Block exchanges

December 22, 7:26 AMQuilting ExaminerKelly Smith

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Grandmothers Flower Garden block by ArtEsAnna from Flickr

With a new year starting soon, many quilting groups will be looking for a new extra-curricular activity. A block exchange may be just the thing. A block exchange is just what it sounds like - a bunch of quilters making and exchanging quilt blocks. It can get fancier than that - with all sorts of rules dreamed up by those involved. For example, the block exchange that my quilt bee did a few years ago had some simple rules about what each participant had to provide:

1.    one completed block as an example
2.    at least one fabric you wanted used in each block
3.    guidelines about colors to use and colors to avoid
4.    any special tools required for making the block
5.    fabric if you wanted the same fabric in each block
6.    instructions

Out of these basic directions, we each got a beautiful assortment of blocks. The exchange was arranged like a round robin - each person had to make one block and then pass the bag on to the next person. I believe we exchanged every 2 weeks, since it doesn’t take that long to make one block. We did our exchange in 2002 and I just got around to assembling the blocks this past October at our quilt retreat. Each is signed by the maker and I love them. I had almost enough to make a small wall hanging, so I made one more block and put them all together.

Many guilds also do block exchanges. The committee chooses a block of the month and provides instructions and often guidelines about what fabrics or colors to use. Guild members make as many of the blocks as they want and usually receive a number of entries in the prize drawing equal to the number of blocks they have made. The winner takes all the blocks home. And who doesn't love a pile of free blocks?

A block exchange is a fun way to try a new technique, experiment with a new fabric you normally wouldn’t use, or try a new pattern or tool. The downside is that you have to deal with sometimes less-than-accurate stitching and some blocks may be larger or smaller than specified, so if you get involved in a block exchange, try to do your best work. If you don't, someone will know!
 

Keep warm!

Kelly