QUILTsocial Spectrum QAL
It was just after the lockdown in March 2020 when my mind started to race as all the fiber related events announced their cancellations. A phone call with Elaine Theriault sparked the idea of a QAL in which she suggested there not only be 1 collaborator for the QAL, but 3! I called up quilters Claire Haillot and Paul Léger, to join the fun, and it didn’t take long for the excitement to catch on!
What
This QAL is not your typical QAL, it’s far more exciting and gives you the flexibility to design your own finished quilt! Claire had a gorgeous quilt pattern waiting in the wings for a long time for the right time – NOW! Claire’s design is the original quilt pattern with a total of 12 sparkling blocks. Elaine and Paul will be making the same blocks using other fabric lines and arranging them to create totally different quilts. Aren’t you curious to see how the same 12 blocks will give 3 totally different quilts?
Who
3 stellar quilting contributors, 3 fantastic fabric sponsors!
Claire, designer of the Spectrum quilt pattern, is using fabrics from the dreamy The Little Girl in the Blue Armchair collection from Anthology Fabrics. Her bed runner will measure 87” x 35”.
Elaine is using fabrics from the very new Blue Stitch collection from Riley Blake, with her version of the suggested quilt pattern measuring 92” x 92”.
Paul is using fabrics from the colorful Wave Texture collection from Benartex, with his version of the Spectrum quilt pattern measuring 72” x 92”.
Let’s not forget the batting! We’re using FAIRFIELD Soft & ToastyTM Natural Cotton Batting. Toasty CottonTM batting is the perfect 100% natural cotton quilt batting for all your quilts and crafts. You’ll get the same strength and warmth you expect from similar battings at a very affordable price. You can use it to create everyday quilts and crafts or award-winning masterpieces with confidence.
When
The fun starts September 15, 2020 with Claire’s first post including cutting instructions. She will post bi-weekly. Elaine and Paul will post their progress bi-weekly alternating weeks with Claire. In other words, every week there’s fun and progress!
HOW you can be part of the excitement
Share your progress with us and friends, we’d love to see how you’re coming along with the quilt-a-along! Share your blocks to our Facebook group Spectrum QAL 2020, #TheSewGoesOn and/or pin to our Pinterest Spectrum QAL 2020 board.
Where
Well, here of course, on QUILTsocial.com!
Stay safe, positive, and keep on quilting.
Click on the blocks for instructions.
40 comments
I truly can’t decide which I like best. I loved the idea of the bed runner & pillow to add accent to the bed. I liked the bolder, modern look, which looks similar to the bed runner. The more traditional monochromatic blues are beautiful too. I wish the colours would have shown up better in your reveal.
I love Claire’s runner the best! All three are really nice, but that one is my favorite.
I like Claire’s bedrunner. I’m drawn to that colour scheme.
Never could find the link for the Draw – but very much enjoyed the evening with the quilt artists… thanks for the talk and stories about the project. A quilt along is an awesome event every year… loved this project
Loved seeing all the blocks and finished quilts. Thanks
I think Paul’s version is my favorite. I love the idea of just using blenders. I have a UFO of blocks with just blenders — I think he just inspired me to get it out and make more of the blocks!
That was a fabulous event and I very much enjoyed the different perspectives! I enjoyed them all!
I like Elaine’s quilt the best. I like the colours and the fact they are set on point. It is a lovely quilt.
Interesting to see and hear the differences! We are all unique and we are all OK!
Great quilt social discussion on the QAL
Love the patterns a nd colors in The Little Girl in the Blue Armchair.
Wowser I am so happy to have this. Thank you.
Ooh la,la! Love them all! But if I must pick one I will go with the The Little girl in the Blue Armchair.
Awesome blocks. I am torn between the orange and the blue one. Can I vote twice? Well so actually can I vote for all three?
Hi Irene, LOL it is hard to choose! All 3 it is! Thank you for sharing!
beautiful blocks!!
Wow, all three of them did a wonderful quilt. Personally, I am not that far in my learning. If, I decide to make one, it would be the one from Claire: love the green color and it is more the size that I probably can make.
All three color ways are stunning. I wouldn’t know which one to pick, all so beautiful.
I love Paul’s colors
I am looking forward to doing this in the anthology. It is beautiful!
Dreamy colors!
The blocks are all equally as exciting, but I have to say that Claire’s colour choices appeal to me the most. beautifully done!
All the versions are great. I am a big fan of blue and white quilts, so I would have to pick Elaine’s quilt as my favorite
All lovely blocks and fabrics my favourite is from Claire Haillot. I love the greens and blues.
I love Paul’s complementary colour scheme with the warm stars popping against the contrasting dark backgrounds. The QAL is such an innovative take on traditional blocks.
Love seeing all the variations. Traditional quilting with innovation!
Normally I am a blue person but the green is fabulous. I must have entered 50 contests over the past few years to win one of these irons. Maybe this will be my lucky day. Thanks for the chance and the beautiful blocks.
I really like Claire’s quilt project. My favorite color is green. Greens, shades of turquoise, and blues always make me feel happy and content. I find that I never tire of seeing and using those colors.
This looks exciting
I love them all but if I had to pick one, I’ll pick the bed runner, love the green…
I love block six it stands out for me I am glad I found this QAL going to try it some day after my other projects, would love to win this iron to help along the way of making my seam perfect
I love the 2nd quilt blocks because of the color being pleasant to the eyes.
Great that you showed the 12 patterns in different fabrics to hwlp us visualize how different the blocks appear depending on the fabric.
It has been my favorite part of this QAL! Thanks for sharing!
I’ve really enjoyed following along on the QAL….my favorite is the Riley Blake Designs Blue Stitch fabrics. I love the blocks that don’t look like your standard, run-of-the-mill blocks – they’re all a bit more involved, which just adds to the design of the entire quilt. The Blue Stitch fabrics remind me of a blue delft design, which I’ve always been fond of. Two for two!! Thanks so much for the chance to win, as well!! 🙂
Claire has designed a very sparkling design indeed, so glad you love it! Good Luck!
I love the Riley Blake blues on Elaine’s quilt best.
Why am I just now finding out about this and I’m on vacation away from my sewing machine?
Paul’s vibrant colour combo really boosts my mood during this trying year!
Thank you, i like very much these blocks.