Introducing ~ A Prairie Gathering!

A Prairie Gathering Quilt of the Quarter program
by Pam Buda of Heartspun Quilts for
Marcus Fabrics
88 x 100"

I'd like to introduce you to a very special project called A Prairie Gathering!  This quilt, and the fabric collection by the same name, is what I've been working on for just about a year now.  The folks at Marcus Fabrics asked me to do a Block of the Month for them, and to tell ya the truth, I was very, very flattered, and more than a bit intimidated.  With lots of encouragement from everyone there, and lots of help from my fellow designers, too, I let my creativity guide me and designed what is really a NON-BOM program.  Leave it to me to be a pioneer (prairie?) woman and forge a different path.  

As you can see, A Prairie Gathering is a two color, Medallion style quilt.  There are blocks in the quilt, of course, but it really isn't a traditional block-of-the-month.  During the year long program, you will be making parts of the quilt from the center out.  By the third month, the entire center medallion is complete.  In a few more months, the Flying Geese border, and Checkerboard border are complete, with each subsequent border being completed as you go through the months.

The moment I returned from Spring Quilt Market, my friend Deb & I began making the quilt (which is still why I haven't posted photos from market!)  It was so fun to see the quilt come together, and I had a great sense of accomplishment when each new border was complete and sewn to the quilt.  The other great thing about this quilt that you won't have a big finishing project to do at the end.  It's already done!  

I took photos the whole time we were making the quilt.  I plan on blogging all about how the quilt is made when the program begins in January, so you can follow along with my blog posts while you're making the quilt at home!  Won't that be so cool?!  I thought that was using the power of the internet in a fun way.  

All of the blocks and units in the quilt use modern rotary and piecing techniques....nothing you haven't done before.  No teeny, tiny pieces either.  Of course I'll give you lots of good instructions and graphics in each pattern.  No worries!!  The whole program is paced for you to work on various parts of the quilt each month in an organized and comprehensive way.  Patterns come quarterly with monthly "chapters".....hence the title "Quilt of the Quarter" in place of Block-of-the-month.

The medallion style quilt is one of my favorites....old, traditional and classic.  Among the earliest quilt styles, after the Mosaic, and before the block style we know and love, Medallions lent themselves well to the many causes of the nineteenth century.  You know how I love to read and research about life in early America, c.1840.  I have done so for A Prairie Gathering as well.  

In each quarter pattern, I've included short, historical stories about The Sanitary Commission, The Soldier's Aid Society,  The Temperance movement, and signature block quilts, all of which used quilts as fundraisers for causes.  As you piece your quilt, you'll "Journey the threads of time" TM  creating a family heirloom just as your quilting ancestors did!  

About the fabrics......oh!  The fabrics!!  

If you're a regular reader of my blog, you know red is my favorite color!!  The reds in the EQ photo of the entire quilt pictured above are much lighter and brighter than the real fabrics are.  My favorite red is more of a cranberry red, and as Marcus always does, the colors and prints are divine!!!  A lot of work and effort went into producing just the perfect shades of reds, and the prints are adorable...if I do say so (humbly!) myself.  

A Prairie Gathering is making its debut July 1st on the Marcus Fabrics website.  You'll be able to see all of the fabrics in the collection then.  Shop owners will be able to see the fabrics, and get all of the program details beginning July 1st, both on the Marcus website, and from their sales reps.  

What that means for you is A Prairie Gathering will begin showing up in your local quilt shop as early as November for sign-ups, with the program likely starting in January, 2015.  

I sincerely hope you like what you see!!  Would love to read your comments and opinions.....no matter what they are!!  I'm leaving in the morning headed to up-state New York to teach at Patchwork Garden Quilt Shop.  Leave me a comment and I'll have a give-away for one lucky winner!