Ok guys, I’m super excited to bring you another fun quilt along! With my new quilting schedule, I’ve decided I can still fit in a couple of quilt alongs twice a year – one in the fall and another in the spring. As with all of my Quilt Alongs, I will post tutorials for each step of the quilt-making process from start to finish. Abacus features simple machine applique and fun machine quilting that anyone can do!
Abacus, designed in EQ7 by Christa Watson – 32″ x 32″
Below I have listed the supply list, and I’ll post the full quilt along schedule next week.
I’ve also lined up a few sponsors who are going to give away some fabulous prizes. But don’t worry – you don’t have to quilt along to enter the giveaways – they will be open to all followers of my blog. 🙂 Check back tomorrow for the first one!
I will officially launch the quilt along on Wednesday, September 24th, so that should give you plenty of time to start planning your colors and fabrics. If you’d like to help spread the word, please grab the quilt along button below and share it on your blog!
<div align="center"><a href="http://christasquiltalong.com" title="Christa's Quilt Along" target="_blank"><img src="https://christaquilts.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/christas-quilt-along-175-2.png" alt="Christa's Quilt Along" style="border:none;" /></a></div>
Abacus Supply List
- 1 – 5″ x 40″ strip of 4 different fabrics (solids 1-4 above, blue through teal)
- 1 – 5″ x 20″ strip of 4 different fabrics (solids 5-8 above, burgundy to pink)
- 1 3/8 yard background fabric (grey above)
- 3/8 yard fabric for binding (I will probably use the same grey)
- 1 1/8 yard of fabric for backing
- 36″ x 36″ square of batting
- Thread for machine quilting (I recommend Aurifil 50 weight cotton)
- 2 yards of 17″ wide light paper backed fusible web. Note: you can use (9) – 9″ x 11″ sheets instead, but there will be a lot of waste.
- Sharp Scissors for cutting through paper and fabric
- Optional: 4″ circle die cutter (only if you have one – otherwise you will trace and cut out the circles by hand)
Fabrics and Threads Used
Because I know some of you are going to ask, these are the Kona Solids fabrics and Aurifil 50 weight cotton threads I will be working with (going left to right from blue to pink):
- Kona Solid 1243 Navy; Aurifil #2785
- Kona Solid 1376 Turquoise; Aurifil #2810
- Kona Solid 1010 Baby Blue; Aurifil #5007
- Kona Solid 1183 Jade Green, Aurifil #4093
- Kona Solid 1016 Berry, Aurifil #4030
- Kona Solid 1066 Cerise, Aurifil #2535
- Kona Solid 24 Petunia, Aurifil #2560
- Kona solid 1295 Pomegranate #Aurifil #1100
- And the grey background is Kona Solid 1223 Medium grey, with Aurifil #2610
Who’s ready to have some fun?
Christa Quilts 
Thanks for a fun quilt. I’ve just gotten back into quilting after taking a break for summer and am excited to start something new.
Hey there Christa this looks like allot of fun. I am going to use a Kona green but I do not know the name of the color…will be starting on the 25th cause I have Quilts of Valor today….but I will be looking in. Thanks for all your time and these wonderful projects.
My favorite so far is Colorful Chevrons, but this lots like fun as well.
Off to see what my local shop has from the Kona cotton range – love your colours, but think I’ll pick some downunder spring colours for this one.
I don’t have a website or blog; but would like to quilt a long with you this time. I’ve been reading your blog for quite awhile but have never joined in. I’ll start picking my fabric! Thanks for doing this.
I’m ready for some fun, so I’ll join in. Something new. I’ll start looking through my
stash. I have done several other quilt alongs you have had and they were fun.
This is such a fun quilt. Too bad I just don’t have the time right now. Still sewing for our sons wedding. It will continue until May of next year. I have the civil war quilt, a baby blanket (just because I will be a great aunt in November), 5 civil war dresses and help where ever else they need it.
I’m joining in! Very excited for this! Great design Christa!
Me! (in response to “Who’s ready to have some fun?”). I’m looking forward to it!
Very fun design, Christa!
So excited to QAL! Love this design! Thank you! Can’t wait to start!
Oh how I wish I could join in! I can’t believe how full my sewing plate is this fall already! At least I’ll be able to watch-along!
Yep – you can do the “Virtual” quilt along!
I am in. Looks like a fun quilt. I am away for Nov., will catch up.
I really love your quilt pattern!
Very excited!!! Beautiful quilt, you don’t have to twist my arm, I am in!!!
I am a decidedly non-QAL kinda chick. But goodness gracious I’m so tempted by this one! I love circles and I reckon I could hack into some stash for this. Thanks for running this – looks like fun!
Looking forward to it. Can we use patterned fabrics as well, do you think that will look ok. Cheers.
Sure! I think that would look fabulous!
YEAH!!! I LOVE YOUR QAL!!!! Can’t wait!!