Solstice QAL Update

We’re half way between the winter and summer solstices now. The only reason I know that is because I’m doing a Solstice Quilt Along. Each week Pat Sloan adds a new block pattern to her website for anyone to print off and create on their own. I’m really enjoying it! This is my first QAL – I’m learning some new techniques, getting better at my half-square triangles (HST) and learning to blend two different fabric lines to create one beautiful quilt.

I started out with one layer cake (a precut fabric of 10″ squares) but that wasn’t enough. I searched and searched for another line that would blend well with it. I was happy to discover Desert Bloom from Amanda Herring for Riley Blake. I think the two fabric lines are working well together.

I love the birds that are part of Desert Bloom. Over the past 6-12 months I’ve noticed birds much more often than I used to. I haven’t figured out why that is exactly – maybe I’m just more aware – but I’m glad to have some birds appear in this quilt.

Later this summer I look forward to quilting this on my own. It will be my biggest challenge so far, but I’m ready for it. I want this to be my work completely from start to finish. I want this quilt to be a reminder of my journey from dark to light. I want to look at this quilt years from now and be reminded of how far I’ve come. I want this quilt to say to me – Remember, it was hard, but you did it.

I’ll let the quilt do the rest of the talking today. Enjoy these 13 blocks I’ve created so far!

1. Churn Dash
2. Day Into Night
3. Tide Pools
4. Cobble Stones 
   5. Gramma Anna’s Basket
   6. The Crosswalk
   7. Tidy Rows
   8. Never Ending Love (The fabric for the hearts was not part of this line, but it looks perfect!)

   
   9. Among the Stars (36″ block!) (Also, this is when I started blending in the Desert Bloom fabric)
   10. The Coffee Shop
   11. Quilt Math
   12. Jacob’s Ladder

   
   13. Studio Time

Halfway there!

peace.