Hello Fig Tree Friends!
Hope everyone is enjoying the first few days of December! As all four thoughts start to turn to the holidays and the winter season, we thought it would be fun to work on something winter focused for a few hours each week,
So today is officially the beginning of our WINTER SOLSTICE Sew Along that my friend Susan from The Felted Pear and I dreamt up a few months ago. Honestly, it has been so much fun for me to work on a project that is mostly someone else’s beautiful idea and I am the one doing little tweaks and suggestions.
It’s a total role reversal for sure and it has been a breath of creative fresh air for me. Thank you Susan for your generous spirit in offering us this Sew Along journey and for your creativity! Love you!
Susan is a big part of our Facebook Group, Fig Tree Quilts Friends, if you would like to join us there to see how others are doing the Sew Along, for inspiration and to be encouraged to keep up each week.
Here is a little bit from Susan…
“I may have been born in Upstate New York, but really, I was raised on the beach where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Chesapeake Bay in Virginia. It was hot and sunny in the summer, and cold enough to enjoy a sweater in the winter – but I think we only had one or two snow storms with enough snow to cancel school.
Imagine my surprise as a young newlywed moving to the suburbs of Detroit, Michigan, in January of all times, to a foot of snow and ice! We loved our time in Michigan, and gradually I got to enjoy things like winter hats, snow boots and hot chocolate!
However, the sun, surf, and the call of the West lead us to our current home in Southern California. We’ve been settled here CA for over a decade, and love the palm trees, 78 F weather in December and rocky coastline.
Every once in a while, I get a tinge of nostalgia and yearn for the true season of winter. I miss getting bundled up in wool sweaters, strapping on snowshoes for winter walks on the trails, and the glistening of the snow in the trees.
I designed Winter Solstice, on just one of those evenings. The house was quiet, and I was sipping a mug of hot tea. We had an unusual drop in temperatures and I was bundled up on the couch with sweatshirts and quilts and was reminiscing about days gone past. Simpler times, and the joy and peace that my husband and I had those first early years of our marriage.
I hope, in this crazy season of life, with the hustle, bustle of the holidays along with the added stresses of 2020, you are able to take some time to enjoy some peaceful moments and remember some fond Winter memories of your own. I can’t wait to sew along with each and every one of you.“
If you want to work alongside us for the next 5 weeks, gather up your materials and get ready. You can go with our blue and cream theme or choose another background. Perhaps a soft red or a hunter green would be so lovely!
The final quilt will measure 73 ½” x 73 ½” and you will see it evolve each week as we add a few simple blocks for you to sew.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE WEEK WILL BE POSTED HERE ON THE BLOG EVERY FRIDAY. So come and check back with us next Friday!
Announcement: Fabric Requirements
Week 1: Blocks 1 & 2
Week 2: Blocks 3 & 4
Weeks 3: Blocks 5 & 6
Week 4: Blocks 7 & 8
Week 5: Assembly
Welcome back to Week 5 of the Winter Solstice Sew Along! While I was designing…
January 9, 2021Welcome back to the Winter Solstice Sew Along! This week we are sewing our final…
January 1, 2021
Susan Dowhaniak | 4th Dec 20
Tried to get started with the winter solstice quilt sew along. Went to Facebook and got accepted into the group and from there, disaster. I was asked to join again. Never did find anything about directions for quilt. I saw the blog here and wandered if this was an informative week or are we supposed to make blocks this week. I have the kit and am ready to go. I joined under my husband’s name, Sal Dowhaniak, because I don’t have a Facebook account.
joanna@figtreequilts.com | 5th Dec 20
This week is just a “gathering your materials” kind of week. First set of instructions will be next Friday.
Becky | 5th Dec 20
Will the pattern be posted on this blog also?
joanna@figtreequilts.com | 5th Dec 20
Yes, each Friday.
Raquel | 5th Dec 20
How do I get access to the Winter Solstice sew along and pattern?
joanna@figtreequilts.com | 5th Dec 20
They will be here each Friday. This week just materials and info. Next Friday will be the first set of blocks. Thanks!
Sarah Gafnea | 5th Dec 20
Would assorted/scrappy blues work ?
joanna@figtreequilts.com | 8th Dec 20
I dont think that they would unfortunately. You really want one fabric for the whole background due to the design in my opinion.
Pamela Larson | 8th Dec 20
When will the first block instructions be posted?
joanna@figtreequilts.com | 8th Dec 20
Each Friday. So come back and check in with us on Friday. Thanks!
Joan | 11th Dec 20
Where could I find fabrics you pictured?
joanna@figtreequilts.com | 11th Dec 20
We have the starter kit with all the creams you would need but are out of the background so you would have to find your own. The Starter Kit is in our shop on the featured page. Thanks!
Denise Tanner Clason | 11th Dec 20
Very exciting to be sewing your Winter Solstice Sew Along! It will be a lot of fun. I am anxious to use the same colors you are using. I do need to use blue more often! Thanks Joanna! 🙂
Lorna Kerby | 11th Dec 20
I tried to find the starter kit and can’t find it anywhere. Can you point me in the right direction please?
joanna@figtreequilts.com | 11th Dec 20
We made more and put them back up. Please refresh your screen and you should see them in our shop. Thanks!
Connie Olson | 17th Dec 20
Can you tell me where I can get the blue? Is it Moda?
joanna@figtreequilts.com | 20th Dec 20
We have all the Winter Solstice info back on the intro post.