The Secret Path: Requirements List

This year’s theme is inspired by our travels through Europe and the breathtaking tiles found in courtyards, cathedrals, and hidden architectural spaces.

Rather than replicating historical motifs, we have created original designs that capture the feeling of these spaces. Think geometric and curved shapes that radiate outward, balanced and harmonious, carefully structured to create beautiful and achievable results.

The idea behind The Secret Path is that it leads you into your own private courtyard, filled with your favourite colours, your personal aesthetic, and your interpretation of the theme.

Quilt Sizes and Layout

The quilt is set on point, creating a beautiful tiled appearance.

You may choose between:

Large Quilt, 67 inch square, using 25 blocks Small Quilt, 50 inch square, using 13 foundation paper pieced or 13 appliqué blocks

Both sizes can be customised with quilt as you go borders if you would like to make your quilt larger.

The Quilt as you go Joining Method

The blocks are joined using Monica’s Easy Cover Strip method.

This year, the cover strips appear on the front of the quilt, forming a 1 inch wide sashing between blocks, similar to tile grout. You also have the option to place the cover strips on the back for a seamless look on the front.

Watch the short demo below to see how Monica’s Easy Cover Strip Method works and how your blocks will be joined together. (In this demo, the cover strips are on put on the back)

What’s Included & Pricing

Throughout the year, paid members will receive:

• 12 foundation paper pieced blocks ($11 AUD each)

• 12 fusible appliqué blocks ($11 AUD each)

• 1 bonus foundation paper pieced block ($11 AUD value)

• 1 bonus appliqué block ($11 AUD value)

• Full quilt as you go joining instructions ($20 AUD value)

• Complete binding instructions

• Access to exclusive member only content on each post

This represents over $310 AUD in value, all included as part of your journey.

You can join for:

$12 AUD per month for 12 months Total: $144 AUD

Or Sign up and pay in full: $144 AUD

That is a saving of over $166 AUD.

You may choose to pay upfront or pay monthly. The monthly payment option is available until April 30.

Please note, fabric is not included. You will find the full fabric requirements list below. You can join at any time, with all videos pre-recorded and available for you to revisit whenever you like.

The course includes a total of 26 blocks. Each block is quilted individually and then joined together using the quilt as you go method. This keeps the process manageable and enjoyable, without the need to quilt a large quilt all at once.

Every part of the journey is supported with video guidance. You will be shown how to construct each foundation paper pieced block, along with a dedicated introduction to appliqué. There are also step by step videos on joining your quilt, completing your project, and additional exclusive content to support you throughout the process.

Each month, two new blocks are revealed. The quilt builds slowly and steadily, allowing you to enjoy the process without feeling rushed.

Paid members will receive a monthly email when their course notes are ready to download from each monthly blog post.

Non-members are welcome to watch the video tutorials for free and explore the blog content.

Whether you are new to foundation paper piecing or have been quilting for years, this course is designed to guide you step by step. You can move at your own pace and return to any lesson whenever you need.

The Secret Path is not just about finishing a quilt. It is about enjoying the journey as it unfolds.

Posting Schedule

The Secret Path begins on April 2, 2026.

New content is released on the first Thursday of each month at midday (Sydney, Australia time).

Each monthly release includes:

• 1 Foundation Paper Pieced pattern

• 1 PDF Applique pattern containing:

– PDF applique design placement guide  

– Printable PDF applique shapes  

– SVG applique shape files for cutting machines

• Step-by-step video tutorial guiding you through the FPP block construction.

Please note: While we provide SVG files for members who use cutting machines, we do not personally use cutting machines and are unable to offer technical support for them. If you experience any issues with SVG files, we encourage you to reach out within the Facebook group, where many members use cutting machines and are happy to share advice and tips.

Printable Calendar

To help you stay organised, we’ve created a printable calendar with the monthly release dates.

Download it below and keep it near your sewing space if you’d like a visual guide throughout the year.

Requirements List

Before the sewing begins, there is something quietly exciting about gathering your supplies.

Choosing fabrics. Pulling threads. Laying everything out on the table. It’s the beginning of the journey.

The Secret Path has been designed to feel structured yet relaxed, and thoughtful preparation will make each month smooth and enjoyable.

We’ve created a detailed, printable Requirements List that includes:

• Fabric amounts for both quilt sizes

• Batting recommendations

• Thread suggestions

• Tool checklist

• Applique supplies

• Helpful notes to avoid common mistakes

We recommend downloading the full PDF and printing the checklist so you can tick items off as you collect them.

Take your time with this stage. Visit your local quilt shop. Look through your stash. Play with combinations. There’s no rush — the fun often begins long before the first stitch.

If you have already been following along with our colour journey....

Following on from the red and blue debate in the last post… it was almost 50/50 with the votes!

We still couldn’t decide on colours. So instead of choosing one over the other, we decided to marry our aesthetics together by selecting two of my favourite colours and two of Mum’s.

Which meant… yes… a third trip to Hobby Sew!

This time, we finally settled on a colour scheme that feels like the perfect blend of both of us. And we are so happy with it.

In our latest vlog, we take you fabric shopping once again, reveal our final colour palette, and guide you through a quick overview of the requirements list for the 2026 Mystery Quilt.

Click to watch video

If you are joining us for the course, a more detailed requirements list video is available at the bottom of this page.

If you are curious about how the experience will run, including the posting schedule, quilt layout, and full requirements list, please read on.

Here are the colours we have chosen for our quilt, a true blend of Mum’s aesthetic and mine, and we could not be happier with how they have come together. It feels like the perfect meeting point between our styles, and we are so excited to begin sewing and watch these blocks come to life.

We hope you will join us in 2026 as we walk The Secret Path together, creating something beautiful, personal, and uniquely your own. We cannot wait to see where your colours take you.

With love,

Alaura and Monica