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CYOC~ Choose Your Own Color.

We've done the string block swaps in the past and mailed to each individual person~ we've had some disappointments. So would anyone be interested in doing another one, but mailing the blocks you make for everyone to me? I would sort and send your whole set of blocks back to you, like a normal swap.

I'm thinking about a due date in November.

Any interest?

Do you have any guide lines? Might be interested.

I'm interested?? I love making the string blocks - gratification in short spurts!

I am interested to hear the guidelines. I have always liked this swap.

I've not made string blocks before...are they on a foundation? what size strips? Are the strips even width?

Hey GF!

Yes, you decide size of finished block. The 8" finished works well. Your foundation needs to be a bit bigger. You start with a center strip diagonal. That's decided too-like 1.5 is what most ladies pick. Then all other strips can be any size but no bigger than 2.0 or smaller than .5. After sewing strips to middle strip, you cut down to desired size. If you use 8.0 finished-you cut to 8.5 squared up.

You also need to decide how many blocks per person from each swapper. No cheap fabric. All fabric pre-washed.

I think in previous swaps we said 4 or 5 for each swapper in their color choice.

It's lots of fun-I'm in! I'll be watching to see what you come up with. Crazy will set the guidelines so be thinking what color combos you wanna do. There are sooo many to choose from. I know someone has photos of blocks-maybe crazy does and has a link.

Hugs,

Pam

This message has been edited. Last edited by: NICUnurse,

I'll play.

Hi girls~

Pam did a great job of summing up. You choose what color & finished size you would like your center strip; and colors for all other strips. For example~ you might want your center strip to be white on white, finished at 1.5 inches, and all the other strips to be reds and blues.

These are the guidelines I used in our last swap~ I think they will work well for this one too.

●Please use 100% cotton fabric for your foundation. Since inexpensive muslin is what most swappers use, please be sure it is washed so our blocks don’t shrink out of shape when we wash our finished quilts.

●The strips do not need to be washed as we each have our own views on washing/not washing our stash, and it would be a mess to wash a pile of strings. If you have a fabric that you know bleeds terribly, don’t use it in anyone’s blocks. Once your quilt is made I would advise washing it with a few ‘Color Catchers’.

●Please be sure to center the middle strip. And keep all strips straight.

● Please vary the width of your strings~ and try not to use too many strings that are wider than the center strip, although a wider one on the corner is good so you don't end up with a nub when you trim. . The more strips/strings; the more interesting the blocks are.

●Please be aware of your thread choices. If someone has chosen a red or black center strip, please don’t sew with white thread. It will show. Also if their center is white~ don’t sew with black thread. Please no clear monofilament thread!

●Please check your thread tension and your quarter inch seams. Nothing is more disheartening than to get a block where the maker didn’t use quarter inch seams and the strips pull out.

●Please start with a 9.5 inch square of your foundation muslin and trim it down to 8.5 inches after you have added your strips.

I am thinking about 4 blocks/person~ is that too many?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: crazy'boutquilts,

Sounds great Crazy! I'll be thinking what colors I want!

Pam

I have a string block tutorial on my Webshots photo album if there are any new players who never made the string blocks before.

You always have so much fun with your swaps--I'm in with the new guidelines.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: KC1930,

I've never done a string block swap and sounds fun. After reading the guidelines, I still have a couple questions. If I understand this, each person decides on their own center and color scheme? And, the other swappers make blocks to each person's preference? And, if 6 people sign up, you would make 4 blocks per person (x 6 = 24) blocks?

Do you send us a list of what colors people want???

quote:

Originally posted by Aliquilt:
I've never done a string block swap and sounds fun. After reading the guidelines, I still have a couple questions. If I understand this, each person decides on their own center and color scheme? And, the other swappers make blocks to each person's preference? And, if 6 people sign up, you would make 4 blocks per person (x 6 = 24) blocks?

You got it! One time I had a particular color fabric I wanted for my center strip (Lime green Kona cotton) so I mailed it out to all the players. This kept the color consistant.

You can check out the HGTV String quilt photo album for some ideas on string blocks in my Webshots album. The link is below.

OOH! CBQ...I'm in!! I have been in the
previous two years string swaps and just loved it! It is something I can do...straight lines! Good way to use scraps also.

Thanks for hosting...I like the new guidelines if it isn't making it too much work for you...

Thanks KC!~ I thought you had an album, but wasn't positive. Lots of lovely eye candy there!

LOL sewlove~ I live up to my name! I think I would know whose blocks belonged to who by the color choices and would just swap them that way. Yes it is a lot of blocks, but I'm pretty sure a flat rate box would hold all of them. I think as you went down the list and made each person's blocks, you could put them in the box, when you were finished, you'd only have to send it to me~ instead of sending to everyone, so I think the postage would balance out~ or be a little less in the end.

Have a happy 4th everyone!!

KC, thanks for the show! Helps for my little brain in remembering what the different colors look like together.

This would be fun. Sign me up.

Linda

Linda, glad to see you out playing again!

CBQ, I think I want to join in this swap expecially since it won't be due until November. I haven't done the string quilt before so will be thinking of a color combo. I like KC's idea that she sent the center color to everyone for her blocks.

So you can add me to your list.

Mary

i'm thinking about it cbq... when will you end sign ups??.. i absolutely love my ocean quilt from the last string swap..

This message has been edited. Last edited by: shey..,

This is a quilt I am making with my string blocks from last's years swap...isn't it GORGEOUS?!!! My stitch friends came through for me!

I am hoping to machine quilt it on my domestic machine this fall.

...here is a close up...

Thinking , thinking, I sure could use some more of the aqua/blue/green/purple blocks liek I did before..... Shey you had the same color combination and I loved how your quilt turned out - I'd like to make a queen size one so would be well on my way.

That's a beauty alex!

I will post a new thread over the weekend to 'officially' sign up and add your color choices. You guys are so on the ball! Then I'll leave the sign-up's open for about a week ~ok?

Oh come'on birthday girl...you know you want to do this one!

Both pictures are beautiful!! Shey can I copy yours, please??? hahah really that's gorgeous. I'll be signing up, sounds fun.

OK Shey - you just had to go and show your quilt again! Looks like I'll be signing up for this one CBQ! I believe I have about 52 blocks so far so I'll stick to these colors again. Now Shey... this means you have to sign up too!

I havemt been on much, but I would reaaly like to sogn up also. I have loved almost all ive seen so far
Tami

aliquilt... sure.. go ahead and copy it... i think there were at least 6 of us in the last string swap that did that colour combo..

nicki.. i'm thinking about it.. kinda on a fabric budget for the next few months.. and.. now that my sister has moved down here.. we've been on the go a lot.. and i haven't had much time for sewing.. .. if i do.. it'll be batiks again... but a totally different colour palette..

I will do it again this time. Will do the "ocean colors with the sand strip in the middle" again this time so between the two groups there should be enough for a quilt without a lot extra... Chris

Okey dokey~ the sign up thread is up! I'll be watching for your PM's and choices.

Shey, what was the width of the center strip? Can't find my blocks from the last exchange and can't remember. Thanks... chris