We are kicking off the next Forget Me Not Quilt Along! Quilt 2 End ALZ and Tourmaline & Thyme Quilts have partnered to bring you this exciting and informative Quilt Along (QAL). We will be posting information about the Quilt Along (QAL) here as well as in Facebook .
The Forget Me Not (QAL) officially starts in April 3rd, but we are sharing some preparatory information now. We want you to enjoy this experience as you make this gorgeous quilt and learn more about Alzheimer’s. This QAL was designed to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s and raise funds for the Alzheimer’s Association of America. Hopefully, we will achieve both!
Throughout the QAL, we will be giving away prizes from our sponsors.
The first step to join is to join the Facebook group and/or purchase the QAL. The purchase puts you on the mailing list to receive updates to this page and portions of the pattern.
The second step is to gather your fabrics! We are selling kits for the QAL. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Alzheimer’s Association of America. They are encouraging people to purchase kits in March to ensure delivery by April. You can also use your own fabrics. A list of fabrics and amounts are listed on the Fabric Map, which will help you keep track of all the colors needed to achieve the effect. There is a video to explain how to use the fabric map on YouTube.
Forget Me Not Fabric Requirements
The third step is to prepare your fabrics. If you are using batiks, we strongly encourage you to wash the fabrics to prevent bleeding later. Once the excess dye is removed, press the wet fabric with a hot iron to dry it and remove wrinkles. No need to use the dryer!
Most people use rotary cutters for their quilt preparation. Do you know the difference between some of them? Do you know which one you should use when? Do you know how to safely change the blade? If you want to know more, please watch this video, Sharpening your Skills – Rotary Cutters. Since your rotary cutters are going to be used quite a bit for this quilt, maybe it is time to make sure they are sharp.
Once your blades are sharp, you are ready for cutting. Accurate cutting is just a important as sharp tools and a 1/4-inch seam. We filmed a short video with tips and tricks for you, “Get it Straight.”
Some of our members in the Quilt Along are relatively new to quilting. This quilt uses a lot of Half Square Triangles. To help everyone learn/remember how to do these, we created a video tutorial. If you are relatively new to quilting, you may want to watch this video and practice on scraps first. The general formula for HST is Finished Size + 7/8-inch = cut squares. Then, trim to 1/2-inch larger than the finished size. To be safe, cut the squares 1-inch larger than you need for the finished size and trim them to 1/2-inch larger than the finished size. That 1/2-inch will provide 1/4″ seam allowance when sewn to other blocks. If you are practicing, cut 3-inch squares, make the HST and trim to 2 1/2-inch squares. Remember it is easier to trim than sew a scant 1/4-inch seam 
For those of you who like to listen to music while you quilt, we have prepared a Memories playlist on Spotify that you are welcome to try. The playlist is free, as is Spotify. (You can pay if you want to remove the ads, I don’t). The playlist has songs all about memories and lasts about 3 hours.
The first post of the pattern will be cutting instructions on Thursday April 3rd. If you have provided your email address, these will be mailed to you.
