Block Swaps
Throughout the year, various swaps will be done for sewn blocks. This often requires participants to make a specific number of the same type of block, which are then sorted & distributed so that each member of the swap has several unique blocks with which to turn into a project.
Friendship Swap
Our friendship block swap began at the January Guild Meeting with 3 groups ready to go. A fourth group will begin this month. If you signed up for the 4th group keep an eye on your email for more details.
If you signed up for the swap you will bring a tote with your fabric this months meeting. This time I’m using a craft box with a handle, but you can use whatever you have handy. Your tote should be labeled with your name and you can include a note with any requests for those who will be making blocks for you. For example, if you want a certain fabric to be used as the background for all of the blocks or if you want scrappy backgrounds you could state that in your note. You will give the tote containing your fabric to another member of your group and they will make two blocks for you. You will receive a tote to take home. From only the fabric in the tote, you will need to make TWO 12.5” blocks that will finish at 12” in a quilt. Please choose a block that you would be happy to receive. Bring the tote back the following month and pass it on.
Hints for Friendship block swappers:
- There are tons of cute blocks on the internet if you aren’t sure what to make. Just Google 12.5” quilt block pattern
- If you are using a new block pattern, make a test block out of scraps before using the fabric in the tote (You can use scraps or do what I do: I have a tote of coordinating fabric that I keep just for making test blocks. When I have enough, I’m going to make them into a sampler quilt!)
- Use your best cutting and ¼” seam
If you are unable to be at a meeting, do your best to have someone bring the tote in for you to pass on to the next person, and to pick up your next tote. Otherwise you will have to make arrangements to get the totes sorted out in time to get the blocks made in time for the next meeting.
New Swap – 2.5″ Half-Square Triangles
We are going to swap 2.5” half-square triangles made with triangle papers. This has been a popular swap in the past and it’s coming back at the request of the members. There is a $5 participation fee to cover copying costs.
Each person who participates will sew one page of triangle papers for every other participant. So if 10 people sign up, you will make 10 pages, if 20 or more sign up, you will make 20 pages and receive 20, with an option to make additional pages (in sets of 10) and receive the number you make.
The light side of the triangles will be Kona Snow, and I will take a poll at signup for the color of the dark side. The color with the most votes will be made by all. The copies of the triangle papers will be passed out in March and the completed triangles (do not cut) will be due in May.