We are on week 3 of the True Blue QAL with American Patchwork & Quilting. Yes I am making a red version so it seems silly every time I type the words True Blue.
Quiltalong – week 3
This block has the most pieces in it. I am a huge fan of using wooden blocks to help set the seam allowances to lay flat. This really helped on this block. I am a huge fan of Modern American Vintage’s sewing accessories. They are a treasure and future heirlooms for sure. It is usually my spurge at quilt shows to add to my collection. Quiltcon is coming up so I will have to get to CHRIS’S BOOTH EARLY.
Just some of the eye candy from week 2 of the True Blue QAL that I have found on the internet.
There is something comforting about a quilt-along. It feels a bit like a recipe card that’s been passed down for generations. Same method, same heart, but every time it turns out a little different depending on who’s in the kitchen or sewing room and what fabric is selected.. The True Blue QAL is exactly that kind of experience. last week it was picking fabric. This week it is making block 1.. Following directions in the magazine gives you exactly how many pieces you need to cut and sew. I never mind having some extra so I cut 2″ strips and strip pieced them. Subcut, mix and match to have a variety plus some extras!!
If you are just joining and don’t know about the QAL, here is the info.
While True Blue is the name of the QAl and the colors used in the original quilt, I’ve decided to take a tiny creative detour and bring in my color of the year: red. Not “oops I grabbed the wrong fabric” red. Intentional, bold, patriotic-quilt-meets-heirloom red. Plus I had to sew along with y’all which means making another quilt!
Why red? Red has always been one of those colors that carries emotion. It’s warmth. It’s courage. It’s love. It’s tradition. Red and white quilts have been inspiring me for years, especially after seeing the Red & White Quilt exhibits that celebrate the power of a limited palette. There’s something magical about taking one strong color and letting it tell the whole story.
You can follow the pattern exactly, or you can bend it just enough to make it unmistakably yours. I almost went red white and blue!!
Using red fabrics has also made me slow down and think more carefully about contrast and balance. Beth at American Patchwork and Quilting did a gtrreat post last week about choosing her fabrics and tacked about scale etc. My reds started with a bundle of fabric from Bunny Hill so I had a nice range to start with, then adding more lights and reds to create larger variety and to use up some more of my “stash.”
And honestly, using red’s make me smile every time I sit down to sew.
So whether you’re sewing in blue, red, or something completely unexpected, remember: quilts have always been about using what you love, what you have, and what speaks to you. That’s how traditions stay alive. They grow, they shift, and they welcome a little creative rebellion now and then.
Make 5 of these blocks and you will be ready for next week!!
There’s something timeless about a blue quilt. It feels familiar, comforting, and steady—like a favorite pair of jeans or the well-worn steps of a front porch. And that’s exactly the spirit behind True Blue, my upcoming Quilt-Along created in partnership with the wonderful team at American Patchwork & Quilting.
I’m thrilled to invite you to sew along with me and the APQ staff as we work through this beautiful project together. That is not all, the team at Accu-Quilt is also featuring dies to be able to cut this quilt using the Accu-Quilt machines.
About the Quilt
True Blue is a scrap-friendly patchwork throw that celebrates classic quilt blocks with a fresh layout and calming blue palette. It’s the kind of quilt that looks just as good tossed over a sofa as it does folded at the foot of a bed—and even better when you know it’s made from fabrics you already love.
This project is all about:
• Using your stash (yes, the good blues or any color)
• Enjoying a steady, manageable pace
• Building confidence block by block
• Creating a graphic set vintage quilt.
No rushing. No pressure. Just good, honest quiltmaking.
The True Blue Quilt-Along runs January 15 – March 11, and you’re invited to stitch right alongside the editors and fellow readers of American Patchwork & Quilting and little o’me.
Here’s how it works:
• Weekly steps released over 8 weeks
• Clear instructions broken into bite-size units
• No set in Seams
If you’ve ever wanted to sew “together” with a magazine team and quilters from all over the world—this is your moment. It is the beginning of the year, so lot’s of good QAL’s are starting and hope you join in on this one.
True Blue feels like a bridge between generations of quilters. The blocks nod to tradition, the layout adds a graphic layout, and the process invites you to enjoy each step. It’s not about perfection—it’s about progress, creativity, and community.
Whether you’re sewing from a neatly organized stash or digging through bins of “someday” blues, this QAL is start off the year using up some stash..
So sharpen those rotary blades, warm up your sewing machine, and join us. I can’t wait to see your version of True Blue in any color!
Ask for this magazine at your local quilt shop and if they don’t have the magazine can be bought on line here.
