FAQ's - 'Time to bloom' 2024 - 2025 mystery quilt course

The Time to Bloom quilt began as a Mystery in May 2024. Now that the mystery has been revealed, you can still sign up for the course! The tutorials are pre-taped, so you can make the quilt in your own time. We have many students at all different stages of making the quilt - we'd love for you to join us!

How much does the course cost?

The course cost is one upfront payment of $132 Australian dollars. (Approx 85 USD).

This gives you 2 blocks for the price of one and an optional bonus border for those who would like to make a larger quilt.

There are 12 patchwork blocks and 12 floral appliqué blocks, plus one bonus patchwork block to make a total of 25 blocks. This gives you the option to make 12 blocks of your choice for a small 48" x 64" quilt, make all 25 blocks for a large 80" quilt and add the optional border for a 100" quilt.

(Course cost does not include fabric).

---

SIGNUP FOR TIME TO BLOOM

When you sign up, you'll have instant access to the course members-only section on the Pattern Poole website, where you can download the course notes and watch the YouTube tutorials ad-free! All you need is your email address and password to log in anytime. See how here.

Tell me more about the quilt:

The floral blocks are fusible appliqué, and you have your choice to blanket stitch, zig zag or sketchy appliqué them.

Each patchwork block has a different skill-building technique and a video tutorial to guide you through the process.

Each block is quilted as you go and joined together with Monica Poole’s Easy Cover Strip method on the back of the quilt.

12 patchwork block plan: (48" x 64").

12 applique block plan: (48" x 64").

25 block plan: (80" square).

We decided to include a bonus optional border to make the quilt 100" square.

How can I contact the Pattern Poole ladies if I need help?

Use the contact form on our website or send an email to studio@patternpoole.com

We're always happy to help and offer support when we're awake. We say this because we're an Australian business and we may be on the other side of the world from you

!What fabrics are required to make the quilt?

We thought it would be a fun idea to choose your favourite colour, then choose 5 fabrics ranging from a pastel tint to a deep shade. We're using a selection of blues in Moda Grunge.

OR

Have fun choosing fabrics from your stash. Each block starts at 18” square and is trimmed to 16 ¾” after quilting. This makes it perfect for fat quarters to be used as backing squares and background squares for the appliqué blocks.

Requirements List:

Here is the document to the requirements list and a run-through video. Please download the PDF and watch the video to see what you need.

A TIME TO BLOOM REQUIREMENTS AND OPTIONAL BORDER.pdf

Download PDF • 437KB

Why is there the same amount of top background and backing fabric in the requirements list, it seems like a lot?

The top and backing squares start at 18" and will be trimmed to 16 3/4" after quilting. The exact amount for the backing fabric to get (25) 18" squares is 6 1/2 yards. We've allowed an extra 3/4 yard for prewash shrinkage, straightening the fabric and a possible cutting accident, which we hope will not happen. We've allowed the same for the top background fabric, as patchwork blocks can sometimes take more fabric than you think. As it's a year-long course, it's better to be generous with the fabric, in case you need more and the fabric is no longer available. Leftover fabric can be made into a cushion or pillow to match the quilt.

A plain or solid 100% cotton quilting fabric is a great budget option for the top background fabric of this quilt. Extra wide backing fabric can be used for the back and is also another budget friendly option.

How will the course run?

This year, the course is run in a special course members-only section on our website. It's a blog post that only course members can see when logged into our website. From this private blog, you can watch the YouTube tutorials, download the course notes, share photos of your work and ask questions. A bonus is that the YouTube tutorials are ad-free when you watch them from the private blog post.

How long will I be able to access the course members-only section on the website?

You will have 2 years access from the date that you sign up, to download the course notes and watch the videos ad-free. The videos will always be available to watch on our YouTube channel Pattern Poole TV. If you ever lose your course notes, let us know and we'll send them to you via email.

What are course notes?

Course notes are PDF documents with all the pattern sheets and instructions on what to do. They include step-by-step photos, so you can't go wrong!

How will I receive the course notes?

When you sign up, you'll have instant access to the course members-only section on our website, where you can download the course notes.

How will I watch the videos? Can I watch them at any time?

The videos are pre-taped YouTube tutorials. Anyone can watch them anytime and continually refer back to them. If you watch them from the special course members-only section on our website, they are ad-free.

Why are the videos free? What's the point of signing up?

We believe access to quilting entertainment to inspire people should be free. However, you will need to purchase the course notes to make the project. This fee allows us to earn a living from our work and continue teaching in an easy and inspiring way. Our videos show many tips and techniques that are applicable to all quilting and sewing projects, and we hope our videos can inspire younger people to take up quilting.

We hope that anyone, no matter where they are in the world, will have the opportunity to stumble upon our videos and see the kindness and enjoyment of the Pattern Poole Community. By signing up, you can make the quilt with our community and receive tips and feedback directly from us.

Will there be a private Facebook group this year?

This year, we have decided not to make a private Facebook group as they tend to become inactive after the course is finished, which doesn't help new members who want to do it years later. Our main Facebook group has two excellent, dedicated admins (Marcia Moon and Jackie Kennedy) and many other helpful members who have been sewing with us for over 20 years and have so much beneficial advice; plus, it allows all new Pattern Poole Community Members to get to know everyone. You can also ask questions on our blog or email us privately. However, this year, we want you to be excited to post what you've been working on in the course with an audience of over 15k supportive community members.

I don't like appliqué. Can I double the patchwork blocks to make a full patchwork quilt?

Of course, appliqué isn't for everyone.

Can I double the appliqué blocks and do no patchwork?

Yes, the quilt has been designed to look good with both styles or just appliqué or only patchwork. It is up to you how you wish to make this quilt; with so many options, we are excited to see what everyone does differently.

Do I have to use a monochromatic colour scheme?

No, you can use whatever colours you like and make the quilt using fabrics from your stash.

If you would like to use a different fabric combination, here are some other colour ideas:

try the adobe colour wheel

Do all fabrics have to be solids?

No, however, the patchwork blocks and appliqué designs lend themselves more to small prints and mottled fabrics. You can also use a small print for the top background fabric, but make sure that it's a small all-over print that is not directional. Avoid stripes and checks, as they will be difficult to line up from block to block. Ensure that your chosen patchwork and appliqué fabric will stand out against it.

What binding style is planned for the quilt?

This year, I'll finish the quilt with a 3/8" wide topstitched binding. It Looks like a regular binding, but the strips start at 3" wide and are sewn onto the back of the quilt with a 3/8" seam allowance. Half the binding width is folded over to the front and top stitched down. The binding can also be done in the regular way and handstitched on the back.

The blocks are trimmed to 16 3/4" square. I'm having trouble finding a square ruler over 15". Do you plan to do a tutorial for squaring off?

Watch the video below to see how to make a 16 3/4" template from the medium-weight interfacing that is listed in the requirements list. The template is pinned onto the quilted blocks with flat-head pins. I then use a regular patchwork ruler to trim the blocks, using the interfacing template as a guide.

What quilt-as-you-go method will we be using?

The blocks are joined together with the 'Easy Cover Strip' method on the back. Watch the video below to see how it's done.

Can the cover strips be sewn on the front of the quilt?

Of course, we are doing ours on the back, but you can choose how you would like to do it. Check out this video, where Monica puts the cover strips on the front.

Can I use another method?

Yes, you can use the Joining-Strip method.

We are so thrilled with our completed Time to Bloom quilt and appreciate all those who joined us to make their own version. If you would like to see all the wonderful work of the TTB students, join the Pattern Poole Community private Facebook group.

SIGN ME UP!