Potter's Wheel QAL

We are so excited to start the Potters Wheel Quilt Along.  We will be starting our eight-week Quilt Along Monday, September 24th! It's my first hosted QAL, and I'm really excited to get to sew along with you.
(Since the QAL is now complete, here are links to every blog post if you would like to follow along while making your Potter's Wheel Quilt.)

WEEK 1

WEEK 2

WEEK 3

WEEK 4

WEEK 5

WEEK 6

WEEK 7

WEEK 8

What you can expect:  You’ll receive a weekly email on Mondays talking about that week’s prompt/goal, and sharing any tips you could use when making your blocks.  This will also link you to the week's QAL blog post. 

The Schedule

Week 1:  Planning week - Show us your fabric palette.  Use the provided colouring page to consider colour placement, whether organized or random.  Introductions and the first giveaway for all participants.  I’ve gathered all my favourite things, and I’m giddy like a Mom on Christmas morning to share my favourite sewing tools and give them away.

Week 2:  10 blocks - I’ll be sharing few quick videos, on cutting using the Circle Cut Ruler, sewing curves, pressing, and truing up curved pieces.

Week 3: 10 blocks

Week 4: 10 blocks

Week 5: 10 blocks

Week 6: Easy Week. This is a great week to catch up on blocks.  If you’re all caught up, prep for your last week of blocks, or make your binding.

Week 7: final 9 blocks

Week 8: Quilt Top week:  I’ll be sharing my favourite FMQ ideas, or my favourite pantos.  Those of us who have assembled quilt tops by the end of the week will take be entered in the final giveaway.

Finishing touches,  Though the active part of the Quilt Along will be over, the final giveaway will take place at the end of week 10.  We’re hoping to have lots of finished quilts to show off!

I’ll be sharing some quick pattern ideas to use up those awkward-shaped scraps left from the curved cuts.

(Made by one of my students in a Curved Piecing class at Patch Halifax.)

Supplies you'll need:

The Potter’s Wheel Pattern is available as a .PDF in our Briar Hill Etsy shop, and also can be found in print in Quilt Shops.  The pattern also requires the Circle Cut Ruler by EZ Quilting, which can be found at Michael’s, Joann’s, Amazon, and many other craft stores.

Fabric choice is all up to you!  There's an option in the pattern to use one print/solid for the background, or a variety of prints.  I'll be using low volumes for my background and a variety of colours for the circles.

  

Q & A:

These are some questions I'm imagining we might have.  if any other questions arise, I'll be updating this blog post, and adding questions and answers here.

I’d like to make the Crib size, will that work?

Definitely!  I’ll be formatting the Quilt Along for the largest size of the pattern: 49 blocks.  If you choose to make the Throw or Crib, you can plan to make fewer blocks every week, as follows:

Throw, 25 blocks:  5 blocks each week.

Crib, 16 blocks:  4 blocks on Week 2; 3 blocks on Weeks 3, 4, 5, 7.

Is it ever too late to join?

Never!  The blog posts will always be available with that week’s prompts.  The giveaways will take place only with those participating in the QAL starting September 24th, but you can follow along through the blog posts at any time!  Grab a few friends and do it together!  I’d love to see what you make, so please share using #potterswheelQAL

Do I NEED the Acrylic template?  

Not completely, though I find it to be a great friend when cutting the pattern pieces.  Here’s a link to how Latifah Safir cuts curves using a paper template and a straight ruler.

Do I need the pattern?  

Definitely!  You’ll need the cutting chart and pattern pieces exclusive to the pattern instructions.

Do I need a special rotary cutter?

Anything larger than a 22mm blade cuts these curves easily.

I’m so intimidated by curves!  Do you think I can do this?

Definitely!  I’ve designed the pattern to be a great introduction to curves.  Also curves are trimmed smaller once sewn to give you best results.

Which online forums will host the Quilt Along?

You’ll be receiving weekly emails to the email you subscribed with, which will link you to that week's blog post.

This blog will have weekly QAL posts for the duration of the event.

Please feel welcome to share pictures anywhere online.  Use these hashtags  #potterswheelQAL #potterswheelquilt to share your progress online.  I'll be sharing pics on Instagram and Facebook.

Final Giveaway is selected from those who have shared their finished quilt top on IG, using the hashtag, #potterswheelQAL. 

How do I qualify for the giveaways?

Signing up and RSVPing qualifies you for the “Favourite Things” Giveaway, and I’ll be confirming proof of pattern purchase once I’ve drawn a winner.

Final Giveaway is selected from those who have shared their finished quilt top on IG, using the hashtag, #potterswheelQAL.

What if I get stuck while sewing the pattern?

It’s really important to me that you feel success with my patterns! Email me at briarhilldesigns@gmail.com with your question, and a picture if you think that will help, and I’d love to walk you through the step you’re stuck on.

I'm really looking forward to sewing with you!  I can't wait to see that fabrics you've chosen!  Here's my palette.  Just like my last Potter's Wheel quilt, it's entirely Cotton + Steel.  I think I'll do a planned colour placement: a gradient effect, with pinks in the top right corner, and moving through to navies in the bottom left corner of the quilt.

Subscribing starts now!  Join us!