. (It's yummy by the way and you should totally use it. No affiliation, but I've been playing with it, and trust me, this is going to make a beautiful, soft, snuggly quilt.) So start haunting your Local Quilt Shops so you can get in on this awesome fabric. The first day of the quilt along is Aug 15, specifically so everyone can get the flannel fabric if that is what they want to use.

If flannel isn't your thing, or you aren't feeling the woodsy feel, use whatever fabric you would like. You can go scrappy, or monochromatic, whatever your taste is, this is a great time to use those fabrics. I am going to be using Chloe from Northcott during the quilt along, because who doesn't need more quilts made with more beautiful fabric? 

Baby sized version.

PS: You don't have to make the whole quilt. The pattern is broken up so that if you want to make a smaller size (this means less borders) that you won't cut more pieces than you need.

Here are the dates for the 2018 The Border Quilt Quilt Along:

***Note There has been a change in the start up date due to shipping delays***

July 18 - Intro post

Sept 12 - Making the center (both center options will be included in this post)

Sept 26 - Checker border with two background borders

Oct 10 - Star blocks with a background border

Oct 24 - Friendship stars with a background border

Nov 7 - Pinwheels with a background border

Nov 21 - Flying Geese

Dec 5 - Finishing touches

We're going to do one pieced border and a background border (the plain strips around each pieced border) every two weeks. This will make for a slow start at the beginning, but when we get to the Pinwheels and Flying Geese units that extra time will be nice. Each week I will have tips, suggestions and maybe some funny or tearful (hey it's quilting) stories for you.

Join the Facebook group to ask questions and share your progress. If you are using Instagram use #theborderquiltquiltalong OR the really short #tbqqa so we can see your progress. I'm excited to cheer you on and make a gorgeous quilt with you!

Don't forget to grab your The Border Quilt pattern!

Etsy Printed

Etsy Digital

Craftsy

Payhip

Happy Stitching!

Jen