We the People mini-quiltalong

PROJECT DETAILS

July 4, 2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence and the formation of the United States as an independent country. Although the Declaration of Independence, first read that day in 1776, declared the country’s independence from Britain, it would take until 1788 for the US Constitution, the document that was the mission statement for our new country, to be ratified by the first nine colonies. The first three words of the Constitution, “We the people…” are, to us, the essence of what our country’s fight for independence in 1776 was all about.

To celebrate our independence and to re-dedicate ourselves to the importance of active participation in democracy, we’re holding a mini-quiltalong to make small quilted banners that can be hung on our front doors, in our windows and even carried in parades throughout our 250th anniversary of independence.

Join us for the We The People mini-quiltalong livestream on Facebook May 18 at 7pm CDT to learn how to make the banner. We’ll discuss how to space the lettering and stars for best legibility and how to fuse or needle-turn appliqué them the banner. The livestream will also show how to incorporate hanging sleeves in the top (and bottom if desired) of the quilt for easy display. If you’re not available on May 18 for the livestream, no problem! We’ll post a recording of the livestream to our YouTube channel so you can work on your We the People banner anytime.

Participants can make their beginner-friendly banners with either standard or pieced yardage. The pattern and livestream will show options for fusible appliqué and needle-turned appliqué for the letters and stars. We’ve also cleverly designed the banner in such a way that you can make it in either a vertical orientation for a door or wall hanging or in a horizontal orientation to hang nicely over a mantle or be carried in your local July 4th parade.

The banner is stash-friendly and can be made from small pieces of assorted blues, reds and whites or from one larger piece of a single blue, red and white.

MATERIAL REQUIREMENTS

• assorted blue fabrics totalling approximately ¼ yard OR 1—blue fat quarter
• assorted red fabrics totalling approximately ¼ yard OR 1—red fat quarter
• assorted white fabrics totalling approximately 1/8 yard for white stripes
• 1 white fat quarter for text and stars
• ¼ yard binding fabric
• ½ yard backing fabric
• 17″×35″ batting
• Office or painting tape for aligning text (recommended)
• 11″×26″ double-sided fusible fabric adhesive such as HeatnBond Lite or Steam-a-Seam 2 Lite (repositionable)
  
  Yardages are based on 42″ of usable fabric width.

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The mini-quiltalong is entirely online. If you order this digital pattern along with physical items (such as kits, fabric, magazines, etc.), the download link will be on your emailed receipt. The remaining physical items will be shipped to you separately.

IMPORTANT: After your purchase is processed, our system promptly emails you a receipt. If you don’t see the receipt in your inbox, check your spam folder, it’s most likely there. The receipt has a link that says “CLICK HERE to download the We the People pattern.”

• Click the link and download your pattern promptly
• The pattern is an 8-page PDF.
• You have 30 days from the purchase date to download your pattern before the link expires. Print and save the letter. Keep it in a safe place as we cannot resend expired links or replace lost letters.
• Depending on your device (laptop, phone, tablet, etc.) the Access Letter may be ready to access and print from the link OR it may be downloaded to your device.
• If you clicked the download link, the letter is now on your device. If you are not sure where downloaded files are stored on your device, you can search on Google or another search engine for, “Where are downloads on my (insert your device here).” Your local public library is also an excellent resource for tech help.
• This is a completely digital event, no printed pattern will be shipped to you.