String Quilt Blocks

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Swap Coordinator:	crochetjunkie (contact)
Swap categories:	Fabric Sewing Quilting
Number of people in swap:	12
Location:	International
Type:	Type 3: Package or craft
Last day to signup/drop:	September 30, 2009
Date items must be sent by:	October 31, 2009
Number of swap partners:	2
Description:
This is not my block, but I think it is simply beautiful! This is a higher stakes quilting swap. You will be making 6 of these quilt blocks for 2 different partners. So you will be making a total of 12 of these blocks. You will also be including at least 10 pieces of "scraps" that your partner can use in future quilt projects. These pieces must measure at least 2 inches wide by 4 inches long or bigger. Nothing too teeny. This is for experienced as well as beginner quilters. This is such a simple quilt block and it's alot of fun to do. A great way to get rid of a bunch of scraps! We will be going a bit smaller then the pattern says to. Our finished size will be 6 inches square. Here is a super simple tutorial for how to make these. There are two ways of doing the string quilts...paper piecing and then using a foundation fabric. This is a swap for a foundation fabric...not paper piecing. When you get your pieces from your partners you should have enough to do a pillow or two, placemats, a purse, or to add to a stack of 6 inch quilt blocks for a variety quilt. YOU WILL IRON EACH PIECE DOWN ON THE STRING BLOCK AS YOU SEW THEM. NOT IRONING THEM CAN RESULT IN HORRIBLY MADE STRING QUILTS. THIS IS A QUALITY QUILTING SWAP. Since this should be light weight, the swap is open to international participants as well. Some of the stipulations of this swap: You must have a rating of at least 4.95 or higher. No no-sends with-in the last 3 months. You need to have at least 10 package swaps that YOU HAVE BEEN RATED FOR under your belt. If I get a "hinky" feeling about you, your profile or your ratings, I reserve the right to remove you from the swap for the protection of my other joiners. UPDATES 09-18-09 1.) Make the finished size be 6 1/2 inches square. If you want it to be 6 inches, you can trim them down yourself later. 2.) You can use the same fabric in the same square only 2 times. I don't want to have a pattern to your squares. I think they should be fully whimsical and not match at all. :) 3.) If you want the scrap pieces to match the blocks you can, but you don't have to. Also, don't have more then 2 pieces of scraps the same fabric to each person. So don't send 10 pieces of the same fabric to one person. That kinda defeats the purpose. LOL As a newbie, ff you are interested in doing this swap and you do not have the requirements listed above, contact me and I might be willing to do a private swap you to help you boost your ratings.

Discussion

MamaD 09/17/2009 #

Watching!

moosemama 09/17/2009 #

I made a quilt of blocks like this years ago and it is still the brightest and cheeriest quilt I've made.

junemoon 09/17/2009 #

Great stash buster -- love it!

crochetjunkie 09/17/2009 #

That was my thought, @junemoon i love using up my jelly rolls for it. I think the un-uniform-ness of the strips is really appealing!

spinjenny 09/18/2009 #

I'm watching this swap, but I do have some (probably silly) questions just for clarification ...

When you say the finished size will be 6", do you mean that the finished size of blocks in the quilt will be 6" square, so the blocks we send will be 6.5" after trimming and squaring up, or do you mean the finished (trimmed and squared) size that we send will be 6"? Is there any preference about whether we re-use some or a lot of fabrics in the 6 squares for each partner versus having them all different like for a charm quilt? Similarly, should the extra 'scraps' be cut from some of the block fabrics or all different?

crochetjunkie 09/18/2009 #

@spinjenny No questions are silly! Better to be clear, then not, in my opinion!!

I'm going to add these updates to the swap description: *Let's make the finished size be 6 1/2 inches square. If you want it to be 6 inches, you can trim them down yourself later. *You can use the same fabric in the same square only 2 times. I don't want to have a pattern to you squares. I think they should be fully whimsical and not match at all. :) *If you want the pieces to match the blocks you can, but you don't have to. Also, don't have more then 2 pieces of scraps the same fabric to each person. So don't send 10 pieces of the same fabric to one person. That kinda defeats the purpose. LOL

Great questions! I am always open to questions!! :)

spinjenny 09/18/2009 #

Thanks!

Maggles45 09/22/2009 #

Question- Do we use muslin for the foundation? I have never done foundation piecing before only paper piecing. Do we really need a foundation? I would suggest prewashing and pressing fabric before sewing. This is going to be fun.

crochetjunkie 09/25/2009 #

you can use any kind of solid color fabric for your foundation. I will be using probably a cream or white color. Muslin is up to you. Yes a foundation is requred for this swap. Prewashing is not a requirement. However, pressing is required. Thanks @Maggles45 !

TC 09/26/2009 #

Oo, I'd prefer not to have my fabrics pre-washed. I like the antique, crinkled look that unshrunk fabrics have after they are quilted and then washed. (Same with the muslin backing.)

Cakers 09/29/2009 #

FYI:

I should note that I always wash my fabric before I use it, I don't care for the sizing chemicals some of them have (unwashed fabric seems to have an odor no matter how high end they are, but that may just be my own sensitive nose). However, I'm okay with receiving unwashed or washed as blocks or strings, no problem!

I hope that won't be an issue with anyone but if it is I will certainly go shopping for new fabric before I make your blocks, just let me know.

Thanks so much! :-)

Craftlover10101 09/29/2009 #

Can you please inform me the next time you have this swap Jennifer? Anyone lol Thanks It's just that I have plenty on my plate right now. I really should hold off till after the New Year lol. Atleast thats what I keep telling myself.

imjustaguywhoquilts 10/20/2009 #

Jennifer and I did create a flicker group to share photos of the blocks you make if you want. Here is the address:

http://www.flickr.com/groups/1263980@N21/

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