Hello Everyday Quilters!
Welcome to Week 1 of the Newport Sails Quilt Along! We’re going to have a lot of fun making this fun sailboat quilt together!
If this is your first quilt along with us, we’re so glad you’re here. We have lots of fun planned for the next five weeks. And welcome back if you have quilted along with us before. We’ve changed some things this time around so be sure to read through this email to get all the info so you don’t miss anything!
This week is all about getting organized. We know you want to jump in with the sewing, but there’s some important things to discuss before we begin.
Getting Started
Details:
For this QAL, we’re doing everything through the newsletter, here on our blog, and on Instagram. If you are only on Facebook, you’ll still see our weekly posts and reminders if you follow us, but to be entered for the drawings and to participate in the Live Sessions, you need to be on IG.
Follow and use the hashtag #NewportSailsQAL2021 whenever you post so we can see your progress. If you’re new to this, by using the hashtag, everyone who is participating will be able to see your posts. You’ll find your fellow QALongers are all very welcoming and willing to share their knowledge with you!
Prizes:
Each week we’ll give away a prize. You enter by using the prompt found in the weekly newsletters. This week’s prompt is toward the end of this newsletter.
Schedule:
Week 1: Organizing – gathering tools, fabrics, and FAQs
Week 2: Sails – making templates, cutting, and piecing the large, medium and small sails
Week 3: Boats – cutting the remaining boat parts and piecing
Week 4: Waves – cutting and piecing waves to the tops and bottoms of the boats
Week 5: Finishing – top assembly, quilting tips, and binding
Fabric:
If you haven’t yet, get your fabric! Now is the time to make your final decisions! If you’re still on the fence about what to get, see below for some inspiration Newport Sails versions.
FYI: If you’re a prewasher, do that now. This is totally optional and depends on your personal beliefs!
Pattern and Templates:
Purchase the Newport Sails pattern and Template Set if you haven’t already. You can get either the paper pattern or the PDF download. We usually ship orders within 24 hours so there’s still time to get it for next week’s cutting! The link to purchase is at the bottom of this email – and see the important notice about the templates there too.
Although the templates aren’t technically required for this pattern (there are template diagrams included the pattern), the templates make cutting so much easier and accurate that you’ll be glad you got them! Plus you can make 11 other patterns with the templates (2 more coming this Fall!). If you already own the templates get them out and use them!
Tools:
In addition to your regular quiltmaking tools – an acrylic ruler, rotary cutter, pins, etc. – you need something to make a template with. Even if you have the Everyday Curve Templates, we will all need to make a template to cut out the medium size sail. We use regular printer paper for this – freezer paper works, too. If you have another way you like to make templates, then do it that way. More on templates next week.
Weekly Video Tutorials:
As in past quilt alongs, we will have weekly videos that walk you through each step of the pattern. These will start next week when we cut and sew the sails for the boats. The videos will be on our YouTube channel and the link will be posted in the newsletter. If you subscribe to our YouTube channel, you’ll get notifications every time we post a new tutorial. We do lots of tutorials other than the quilt alongs with more being added all the time.
Weekly Live Q&A:
Each week on Thursdays we will host a live Q&A Session on Instagram (3 p.m. CST/9 p.m. UTC) if you need just a little more help or clarification on anything at all – or maybe you just want to spend some time with like-minded quilters. You can submit questions ahead of time here or post them during the live session.
It is important that you follow us on IG to get notifications about these events. If you haven’t done so yet, here’s the link: Everyday Stitches Instagram
Don’t worry if you can’t make the live session. We’ll post it after so you can watch it whenever you have time. We hope to see you this Thursday for our first one!
Pattern Clarifications
Newport Sails was our very first Everyday Curve pattern. Since then we have learned a lot about writing these patterns. Although there are no errors in the pattern you have, there are things that need to be clarified. Those are outlined here.
We’re addressing this today because we know there are some of you who will want to work ahead, which is ok. We just want you to have the info before you cut. We’ll mention these again each week as necessary.
The Template Diagrams p. 6-7. The printer we used at that time couldn’t line up the templates across two pages so we had to break them out awkwardly. If you’re making templates, be sure to trace them joined up at the hash marks.
Fabric Requirements. For the wall hanging, you need 1-1/2 yards for the Background/Sky, NOT 2-1/2 as stated.
Cutting Half Blocks p. 2. The cutting chart is a bit awkward for cutting half blocks. The top measurement is for cutting the top row half blocks and the bottom measurement is for cutting the bottom row half blocks.
There are no half blocks on the top row for the wall hanging and 1 each for the lap and throw sizes. There are 2 bottom row half blocks for the wall hanging, 3 for the lap, and 4 for the throw.
Cutting the Left-Facing and Right-Facing Blocks. The sailboats are both right facing and left facing, with more facing right.
To get the left-facing blocks, just place your fabric wrong side up and cut along with the right-facing blocks, which are cut right side up.
Our QAL Progress
We are making the Newport Sails quilt along with you! Each week we’ll chronicle our progress and tell you things we’ve learned along the way.
Jenifer’s Quilt
I’m using this gorgeous Sunburst collection from Art Gallery Fabrics to make the wall-hanging size. I’m naturally drawn to novelty fabrics but finding ways to use them is sometimes problematic. Trisch did a Newport version a few years ago using non-nautical novelties that turned out so cute, so I thought I’d do the same for mine.
I can’t wait to see what fabric you’re using! Be sure to use #NewportSailsQAL2021 every time you post so I can see!
Trisch’s Quilt
I’m making a version of the cover quilt. So, the same fabrics but with fewer sailboats. I really love how fun novelties look as sails, but the classic stripe (and I think this is the perfect imperfect stripe) … what’s not to love.
How to Enter Week 1 Giveaway
This week we’re giving away one of these prizes!
- Lofi fat quarter bundle from Windham Fabrics
- Baby Love kit – everything you need to make this adorable baby quilt
- Spoolin’ Around Kit – everything you need to make the throw size spools quilt
- Half-yard bundle from QT fabrics
- Woodland fat quarter bundle from Windham Fabrics
This is for US residents. If you are outside the US, you’ll get a free pdf download from our pattern catalog – or you can pay shipping if you prefer the prize.
To enter, post your fabric pull on Instagram and talk about why you want to make this quilt. Do you sail? Do you live by the water? Something else? Tell us all about it! Don’t forget to use the hashtag #NewportSailsQAL2021 so we can all ooh and aah over your fabric and hear your story!
The drawing will be Thursday, September 7. This is a quick turnaround so don’t put off posting your pull!
We’ll draw a random winner during the Instagram Live session at 3 p.m. central. Winners will be notified by email or direct message.
Price Increase Alert!
Due to the increasing cost of template plastic, we need to increase the price of our Everyday Curve Template Sets. This means that if you have been wanting to get the templates, now is the time to get yours before the price goes up TOMORROW SEPT. 1
Here’s what you need to know:
- The price of the templates is going up from $28 to $32.
- The increase affects orders placed starting Sept. 1, 2021.
- All our patterns and other products are staying the same price.
- The templates are still the same high quality as before.
- The free pattern, Chinese Lanterns, is still included.
With the templates, you can create 12 Everyday Curve quilts plus we have 2 more coming this fall. Click the Everyday Curve button below to get the templates and see all our Everyday Curve patterns.