Week 1 - Around The Lake Sew Along

Mar 21, 2022 - 1:20pm

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Welcome to the Around The Lake Sew Along.
I've posted the first week of the sew along early but I think it takes more than a week to decide on fabrics, right! I might actually start all future sew alongs with all the colour suggestions in the welcome post. What do you think, is that a good idea?
Anyhoo, lets get started on picking the perfect colour combination for your quilt.

The original quilt was designed to be scrappy and so it uses lots and lots of fabrics. If you are looking to make one similar by raiding you stash follow the requirements for fat eighths. Just use the guide below.

Fat Quarter - Makes one full block
Fat Eighth - Makes 1/2 a block
Fat 16th - Make 1/4 of a block

The really interesting thing about this quilt design is the secondary patterns that can be created just by changing up the colour positions. So grab the colouring sheet and your pencils and have some fun.

The quilt I'll be stitching up for the sew along will be made using TarryTown by Kimberly Kight for Ruby Star Society.
I'm using fat quarters and a bunch of low volume prints for the background.

I had a play on my computer and came up with a number of layouts. I am defintely making version number one because I love the colour wash, however how good do the circles look being made out of one fabric. I could imagine it working with so many fabric ranges. They look like lifesavers or donuts don't you think?

Now I know many of you fell in love with the Around The Lake quilt after I made the one using bright solid fabrics. I have written a blog post which includes all the fabric requirements and cutting instructions for this quilt here. Check out the quilt below.

I thought I would also share all the mock ups that didn't make the cut. I must admit, there are a few in this lot that I still want to make. Maybe one of them will catch your eye and I'll get to see it as a real quilt and I won't have to make it. Win!

Then of course we have to talk about a rainbow version. My lovely friend Jackie actually made a stunning quilt top using Alison Glass fabric.
You can see that she has used the same fabric for each quarter of the block and then put the colours together in a glorious rainbow.

I did a mock of this on my computer too so you could see the colour placement a little clearer.

This one is also rainbow but the layout is much simpler as you just make each corner out of one colour!

My fabulous pattern testers also made some pretty amazing quilts.  I am always amazed at how others interpret my patterns and love seeing the different colour and fabric choices.

Vanessa @_vanessa.griffin_

Josephine @josephinek74

The next 3 quilts were all made by Emma @sewnbyelf. She had so much fun playing around with the colour positions and the results are so interesting. I really do feel that this pattern has so many possibilities!

One last bit of inspiration I wanted to share was the restricted colour pallette featuring cool colours. I really like the idea of making a companion quilt for my riot of hot pink and red version. We will have to see if it actually happens. Henry has started 3 year old kinder this year and after being in isolation for most of his life we are getting all the colds. It's been a learning curve trying to teach Henry about blocked noses and tissues and how to blow. Funny but not funny if you know what I mean.

* New Content*
I just wanted to add a couple of cutting tips in case you are keen to start cutting.

First up, the pattern is design to be cut with the fabric right side up. This means if you are tracing Template A, trace it on the right side of the fabric with the template right side up.
(writing right side up) On a side note you don't have to be as careful with Template B.
Just make sure your cut fabric pieces look like the photo below.

If you would like to trace the template onto the reverse of the fabric, just make sure you flip the template!

The 2nd cutting tip is about saving a little time and fabric, that is if you choose to make a quilt like mine. My plan as I mentioned before is to make each corner of the block out of the same fabric like in the photo below.

This is something I discovered when I went to piece my version. I had unfortunately already cut my fabric because at the time of cutting I hadn't decided on a layout.
As you can see in the photo below there is actually no need to cut and sew the C square onto the Flying Geese Unit. So if you want to save time and fabric just completely skip this step.

In the end I still decided to use the C square for two reasons, one because I had already cut them and two, I really like the texture the extra piece created. 
So it's up to you, I just wanted to give you another option.

Mar 22, 2022 - 8:25pm

Angela Pugh:

Thanks Emma, looking forward to this sew along... Off to Millrose tomorrow to get the fabric🤭🙋

You will have fun picking fabrics at Millrose I'm sure!

Mar 22, 2022 - 9:59pm

Heather Caddy:

Hi Emma & everyone, my pattern & templates are due to arrive by post tomorrow 23/3. I have most of my fabrics just one more to arrive. Have decided to start with the small throw, I wanted a real pop of colour for this and decided to use the colour palette with the solid Bella fabrics orange/pink/yellow/black & white as these colours will compliment my lounge suite.

Have fun Heather!!

Mar 22, 2022 - 11:02pm

Sallee:

Wow! So many great color ideas here Emma. Thank you for putting together the mock-ups! Hard to choose which version to make first. 😀

I want to make so many more!!

Apr 7, 2022 - 8:40am

Bev w:

Hi Emma! I cut everything out today. Just can’t wait to start but my son is getting married end of the month. I’ll have to putsz away at it until then.

Can't wait to see yours Bev!

Mar 31, 2022 - 10:34am

Robyn Harris:

Oh Emma. THANK YOU 🥰 for the solid colour maths and instructions. My Grandson opted for a twin sized one but had very specific plans for a design and colour scheme. You have helped soo much with this. Now all I will have to do is make the circles in black and paint the design he wants into each circle. Phew 😘

My pleasure,
Emma

Mar 31, 2022 - 1:19pm

Kim kernohan:

Thank you for all the info have ordered the templates,knowing I will be making more than one version. I just finished your Thora Belle quilt it was fun it is quilted and now will be doing decorative stitch around the design.

This quilt offers so many options to play, have fun!

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