MODA Friendship Quilt Along

Today is my day on the Friendship Quilt Along! Welcome!

... our upcoming collection, AVALON. A fresh, summer feeling collection with beautiful reds, soft greys, buttery yellows, spring greens, all on an ivory background with a wonderful pop of navy blue! Due out in stores next month! We are so excited for this one we can hardly stand it!

 

A FEW INTRODUCTIONS

For those of you who are new over here, my name is Joanna and this is the home of Fig Tree & Company. We are so glad that you are here to see what we are up to. If you want to follow along our regular "goings on", then subscribe to our newsletter or follow us on our new FACEBOOK page! Click HERE to go to our page or LIKE us from the left sidebar.

 ... one of my favorite brand new patterns, LOLLIPOPS, made up in the AVALON collection with 1 Jelly Roll and some background and border fabric. There are no sewing templates in this pattern. I promise! Its a fantastic method that we have loved for years!

 

ABOUT THE QUILT ALONG

For those of you who are regulars over here but aren't quite sure what this QUILT ALONG is all about, here are some pointers:

• Each day [starting last Monday and going through March 1st], 3 different MODA designers are blogging about the Quilt Along and are sharing their own block with you. You can see the list of designers blogging each day at the end of this post. Each block can be easily downloaded on each designer's blog as a pdf.

• Each designer is also having a MODA fabric giveaway [courtesy of the wonderfully generous MODA mothership] of one of their collections so if you enter at each blog, you will have a great chance of WINNING something. Free blocks and free fabric, is there anything more perfect?!

• All of the blocks finish at 9" and would all work wonderfully in a sampler quilt. The instructiuons are all simple strip pieced and they all the blocks can be made from Fat 1/8's or large scraps so its perfect for your scrap bucket too.The directions for the blocks are all from Fat 1/8's.

 

• Warning: This could be a bit too much fun. We have gotten a bit addicted in just 3 days time!

 

HAVING A LITTLE FUN

Now I have to tell you that I just couldn't get into the Farmer's Wife quilt along [the one that swept the web last year] for a couple of reasons... the blocks were so small and they were all templates. Two things which I really don't love. So personally I enjoyed that one from far away. They were beautiful but I was happy to watch it go by.

This one... however.. is 9" blocks, which are just much more my speed, and no templates.That's right, not a template in site.

When I tell you that you can easily do all 3 of each day's block in that afternoon, I really mean it. Because I have kind of been doing it. Not all of them, but most of them....

This is our block... which I cut and pieced in under an hour, both of them.

It's Block #15 in the Quilt Along. I'm a bit addicted to it and plan on making it in several other color combinations and sprinkling it about my sampler or even making it every other block.... I guess we'll have to see how it goes. The flying geese are quite fun to make when you know yoiu only have to make eight! And it looks good in so many different fabric combos!

CLICK HERE FOR THE PDF OF OUR BLOCK

Now to visit some of our friends who have shared since Monday, since this is a Friendship Quilt Along after all... 

Here is Barb and Alma's block-

Here is Bonnie's block-

Here is Anne's block-

 

Here is Basic Grey's block-

 

Here is Camille's block-

Here are all the blocks we've made so far.... just looking at them is making me a bit giddy right now.

 

 

A FEW TIPS FROM OUR SEWING:

TIP #1: Many of these blocks use the method of sewing a square onto a rectangle, on the diagonal and then trimiming out the excess fabrics underneath. Whenever I use that method [which I love and use often], I trim out only the extra side of the piece on top and not whatever fabric was used for the bottom rectangle. This is because if you leave the bottom piece intact, it acts a foundation of sorts for your block. You cut that piece and it should be exactly the size you want it to be whereas the piece on top has been sewn and is often slightly irregular, coming out a bit shy of the shape or a bit large. The piece on the bottom will always be accurate and will help you with easier piecing as you build your block. The bulk of the extra piece has never been a problem for me or my quilter. The only time you can't use this method is when the piece that is being added on top is white/light and the piece underneath is dark. You must them trim out both pieces.i Try it and see some great results.

Tip #2: On Anne's block we didn't want to fuss with the thin bias tape so we used a 3/8" bias tape maker, made a small piece of bias from the end of the fabric strip, ran it through the maker and affixed it to our triangle with little dots of Roxanne's Glue Baste It. It was quick and easy.

We plan on making many more blocks as more of our friends share them so check back over here throughout the QUILT ALONG to see how they are turning out! We might even make more tomorrow!

... our SAIL AWAY pattern. All of those boats are made from one Layer Cake. Can you believe it? We love, love this quilt.

GIVEAWAY

As we mentioned above, we are of course having an AVALON GIVEWAY. So leave us a comment about which color or specific print of Avalon you are looking forward to most. To see the entire collection, click on the AVALON button on the right sidebar so you can see all of the fabrics [we've fixed all the collection links so you can click on any of them if you like].

... a styled shot of our SAIL AWAY pattern. Can't you just channel the beach when you look at those boats?

Two lucky winners will be chosen, one for a DESIGNER ROLL and one for a LAYER CAKE. We will also add a third winner for a grouping of all our AVALON patterns and a charm pack!. Be sure to comment to be entered.

Thanks for quilting along with us. Can't wait to see some of your blocks!

Here is the schedule:

FEB 18th

Barbara Brackman

Basic Grey

Barb & Alma- Blackbird Designs



FEB 19th

Bonnie- Cotton Way

Brigitte- Zen Chic

Anne- Bunny Hill



FEB 20th

Camille- Thimbleblossoms

Deb Strain

Eric & Julie Comstock



FEB 21st

Jan Patek

Joanna-Fig Tree & Co.

Jenn Ski


FEB 22nd

Kaari-French General

Lynne-Kansas Troubles

Kate Spain


FEB 25th

Kathy Schmitz

Edyta- Laundry Basket

Lauren & Jessi Jung


FEB 26th

Lisa- Primitive Gatherings

Malka Dubrawsky

Barb & Mary- Me & My Sister


FEB 27th

Laurie & Polly- Minick and Simpson

Pat Sloan

Sandy- Pieces From  My Heart


FEB 28th

Sweetwater

Stephanie Ryan

Vanessa- V & Co.


March 1st

The Cutting Table

 

 

Comments

[Melanie Morgan]

Thanks for your tips! Your blocks look great. The entire Avalon collection is so pretty, but I especially love the navy.

[marcella]

I love those itty bitty polka dots in daisy grey - I have a thing for dots and find a background worthy one is hard to do!

[Gina M]

I always love your greens so the pistachio is my favorite...but my husband loves blues and sailing so the combination of your sailboat pattern (which I already purchased!)and Avalon (can't wait!) will make us both happy! Thanks for sharing your talent with us.

[Andrea Hickman]

I can't decide between the Robin's Egg and the Pistachio. Absolutely gorgeous line you have created, and i can't wait to get my hands on some!

[Tammy]

I am looking forward to all fo the greys...I am also looking forward to the reds & robin eggs also. Love this new line. Just "sew" pretty. Thank you for the block and for the chance to enter. conn_and_vans_mom(at)yahoo(dot)com

[Bev]

I tried, but I can't pick a favorite! I simply love the way the colors work together ...they somehow make you smile inside and out.

[Susan]

I just can't wait to see the newest pop of blue....of course I can see the entire collection made up in some wonderful things, but that blue may just be the nautical touch that sends me over the edge....susan

[abby]

I love your new Avalon line - and got my hands on a jelly roll and charm pack off etsy. I've been making the Round and Round pattern by Camille out of Avalon and it is so cute! I think I love the navy the best. Its fun and bright new pop of color. I can't wait to make the lollipops quilt out of it. I'm loving your blocks - so fun to see them made out and love them in Avalon - ummmm may have to get a bundle of it now!

[Sandiemackintosh@yahoo.com]

I cant wait to get some of the pale blue with the red flower buds on it... just so sweet and soft looking!

[Lana Drum]

I love all your wonderful fabric colors. My favorite in the Avalon collection is Robin's Egg with the small rose flowers. Thanks for the giveaway! Lana

[Terrie]

OMG I LOVE the whole collection of avalon really !!!
But if I had to pick the print I am most looking forward to it would be the robins egg stripe followed by the daisey large floral followed by the cherries of any color. Lov elove love your fabric !!!!

[Heidi]

I would go with either the Pistachio or Robin's Egg blue....love them both!

[Toni Anne Potter]

My favorites are lg. floral Robins Egg and sm. floral Pistachio, I couldn't choose just one. Joanna you never disappoint, every collection is beautiful. The only problem is I hate cutting it up, I love it too much. Thanks, off to download your block. ;-> Toni Anne

[Arlene L.]

I've been dying for the new Avalon line to come out! I love all the different prints, but I'm most excited about the addition of the Nantucket florals.

[Kelly K]

I love the little cherry prints, but I'm also excited for the dark blue colorway! This line makes for great Americana quilts and I can't wait for it to come out!

[Donna W]

Hard to choose which one since they are all beautiful, but I will go with Pistachio. Just love the shades of green. Thanks for the block and the "tips".

[mamamousie]

I love 20203 17 Robins Egg--okay, I love them all! As usual your fabric line is beautiful. Thanks for the construction tips.

[Tammy]

I love every single print but, if I had to chose one, it would be the flower print. I'm just a HUGE fan of Fig Tree Quilts... looking forward to the Avalon collection!!!

[Susan]

I love all of the Candy Apple Reds and Wicker Grays, together please!! I think they would look absolutely LOVELY! Thanks for the chance to win!

[BeckyAllen5]

I am really looking forward to all your blues... the whole line really! Beautiful! Thanks for the fun giveaway!

[Liz]

Entire collections is wonderful, my favorite is candy apple red.

[Angela]

I'm in love with the wicker grays! :)

[Stacy]

They are all so pretty! The one that really caught my eye was the 20203 13 Wicker Grey.

[Peggy Reilly]

Do I see a dark blue polka dot fabric? I love dark blue and I also love polka dots. I couldn't be happier when looking at this new fabric line. Thanks so much for the cute block and great instructions!

[Nancy M]

I am a blue girl, so I love the 20202-15 Nantucket blue floral best. It is a beautiful collection.

[Sharon]

Looking forward to the dark blue prints because I don't think you've used that color in any of the previous lines of yours that I have...and I have most of them. Love, love, love the sailboats. I already have the pattern. Just waiting for the fabric and I'll get right to making it. Thanks for the free pattern and giveaway.

[Karen aka Lady K]

What a lovely blog to talk about and display your lovely fabrics, patterns and ideas! Wow!!
Honestly, being a fan of your California Girl collection, I can't wait for the whole collection of Avalon to debut but I am most excited about using those rich navy blue prints. Good luck with the launch and I love your block for the Moda Friendship Quilt Along!

[wendy]

I've been collecting all these blocks on the hop but unfortunately I work full time so have no time to sew them up!
I'm a big fan of your fabrics and looking forward to Avalon, my favourite is *20207 14 Candy Apple Red

[Laurie]

I just LOVE your fabric lines and all the colors you work with! I especially love the daisy and mimosa in Avalon.
I'd love to do this Quilt along!

[Michelle P.]

I love all of the navy prints!

[Laura K]

I love the navy blue! It gives the collection such a pop of vibrant color. My next favorite would have to be the reds though. Which is funny because I don't normally love red much but it has been growing on me recently. Thank you for the beautiful block and the chance to win.

[Elizabeth Jenkins]

I am really looking forward to working with Avalon. I really like Pistachio and Candy Apple but all the colors look so nice together.

[Terry Fassburg]

Candy apple red is my favorite, although there are several others that are close seconds: navy, pistachio, robin's egg blue.

[Hueisei]

I can't wait for Navy in Avalon.

[Paula]

I love the whole collection but I think my favourite fabric is the Candy Apple Red #20205.

[Cheryl]

Cannot wait for the navy blue.....just love how it pops:-)

[Debbie St. Germain]

I really like all of the shades and colors, but my favorite is the nantucket, since I love the ocean.

Debbie

[NQuinn]

I am looking forward to the 20207-15 Nantucket print specifically and everything in the Robin's Egg and Candy Apple colors. I love all the Fig Tree fabric collections since they coordinate so well together. I think Avalon will go well with some of my leftover Strawberry Fields scraps.

[Jenny W]

Thanks for the great block and chance to win! I'm most looking forward to the Blue print with the white flowers with yellow centers. Very sweet!

[Nancy]

I'll have to go with the blues, both the navy and the robin's egg. Just lovely.

[Diana]

I love the navy blue in this collection. It makes me feel like summer. But that was also my husbands reaction on the quilt i made entirely of Fig Tree fabrics. I used mainly strawberry fields and some californian girl and some butterscotch and rose. I noticed a lot of fabrics contained a nice dot!
Looking at the prints I would certainly buy 20206, stripes and tartans are needed in a quilt!

[Tami]

Well, do I really have to pick just one fabric or color I am looking forward to? I LOVE all of your fabrics, always have and no doubt, always will. But I do love the navy fabrics in Avalon.

[Heather Braun]

I love the 20202 12 Mimosa, I'm really into yellows right now! Thanks for the chance to win this gorgeous collection!
mrs(dot)hbraun(at)gmail(dot)com

[MomHylle]

I think the Mimosa print appeals to me the most because ir's such a wntry day & I'm looking forward to sunny spring days, but the cherries on robin's egg blue is awfully nice, too. Thanks for participating!

[Debbie]

I love the Nantucket and Candy Apple Red roses. Both are just too gorgeous to choose between them! Thanks for the pattern and chance to win!

[Judy W]

Beautiful fabric and beautiful patterns. Love your new line. Delicate with a touch of bold colors in the bright blue. I love Pistachio. What a pretty color. Thanks for the chance.

[Willa]

Nantucket!
Closely followed by Candy Apple Red.

[Sue bone]

I'm lookiing forward to the buttery yellows in your line.

[JD Little]

I love the dots and stripes. I am really into them right now. Your helpful hints were great. Thanks for the chance to win.

[Natalya H]

This looks likes so much fun! I would have to say my favorite print is the Robin's Egg blue. I'm in love with all your FigTree designs... I think it is what has started me quilting :)