Do you have piles of scraps stacking up that are just waiting for a project? I don’t know about you, but it drives me a little batty to have a bunch of unused pieces of random fabric laying around. I look at them and keep thinking… I need to make something out of those! That’s why I decided to do a Quilt-Along based on using leftover scraps! Get your sewing machines ready because today officially marks the first clue release for my “Oh Say Can You Sew” Mystery Quilt-Along!
You might remember me talking about my Mystery Quilt-Along during, “Stitch with Lisa Bongean“ a few times over the last couple of weeks. If you missed it, let me tell you about the details. I’m calling this Quilt-Along, “Oh Say Can You Sew“ because I have so many reds, whites, and blues leftover from previous projects (American Gatherings Quilt-Along, my American Gatherings book, and Stars & Stripes to name a few). I thought it would be a fun way to get an awesome patriotic quilt out of simply recycling my scraps. I also thought it would be entertaining to make this a mystery project – meaning you are not going to know exactly what you’re making until it all comes together in the very end! I think it’s exciting, can you handle the suspense?
Now don’t worry, I know it’s scary to jump into a project without knowing what the final results will be, but you can trust me – I would never have you make something that I didn’t have 100% confidence in. What I WILL tell you about this quilt is that it’s a pretty good size. It will be two blocks with a scrappy sashing. If you are using all scrap pieces for this project, be prepared to use up a lot of them!
How the “Oh Say Can You Sew Mystery Quilt-Along“ works is simple and fun. On the first Monday of every month we will release a new FREE clue (there is no specific time that I will be releasing the clue – please keep an eye on the blog throughout the day)! There will be seven clues released in total. When the clue is released it will be posted not only here on my blog, but also on our YouTube channel, “Stitch with Lisa Bongean.” Each clue will be available to download as a printable PDF FREE for one month. When then next month’s clue posts, the previous clue will no longer be available for free, but can be purchased to download through our website for $5.00 each. You can download the first clue by clicking the button below!
EDIT: This QAL is now complete. The full pattern and instructions are available to purchase in either paper or PDF format by clicking HERE!
As you might have already seen, for the first clue you will be making 31 blue and cream 9 patches. These can be done with 1 1/2″ strip sets or 1 1/2″ squares (I did all strip sets for my quilt because that’s what worked best for the scraps I have). They can be the same or different on each side. The only “rule” is that you need to pay attention to value. In other words, where I have dark pieces on my quilt, you put dark on yours. And where I put light pieces you put light. If you follow this rule it will all work out perfectly!
What makes this Quilt-Along even more fun is that anything goes! If you don’t want to do a red, white, and blue quilt that’s ok! You can use any scraps you’d like on this project. Just remember to pay attention to value when deciding on your fabric placement.
I really encourage all of you to get in on this fun Quilt-Along! Spring cleaning is upon us – what better way to use it as an excuse to QUILT more?! LOL Let’s get those scrap bins emptied out to make room for what else, but more scraps ! This project really only requires a little bit of sewing time each month, so don’t be afraid to dive into this one. You’ll still have time for other fires, I promise!
You can follow along as I turn my scrap bin into a masterpiece by watching me on my YouTube Channel, “Stitch with Lisa Bongean“ every first Monday of the month where I’ll be “cluing you in” to the next clue on my list! As always, make sure to “like” and comment during our LIVE broadcasts, along with here on my blog posts and facebook for a chance to win a prize! Let me know if you plan to join me for my “Oh Say Can You Sew Mystery Quilt-Along!” If so, are you planning to do red, white, and blue or another color scheme? Let me know! …and don’t forget! Tomorrow is our first “Shop Talk with Shelley”! Tune in for that at 9AM CST by hitting the link below! See you soon! ~Lisa
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