Chamomile

Welcome to the Spring 2019 Chamomile Quilt Along! Chamomile is a pattern I designed to showcase low volume prints, those happy fabrics on white that always seem to hide cute little surprises.  Each patchwork block is framed by pretty sashing and cornerstones, and every element of the quilt is strip pieced, so it comes together quickly. It's a great pattern for beginners and experienced quilters alike.

You can purchase PDF patterns or preorder a Paper copy. They will ship March 1st!

DATES: April 1 - May 13

QUILT SIZE: 69" x 84" (you can widen the border a little to make it an official Twin size, though mine is used on a Twin bed as is)

SCHEDULE:
March- choose your fabric
Week 1- cutting + 5 blocks (they are easy peasy!)
Week 2- make 10 blocks
Week 3- make 5 blocks + cornerstones
Week 4- make half sashing + assemble 2 rows
Week 5- make half sashing
Week 6- assemble quilt top

This may seem like a strange way to break up the steps, but the sashing takes about as long as the blocks in this quilt, and I myself like to mix things up so I don't get bored! All the sashing in one week would be such a snooze. I'll count any progress and posting for each week as participation though, so proceed as you'd like!

HOW TO PARTICIPATE:
Sign up to get blog updates to receive the weekly report on the sew along, or just use the hashtag #chamomilequilt on Instagram to share your progress. I will be sharing lots of tips and process photos  there. I'll be picking weekly winners from Instagram participants, and sharing photos from all of you!

Fabric Requirements:

Low volume prints- 16 fat quarters or 32 fat eighths for more variety
Sashing- 3/4 yd
Cornerstones- 1/4 yd
Background- 2 1/2 yds
Binding- 5/8 yds
Backing- 5 yds

You can read more about my original Chamomile quilt if you want more details. I used a lot of prints with red, and did some fussy cutting too. I used Moda Bella Ruby Ice for the sashing, Kona Canary for the cornerstones, and Kona Snow for the background.

This time I'm going to do more springy colors, and I'm going to mix it up and do scrappy solid colored cornerstones. That will take a lot more time than strip piecing the cornerstones like the pattern suggests, but I really want to bust some solid scraps. I have no idea how it will look, and I'm not going to mock it up because I want to live dangerously, ha!

If you're looking for low volume fabrics, you can always search low volume fabric bundle on Etsy to find some good options. Starlit Quilts has a nice assortment of low volumes right now, and you can pick your own fat quarters from her. Some people have made this pattern with non-low volumes as well. It makes a cute patchwork quilt any way you do it!     

Here are some quilts from the #chamomilequilt hashtag that others have made to get you thinking. 

 @thencamejune

 @miss_jen123

 @hellomellydesigns

 @happinessinthemaking

 @thewillowmarket

 @anchoredhomesewing

@chattykatquilts

Now for the prizes!!! The following generous sponsors have provided weekly prizes:

Week 1: a surprise from me :)
Week 2: Crimson Confection bundle
Week 3: 3 free patterns of your choice from Pieced Just Sew
Week 4: 20% off edge to edge longarm quilting from One Sweet Bee Designs
Week 5: $50 credit for longarm quilting from Knot and Thread
Week 6: $75 credit for longarm quilting from Heather Alexander Handmade

Best of all, Emilee Hathaway of Paisley Print and Polka Dots is kindly offering 20% off longarm services on Chamomile quilts sent in before June 1st. Emilee has quilted lots of things for me, including my Sweet Marie, Jolly, and most recently Shiny Brights. She carries lots of really cute backings too, which makes it very convenient. Hooray!!

I am so excited to sew along with you! Let me know if you have any questions in the comments.