The cat’s finally out of the bag! I’m super excited to announce the Little Forest Block of the Month Quilt Along is coming back in 2024!
This is a modern skill builder intended to help you explore new quilting techniques, and level up your quilting skills all while having fun stitching up some cute tree blocks 😊
No two quilt blocks are the same and each features a new piecing adventure to help keep you fired up to stay the course and complete your Little Forest quilt!
Today’s blog post covers all the top questions about the QAL, along with the fabric you’ll need to join in. Let’s get started!
Oh, and did I mention there’s a 24-hr giveaway?! Details below!
The Little Forest BOM Quilt Pattern is now available!
*This post contains affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, if you click through and make a purchase, I may receive a commission.
How the Little Forest BOM Works
I’m covering all the top questions about how the Little Forest Block of the Month Quilt Along works, who can participate, and how you’ll receive your patterns.
If you have a question that’s not covered, feel free to leave a comment below and I’ll get back to you with an answer!
Who can join the Little Forest BOM?
Anyone can join!
All you need to do is:
and you’ll be all set to join the stitching fun!
When does the Little Forest BOM start?
The first block of the Little Forest Quilt will be released on January 15, 2024. The tree blocks will be released monthly on the 15th of every month.
What are the quilting techniques explored?
Each month you’ll tackle a new quilting technique, or combination of techniques, or apply the technique in a new way to help challenge your quilting mindset and capabilities. It’s by stepping outside your comfort zone that you’ll discover new approaches to consider. Here’s an overview of some of the quilting techniques you’ll explore:
- Needle turn appliqué
- Raw Edge Appliqué
- Foundation paper piecing
- Strip piecing
- Small piecing
- Piecing curves
- Half rectangle triangles (HRT)
- Snowballing a quilt block
- Flying geese block
- Piecing triangles
- Working with paper templates
The quilt patterns walk you through step-by-step with handy visuals so you can see what your block should look like at each step of the quilt block piecing journey.
What is the Little Forest BOM Schedule?
Here’s how the Little Forest BOM schedule plays out:
- December 1, 2023 – Announcing the QAL, gathering fabrics and supplies.
- January 15, 2024 – New block released.
- February 15. 2024 – New block released.
- March 15. 2024 – New block released.
- April 15. 2024 – New block released.
- May 15. 2024 – New block released.
- June 15. 2024 – New block released.
- July 15. 2024 – New block released.
- August 15. 2024 – New block released.
- September 15. 2024 – New block released.
- October 15. 2024 – New block released.
- November 15. 2024 – New block released.
- December 15. 2024 – Last block and quilt pattern released.
When will I receive my Little Forest Quilt patterns?
After placing your order, you will receive an email confirming your purchase and, shortly thereafter, you will receive a second email to download your Welcome Package. Be sure to check your spam or promotions folder as the download email sometimes ends up there. Be sure to add shannon@shannonfraserdesigns.com and delivery@shopify.com to your safe list so that you don’t miss any of the patterns.
Welcome Package
The Welcome Package includes all the preparation details to help you get organized for the quilt along, including:
- Fabric Requirements
- Supplies List
- BOM Schedule
- FAQ
- Colouring Page and Swatch Cards (to plan your own colourway)
- Block Labels (to help keep your fabric organized)
- Design Ideas (to help get you inspired!)
Block Patterns
You will receive an email on the 15th of every month indicating an ‘update’ has been made to your pattern. This will mean a new pattern is ready to download. The format of the download will be a zipped file and every month a new block pattern will be added to this zipped file. This will ensure that if you joined after the quilt along started, you’ll still have easy access to all the patterns in this series! Be sure to download and save your patterns to your computer (not your phone or tablet) to ensure you don’t lose them. Read my best tips on how to save your digital patterns.
There will be 12 individual block patterns, plus a final pattern with instructions on how to pull the quilt top together, including sashing and border details.
Do I have to print every pattern?
Absolutely not! SFD patterns are optimized to be used digitally. You’ll notice that links are active and checkboxes can be ticked on your screen! Propping a tablet in front of you as you sew is a perfect way to see the step-by-step graphics in colour. It also allows you to zoom in and out, which my eyes appreciate! Some blocks do have templates that will need to be printed out. Let’s save the trees by only printing the pages you need. I show you how to print a specific range of pages in this blog post.
Is there a Little Forest BOM Newsletter?
Yes, there is! I’ll be reaching out throughout the QAL, and I’ll be doing that through the Little Forest BOM Newsletter. Sign up here!
How do I ask questions during the quilt along?
The best way to ask questions is to either send me an email to info@shannonfraserdesigns.com, hit reply to one of the Little Forest BOM newsletters, or post it in this Private Facebook Group! We’re here to help one another along on this fun quilting adventure!
How do I share my progress?
You have a few options to share your blocks. You can either post your blocks and progress in this Private Facebook Group or, if you’d like to be entered into the monthly giveaway (more details below), you can post your photos on Instagram with the #LittleForestBOM, #LittleForestQuilt hashtags and tagging me @shannonfraserdesigns.
Monthly Giveaways
Did I mention there will be monthly giveaways to up the quilty fun?!
Each month you’ll have the chance to win a prize by posting your progress shots and finished blocks on Instagram using the #LittleForestBOM hashtag and tagging @shannonfraserdesigns along with the sponsor of the month. The monthly blog posts will include specific details on how to enter each month!
I’m thrilled to share that the 2024 Little Forest BOM is sponsored by:
- Art Gallery Fabrics
- Aurifil Threads
- LDH Scissors
- Material Goods
- Modern American Vintage
- Oliso
- The Fat Quarter Shop
- The Felt Store (USA) and The Felt Store (Canada)
- Sew Curated
- Sew Fine Thread Gloss
- Suzy Quilts
- Quilty Love
24-hr Giveaway
To kick off the quilty fun, our friends at Art Gallery Fabrics are gifting one lucky winner a quilt kit of the same Signature PURE Solids I’ll be stitching with throughout the QAL. We can twin!
Sign up for the Little Forest BOM Newsletter before 3:00 pm Eastern on December 2, 2023, and you’ll be automatically entered into the draw when you sign up. Easy peasy, right?!
The giveaway is open to USA shipping addresses only.
Track your quilty progress with the Little Forest BOM Journal
Remember when I said this is a skill builder?!
To help keep things from feeling too overwhelmed, I’ve balanced out the blocks with some simpler designs. Use the piecing of these blocks as a chance to see how the more difficult blocks have impacted your piecing capabilities. I encourage you to keep a journal of how you’re feeling throughout this block of the month sew-along. Before you start, take note of the skills you want to learn and rate how confident you feel in each. As you work on each monthly block, take a few minutes to jot down your thoughts, feelings, and insights.
Here are some prompts to help get you started:
- What did you enjoy?
- What didn’t you enjoy?
- What surprised you?
- What challenged you?
- What would you do differently next time?
Being aware and mindful of how your quilting practice is evolving will make it even more meaningful. I’ve found that staying present and journaling have been great ways to track my progress, see my evolution, and keep myself motivated.
I’ve created a free Quilt Journal so you can easily try it out for yourself! You’ll get your free copy when you sign up for the Little Forest BOM Newsletter.
By joining the Little Forest BOM Newsletter and Fabric Giveaway, you agree to be added to Art Gallery Fabrics newsletter.
Fabrics you’ll need to make the Little Forest Quilt
Here’s my Little Forest Quilt fabric pull!
Before I dive into the specific fabric requirements, I wanted to share my fabric pull with you!
My plan was to show you how versatile the pattern is, and since I went light and colourful in the original, I figured I’d switch it up and show off the effects of working with a dark background fabric.
Signature Solids
I pulled these Signature PURE Solids from Suzy Quilt’s new collection for Art Gallery Fabrics. I’ve been eyeing these new solids ever since they came out. Plus, I’ve been wanting to work with a navy and peachy coral combo. This one errs more on the side of peachy than corally, but it satisfies that coral need of mine 😉
I also loved including these more earthy tones in the fabric pull. It adds a lovely warmth that keeps the navy from feeling too stark.
Working with a dark background
My only concern about working with this dark navy is Pips – ha! His fur gets everywhere and tends to stick to everything. Ugh. I can see my lint roller and rubber gloves being out on the daily as I work on this one! You can read all my top tips on removing pet hair from your quilts in this blog post!
Ok, back to my fabrics! Here’s how the colours play out and how much you’ll need for each:
- Colour 1 Pearl FQ
- Colour 2 Queen Bee F8
- Colour 3 Spiced FQ
- Colour 4 Cerulean ¾ YD
- Colour 5 Poppy F8
- Colour 6 Ginger FQ
- Colour 7 Honeymoon 1/2 YD
- Colour 8 Thistle FQ
- Colour 9 Glacier ½ yd
- Colour 10 Snapdragon FQ
- Colour 11 Shrimpy ½ yd
- Colour 12 Nova 6 5/8 yd
- Backing 4 3/8 yd
- Binding ½ yd
Some of these colours really only need small pieces, so it’s a good opportunity to dive into your scrap bin (I’m looking at you Colour 5) 😊
To make the same version as me you can find the exact kit featuring the same AGF Signature Pure Solids in this quilt kit from Sew Curated.
A note on the backing fabric.
I’ve been quite generous here as I wanted you to have peace of mind while you were cutting so that you’d have enough background fabric to make the entire quilt. If you end up with extra, I’ll be sharing a fun pillow with you. So, if you do have too much, making a coordinated pillow will do the trick in using it up😉
I also brought in a little extra as I wanted to make sure I’d have enough of the same dye lot, so my blues stay consistent. That’s one of the risks you take purchasing your yardage at different times from different dye batches.
I’ve also included a full supplies list in the Welcome Package (emailed to you after purchase of the Little Forest BOM quilt pattern) so that you can gather your notions and be ready to start cutting when the first Little Forest quilt block is sent on January 15, 2024!
I’m on pins and needles waiting to start stitching with you in the New Year!
Be sure to get your Little Forest BOM Quilt Pattern and sign up for the Little Forest BOM Newsletter so you don’t miss any of the quilt-along details 😊
Happy fabric planning!
xo
Shannon
PS Purchase your Little Forest BOM Pattern before December 31, 2023, and you’ll get a FREE Fraser Fir Pillow Pattern when the block pattern is released in 2024! It even includes instructions for the cute little black pom-pom trim for added detail!
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Hi!
Very cute pattern. I’m not a real modern quilter but this has peaked my interest.
Thank you
I’m so thrilled to hear that, Debbie! The great news is, you can imbue a more traditional vibe to your quilt through the fabrics you decide to feature 😁 it’s a fun one!!
Given that you are based in Canada, why is the fabric giveaway only for the USA! Quite frustrating as a Canadian quilter>
Thank you so much for reaching out, Heather! Unfortunately, shipping costs keep going up, especially for international shipments, and that’s resulting in some shipping restrictions. The good news is, there’s plenty of prizes being offered during the Little Forest BOM that are open to international participants!
It’s going to be such a treat to watch these quilts come together next year!
Oh you’re the sweetest, Yvonne!! I’m excited for that too – best part is seeing everyone bring their Quilty flare 😃
So what is the total cost? The cost to purchase the pattern ($31.99), or is that a monthly cost? Obviously the cost to provide our own fabrics. Thanks if you can clarify that for me.
Hi Pam, the total cost is $31.99 for the Little Forest BOM pattern. Just the one time fee!
Super excited for this sew along! I ordered my fabrics based off this blog. As I double checked with the pattern I discovered that you have color 7 Honeymoon listed at FQ in your block and 1/2 yard on your pattern. Just wondering if I need to order more/substitute out since I ordered a FQ. Thank you!
Thrilled to have you joining the fun, Toni! I just checked if you can make a FQ work and you can! But, you’ll need to cut Piece H of Block 5 on its side to make it work. Send me an email and I can share the fabric cutting layout. Bottom line, no need to purchase more fabric!