Whoohoo! Let's welcome 2009 with a cheery block swap!
Everyone can join in~ beginners are welcome! We will all try to help you as much as we can!
We will be using the Hen and Chicks block from HERE I think these blocks will make a really cute quilt, table topper or table runner and will really ‘sing spring’.
Please follow the photos below ~ use only red, red on white, and white on white fabrics in the same places they appear in the photo below.
A few guidelines…
1. Use 100% cotton fabrics (no flannels, homespun’s or obviously novelty prints please). Please wash and press all your fabrics and trim off the selvedges before beginning.
2. We will only use red, red-on-white, and white-on-white fabrics for these blocks. The large red triangles should be a tone on tone red, or a red with a very small tonal print, the red-on-white fabric should only be those 2 colors. Do NOT use solid fabrics. For the white part, please use a white on white (W-o-W) print fabric. No muslin. We want all of our blocks to be red/white, so please, no other colors. --I realize we may not all find the same shade of white, the variances will give our quilts character and depth, but please don’t use tan, beige, unbleached anything.-- Also, no ‘Christmas-type’ prints or any other holiday-specific fabric. When you get your blocks back you can add coordinating fabrics to make a holiday specific quilt if you wish. Please be sure you understand these requirements, we want happy swappers!
3. A set will be 6 blocks. You can make up to 3 sets (I will change this depending on the number of swappers who join in). Each set should consist of different fabrics from the other sets, except for the WoW~ it can be the same in all sets of blocks if you wish. Please do not mix W-o-W prints within a block.
4. Please ‘square-up’ your blocks. They should measure 10 ½ inches. Trim off any loose threads and give them a nice pressing. Take care in pressing not to create any folds along the seam lines.
5. Label each of your blocks with your HGTV board name. Sticky labels, masking tape, freezer paper all work well. Please do not write on your blocks.
6. Place your sets in a large Ziploc-type bag. Enclose a card with your name and address on one side and mine on the other just in case it gets torn open in the mail.
7. Enclose a self addressed return envelope (tyvek, plastic, padded are all good choices; the free priority envelopes from the PO work great). The return envelope must have enough postage on it in stamps (No meter stickers) to get your blocks back to you. Please do not use the flat cardboard mailers or paper envelopes for your return blocks~ my PO will not accept them.
8. Enclose one dollar for delivery confirmation and in case your return package needs extra postage. I will return your change in with your blocks if I don't need it.
9. Make extra blocks for yourself if you wish. Depending on how many participants we have, you may not get any of your own blocks back.
The blocks will be due on February 14th, 2009. If you finish early and mail them early, I’ll swap them when everyone’s blocks arrive.
To sign up just PM me. If you've been in a recent swap of mine, I may have your info yet. If you are new, I need your real name and addy and email addy.
I realize this seems like a lot of rules, but I want everyone to be sure they understand so we don’t have any unhappy swappers in February.
Those are really pretty block samples you have there, C'BQ. Sorry, I've just got too many irons in the fire right now, so I'm gonna sit this one out. Truth be known, I still haven't put that last Red and White block swap together.
But I'll keep watch here, drooling as everyone else posts their pictures, kicking myself in the you-know-what for not joining in. Sigh.
I am going to make a few sample blocks with this pattern and if it works out for me, I will join in for sure. This is my favorite combination of colors. Tammy
I need to test this out too, make sure I can get an accurate block, 25 pieces is quite a bit for me in one block I didn't see the sign up date for this on the post but I'll know within the next couple of weeks.
Posts: 747 | Location: New Zealander livin' in NYC | Registered: Jan 18, 2008
Jane if you starch the w-o-w a bit before cutting out the triangles, they hold their shape and sew together really nicely... it doesn't even seem like that many pieces, it goes together fast.
I'll probably leave sign-up's for a couple weeks...
Twist that arm! LOL! I just ran out to the LQS in my lunch hour and bought some gorgeous red-on-red and the red/white and a new WoW too, and starch. My credit card will wheeze a bit this month with everything I just did this week but I guess you can count me in
Posts: 747 | Location: New Zealander livin' in NYC | Registered: Jan 18, 2008
Hiya, just taking a closer look at the pattern pieces, can those triangles be sewn together while in the squares, then cut...I love that method, it goes quickly and helps me be more precise. Just curious, if it still works out the same or if they must be cut in half then sewn? How did you do yours Sandi? I realize this can only be done for the corner blocks.
Yes, a tutorial ... step by step would be great for this block with all those points.
Wouldn't want my brood of hens or little clutch of chicks heads or wings clipped. And must have the quarter inch all the way around the block so they play nicely together.
Whatcha think Crazy?
? ~ Should one WOW be used in a block, meaning no mixing WOWs within a block?
I will probably try a practice block, too.
Love your fabrics!
ivy
"All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us."
If you give me until Tuesday~ I will do a step-by-step photo series for you and try the sewing-squares-to-get-the-HST method. I'm sure it could be used for the corners, but the other two triangles in each corner, need to be cut into triangles. If you starch the wow, it works like sewing on paper.
Ivy~ #3 above~ no mixing w-o-w's within a block~~ but the set does not have to use all the same w-o-w, for instance if you can only get 4 blocks out of the wow you are using, the other 2 can be another wow. Make sense?
I need some step by step piecing instructions. I have the pieces cut out for one block, but don`t know where to start piecing. Sorry for the lack of understanding here, but really want to do this so I can play. Tammy
And must have the quarter inch all the way around the block so they play nicely together.