Announcing the Paintbox Quilt-Along

 

If you haven't checked out the Mod Sampler Quilt-Along Group on Flickr lately, I recommend taking a moment to check it out.  The Group now has 390 members and more than 1,000 photos of lovely Mod Samplers.  Wow!

I wanted to do a new quilt-along for the new year and, when I saw these Kona Solid Roll-Ups, I knew what it was going to be.

One of the most challenging things about making my Paintbox Quilt was rounding up enough different solid fabrics.  Since these rolls have 40+ different colors (already in handy color wheel order) they seemed like the perfect start to another Paintbox Quilt!   

My original blocks were made with fat eights, so I had to tweak the pattern a bit to make it work with 2.5" strips.  The pattern for the quilt-along uses one roll-up and coordinating prints to make 80 blocks, each block 6" x 6" (finished size).  The finished quilt is about 62" x 77", which is a generous lap quilt size.  

I'll provide a full list of supplies in my next post, but I do want to mention here that using a Kona roll-up is not mandatory for participating in the quilt-along.  It's definitely the easiest way to replicate the "paintbox look" of the original quilt, but you can still make a variation of the pattern without one. 

 

Here's a peek at what I call the "Classic Paintbox Block."  Each set of two blocks is made with one 2.5" solid strip and one 10" x 10" print square.  These blocks are the most similar to the ones I used in my original quilt.

This Classic Block Variation uses strips of a single neutral solid instead of the different colored roll-up strips.  A finished quilt made with blocks like this wouldn't have a "paintbox look," but could be a great way to use 10" x 10" squares of multicolored prints.

If you'd prefer a little more variety, you can make Scrappy Paintbox Blocks instead.  If you have a bunch of tiny scraps, this could be a great way to use them up. 

And, of course, you can also make a Scrappy Block Variation using a single neutral solid.  As with the Classic Block Variation, a quilt made with these wouldn't have a "paintbox look," but would be an excellent scrap buster!

 

You may have noticed that each of the block photos included little fabric swatches of both the solid and print fabrics used.  That's because the quilt back will feature two large Swatch Card Blocks -- one using solids and one using prints.

 

Because the Mod Sampler quilt-along discussed the basics of quiltmaking in so much detail, this round is going to be quite a bit more relaxed.  I'll still talk about my process, and will provide links and updates to the earlier posts, as appropriate, but there won't be new posts about basics like rotary cutting and free-motion quilting.

Since the quilt requires 40 sets of two blocks (80 blocks total) I plan to make four sets per weekend for the next 10 weekends. Once I've finished my blocks, I'll post about making the top and back and finishing the quilt. 

There's obviously no schedule or deadline for finishing the quilt, but I would like to challenge you to attempt the same "eight blocks a week" for the next 10 weeks.  I've started a Flickr Group where you can share photos of your progress.

A post with the list of supplies is coming shortly and the block tutorials will be up tomorrow morning.  I'm looking forward to quilting along with you! 

Comments

[beth]

I love this! It's great that you are doing another quilt-along. I can't wait to see all the photos. Since I stalled somewhere along the way in my mod sampler, I'm going to use this as inspiration to finish up with that. It's wonderful to be seeing so much of your blog in my google reader these days.

[Shannon Wilson]

I have signed up over at the Flickr group. I have never done a quilt along before, but am looking forward to it.

[DoreyR]

Yay! I made one of these last year to get my quilting mojo back. I've added it to the Flickr group photos. Hope to join this Quilt Along once I get caught up on my Bee obligations.

[Eileen Gianiodis]

I'm totally in! I'll post on the flickr group as soon as I remember my username and password (yes, I AM that dork)! Thanks for doing it. This will be a great challenge for me in using solids -- and I may just have to purchase the kona strips, maybe. Thanks for doing it!

[Jean]

Elizabeth, I'm so glad you're back, and thanks for starting another quilt along! Inspired by your work, I made my first quilt last spring: a simple square in square pattern using vintage sheet prints, Kona solids, white sashing and a sassy binding. I referred to your excellent tutorials while making this first quilt, a baby gift. Thanks so much for all the information you've shared in the past. I look forward to joining you in this quilt along!

[Arizona]

What a pretty quilt! I'll join in the fun!

[becky]

oh my gosh! how crazy fun is this? I might just have to give it a try. I made a color wheel quilt before and it was horrible!!! maybe it is time to do it right this time.

[Molly]

I'm in...I love this quilt, and I love solids! :)

[Sonja]

WaooooooooooooooooooW... I'm impressed with your project!!!!!!
Good luck:)

[Audrie]

This looks like so much fun! And so colourful :)

[debbie]

I'm in! can't wait to get started.

[Jon]

Here we go again! I can't wait to see how this quilt comes together. To quilt or not to quilt? That is the question....

[FeistyEily]

Ordered my jelly rolls! I'm so ready for this... :)

[Live a Colorful Life]

I'm so excited about this. Do you remember the Fossil Fern line? Last year I bought a fat quarter of every single color. Now I finally know what to do with them. Yay!!

[Emily C]

Since I haven't got my Mod Sampler done I am refusing to let myself join until it is done. Maybe that will be the motication I need to finish it. BTW, when I first saw this quilt (when you originally poted it) I was blown away. I have loved it from the start!!

[Esther]

I think I'd better finish the mod sampler before I start on this one... all the blocks are done, I'm just still a bit daunted about sewing them all together to make something so... BIG!
The original paintbox was beautiful - I know I'll be hankering to start on these blocks too!

[Jodi]

I am so excited to do my first quilt along. So excited that I used this as an excuse to finally buy the Kona color card so that I can get some good solids for some FQs I've been planning to use for awhile.

[Katie B]

Very exciting!!

[Tina]

This is going to be great! I'm already thinking about which fabrics to use!!

[Jackie]

What a great challenge! I am looking forward to seeing everyone's results. The quilt is beautiful!

[Margaret]

I started your last paintbox quilt, the one with the slightly off centre blocking. Can I still join in?

[Chancy]

I read each post of your last quilt along and wished I had joined. This new one looks awesome and, though I don't think I'll be able to keep up with the pace of it, I'm going to try and do it. Yay! Can't wait.

[Jamie]

I am underwater with a few other quilt projects, so I can't quilt along right now, but I am so excited to see this come together so that I can do it a bit later this year. Elizabeth, thank you for doing this!!! I am loving the scrappy log-cabinish blocks!

[Corinne]

I'm in! This is my first quilt-along - not just sitting on the sidelines this time. I'll have to do a classic version though - I promised my husband I wouldn't buy any more fabric for a few months.

[Meagan]

The Mod Sampler was so fun to do, I can't resist participating in this one as well! However I'm going to try and buy as little fabric as possible, using as much as I can from my own stash...