May-June Story Quilt Top Quilt-Along!

Join me for a Quilt-Along! (QAL)

This is a self-paced QAL, and it began on Wednesday, May 24th with a Crafting Together LIVE event hosted by Creativebug. (watch the RECORDING here) In celebration of the QAL, my Story Quilt Top class, #DailyPracticeQAL, will be 100% free on Creativebug now through the end of June, 2023.

Please access the class FREE any time via This Link, as it benefits me directly ♥️

*If you’re joining us after June 2023, please use this link. It will still benefit me, and will give you a free trial of the class.

WATCH my conversation with Faith Hale for Creativebug HERE on YouTube.

In this 65-minute ‘live’ event we kicked off step one in the pattern, and I shared about my connection with artmaking and mental health in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month. ♥️ ♥️ ♥️ My Quilting as Therapy lecture is currently on sale for 50% in honor of this too.

More Details About Participating:

1. It needn’t be complicated, you’re welcome to just make the quilt top! Did you start last summer? Now’s a great time to continue where you left off with the quilt top, and/or the quilting phase.

2. Share that you’re making the quilt top on Instagram with #DailyPracticeQAL. There are already over 775 posts now, so let’s try to crack 1,000 in June! Looking at past posts will inspire you, and checking in with the # is a great way to like and comment on the posts of other people making the quilt.

   • When posting, use #DailyPracticeQAL and tag @heidi.parkes in the text and/or in the photo.

   • Commenting on posts is one of THE MOST FUN aspects of a QAL. If a post from 2022 has inspired you, add a comment, share the post in your stories, or DM the maker to let them know that you love it. Being friendly on insta is a great way to boost engagement on your own posts too. 💞 (More on that in my May 21st Class about Instagram)

3. There are many ways to share about your quilt:

   • Make a reel! This could show your process sewing, which people love. #ASMR if you keep the real sewing sounds. A reel can easily highlight one or more of the ‘days’ in your Daily Practice.

   • Use a carousel post. Swiping through can reveal the finished stitching, a process photo, a zoom in/out, and some of your inspiration.

   • Post your process, not just product! Did you learn a favorite new Hand Yoga move in class? Share it! Do you like to sew marathon-style like I do? Share that you did 8 prompts on a Friday night!

4. Pace yourself:

   • A self-paced QAL means that you can sew at any speed.

   • You can post on Instagram, on the Creativebug platform, or any network of your choice! (Hello, Quilty Nook & Lib’s Sew Squad!)

   • On Instagram, you can ‘go live,’ make time-lapse videos of yourself working, pair up with an accountability buddy, and/or set a goal to comment on at least 10 QAL posts per day. Be friendly!! It’s one of the greatest joys of a QAL. ♥️

5. Consider making a Pinterest Board for your quilt! This is my Pinterest. Use #DailyPracticeQAL and write out ‘Heidi Parkes,’ on that platform. (I’ve even made a Story Quilt Top Board and hope to add more quilts here soon! It’s very special seeing so many of the ‘finishes’ together!!)

TOP REASONS TO LOVE THIS PATTERN:

1. It’s VERY beginner friendly

2. It has many unique handwork techniques to inspire experienced quilters

3. It’s playful!

4. Each step can be accomplished in about 15 minutes

5. It focuses on applique and embroidery, with no sewing machine required

PARTICIPATED IN THIS QAL BEFORE? MAKE IT FRESH:

1. Repeat your favorite prompt

2. Follow the pattern, but on a dress, curtains, pillowcase, shirt, etc!

3. Use a new color palette:

   • Monochromatic

   • Primary

   • Neutrals

   • Black and white

   • Natural dye

4. Challenge yourself to set a timer and stick to 15 min per day! Or, an hour per day?!

5. Incorporate your sewing machine, or raw edge applique!

6. What if you followed all the prompts, but made the quilt vignettes stye?

7. Dedicate your quilt to a person or theme:

   • A loved one

   • A favorite hobby or sport

   • Food

   • A place

   • Your biography

   • A movie, book, or work of art

   • An inspiring person/artist

I’m so excited to see what you come up with! Please seal your commitment to participate by commenting on THIS blog post! Include where you’ll be sharing (Instagram, Creativebug, Nook, Brave Patch, Sew Squad, etc), your insta handle if sharing there, your PINTEREST if sharing there, and adjustments or pacing goals if you feel like you’ve got an inkling about them already! 💞