Welcome to The Potting Table Sew Along! I am thrilled that you’ve chosen to join me for a year of sharing our love of quilting and gardening. This quilt was inspired by my hopes and dreams of creating a greenhouse with a potting table bursting with possibilities.
Gardening holds this sort of chaotic beauty — nothing is tidy, but everything is just perfect. I think all of creation sings this glorious and sometimes wild song, and I just love it. I’ve tried my best to create that feeling here and hope that you’ll enjoy re-creating this design from your own perspective.
Here I’ll give you all the details that you need to know to prepare for this exciting program! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me or send me a message in our BOM Facebook group. I plan to be with you every step of the way, and I look forward to getting to know you better.
Program Overview
Everyone runs their SAL (Sew Alongs) and BOM (Block of the Month) programs a little differently, so here’s how mine will be running this year:
On the 15th of every month you’ll get a lovely little email from me letting you know that it’s time to get started on that month’s block! If you purchased an instant download, you can log in to your Portal, and download the new block (if you chose to add classes to your experience, these will also be available in your portal). If you purchased a hard copy, just flip to this month’s tab and go for it! Either way, you can see a word from me along with a few related tutorials and tricks here on the blog!
When you’ve finished your block each month, you’ll want to share about it! Make sure to post it on Instagram or Facebook using #PottingTableQuilt.
Your BOM Portal
For Instant Download Users and Virtual Classes
Logging In
All of your Block of the Month information, blocks, classes, posts — everything you need will be available in your portal. To log in, simply click on the BOM tab at the top of any page.
Navigating your Portal
Once you’re logged in, you’ll be able to have full access to your user profile, past orders, downloads, and of course your Block of the Month Dashboard! You can get back to your portal at any time by clicking on the BOM tab at the top of any page.
Here’s a little video tour so that you can familiarize yourself with the portal:
Program Add-Ons
In addition to the basic program that you’ve already purchased, you can add-on to create the experience you’re looking for!
Virtual Class
This BOM program is intended to be a skill-building class. We’ll cover a few different skills over the course of the year and repeat each one at least twice to really lock it in.
If you’d consider yourself a beginner or a visual learner, then you should really consider adding on a class option. I’ll be covering each and every step of every pattern every month in video so that you gain a deep and full knowledge of each technique and really grow in your quilting skills.
Classes can be purchased at any time throughout the program, and you’ll have access to all 12 months of classes, regardless of when you choose to purchase. Alternatively, you can purchase just the classes you need, when you need them. Please make sure to be logged into your account when purchasing classes so that they will be instantly available for you!
That was a whole lot of setup, now onto the fun!
Month 1: Gathering
This month will be all about working to gather supplies and fabrics! Regardless of how you purchased your pattern (Instant Download or Physical), you already have all 12 patterns and can work at your own pace, so IF you’ve already got fabrics and supplies, you can get an early start on your first block!
Fabric and Supply Requirements
If you’re choosing your own fabrics, you’ll find the Fabric Requirements below. Please also see the included coloring page for planning out your masterpiece!
Inspiration
This year, we are lucky enough to be the second round of quilters on this journey, so there is lots of inspiration to pull from our previous year’s participants! Here are a few to look at as you’re planning your quilt:
Supplies
There are many techniques throughout this quilt, so the supply list might look a bit different than what you’re used to, Here’s what you’ll need in the order that you’ll need it:
Block 1:
- 1/2″ Bias Tape Maker
- Starch
- Elmers Disappearing Purple Glue Stick OR Heat-n-Bond Tape
- Erasable Fabric Marker
- Tear Away Stabilizer
- Monofilament Thread
- 8/60 Microtex Needle
- Iron
- That Purple Thang
Block 3:
- Wash Away Embroidery Stabilizer
- Embroidery Thread
- Embroidery Hoop
Block 4
- 28mm Rotary Cutter
- Light Box (optional)
- Heat-n-Bond Tape (optional)
- 5″ Quarter Circle Template by Rachel Rossi Design (optional, paper templates are included in your pattern)
Block 5:
- Shorthand Template by Rachel Rossi Design (optional, paper templates are included in your pattern)
Block 7:
- Freezer Paper
- Add-a-quarter Ruler (optional)
- Light Box (optional)
Month 12:
- 3 Black buttons (about 1/4″ across)
Get it Together!
Now, before I set off on a year-long adventure, I’ve got to get organized!
Why is this important? While I include fabric requirements for each month, I do suggest, encourage, and enable the saving of scraps from one month to the next. It saves YARDS and YARDS of fabric that way. So, some sort of separation between months is going to be key for staying organized. This can be as simple as clear Ziploc bags!
There’s nothing quite like a great binder! There are two styles that I think work really well to keep things organized and flowing. The first is a landscape binder – these work well with the horizontal orientation of the pattern pages.
Another great option is an easel binder – these are awesome for keeping your pattern up and out of the way as you work!
Here’s your list:
✓ Bags for each month
✓ Labels for cut fabric
✓ Cute Binder
✓ Page Protectors
Now that we’ve got all our ducks in a row, I’ve got a great design planner for you. Click on the button below for a printable coloring page – perfect for designing your quilt!
Join with the Community!
Once you’ve gathered all of your fabrics and supplies, make sure to share about it! I’d love to see it over on Instagram – just use #PottingTableQuilt and tag me @DesignsbyRR so that I can see it. And don’t forget to keep our Facebook community informed too!
Get a Head Start
Next month we’ll be going through the Getting Started page of our pattern and working on Block 1. If you want to get ahead, start working through the cutting on your Getting Started page. Otherwise, I will see you next month!