9 Tips for Staying Organized During Sampler Quilt Alongs
The Summer Sampler 2021 starts tomorrow (June 7). This is our sixth Summer Sampler Quilt Along, and Faith, Lee and I have also hosted the original free Summer Sampler Series quilt along (2011), Paper Chain Quilt Along (2020), and the updated, free Summer Sampler Turns 10 Quilt Along. This is my fabric stack for 2021—I stayed pretty true to this year’s Sampler colors—these are Cotton Couture solids.
Rainbow mockup of the Summer Sampler 2021 by Faith Jones freshlemonsquilts.com
I’ve learned a lot about staying organized during a sampler-based quilt along, and I wanted to share five sampler "management" tips with you--it is so much easier to start the summer quilt along out organized.
Tip #1: Store all of your sampler fabric together in a bin or basket that is easy to access. I really like the Y-Weave baskets from Target--they are inexpensive, cute enough to leave out on a cutting table or desk, and come in a number of different sizes, widths, and heights--depending on how much fabric you have for the quilt, you can choose the size that works.
Tip #2: Cut from scraps first. Not every fabric cut requires that you cut across the entire width of fabric. For example, in Week 1, there are a few 1-1/2'' squares. Instead of cutting 1-1/2'' x width of fabric (wof), I just cut one or two squares, depending on what I needed. If it's a 5'' or 3'' cut (one I'm pretty sure I will use again), then I often will cut a wof strip and just set aside the scraps for a future block. There are sooo many different cut sizes in a sampler; I save my scraps in the same bin with my yardage, and then make sure to cut from those first each week, if I can.
Tip #3: If you are using solids, label your fabric!
This year, I’m only using a few solids [in 2020 I used a TON of fabrics—this was my swatch card]. There was no way I'm going to be able to remember which solid was Admiral Blue and which was Prussian Blue. This year is a little easier, but I still cut small rectangles of each fabric, labelled them, and made my own little swatches. I keep these taped above my cutting table. Easy, peasy. If you are using your own fabric colors and want to make direct substitutions, I love the way that Debbie Jeske, one of our previous Sampler designers, organizes her swatches.
Tip #4: Make a swatch card!
If you are using your own fabric colors and want to make direct substitutions for colors in our mockup, I love the way that Debbie Jeske, one of our previous Sampler designers, organizes her swatches. [I used a ton of fabrics in my 2020 Summer Sampler, and the swatch card came in so handy].
Tip #5: Keep track of all of your pieces!
It can be tricky to keep track of all of the cut pieces. I usually make a check mark next to the pattern once I've cut the required pieces. I use a mini design board to keep my pieces in one place, to transport them from cutting to sewing, and to lay out my blocks. My mother in law made this Lori Holt design board for me--there is a tutorial here to make your own. You can also purchase them here. Or, follow my tutorial to make a 5 minute version here!
Tip #6: Keep a [pretty] trash bin on your cutting surface.
Does anyone remember Rachel Ray’s cooking show? She always had a trash bowl that made cleanup so much easier. Same idea here. This one is a planter from Target that I got on clearance years ago.
Tip #7: Tip from Krista @Poppyprint
Krista was one of our 2019 block designers. She suggests taking 10 minutes to do a 1/4'' Tune Up Test to make sure your 1/4'' seam allowance is actually that. Some of these blocks have a LOT of pieces, and if you are off even 1/16’’ or 1/8’’, it adds up quickly.
Tip #8: Save your weekly block pattern printouts in a binder or folder.
I use this one. Some years, I have just recycled the patterns, or left them in random places (some in a filing cabinet, some in my sewing room, etc.) Almost every time, I can't find the pattern I'm looking for, either mid-sewing or after the fact. Save them in one place and skip the frustration.
Summer Sampler 2021 Blocks by Faith Jones freshlemonsquilts.com
Tip #9: Have fun
My goal in the sampler is never perfection; my goal is to learn some new skills, and to grow as a quilter. The blocks don't need to be made in a single setting, or finished on Monday, either! The sampler is meant to be fun, not stressful. Additionally, feel free to follow the mockup exactly as it is, or mostly follow it, swapping fabrics as you want, or don't follow it at all! I've done all three methods, and all three result in fantastic quilts.