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 held 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.

The quiltalong livestream aired on Facebook May 18. It was recorded and is now available as a free video on our YouTube channel.

In the video we discuss fabric selection, tools, how to space the lettering and how to fuse or needle-turn appliqué them the banner. The also discusses how to incorporate hanging sleeves in the top (and bottom if desired) of the quilt for easy display.

Participants can make their beginner-friendly banners with either standard or pieced yardage. 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 totaling approximately ¼ yard OR 1—blue fat quarter
• assorted red fabrics totaling approximately ¼ yard OR 1—red fat quarter
• assorted white fabrics totaling 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 and pattern 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.
• 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.