| If you've been quilting for years, your scrap bag may be deep enough for several scrap quilts, but if you haven't, all is not lost. Signing up for a block exchange is a really fun way to include more fabrics in your quilts, because everyone's stash is a little different.
All kinds of quilting groups host block exchanges, from neighborhood bees to state guilds, individuals and groups on the internet, and even groups in the workplace. Guidelines for exchanges vary according to the desired result. In a bee in the Denver area, one member a month chooses a block pattern and size, and specifies the colors she wants, then each member makes her a block and turns it in at the next meeting. Each member makes only one block a month, and depending on how many members there are, receives blocks for her quilt on a rotating schedule. Statewide quilds often have block exchanges at their meetings. In our guild, a pattern is published in the monthly newsletter, often with color suggestions. The names of all who contributed blocks at the meeting are put in a hat, one for each block contributed. The blocks are sorted into several groups (in our guild, 9 to 12 blocks), and names are drawn from the hat to determine the recipients. The more blocks you make, the more chances you have to win. If you'd like to widen your horizons, you can participate in world-wide exchanges through groups on the Internet. One of the most active groups, the Nifty Fifty Quilters (http://www.geocities.com/niftyfiftyquilters/index.html) has been hosting exchanges since 1998. Each exchange (with various themes) includes a quilter from each state who commits to making 50+ blocks. The first block to be submitted is a sample block, required to participate, which is used in a charity quilt to raise awareness about breast cancer. They also host an international exchange called Twenty Plenty. Other groups hosting exchanges on the internet can be found at www.blockcentral.com and www.quilttalk.com. Crazy quilters might be interested in starting an autograph block exchange on http://prettyimpressivestuff.com.
A list of trading opportunities, both fabric and blocks, can be found on www.quilt.com; click on the link for the Trading Post. Two workplace block exchanges were hosted at the Golden, Colorado, Primedia offices (home to McCall's Quilting, McCall's Quick Quilts, Quilter's Newsletter Magazine, Quiltmaker, and Sew News). Each member of the exchange made blocks for the entire group once a month. The total number of blocks in the exchange depended on the number of participants and the number of months the exchange lasted. The first exchange was for 3" nine-patch blocks, and the second was for 2" x 4" flying geese blocks. The second exchange was sub-divided into groups exchanging traditional fabrics and batiks. Quilts resulting from the flying geese exchange are shown here. To view quilts from the nine-patch exchange, click here. Participation in a block exchange requires a commitment in addition to the cost of materials (estimated at $80 to $100 for the Nifty Fifties). If you don't bring a block to a guild meeting to exchange, there is no problem except that you don't have the opportunity to go home with a collection. In the other exchanges, however, either careless workmanship or procrastination can result in major disappointment. Block exchanges not only add interest to a scrap quilt by introducing fabrics that are not in your stash, they can lead to new friendships with like-minded quilters around the world. Try it, you'll like it! Further Information
Jeannie Spears is a freelance writer, judge, and teacher, who enjoys the challenge of working with scraps. She and her husband print photos on fabric for quilters. Visit www.softfabricphotos.com for information. The Nifty Fifty quilters have several breast cancer quilts available for organizations that would like to use them for fund-raisers. The first quilt they made tours the country, and breast cancer survivors and their families can sign the back. Visit http://www.geocities.com/niftyfiftyquilters/index.html or contact Webmaster Teresa Drummond, trequilts@yahoo.com for more information. |
