In this
swap, each participating quilter will create a starter ROW, BLOCK, or MEDALLION
and then will exchange it with other quilters.
Drop-in
when you are ready or drop out anytime you feel your quilt is done. The
exchange will take place at each monthly meeting of the Calgary MQG.
I found this sentiment from Sherri Lynn Wood to be useful. Think of
round-robin quilts as ongoing conversations. You want to listen to the
conversation the quilt is having, and then continue it, adding your own voice.
How It Works:
·
Create a ROW, BLOCK OR
MEDALION to exchange with other quilters in this Rockin’ Robin!
·
Pack up your completed ROW, BLOCK or MEDALLION in a
bag, box or tote and bring to any meeting. Exchange your quilt box, bag, or tote for
another quilter’s Rockin’ stuff.
·
Take it home and add to the quilt top.
·
Each month you will trade off and exchange for a
new box, bag or tote. The exchange will take place at our Calgary MQG meeting
on the 3rd Thursday of each month.
·
Bring your Rockin’ Robin box, bag or tote to the
next Calgary MQG meeting and get ready to have fun!
Items for your first exchange:
·
Completed BLOCK, ROW, or MEDALLION in a box, bag or
storage tote
·
Additional fabrics, if desired
·
Journal (optional) or a preference sheet.
·
Quilt label for signatures of the quilters -an easy
label is made by ironing a piece of muslin to freezer paper
·
Prepare a box, bag, tote or even a pillowcase for
the project to travel through the rotations — include your name and phone/email
address inside.
·
Place your completed BLOCK, ROW or MEDALLION in the
bag, box or tote.
·
You can include extra fabric that you would be glad to have included in future
rounds., Those
who work on your quilt CAN use those pieces or ignore them completely, their
choice.
·
As this is a Modern Round Robin, fabrics should
have a modern aesthetic, and be 100% quilt-shop quality cotton.
·
The goal is to add about 1 meter of fabric each round, except for the first round you can aim for about 1/2 meter. Buy, take from your stash, and maybe use some of the fabric provided in the
box. You can pass leftover scraps along with the quilt. That way they can be
used later in the quilt.
·
Add a journal or a few sheets of paper with your
personal preferences such as “do not use any
cat fabric” or “you can use black if it works” You could even include a few paint
colour chips! But again, your
preferences may be ignored. Part of the pleasure here is giving up control.
Really!
·
You can start with the first entry and explain how
you came up with the idea for your center block or row or explain what your
vision for the quilt is. Leave words of encouragement for the next person or
wishes you may have for the finished quilt. It’s okay to specify colors you
don’t want in your quilt or to say you would prefer all solids. Please,
however, be flexible and open to the creator’s inspirational direction.
·
Be sure to add whether you prefer prewashed fabric
or not.
·
A participant can leave the swap at any time,
whenever she thinks her quilt is done. At this stage, we have not set an end
date. Likely after about 5 or 6 rounds, but it could be ongoing if more participants
enter after the start, or to allow for people taking breaks. We will discuss with the participants.
·
A participant may “hold” her quilt to temporarily
remove it from rotation. Useful for vacations
·
Lastly, follow the Golden Rule: do unto other’s
quilts as you would have done unto yours.
Helpful Hints:
·
If making a MEDALLION quilt, your MEDALLION should
be at least 12 inches; if it is smaller than 12 inches, it will get lost in the
rounds and will not be a focal point when your quilt is completed.
·
If you need inspiration, Google “Modern Round Robin
quilts” or “Modern Row Robin Quilts” or “Modern Medallion quilts”
·
Not sure where to start? How about using that
orphan block that you love but can’t figure out what to do with it?
·
Use your favorite modern technique or block to get
creatively inspired.
·
Some design elements you may want to include in
your design includes:
-Asymmetry
-Negative space
-Improvisational piecing
-Alternate block structures
-Reinterpretation of traditional blocks
-Asymmetry
-Negative space
-Improvisational piecing
-Alternate block structures
-Reinterpretation of traditional blocks
Your responsibilities:
·
If a participant can not attend a guild meeting and
has someone's quilt, it would be best if she could have someone bring it to the
meeting for her. Otherwise, she will need to deliver or mail that quilt to
the next participant for the following round within 1 week of the meeting.
·
If a participant is not at a guild meeting. Her
quilt will not be worked on in the next round. The quilt will be held by
the swap chair.
·
If you don’t finish your next ROW or BLOCK, and
this happens to you consistently, you may be asked to drop out. Don’t
disappoint yourself or your fellow quilt makers – keep your commitment and make
sure to finish your ROW or BLOCK each month…Instead, plan ahead and request a “hold”
where your quilt will step out of the rotation.
·
You are working on someone else’s quilt, so be sure
to use your very best workmanship. Sometimes we bite off more than we can chew,
so if you add a row or a block, and it does not lay flat, or just looks bad . .
. take it out and do something less complicated or make something else that
looks better. Remember: there are many talented quilters in our guild that
would be happy to help with advice on a tricky bit of stitchery – just ask
them.
·
Additions should be respectful of the owner's
requests and the work of the participants who previously had the quilt.
·
The Rockin” Robin is NOT blind. That means you can share on social media,
and show at guild meetings.
·
Share with the tags @calgarymqg #calgarymqg
#rockinrobinYYC on IG or on the Calgary Modern Quilt Guild Facebook page.
Still Have
Questions?
If you have a
question or a problem, call or email Philippa. Contact numbers and emails or participants will
be provided when you sign up or at your first exchange – or contact us on
the Calgary MGQ Facebook page.
