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Tuesday, June 24, 2014

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!  




81 comments:

  1. Oh Pam I love your red quilt! Red is my favorite color as well. I have been working on a red and cream quilt all last winter. I can't get enough! I am so looking forward to working on this one next winter. Whatever Mother Nature has to throw at us I will be ready to tough it out! Grandma Rita

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  2. Hi Pam, It is to die for!! Congratulations on your non BOM!!

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  3. What an absolutely beautiful quilt! :) I can't wait to get started!

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  4. The quilt is gorgeous and I love the fabrics.

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  5. RED will brighten up our winter. Just about as excited as you are. I hope my favorite Indianapolis quilt shop will carry this . Thank you so much !!!

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  6. A Prairie Gathering is such lovely fabric. I'm looking forward to the non BOM.

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  7. Two of my favorites - red and medallion quilts. Jo Anne

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  8. I'm liking the quarterly patterns, this way you can work at your own pace. Love the fabrics!

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  9. It's a beautiful quilt, Pam! You did good.

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  10. Lovely fabrics and a lovely quilt design. Looks somewhat difficult but I am positive that your directions will be spot on.

    Charlotte

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  11. I love the tiny prints! What a fun project. Looking forward to handling that fabric and getting started!

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  12. Looks like some beautiful fabric made into a pretty quilt.

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  13. I just LoVe those fabrics! Reds and creams with reds! My favourites! I sure my quilt shop will be doing this BOM!
    Marg

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  14. Red is MY favorite color also and red two color quilts are the best!!! Love your cream shirting prints, too. This will be a great quilt.

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  15. Red is my favorite color, too, so this is a quilt I think I'm gonna have to make! Love traditional, love medallions, love stories from the past that involve quilts and quilters, so this is calling me in all ways and directions. :) Can't wait to buy some of the fabric! How am I going to wait so long?????

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  16. I love the idea of a quarterly pattern. The reds are so pretty (I'm a red lover too) and the pattern is beautiful. I sure hope my quilt shop carries the fabric. I'll have to ask them.

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  17. I love red, too and your quilt is gorgeous! Can't wait to make this!!

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  18. I just love red, and the idea of making the quilt from the middle out, so when it's done it's done, is just wonderful! Your quilt is stunning, your fabrics are so beautiful, can't wait!

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  19. Beautiful quilt and what fun this will be to do.

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  20. I think you have another winner Pam! Love red and cream combo....

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  21. Oh how gorgeous. 'Love the fabrics and the quilt pattern. 19th century America is also one of my favorite time eras :)

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  22. What a beautiful quilt that you have designed, the medallion center is stunning. Love your fabrics too.

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  23. Love the color red! Love your new fabric line and the quilt turned out gorgeous!!! I really enjoyed all of the cream background fabrics you designed. Awesome job!

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  24. Gorgeous! I love the red! And the pattern is wonderful also! I love that you put the quilt together as you go along--those last steps of putting it all together seem to drag out for me. Great job---worth all those all day sewing sessions!

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  25. Oh that medallian quilt is breathtaking! I love red, it's my favorite color too. I have to have this line and if it's not too expensive, I would like to make this quilt. Love, Love, this one Pam. jlblvn at gmail dot com

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  26. LOVE IT!!!! I'm really liking two color quilts and your design is just beautiful! I also like that the pattern is given in parts/stages so that is not too overwhelming. Good job!

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  27. Working on the Market Day Quilt, I have loved the fabrics and colors, but you outdid yourself with this one. I sure hope my shop carries the fabrics and does the Quilt of the Quarter. Thanks again,

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  28. Love the red! I am totally enjoying your Market Day QAL, so I look forward to this beauty as well.

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  29. Your quilt is gorgeous!! I love medallion quilts and this quilt looks like a bit of a challenge, which I also like. I, too, hope that my LQS will sponsor this quilt of the quarter.
    k(dot)castanette(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  30. Absolutely stunning! Love medallion quilts and the fabrics are over the top gorgeous. If this is a free pattern I will be making it but have to use my stash as budget is real tight for the next year or so!

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  31. Very excited by your new quilt Pam. I buy your fabrics from 'The Quilted Crow Girls' here in Australia and am really looking forward to seeing your lovely new line of fabric. How wonderful is your 'Quilt of the Quarter' it will be so rewarding to see a quilt 'Grow as you Sew!'

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  32. Love the new fabrics, the Quilt is just stunning. Congratulations on another wonderful collection

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  33. You have come up with another beautiful quilt design, and a great way to feature those lovely fabrics!

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  34. Being the primitive girl I I'm I can't wait to get this collection to make a red and cream quilt.

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  35. Wonderful Quilt! Love all the reds in your new fabric line, I'm looking forward to seeing it in person.

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  36. I am going to mention this to my local quilt shop!

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  37. I love the fabric and the quilt. Looking forward to seeing the fabric line in my local shop. Angela in California

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  38. What a beautiful quilt.... stunning. I just finished your pattern Abigail's Pins, and I'm super ready to dig into another of your quilts. Can't wait, thanks for continually creating new treasures for us. GREATLY appreciated!!! Cathie

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  39. Wonderful quilt! Love two color quilts, and this one is a beauty!
    Joan

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  40. Oh, I'm really looking forward to this one! I've always wanted to make a red quilt and this is the perfect excuse to do so!

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  41. Looks at all of these comments, Pam! I think this means we love your quilt design and your new fabric line. : )
    Some great reds and creams here! Great job!!

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  42. Gorgeous quilt! Love the medallion and the colors. I have never done a medallion style quilt. Your reds sound wonderful. Love the little prints. Great job! K-

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  43. What a beautiful quilt! And I'm a red lover too! Can't wait!!

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  44. You've done it again! Beautiful quilt and beautiful fabric. I can't wait to touch and see it in person!

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  45. Pam, your quilt is stunning! Congrats on creating such a beautiful design.

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  46. i love red too! and your quilt is wonderful. I love that you made a non BOM. crazy about the medallion style and the overall instructions you have described... there are only so many samplers quilts a person wants to make. thanks for switching it up and designing such a lovely pattern. the fabrics are wonderful. never can find enough reds, the first to get snatched up in every collection at the quilt shop. great job Pam

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  47. Love, love love it! I rarely "must buy" a new fabric collection.....this will be an exception!
    liz

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  48. I can wait until these fabrics show up in the quilt shops. They look so lovely and red is a color I need to add to my stash. The quilt is lovely as well. Well done!

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  49. I've always enjoyed your online quilt-a-longs and tutorials. They're so helpful so I look forward to this as well. It's a gorgeous quilt! I don't have a local shop so I'll have to browse the internet for these fabrics.

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  50. Red is also a favorite color for me and the quilt is simply great. So, so pretty!!

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  51. It is a beautiful quilt. I really like that the quilt is put together as we go along. And of course I also like red. Can't say enough good things about it.

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  52. I LOVE Red too!!!! I hope I can find a shop that will be carrying this program so I can participate!

    Peggy in NJ

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  53. Out of the ballpark Pam, love love love it. I can't stand waiting that long for this one, but I will. Thanks for all your talent and your sharing heart.

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  54. The reds and black are striking. Medallion quilts are really coming back. The adding of borders used to be used as "round robin quilts" where a bee might start a quilt and then pass it around to the other members to add a border. This one looks like fun and I would assume the fabrics will be great.

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  55. Gorgeous!!! Congratulation on a fantastic job.

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  56. Love the quilt. Am enjoying the quilt a long. And yes, I love red! Laura Valdez

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  57. Red (as with so many others) is my favorite color and the combinations you have are stunning. I cannot wait for this Quilt of the Quarter to start.

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  58. JANUARY???? you mean I have to wait for January to start playing??? Waaahhh. I want the new toy NOW! But, maybe by then I will have cleared some of the current stuff out of the way and be ready for a new challenge. Lovely quilt, although I many not use red as the main color. Will have to take a good look at the other fabrics and see what strikes my fancy>

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  59. I have always liked the medallion style quilts. I'm having so much fun with your sew-along. I'm so glad my friend pointed me to your blog.

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  60. It may be a non traditional concept, but I'm lovin' the center out approach to the Quilt of the Quarter! Not to mention it is fabulously gorgeous... can't wait to see those red fabrics in person!

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  61. That is an awesome quilt. You should be very proud of the quilt you designed. Thanks for the opportunity.

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  62. WOW! The reds and shirting whites are at the top of my favorite color combinations! Your quilt is certainly eye catching! VERY nice Pam!

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  63. I like the idea of a quarterly concept, great idea for a wonderful quilt. I love the fabrics too. You've done an amazing job!

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  64. This is wonderful! I usually make small quilts, but I might have to come out of my box and make a big one! Love it!

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  65. That is stunning, love all of your creations Pam.

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  66. I love it! Red is my favorite color also, beautiful! Thanks, Pam, you've done it again.

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  67. I love the quilt and the red fabric. I was at Patchwork Garden Thursday and Friday and enjoyed talking to you. Your trunk show was great!

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  68. What a great quilt! Red is my favorite color too, and I love medallion style quilts - so this is just perfect! Congrats to you!

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  69. Hi There, Congrats on the new quilt !! It is georgouse. I already saw it at the fat quarter shop but had a very quick question for you. They are recomending for intermediate to advanced quilters. I could be considered intermediate but would definatly not be considered an advanced quilter. Do you think that I would be getting in way over my head on it ?????

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  70. I'm late to the parade of comments, but just have to say... I can't wait!!!!

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  71. My local quilt shop is offering this quilt as a BOM. The start date can't come soon enough! Karen

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  72. Pam that is all so exciting! Congratulations to you! Your Prairie Gathering fabrics are exactly what I have been waiting for! Red & Cream is my favorite combination!

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  74. Beautiful Quilt in Wonderful Rich Colors!

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  75. Pam, I've been searching for just the right quilt to make my Sister for being such a kind, caring and dedicated caregiver to our aging Mother. This is it - it's absolutely perfect! And red is her favorite color too!! I'm so anxious to begin. Gorgeous. Roxie (buffalorox@yahoo.com)

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  76. This is gorgeous. I have been eyeing this quilt off for ages now but the sting of shipping the kit from America each month is putting me off.

    Wish there were some Aussie stockists! I love love LOVE the colours. It also looks perfect for hanfpiecing- my favourite.

    Rhi

    http://gwniogirl.wordpress.com

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  77. I am doing the BOM. I finished my first month and its beautiful. I love all the fabric and the colors are wonderful.
    Stephanie

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  78. Hi Pam, I am making your beautiful quilt, got my first installment last week, and read the pattern yesterday. My question is, can I make the 2-patch, 9-patch, and the checkerboard border from strip sets instead of individual squares???? I have seen your sample quilt at Patchwork Garden and it is beautiful. I love the pattern and the fabric, thank you for sharing your talent with all of us. If mine turns out half ans nice as your's I will be happy!!! Thanks again, Linda

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    Replies
    1. Pam please reply at lynber@roadrunner.com to the above email, Thank you, Linda

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