Hi everyone! I have started a messenger chat for this swap. this is just to check and see who is interested in doing it and then we can switch back here. So far we have 4 players including myself, so please let me know ASAP if you want to do it or not by Thursday, Oct 12. We will start soon afterwards. Thank you!

My apologies for not being on the past day or so, I have not been feeling my best, a sinus headache. But I am feeling better now so let’s start planning before the month turns into November. Wow, the time sure does go by quickly!

Shall we try the same standard block or try a different variation on strings?

This one is really pretty and can be found here:

https://magnoliabayquilts.blogspot.com/2010/01/string-blocks-tutorial.html

I think that the maximum size should be 9.5 inches squared.

Or we could do crumbs;

Here is what I did with our swap from a year ago, I believe it was called crumb blocks:

FALL STRING SWAP 2023

My apologies for not being on the past day or so, I have not been feeling my best, a sinus headache. But I am feeling better now so let’s start planning before the month turns into November. Wow, the time sure does go by quickly!

Shall we try the same standard block or try a different variation on strings?

This one is really pretty and can be found here:

https://magnoliabayquilts.blogspot.com/2010/01/string-blocks-tutorial.html

I think that the maximum size should be 9.5 inches squared.

Or we could do crumbs:

Here is what I did with our swap from a year ago, I believe it was called crumb blocks:

Now is the time to decide what we want to swap:

1. Fall colors, gold, brown, green, orange, yellow
2. Christmas or Holiday colors
3. Halloween
4. Dark color, monochromatic or light gradating to dark

I know that not everyone wants to swap and that is fine with me. But you do have the option of following along and making your own string blocks for yourself.

Depending on how many sign up, shall we do, if more than 6 players, 3 blocks to each person, and if we have less than 5 players, 4 blocks to each person. I think that this is a fair number, please let me know otherwise.

So far we have 4 players including myself. Any other players?

Please post below and also email me your choice at thepinkquilter@gmail.com. before October 10.

Thank you!

DEADLINE TO SIGN UP:  July 1, 2023

SWAP STARTS:  July 15, 2023

SWAP ENDS:  September 30, 2023

Imagine a conversation with yourself that goes something like this:

Strings, strings, and more strings!  All over the place!  What to do with all those strings?

Maybe sew another quilt? 

Hide them in the closet and hope that to forget them, and pray that they don’t multiply?  Heaven forbid!

Give them to someone else as a gift?

Or how about…  String blocks! 

Say what?  Sew them into string blocks and then swap them with other quilters!

What a wonderful idea!

SIZES: Blocks must measure 12” square.  You may use any PAPER FOUNDATION if you desire – children’s drawing tablet, copy paper, tissue paper, paper made for paper piecing or foundations, or old phone book pages. Make sure to reduce your stitch length so that seams don’t pop open or break when papers are ultimately removed.

Strings should be no wider than 3.5” and each block should contain a variety of sizes (widths) and a good number of strips. Remember these should be scrappy and happy!

FABRICS: No more than 5 blocks exactly alike! Scrappy!  We will decide on how many blocks to make when sign-ups close on July 15, 2023 and we will have a list then.

LEAVE PAPERS IN.  DO NOT REMOVER PAPERS!!!!  With so many different fabrics and biased edges, leaving paper in provides one more layer of stability for the block until it is attached to something else. Make sure to include your name on each block on the back. You may use address labels, or just write it on the paper.

You must contact Donna Coppin at thepinkquilter@gmail.com with String Blocks 2023 in the subject line, with your address.     

What is a string block? It is a simple PP block that uses up a lot of scraps.

Here a tutorial to get started:

Please read Swap Guidelines before signing up for more details on swapping.

Thank you for playing along!

PLEASE SCROLL ALL THE WAY THROUGH THIS AND TYPE AGREE AT THE BOTTOM, ONLY IF YOU INTEND TO PARTICIPATE.

HOW TO SIGN UP: Please sign up by emailing me at thepinkquilter@gmail.com with RR2020 in the subject line, your name, address, phone number, and email. When the swap is filled, then I will PM everyone along with a list. You will be always sending to the same person until finished. The list will be posted after the swap closes.

SIGN UP DEADLINE: March 31, 2023

SEND OUT DATE FOR CENTER BLOCKS: April 30, 2023

WHAT IS A ROUND ROBIN? A round robin is usually a 12 inch block that is sent to a set number of people who then take turns adding borders to the block. It is then sent back to the owner as a finished top. This is a chance to be creative by using different techniques, such as borders, blocks, appliqué, etc.

DUE DATE FOR BORDERS: To be announced after we have at least 5-7 signups. From there on, quilt tops will be due on the first of the month and you will have two (2) months to complete each of your rounds. Hopefully, the tops will be finished within a year but do understand that things do happen that can delay it. When you finish your center block, please post a picture as we love to share and also for insurance reasons in case of problems.

Pictures are required along with tracking information. No exceptions.

SWAP GUIDELINES:

1. This year this is there no limit on the size of the center block. It can be any style or color you would like, it’s your choice. Please include scraps and a vision of what you want to see your top become. Please include a journal for others to write in as it is fun to see where it has traveled and its transformation. Please post photos as we go along.

2. It is up to the person receiving the top to decide on an appropriate border to go around the center block. Please make sure that it complements the colors the maker has chosen and styles that will match. There will be as many rounds as there are players so that everyone has a chance to create.

3. When sending the quilt top along, please make sure that it is INSURED AND THAT THERE IS TRACKING ON THE PACKAGE, as we don’t want anything to happen to our creations. Also make sure it is Flat rate shipping, if possible. Please send on the first of the month. MAKE SURE THAT YOU POST TO THE GROUP YOUR TRACKING NUMBER, YOUR NAME, WHO IT WAS SENT TO, AND DATE SENT.

4. If you find that you are having problems keeping up with the rounds, please let me know so that we can help you keep up. If we do have problems, the date can be pushed back to help, but you have to let me know ASAP! Remember, we cannot help you unless you ask for help. IF YOU BACK OUT OR DROP OUT AFTER YOU HAVE BEEN ASSIGNED, IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SWAP, OR DO NOT RESPOND WHEN CONTACTED AFTER 3 ATTEMPTS, AND WITHOUT LETTING ME OR ANYONE ELSE KNOW, YOU WILL BE BANNED FROM SWAPPING!

5. Please keep pets and smoking to a minimum as we do have members that have allergies. Use only good quality cotton and your best sewing techniques. Be creative and have fun with the quilt but make sure that it complements the quilt.

Thank you for playing along!