Pattern Downloads

ViktoJanuary 15 FABRIC REQUIREMENTS (PDF) Updated January 22

January 22 BLOCK 1: EMBRACE by Carol McRae

January 29 BLOCK 2: COMMUNITY by Eli Hazard

February 5 BLOCK 3: ALL KINDS by Lauren MacDonald, Updated February 8*

February 8 BLOCK 3 ALTERNATE: ALL KINDS by Lauren MacDonald (easier to achieve correct finished size)

February 12 BLOCK 4: CRAZY HEART by Lauren MacDonald and Rolanda Tovey

February 19 BLOCK 5: THEY by Rita Solkin

February 26 BLOCK 6: SHINE BRIGHT by Viktoria Brave

Viktoria is inspired by colour, shapes, and joy. And also diamonds! “I hope that each person can feel themselves to be a diamond, carved out of their own life experiences, yet meant to shine their joy, their love, and their authenticity for all to benefit,” she says. She believes that diversity and the right to define your own life are essential to making Earth a better place. Have fun with Viktoria’s brilliant expression of joy.

Please note: The Fabric Requirements were updated on January 22, based on suggestions from participants. Download from the link above to get the latest version. The only fabric requirement change is to the blue fabric. The alternate version of the Block 3 pattern addresses concerns about finished size.

Please share your block images in the CQA/ACC Quilting Projects group on Facebook. Everyone is excited to see your progress!

Learning Makes a Difference

CQA/ACC is collecting educational material for quilters who wish to learn more about the challenges faced by all marginalized people and how you can help to make welcoming and safe spaces for everyone. These resources will be posted here throughout the Quilt Along. Please send your suggested links/websites to add to this growing list by emailing your ideas to membership@canadianquilter.com.

2SLGBTQI+—What does it mean (CQA/ACC Blog)

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion—What does DEI mean in the quilting community?

How to Foster an Inclusive and Welcoming Quilting Event/Meeting

Navigating Gender Pronouns

Alphabet Patterns

For quilters who wish to use a different pronoun or type style than the template provided with Rita Solkin’s THEY block, or if you intend to add words anywhere on your True Colours quilt top, here are a few Canadian designers who offer alphabet patterns.

If you know of others, please let us know where to find them. Send your ideas to Kelly at membership@canadianquilter.com.

Berene Campbell, Happy Sew Lucky

Patch and Dot

Invisible Stitch

Meet the Selection Team

CQA/ACC is grateful for the support of three outstanding quilt designers who helped to choose the final 12 blocks for the Quilt Along: Peter Byrne of Toronto, ON, Bill Stearman of Prince Edward County, ON, and Jordan St. James of Montreal, QC. Read about them and see some of their work on the Blog.

Congratulations to the Block Designers!

What a thrill to see the enthusiastic response to the call for block designs. And many thanks to the selection committee—Peter Byrne, Bill Stearman, and Jordan St. James—for so carefully narrowing down 40 excellent ideas to 12 blocks that are going to make a stunning quilt.

Congratulations to the 10 designers (some had multiple blocks selected) who will be working with CQA/ACC over the next seven weeks to create pattern instructions and test blocks. Thank you for so creatively capturing the spirit of the True Colours Quilt Along and generously sharing your inspiration with us.

• Eli Hazard
• Lauren MacDonald
• Rolanda Tovey
• Viktoria Brave
• Carole McRae
• Rita Solkin
• Corey Follett
• Terry Whitmell
• Heather Jarmyn
• Judy Coffin

Progress Flag Colours—A Fabric Guide

We encourage you to search that stash for your favourite colourful fabrics (hint: include some whites).

Below is a handy reference provided by Bill Stearman: a list of Kona Solids to match the colours in the Progress Flag. These samples will also provide a handy reference for selecting other solids and prints to set aside for the Quilt Along.

PLEASE NOTE: These colours are a guide. You can choose to use any colours and fabrics you like for the Quilt Along.