Affairs of the Heart by Aie Rossman QAL
 

This quilt-a-long will follow the book “Affairs of the Heart” by Aie Rossman. We will start collecting fabrics in December and begin the making the quilt in January of 2015. No patterns will be published or shared during this event. You must purchase your own copy of the book.

Our goal will be one block per week with every fourth week off for catch up. This also gives us a month at the end of the year for catch up or to sandwich and quilt. There are 36 blocks, make as many or as few as you like.

[TABLE="width: 885"]
[TR]
[TD]Jan 4 - 10[/TD]
[TD]Block 1[/TD]
[TD]Mar 29 –Apr 4[/TD]
[TD]Block 10[/TD]
[TD]Jun 21 – 27[/TD]
[TD]Block 19[/TD]
[TD]Sep 13 – 19[/TD]
[TD]Block 28[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Jan 11 - 17[/TD]
[TD]Block 2[/TD]
[TD]Apr 5 – 11[/TD]
[TD]Block 11[/TD]
[TD]Jun 28 – Jul 4[/TD]
[TD]Block 20[/TD]
[TD]Sep 20 – 26[/TD]
[TD]Block 29[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Jan 18 - 24[/TD]
[TD]Block 3[/TD]
[TD]Apr 12 - 18[/TD]
[TD]Block 12[/TD]
[TD]Jul 5 – 11[/TD]
[TD]Block 21[/TD]
[TD]Sep 27 – Oct 3[/TD]
[TD]Block 30[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Jan 25 - 31[/TD]
[TD]Catch Up[/TD]
[TD]Apr 19 - 25[/TD]
[TD]Catch Up[/TD]
[TD]Jul 12 – 18[/TD]
[TD]Catch Up[/TD]
[TD]Oct 4 – 10[/TD]
[TD]Catch Up[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Feb 1 - 7[/TD]
[TD]Block 4[/TD]
[TD]Apr 26 – May 2[/TD]
[TD]Block 13[/TD]
[TD]Jul 19 – 25[/TD]
[TD]Block 22[/TD]
[TD]Oct 11 – 17[/TD]
[TD]Block 31[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Feb 8 – 14[/TD]
[TD]Block 5[/TD]
[TD]May 3 – 9[/TD]
[TD]Block 14[/TD]
[TD]Jul 26 – Aug 1[/TD]
[TD]Block 23[/TD]
[TD]Oct 18 – 24[/TD]
[TD]Block 32[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Feb 15 - 21[/TD]
[TD]Block 6[/TD]
[TD]May 10 – 16[/TD]
[TD]Block 15[/TD]
[TD]Aug 2 – 8[/TD]
[TD]Block 24[/TD]
[TD]Oct 25 – 31[/TD]
[TD]Block 33[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Feb 22-28[/TD]
[TD]Catch Up[/TD]
[TD]May 17 – 23[/TD]
[TD]Catch Up[/TD]
[TD]Aug 9 – 15[/TD]
[TD]Catch Up[/TD]
[TD]Nov 1 – 7[/TD]
[TD]Catch Up[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Mar 1 - 7[/TD]
[TD]Block 7[/TD]
[TD]May 24 – 30[/TD]
[TD]Block 16[/TD]
[TD]Aug 16 - 22[/TD]
[TD]Block 25[/TD]
[TD]Nov 8 – 14[/TD]
[TD]Block 34[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Mar 8 - 4[/TD]
[TD]Block 8[/TD]
[TD]May 31 – Jun 6[/TD]
[TD]Block 17[/TD]
[TD]Aug 23 – 29[/TD]
[TD]Block 26[/TD]
[TD]Nov 15 – 21[/TD]
[TD]Block 35[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Mar 15 - 21[/TD]
[TD]Block 9[/TD]
[TD]Jun 7 – 13[/TD]
[TD]Block 18[/TD]
[TD]Aug 30 – Sep 5[/TD]
[TD]Block 27[/TD]
[TD]Nov 22 – 28[/TD]
[TD]Block 36[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Mar 22-28[/TD]
[TD]Catch Up[/TD]
[TD]Jun 14 - 20[/TD]
[TD]Catch Up[/TD]
[TD]Sep 6 - 12[/TD]
[TD]Catch Up[/TD]
[TD]Nov 29 – Dec 31[/TD]
[TD]Catch Up[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

Please DO post pictures of blocks in progress or finished blocks, ask questions, give advice, and generally commiserate with your fellow quilters while we attempt to achieve this rather lofty goal. Be supportive and encouraging, and most importantly HAVE FUN!

Please DO NOT share the pattern (we MUST respect the copyright of the author), be critical or discouraging.

Thanks for setting this up. I'm looking forward to doing this.

Me too! I'm so excited that I've gotten such a positive response from everyone here. I've already got my fabrics. [ATTACH=CONFIG]499905[/ATTACH]

This is going to be such a great challenge, I'm looking forward to doing it. I have things pretty lined up, I hope..lol

I've been wondering how this was going - not sure if I'll be doing it at this time, but will for sure follow along!

Ooh - I'm excited! I've got my book, sorted out what size I'm making the blocks and now I'm waiting on the backing fabric I ordered. Can't wait!

now to dig the book out & get ready to start. This is going to be fun!

Got the book ....and some ideas for fabric ! Should be a good one. Thanks for organizing this - the best way I can really thank you is to actually participate to the fullest.

I've put my wish list in to Santa for the book! Now if I can get to the fabric store for some yummy fabric...and stay on target with the blocks. LOL! I've drooled over this design so much the keys on my keyboard stick! Thanks for organizing.

I just told my kids about the book too. I have problems with the black background fabric though. Mine always winds up with white cat hair all over it. I normally use Kona from Joanns. Anyone have any good ideas for a nice black that doesn't wear fur well. Is Moda any better? Another brand? Or is it just the nature of the beast? Love the batiks though.

.

I have used a fabric from Keepsake called Amish Black. It is not Kona. I have used other blacks and they all pick up a little lint, sadly. I have read this is a good fabric though. My pet peave on most solids is how they fray :-(.

I have heard about the Amish Black but have never used it. I was thinking maybe something with a little poly in so it wouldn't fade but they also pick up cat hair. Oh, what to do....

I'm not going to use black fabric for that exact reason! I have 4 cats and their fur is everywhere. I'm panning to use a white or cream background. Considering fairy frost but I'll see what other fabrics I pick first.

I've ordered the book today. I have never done a QAL before hope there will be some help and explaining how to get each weeks class.
Thanks I can hardly wait

This is going to be a fun project. Thanks for organizing it.

Thank you for setting this up. I have had the book for a few years now but never got started. I am planning to participate and learn but not make a quilt out it. I probably will do one block wall hangings or other small projects from the blocks I create.

That is going to be a beauty. Those fabrics are just beautiful. Can't wait to see it finished.

I'm going to have to check out that book, maybe I'll join, but need to check it out first. Love those oriental fabrics. I have quite a collection of them and have been waiting for something special to make with them.

@dd - I'm going to be using a cream/gold for the background, so hoping to avoid the lint issue.
@Sewextremeseams (love your name, btw) I've had the book forever too, definately looking forward to starting (and finishing) this quilt.
@Fran Floss - There won't be a weekly class per se but there will be plenty of people here to help you with any advice you need, please don't be afraid to ask.

I dug out my book today. I've got most of the blocks copied. I apparently was going to start it at some point. This is just the umph I needed to get it done.

I've had this book for quite a while now. I thought it would be a great project to play with my machine embroidery sofsoftware but I never seemed to be ready to start it. Now I'm gathering my fabric and looking forward to starting.

use another background fabric.i like the color of a paper bag[best description I have].yellow is also a great background fabric.it pops the batiks.

I have a question about this---I have found just the book and on another site I found the patterns along with embroidery formats and that cost $95---am I assuming right that this is just the book with applique patterns and the applique is sewn on by hand or satin stitch? A lot of difference in price.

Marlenec I bought the book and it is patterns intended for hand or machine applique. I always thought it would be a good project for me to digitize myself for my embroidery machine with the simple shapes being a good background for some decorative fills and stitches.
I did see the machine embroidery package for $95. It looks to be a satin stitch around each shape with the hand embroideries from the original pattern digitized as well. Very pretty but I wanted to do my own.

I've actually seen the embroidered one. It was gorgeous! This one's been on my bucket list for quite some time. But, I'm thinking of a different way to do it. I'm thinking of tracing it onto the background fabric, quilting it & then painting it. Also thinking of doing Fiesta de Telavera the same way. What do ya'll think? Can I pull this off?

I would love to see that cindy60545. I had thought that it would be a fun way to work on it as well before deciding on the machine embroidery. I'll be looking forward to seeing your progress if you decide to join the QAL. Also loved the fiesta de telavera. They are patterns that really invite you to use color and embellishment I think.

Cindy, that idea sounds amazing! If you do try it, please let us know how it goes.

Marlene, as Coffeecozy said, the book itself contains only the patterns to trace for machine or hand applique and not the embroidery machine patterns. (I have heard rumors that I may be getting an embroidery machine for Christmas and am torn as to whether to attempt this quilt on it or not).

Okay friends, I just thought I'd post a few notes on preparation and fabric requirements, and a couple tidbits to keep in mind.

The patterns in the book are designed for a 7" x 7" finished block. Your background squares will be cut to 9" x 9" and then trimmed to 7.5" square once the applique is completed. If you are enlarging, enlarge your background squares by the same percentage as you do the pattern.

The layout in the book will result in a 62" x 62" quilt (this includes the borders).
If you enlarge your blocks, please remember to calculate the additional yardage that you will need. If you are planning a different layout, you will likely need additional background fabric. I am thinking about putting my block on point and will therefore need to get enough additional background fabric for setting triangles.

Prepare your fabric with your favorite method. I'm a die hard prewasher and a big fan of starch.

I strongly recommend that you read the General Instructions on Pages 7 - 16. They do not really contain information on HOW to applique, so try these websites for details: Machine Applique with Fusible Webbing and Needle Turn Applique Tutorial

I wouldn't attempt this quilt without all of your support and cheering, so thank you very much to all for jumping on the bandwagon!

I am a convert to the washing and starch brigade. When i started with my very first quilt I was soo keen to get cracking I did not prep at all. After a few projects and reading a lot about fabric prep on this board I thought I would give it a go and see if it made any difference. I now prewash, though I am not sure if the prep seems to have a calming effect as the time it takes to wash,dry and iron gives me time to pause and think out the project in hand, thus prep both in mind and fabric!

You might have to shave your cats.:p

Wow you've chosen some gorgeous fabrics. Can't wait to watch the progress!!

I'm enlarging my blocks 130% to 9" finished and trimming to 9 1/2", so will be cutting 4 x 10 1/2" blocks from WOF.

I've ordered Kona Premium Jet Black (which I've never seen as there's only one LQS here and they don't stock Kona).

Normally I would do all my cutting up front but wonder if it's better to cut as I go to prevent mixing up wrong and right side? I'm concerned that any chalk marks might rub off or transfer.

To cut or not to cut, that is the question :)

Good point knitette...I chose to have black background too. I think I will have to pin a small safety pin in the corner of the blocks on the right side.

haha I've always told everyone the cat hair is free. Don't think I could bring myself to shave them.

I didn't know Kona had a right and wrong side. Guess I will have to look again.

I am planning on cutting one block at a time, at least until I get rolling on this and gain some confidence.

dd if you do shave the cats, post a pic, we could make them our mascots.

kindleaddict, I also like take my time with washing and ironing! It does allow the project to marinate a bit.

I think I will join along, but I will probably be a little behind everyone else. To me........that's ok.

I just received my book! Doing a little stash shopping to get started😉. Not sure how much I'll need to buy after that. I'm looking forward to seeing what everyone chooses for their fabrics.

This is a stunning quilt. Do I need a project life this for 2015, not really. But it could be fun doing to QAL with others on the board. Will have to give this some thought over the weekend.

Hmmm, the shaved cats suggestion is creating a scary visual... ��. I have been trying to decide about background. I just finished a top with Kona background and really don't care to use it again. It frays like crazy and I'm likely to manipulate my squares a lot while appliqueing so I considered a sateen finish black cotton that is a finer weave. The problem is...it's really soft and a bit thin. I probably will try to start with a block and see how it goes. I'm going to hand applique..I think. I prefer the freezer paper and glue method. I get my best results using this method. Turned needle just doesn't look as good when I try it. I must admit I am envious of those who have mastered needle turn.