The Mixed Lollies Quilt Sew Along

Welcome and thank you for joining the Mixed Lollies Sew Along.

Time to have some fun!

To give you more time to pick your fabrics this welcome email is arriving two weeks before the sew along starts. This should give you time to raid your stash or go shopping and hopefully all the quilt inspiration included will help make it easier for you.

Your first step is to decide what size version you are making. The Mixed Lollies Quilt comes in 3 sizes, Small Throw, Large Throw and King Size.

CHOOSING YOUR FABRICS:
This quilt is pefect for stash raiding or using up some of those pre-cuts. The two background fabrics are larger cuts but again could be made using a mix of similar coloured fabrics. In my sew along quilt I am planning on using text print and because I don't have enough of one I'll be using a couple.

The fabric pull for the original quilt included lots of Ruby Star Society from many different ranges, including some very old ones.There is also some Tula Pink, an Art Gallery Fabric and the kangaroo print is from my first fabric range, Terra Australis.
(On a side note, if you are after any of my fabric ranges, Patchwork with Gail B still has many of the prints available from all my ranges)
A mixture of black and white prints were used for the centre blocks as I didn't have enough of just one in my stash.

The background fabrics are a ¼" check called Devonstone Fundamental Check - Silver Gum and the white is a Kona Solid.

The next version I wanted to make was always going to feature 1930's reproduction prints. I have having a new love affair with these fabrics and have purchased a large collection. There will definitely be more in my future.
The plan was to make the background pinwheels a feature so I choose a strong red spot. The contrast is a simpler red spot on white.
The centres of each of the nine patches are different red and white prints. It still keeps the scrappy feel but also means the centres don't touch the background reds, which is important if you don't want to loose the design.

I adore this version and now want to play with lots of different colour combinations for the background pinwheels.

This also serves as a little warning to you all. When I was piecing the quilt top for the 1930's version together I flipped one of the blocks. I will admit I was rushing, so I think if you keep yourself organised you will be fine.

A recent purchase of mine was a delicious pack of Liberty fabrics from The Strawberry Thief
They don't have the same bundle available but they do have some very similar ones. The backgrounds are two woven fabrics and I just love the way they set off the Liberty Fabrics. The black centre fabric is from my stash. I'm always partial to scissors and will purchase them when I see them but unfortunately I don't have any more information on that one to share with you.

The stripes will be a bit of an issue with direction, so if this is something that might trigger you, I would advise to stay away from them.
My plan is to create a repeating design throughout the quilt so it dosen't look unbalanced.

DIGITAL MOCKUP INSPIRATION
Creating these mock-ups is my favourite! They are a inspiration guide to using different colours and fabric combinations. The pattern includes a colouring sheet so there is also an option for your to play around with the design too.
First up is Libs Elliott's Birdie fabric collection. This range might not be available in Australia just yet but I think you can get it in the US. How good is the vintagey vibe!

This much softer version has been created using Cocoa Blue by Laundry Basket Quilts.

Wendy from The Next Stitch here in Australia has been busy creating lots of kit options for you all. The one below uses some gorgeous Liberty Quilting weight fabrics paired with a fun pink gingham.

Next up are a few Ruby Star Society fabric mock-ups.
This is Story Book by Kimbery Kight.

Dog Park by Sara Watts.

The next 3 mock-ups are done using Meadow Star by Alexia Marcelle Abegg. The 3 versions are nearly identical, they just have the background fabric changed to a different colour.
The black and white check is a basic ¼" size which I am sure a number of companies make a version of.

Next up is Pivot by Rashida Coleman-Hale and again I did two versions with different fabrics in the background. The more mock-ups I have created the more I like the stonger background colours.

Once again I ask the question, how many is too many?
For all you Tilda fans I also have you covered. This mock-up has a selection of prints from the Creating Memories range with a couple of basics used in the background.

This wouldn't be an Emma sew along without a rainbow mock-up.
This would be a great version to make using the stash with an awesome black and white check in the background.
For some reason it really tickled my fancy to have a spot fussy cut in the centres of the nine patches. Not sure if a fabric like this exists but I might just have to check it out.

Finally I am sharing my fabric pull for the sew along. This is all from my stash and it is going to be a new quilt for my Nephew, Angus. He still has the baby quilt I made him on the end of his bed and for his 14th Birthday I thought it would be lovely to make him a much bigger one.
The plan is to use the text prints as one of the background fabrics and also a plain white. The light grey fabrics will be used as the nine patch centres.

The next newsletter will be arriving in your inboxes on the 1st of August. This will be all about planning and cutting, and will signal the offical start of the sew along.
Thanks so much for joining me on this awesome patchwork adventure. I can't wait to share lots of tips and sewing hacks with you all. Let's have some fun!
Emma x