Tone It Down 2016 QAL

In the February 2014 Issue of American Patchwork & Quilting, Designer Lissa Alexander (modalissa) released her pattern, Tone It Down, for the first APQ Quilt Along. It was an instant and HUGE success. At the time, I knew it was a little advanced for my beginner skills, but it remained on my To-Do list for two years.... And now, it's time!

My first inspiration came from Bonnie (Bonnie and Camille). Her Tone It Down, to this day, is still one of my favorites!

I love how every Tone It Down is so different from the next. @quiltcrazy created this gorgeous one from Hello Darling! 

 When it came time to create Quilt Goals for 2016, I knew that this one was at the top! And is there anything better than sewing along with your friends? I don't think so. The #toneitdown2016qal was created!

Fabric pulling is one of my favorite parts. I have been hoarding a F8th bundle of Marmalade for some time, and it was just begging to be used for this! After I took the ribbon off (gasp!), and my heart rate slowed, it was time to make some test blocks!

These blocks are really addicting. A test block turned into 3! And I literally had to turn off my machine and walk away!

I'm excited for everyone who is joining us! I created a flexible time table for those of us(me) who sometimes get distracted.  It's not the end all be all of schedules, so if you are ahead or behind, no worries!

And within the last few minutes, seriously, I also found out that Lissa (you know, the DESIGNER) has offered up a prize to be given away!!! She's so generous, and just as thrilled as I am that so many are sewing this up! 

Remember to use the #toneitdown2016qal hashtag so that we can see all your hard work!

13 Quilts: Ode to Camille Roskelley

I was on the treadmill this morning and I guess like some people have good ideas in the shower, the treadmill was the place for me. I had brought down my Simply Retro book just in case my phone died (which was at like 10%). As I'm flipping through, thinking about each quilt and what fabric I would use - I had an epiphany. What if I quilted my way through Simply Retro, like Julie did with Julia Child's cookbook. Genius, right? 

I have a list so long of quilts I want to make, a hoard of fabric that grows with each trip back to the US, and a serious case of Quilter's ADD - that often I find myself at a loss for what to make next. Problem solved! Follow the book. 

Instagram is THE social media outlet; it's quick and easy and voila! You snap a picture of your quilt and done! I think for this journey, I'm going to blog and IG. Is this adventure going to teach me anything? Who knows? Lessons to be learned, fabric to be used, etc. I don't know what, if anything, I will get out of it (other than some fabulous quilts) but, I'm excited. If you want to join me, great! I'm not going to do an official QAL - just a girl and her machine - making 13 quilts. #thelinenfox13quiltsandsimplyretro

The first quilt in the book, is Swell. LOVED this one from the beginning. But I'm unsure what to make it out of, so I'm skipping #1 and going to #2. 

Retro: Honestly. Didn't like this one at first. But when I decided what fabric to use - well, let's just say, I love me some Navy Pin Dots!

The rest of the quilts will be made strictly from my hoard of Bonnie and Camille fabrics. I love them, they are gorgeous, but they need to be used and loved. And really, it's only right to use them for this adventure.

***Disclaimer: This is not my entire fabric stash. Just a sample, no need to cause a riot or anything! And who knows what is being stored at my mom's house to take back in July!***