THE QUILT-ALONG:
This Quilt-Along will not only be a patriotic tribute to Betsy Ross and our great United States, but also a fundraiser designed to support one of America’s greatest assets — our veterans. For every printed or downloaded pattern sold of the Betsy Quilt, we will donate $5 to Missions of Honor, with a goal of funding an entire plane of veterans to New York. In addition, we’re also donating $10 for every fat quarter tower of American Gatherings III purchased from Primitive Gatherings, so if you already purchased one, you’ve already contributed $10 to the cause — thank you!
THE QUILT:
Betsy has been on my bucket list for a long time, and with a massive stash full of scraps from my own patriotic fabric lines plus every other red, cream, and blue scrap I could get my hands on, I finally had everything I needed to make it happen! Betsy is an orange peel quilt — a classic design dating back to the late 1800s, where repeating curved petal shapes come together to create a breathtaking secondary circular pattern across the whole quilt. Block sizes for Betsy will be 72″ x 76″ when finished.
HOW IT WORKS:
If you are stitching along with us, you will need to get approximately 63 blocks done per month (15-16 blocks each week), to complete the quilt by the end of 2026. You can work at your own pace, work along with the QAL schedule, or work ahead if you wish. Starting in March, on the last Thursday of each month we will hold a drawing for participants who post photos of their completed 63 blocks per month on my STITCH with Lisa Bongean Facebook group. Not a member yet? Click HERE to join!
SUPPLY LIST:
• Leaf Template from Paper Pieces (optional) – click HERE to purchase!
• Sewline Fabric Glue Pen – click HERE to purchase!
• Basting Thread – bright stand out-ish thread that will be used temporarily (can be old or unwanted).
• Hand Appliqué Thread – only needed if stitching by hand.
• Flatter Smoothing Spray Starch Alternative – click HERE to purchase!
• Fine Appliqué Needle (PG Binding Needles will work beautifully) – click HERE to purchase!
• Small Snips or Small Embroidery Scissors – click HERE to purchase!
FABRIC REQUIREMENTS:
• 26 cream print Fat Quarters – these should include red print, shades of white, and blue prints, OR an equal amount of scraps.
• 13 Fat Quarters of reds OR an equal amount of scraps.
• 13 Fat Quarters of blue OR an equal amount of scraps.
• 4 ½ yds of backing fabric that is 44” wide, OR 2 ¼ yds – 108” wide
VIDEO TUTORIAL:
If you need a little help along the way, Joanne Blank and I have put together a tutorial video packed with guidance and hot tips to keep you stitching with confidence. Just click the STITCH icon below to watch it on my STITCH with Lisa Bongean YouTube channel!
If you have any questions about Betsy, or any of my other quilt-alongs, please feel free to contact the shop by emailing store@primitivegatherings.us! Also, be sure to tune in for our LIVE show every Thursday at 1:00 p.m. CST on my STITCH with Lisa Bongean YouTube channel for any updates or announcements that might come up. Happy stitching, everyone!
