I had so much enjoyed the christmas craft exchange, that I thought maybe it would be fun to do a quilt square exchange! Anyone interested? Sissy

-- sissy sylvester-barth (jerreleene@hotmail.com), February 27, 2001

Answers

I am not sure what it would entail, but I would be interested.

-- Storybook Farm (mumaw@socket.net), February 27, 2001.

Well, the way my sisters and I have done it in the past, is each of us makes a square of a agreed upon size....say 12 inches. We pieced and quilted it, leaving the edges unhemmed, no binding...we make one for each person, not including self...so, if 3 of us want to do it, we make 3 squares and send them out, and we would each get 3 squares. Hopefully, we would have more (or we could do several each!), and be able to do at least a lap quilt. When you receive your squares, you can piece them together however you would like, with sashing, or straight together. My sisters and I always take a picture of the finished quilt and send to each other, as we live very far apart. We could decide upon a color combination, or theme, or simply do whatever we feel like. These make wonderful conversation quilts when each person simply does whatever pattern suits her, with whatever material she has on hand!

-- sissy sylvester-barth (jerreleene@hotmail.com), February 27, 2001.

Sign me up .Maybe it will inspire me to do some more quilting {i have 3 started}

-- Patty {NY State} (fodfarms@slic.com), February 27, 2001.

Yes, I would love to join you, how about a garden quilt? I haven't done that one yet. I am doing a fish quilt now. (just started) Ada

-- Aagje Franken (Backyardy2k@aol.com), February 27, 2001.

Ok, sounds like fun! Let me know the details! Jan

-- Jan in CO (Janice12@aol.com), February 27, 2001.

let me know too...red hen

-- red hen (redhen@fiberia.com), February 27, 2001.

YES! DW

-- DW in CO (djwallace@ctos.com), February 27, 2001.

Gosh! What a nice response! Okay, so, lets decide on a size, do we want a "theme" or a certain "color" combination? I will start with my opinion; I say 12 inches. and theme and color of the makers choice. I also think we should come up with a realistic time to mail them out. Seeing the response we have now, I say a week per square. So, if we make 5 squares to send, we will have 5 weeks to do and mail out. Opinions?

-- sissy sylvester-barth (jerreleene@hotmail.com), February 27, 2001.

I'm interested. Just need the details. Great idea, should make for some interesting results. We'll have to post pictures of our finished quilts on the forum.

-- Jean in Ky. (dandrea@duo-county.com), February 28, 2001.

I'd like to try this, too. With spring planting coming up, is a square a week realistic, or am I just slower than everyone else? Also, I've never connected pre-quilted squares. How is it done?

-- glynnis in KY (gabbycab@msn.com), February 28, 2001.

Yes, I definately want to be involved....I like the Garden theme. Six to eight weeks sounds better to me....I am a bit slow too... Lots to do around here.

-- Storybook Farm (mumaw@socket.net), February 28, 2001.

Sissy: are you going to be the coordinator, or how are we going to get the addresses for mailing distributed? I would opt for a little longer to do them, also, since there appear to be quite a few that want to do the squares. Theme optional would be good, too, since that would allow each of us to use what we have on hand. Great idea! I'm going to get started on mine! Jan

-- Jan in CO (Janice12@aol.com), February 28, 2001.

I will be the mailing coordinator!! Please send me your addresses, and I will put them altogether and send to each of you. How about, say, May 1st we shoot for a deadline, but, leave it a little room since it is spring! So, 12 inch squares....a theme of your choice, or a garden theme. Sound good?

As for how to quilt them together, I can tell you or you can visit Quiltvillage.com, and find out how there. There are several different ways, and as time comes nearer to mailing we can go over these ways.

Lets leave this post open, so as new people come on, they can do it also! Send me those addresses and START QUILTING!! Happy sewing, Sissy jerreleene@hotmail.com

-- sissy sylvester-barth (jerreleene@hotmail.com), February 28, 2001.

Let's back the squares with muslim and everyone must date and sign their name, as well as where you are located. So, I would put, Sissy Sylvester, May, 2001, Flagstaff, Arizona. What a cool friendship keepsake, huh?! We could also put, "countryside friend" or some such on there! (which could make this our "countryside mag - friendship quilt!).

-- sissy sylvester-barth (jerreleene@hotmail.com), February 28, 2001.

Sounds like fun! Sign me up too and let me know the details.....

Terran in Vermont

-- Terran Sadowski (homefire@sover.net), February 28, 2001.

I definitely want in. Send me the details. I'm not clear of how many blocks I should make but I do like the gardening theme. Or maybe broaden it to homestead so we could add animal blocks as well. Sounds like fun. I'm not a hand quilter so my blocks will be machine quilted. Just wanted to make sure that was okay.

-- Colleen (pyramidgreatdanes@erols.com), February 28, 2001.

I would like in on it also but I only know how to do a simple square with a needled work picture on it . Does that count?

-- renee oneill{md.} (oneillsr@home.com), February 28, 2001.

Sounds like just what the dr. ordered! Sign me up and tell me what to do! I'm not real creative but can follow directions like any good kindergartner. I've been wanting to try to learn to quilt this winter. This way I will have all of my friends helping me!

-- SINDY (queenbuffness@hotmail.com), February 28, 2001.

Looks like 12 quilters so far!! Send me your addresses, and I will start making the list for everyone to send their squares to.

If you are new to quilting and need some help, email me directly, or you can go to the quilting site listed above. Another resource is the public library!

If you want to make your square unique by embroidery, applique or other stitchery, that only adds to the beauty of the whole quilt!

The specifics are listed above...12 inch squares. A garden/country theme, or theme of your choice. Back the square with muslim, with your name, date, and location. Quilting in any style! Hand, machine, or tie! The makers work is what makes the quilt!

-- sissy sylvester-barth (jerreleene@hotmail.com), February 28, 2001.

Hi, I already signed on as one of the twelve. Just want to clarify what I am doing so I don't screw it up. I am making twelve blocks exactly alike? Each one of us twelve gets a block from eleven others and then we each put the blocks together in the way we choose? The 12 inch block, is that the finish size so we should actually be making our blocks 12 and a half inches to allow a quarter inch seam allowance on each one to put them together? Should we all be using just cotton or is it a whatever we come up with kind of thing? I'm fine either way, just want to be sure I understand what I am doing. I'm excited about participating. I've already decided on what my block will be because I just designed it yesterday. It was the first pattern I ever designed and coincindentally fits our theme.

-- Colleen (pyramidgreatdanes@erols.com), February 28, 2001.

Yes, we are making 12 blocks, (there are 13 of us, but, we don't count ourselves) exactly alike, or if you want, all different. This can be your choice! Just make sure you sign them! And then, we get the 12 blocks from the other quilters, and we put them togehter however we choose.

Yes, we do need to make them 12 1/2 inches, leaving us an room to seam them together.

I think whatever material you have on hand should be used. The majority of us have cottons, but, then again, there may be someone who has polyester! And that is okay! Adds to the uniquness of our quilts, don't you think?

I am also excited about this project!! I haven't yet come up with my square design yet, but, I have my eye on some fabric in my fabric stash that I KNOW I am going to use!! Sissy

-- sissy sylvester-barth (jerreleene@hotmail.com), February 28, 2001.

I want in! I want in! Make me lucky 14!! Uh-oh..or would that mean we'd have to amke and uneven 13 blocks each.... My machine is in the shop right now (jammed up while I was in the midst of making a hat)

-- Alison in Nova Scotia (aproteau@istar.ca), March 01, 2001.

Alison, I would love to hear more about your hat making. That sounds interesting. What kind is it and do you use a pattern or just invent it as you go?

-- Colleen (pyramidgreatdanes@erols.com), March 01, 2001.

I just thought I'd stop in and let you know that I own a quilt square exchange e-mail list called aquiltingbee. I am too busy with that group to take on another, but if you all decide you like this kind of thing you can e-mail me at my correct address attached, and I'll be happy to give you the addy.

Little Bit Farm

-- Little bit Farm (littleBit@compworldnet.com), March 01, 2001.

I got so excited about the whole idea that I didn't think of my prior commitments. Now looking over my schedule (hats to make, nursery school to tae kids to blah blah blah) I think i would make a poor addition to this exchange. Better take me off the list hun, so i don't let you all down. As for hats, I got a camp hat pattern and made sun hats for my kids. then I got inspired and started doing them crazy quilt style. now people want them becaus ethey are different. I also do tote bags.

-- Alison in Nova Scotia (aproteau@istar.ca), March 08, 2001.

I am running behind. And also what is the theme? Is it homesteading? Just want to know. I'll get going on it Ada

-- Aagje Franken (Backyardy2k@aol.com), March 12, 2001.