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| 12" block raffle....I won the blocks! |
As I have immersed myself further and further into the quilting world, I have met so many great people and made some wonderful friends along the way. So often, when we are simply a member of a quilt guild, we end up just filling a spot at a meeting but never really getting to know anyone around us more than just by name. Two great ways to make friends and get to know people are through small groups and attending retreats.
One of the activities that I have found to be most enjoyable has been arranging and participating in various types of swaps with quilting friends, and with those who have become friends. I thought it would be fun to share some of those swaps and ideas with you all.
The first time I ever went to a quilt retreat, I was pretty nervous. I didn't know the ladies I was traveling with all that well. In fact, I booked my own room because I was so nervous about staying with women I didn't know all that well. I shouldn't have worried! That retreat was so much fun! Every chance I get, if I can scrape together the funds, I try to go to retreats! I love them!
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| Teal and Lavender exchange |
My first year at this particular retreat, we did a 10" square exchange. Each person that wanted to play brought 40 10" squares in their designated color. Then, we each got one square of everyone else's squares. The goal was to make something with the squares and bring it to retreat the next year for Show and Tell. Over the years, we have exchanged: yellow and black, teal and lavender, lime and navy, and bright polka dots. Each time, I have tried to make a quilt for the next year, and I love them all!
Another fun thing that I have done with my quilting friends is a yearly block exchange. I pulled 12 of my friends together, and we meet once a year. The first year, we exchanged 2" finished half square triangles out of a palette of Edyta Sitar, Kim Diehl, Kansas Troubles, or Civil War fabrics. I used Edyta Sitar's book Friendship Triangles as the inspiration. Everyone made whatever they wanted from their triangles.
Over the next few years we have done red and white blocks in three sizes 6", 9" and 12". Each person made one each of the three sizes for everyone else. We also did an exchange using the Farmgirl Vintage book. We put all the names of the blocks in a hat, drew 4 each, and made enough for everyone! Believe me, 12 each of those 6" blocks took awhile to make! It was all worth it when we got together and exchanged and magically had 48 different blocks. This year we are using blue/tan 12" blocks. It seems like 12 months is a long time to get your blocks made, but you wouldn't believe how many of us wait until the last minute!
Another great idea that has come out of retreat is raffle blocks (this is where you bring a block or two in the designated colors and you get your name in the drawing to win them. I won the blocks the year that we used 1930's reproductions!) We have also played strip poker with fabric strips. I DIDN'T win the orange and gray, but I loved them so much that I collected my own and made a quilt for my bed:) We have also done some block exchanges within the retreat group. One year, we did 4 1/2" finished pink and brown reproduction churn dash blocks. The next year was tiny Ohio Stars. The last time was house blocks in either 6" x 6" or 6" x 12". It was up to us to figure out how to set all these wonderful blocks.
All these blocks and activities have been so much fun. The best part has been getting to know so many other quilters who share my passion for fabric and the beautiful things we can make with it!
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| Edyta Sitar's triangles exchange |
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| Orange and Gray Strip Poker |
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| Lime and Navy 10" square exchange |
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| Red and White block exchange |
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| Farmgirl Vintage block exchange |
