First

Would you like a page that tracks all posts relating to the Bottled Rainbows Quilt-Along?  I thought so.  Please bookmark this original post.  You'll find a list of links to all quilt-along posts at the bottom.  I'll be updating this page regularly.  You can also find a link to the quilt-along at my Tutorials page.

Second

If you are joining in, please consider adding the Bottled Rainbows button to your blog.  It's a nice way of sharing a good thing and of giving some link love to Stitched in Color.  You can find that button in an easy-to-grab, copy/paste html box at the quilt-along page.  You'll need to paste the code into the "edit html" portion of your blog post to make the button appear correctly, or add it to your sidebar as an html gadget.

Third

I made a sample!  I've heard from more than one person who was like, "Rachel, I love your rainbow, but what are you talking about?"  Oops.

So, here it is, friends.  I used my scraps in burnt orange, pumpkin and coral to make my first block for Bottled Rainbows.  Now, this is not the "how to" post, so I'm not going to go crazy with details.  But, basically, I start by making a plain block in bone with the solid border.  Next I lay out scraps for color/print balance, cut to size to make them fit together like a mosaic, glue them down with stick glue and then zig-zag stitch around each scrap to permanently attach.

There are many ways you can mix this up - larger scraps, smaller scraps, larger spacing between scraps.  You could opt for all squares or rectangles for a more linear design.  You could attach your scraps with a straight stitch, leaving raw edges exposed to fray.  We'll talk more about options later, but all of those I've mentioned would totally work with this quilt-along.

So, is that as clear as mud?  Do you like it?

Fourth

It seems like a schedule tuneup is in order.  This week I hope you are getting together your solids and taking inventory of your scraps.  Next week we'll start swapping scraps and I'll give you the detailed "how to" post, as well as address some of your questions for finishing.  The following week (2nd week of March) will be our first make-a-block week.  That will give you an extra week to receive solids and scraps.  Sound good?

Lastly

I'd like to apologize that I have not been my most organized version of myself lately.  I feel like I've been juggling too many projects lately, but more in a "learning to balance this" kind of way than in a "something's gotta give" kind of way.  I have less than a week left to finish and mail my magazine quilt and my husband is leaving tomorrow for a week long trip so I'll be flying solo as a mom.  Please cross your fingers for me, K?

Thanks so much for being here!  I just love sewing along with you and your comments are each a blessing.

Sincerely,

Rachel