Summer Sampler Series Quilt by Katie Blakesley swimbikequilt.com

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Just a reminder that the #summersamplerturns10 quilt along, hosted by myself, Lee Heinrich, and Faith Jones starts tomorrow! The free Quilt Along will run from February 17-May 5, 2021. There are more details at the end of this post—there are twelve block tutorials. If you want a larger block, simply make a few of these blocks twice, like I did, in the photo shown below.

I thought it would be fun to do a quick trip down memory lane—this is my original Summer Sampler Series quilt, from 2011. It is hard to believe that this quilt is 10 years old and it has the stains and repaired binding to prove it! The quilt is a bit wonky, and no less loved because of it (a good reminder for all of us as we make quilts, and live life, in general!)

This original quilt was made with Kona Snow and Katie Jump Rope, a line by Denyse Schmidt that was later partially reprinted. I loved this original fabric so much! The Kona Snow is not quite white, and worked really well.

The first block of the sampler is the Star of Virginia, now one of the most ubiquitous star blocks, but surprisingly, not a lot of tutorials/patterns out there for it in 2011. It is also most likely the simplest of the quilt along, and super versatile.

We want to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Summer Sampler, and we want you to join us in this free quilt along!! #summersamplerturns10

If you are interested in the story behind the Summer Sampler, I tell part of it here.

Faith Jones’ Summer Sampler Series Quilt freshlemonsquilts.com

Which leads us to our big announcement! We want to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Summer Sampler Series, and we would love to have you join us!

Lee, Faith and I are hosting a 10 Year Anniversary Summer Sampler Quilt Along. The quilt along will start next Wednesday, February 17, and continue until May 5. We will post the block tutorials according to the schedule at the end of this post. We hope that you will join us!!

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Quilt Along at a Glance

12 blocks, measuring 12-1/2’’ x 12-1/2’’ [unfinished]
a mix of traditional piecing and paper piecing
perfect for beginners; some of the blocks will have accompanying [new] videos
a block of the week quilt along, running from February 17-May 5
Please share your photos on Instagram using the hashtag: #summersamplerturns10
The quilt along is completely free—you don’t have to sign up to participate. Instead, visit our blogs each week for a free tutorial. If you would prefer to have a pdf download all at once, you can purchase one below.
If you don’t want to have to check our blogs each week for the links, sign up below to get an email each Wednesday during the quilt along with a link to the block tutorial.

Fabric Requirements

I think I am going to use a selection of light, medium, and darker blues for my Summer Sampler. I pulled some fabric last week and this is at least what I’m starting with! All prints, no white. I’m looking forward to it!

You need the equivalent of about 1/4 for each block, about 3 yards of fabric total. If you plan to use the same background color for every block, we recommend about 2 yards of background fabric, plus 8-12 fat eighths in various colors/prints.

This FREE quilt along is a fun, casual quilt along, and there will not be a Facebook group like there is for our annual, paid, Summer Samplers. Instead, please follow along with the #summersamplerturns10 hashtag on Instagram.

If you want a printable version, please purchase a pdf copy of all of the Summer Sampler Series block and finishing patterns.

Summer Sampler Series PDF Pattern