Tips For a Successful Block Swap Quilt

Types of Quilt Block Swaps

So, just what is swapping? It's an organized method of sharing a bit of your fabric stash, in exchange for someone else's. It can be a 'remnant' of a predetermined size, a fat eighth, a fat quarter, 2.5" strips, or a completed block. One big benefit is that the swap allows you to sample a new fabric styles that you might not normally purchase. It also allows you to share your favorite fabric passions with other quilters as well. This is a great way to build your scrappy 'stash'.

Block Swaps

Y Seams (Inset Seams) 101

Y Seams

In my early quilting years, I was determined to make a Grandmothers Flower Garden quilt. Not those tiny little hexagons that my great-grandmother had pieced with 1" sides*. Mine was going to be much easier, because I was going to do it on the sewing machine. Also, I was going to make the hexies larger with a 2.5" side. So, I cut out my hexies, had a pretty yellow path between the flowers and started sewing away. I made about 30 'flowers', then decided it was time to assemble them into the quilt top.

I did not know any of the tips that I'm going to share with you. I lined up the raw edges and sewed from one end of the cut edge to the other. I did use pins, and when I came to an intersection, I put my needle down and pivoted the fabric and kept on sewing and finished the top. It was awful. Hardly any of the intersections lay flat! WHAT??? (I never did get that quilt top quilted, and I think I donated it to some charity group for them to deal with!!)

*Hexagons/Hexies are measured by the length of one side.

What to pack for a quilt retreat: Printable retreat packing checklist

What is a Quilt Retreat?

A quilt retreat can mean different things to different people. Some retreats have more structure than others. Some will have classes and usually you are free to participate or not in those. Always bring more to work on than you think you will need. I bring LOTS of different projects to work on. I like to put individual projects in plastic bags or project tubs. I try to include everything in that tub that goes with the project such as HST paper, specialty rulers, the pattern and so on. (Note: do all of your pre-cutting BEFORE retreat - gives you more time for sewing)

My FIRST retreat (way back in 1983 at the Oklahoma State Retreat at Fin-n-Feather Resort). We  had around 250 quilters from Oklahoma, Kansas and Arkansas. It had Friday night entertainment, vendors, classes, and meals provided. This was a full structured event, I remember that Ricky Timms was the speaker at one of the retreats in the 1980's.  

Nowadays, I mostly just attend retreats with close friends or Bee members, and we usually start on a Monday morning through Thursday noon. 

Easy Disappearing Nine Patch Tutorial

Easy Disappearing 9-Patch Quilt Pattern

Disappearing Nine Patch quilts are designed by arranging and sewing together nine squares to create a traditional nine patch quilt block. But, instead of leaving the block as-is it is sliced (or chopped) into four equal sections to create the disappearing design.

I originally used this block with a block exchange with my quilt bee several years ago. We ALL used a French Navy Blue sold fabric for the 'sashing' blocks, and used brightly colored batiks for the 'color block' and 'cornerstones'.