Virtual Retreat Aug thru Dec 2015 Info on first post

[twiglet]

Rosemary and others interested in the Round Robin,

My biggest concern is the postage! I've been doing a lot of pondering on ways to make this fun, but not expensive.
I mailed out a package of about 1 1/2 yards of fabric to Australia and it cost me over $16.00, no insurance added! So, I want to be sure this doesn't get like that!
Here's an idea I'd like some feed back on:
It would be a "row robin"
Monthly we each make one 'themed' row, 8 1/2" by 40 1/2", this gets sent to the next person on our individual list (something I will put together)
We use our own stash but the theme of our friend to make the row.
This way monthly postage would only be for a single row of the quilt, and the entire quilt would be assembled by ourselves.
It would look something like this:
My theme would be dragonflies and each month that my name was on Someone's list they would make a border with dragonflies as the theme. And send it to me.
My list would look like this:
Month 1. Lotti - nature animals
Month 2. Rosemary - oriental
Month 3. Lois - appliqué, please no oranges.
Etc, etc.
I think this would be fun and would keep costs down.

As you may have noticed in the theme idea, it can be technique or a focus word. Much like the Chinese Whispers. Each person could post a picture of what they received and as we finish adding the rows what they look like. Lots of eye candy at that point.

Before I start the other thread I want to know also WHEN everyone wants this to start by, or not beforehand!!
Please let me know,
Thanks
Luann

[twiglet]

Nancy, thank you for the freezer paper tip! I am putting that on my shopping list, because it definitely would have worked better than pinned on/taped on card stock! As you say, the card stock did not bend with the fabric, so as I scrunched and smooshed the quilt, I had to keep repositioning/making sure the pinned on bow didn't move too much.

Luann, I like the way you've set up the Row Robin (or described it in that last post) and would be interested maybe. Not till after Christmas for me, if that's not too late for everyone else. If it is, I can sit this one out and join in next time I think you have my email from sending me info on dyeing fabric, but if you need it again let me know.

Thanks, everyone, for the compliments! It is fun to have you ladies to nudge me on! I did take the 2 small quilts to the fair, so we'll see what happens. They would have been judged yesterday, so I will try and go this weekend to see how things went.

Today I am just working on the binding on the lone star, and then I need to make PJs for the Quiltapalooza PJ Party at Houston next month. That will take me a while, as I am not a garment maker at all. But should be fun!

[twiglet]

Heather, another alternative for templates to quilt around is sand paper. They don't slip and are very easy to reposition. I used them for stitching out the borders and sashing on my Caught Red Handed quilt, part of the Laura Nownes Sampler quilt along we had a few years back. I did post about how I did it, but unfortunately all the photos were left behind in the change over Yell if you would like further details of my technique.


Here is the whole thing for those that missed it first time around. The name came about because I dyed my own reds to yellows fabrics for this and found out the hard way that my rubber gloves had perished :whistle:

[lorra]

Heather, yes the freezer paper is a must in the sewing room. I sometimes use card stock or index cards too. If I need a small design I will sketch it on the card, then sew over it using a large needle (18-20) and no thread. Then I hold it over the place I want it and use my pounce pad to mark the quilt. I can then use it in other areas of the quilt if I want. I also save my little homemade pounce stencils in case I want to use them on another quilt. I only mark one of these designs at a time, because the powder will sometimes bounce off as you quilt.

[lorra]

I am sorry I won't be able to participate in the round robin (or row robin . I have enough going on right now and then DH asks me to make the shirt for him that he bought the fabric for. That was over a year ago. He said as soon as I am between quilts. Who is ever between quilts? Don't we all have several going at a time so there is no empty time to spare? I guess I will have to do it. He is very understanding about my addiction to fabric, and he does not mind me going to retreats, shows and workshops.

I entered some quilts in the county fair yesterday. One was my Portrait Quilt. They put that in the miscellaneous-applique class. I also had two pieced quilts and could only enter one in my name. DH was with me so the ladies there asked if he would mind if they put his name on it. He said OK. They said maybe he would decide to take up quilting. :lol: :lol:
He isn't allowed to use my machines, so he had better stick to his hunting and fishing.

Better go now. I am taking the grands to the fair parade, then I can go to the exhibition hall and see if I got any ribbons. One of my DDs are going with me. The quilt in DH's name is her Christmas present. I hope they have the names hidden so she won't notice it. I will point out the entries in my name and try to distract her. Wish me luck!

[Lorna1021]

Rosemary, I still love your Caught Red Handed Quilt!

[twiglet]

Good luck Cathy hope you got a ribbon

[idaho]

I know..haven't been good about writing this summer....not too much sewing getting done. But I have been following along
and enjoying everyone's efforts. I am always wowed by the wonders you all create. And then all the family stuff..good...new
additions and sad..the losses ! And new undertakings !! Old friends showing up !! And some I still sorely miss....they no longer
can find time for TQS forum. Well....enough of that talk...here's my new "baby" !

1915 #15 with Tiffany/Gingerbread decals. She sews..needs cleaning and a few
other little things. I'll remove the motor and add a hand crank. Originally a treadle
that had been turned electric I'm pretty sure. Purchased on Ebay...had not found one
locally. Shipping was OK, tho' I held my breath the whole time !!

[rehak]

She's beautiful, Marilyn!!

[rehak]

Rosemary, I like the little red pieced squares scattered in the large white border of your quilt.

Heather, a friend said she used thick paper templates to quilt around, but then I tried the freezer paper and really prefer that. I make multiple shapes the same size and iron them down in a row and then I can just keep sewing along without repositioning a single paper template.

Kathy

[idaho]

Oh bother ! lost that post !! Ok ! About my experience with a Round Robin...here are some pics !
Blind exchange from start to end. Blocks drawn randomly...the rows were passed every other month,
no excuses !No Peeking ! We could add special fabrics/color preferences but nothing that would give
away the owners' ID. 6 in. finished blocks to be set 6x7...some added sashing ..others none. We never
knew whose quilt we where working on. It all went beautifully and some got finished and shown in 2009
These pics were taken at the big reveal at one group member's cabin..not the best light and breezy...in
summer 2008. It was great fun ! :woohoo: My finished one is in the middle some how :silly:

[anne1]

Marilyn, That is a thing of beauty.
I'm sure you will enjoy using it.
Anne

[idaho]

Rosemary and others interested in the Round Robin,

My biggest concern is the postage! I've been doing a lot of pondering on ways to make this fun, but not expensive.
I mailed out a package of about 1 1/2 yards of fabric to Australia and it cost me over $16.00, no insurance added! So, I want to be sure this doesn't get like that!
Here's an idea I'd like some feed back on:
It would be a "row robin"
Monthly we each make one 'themed' row, 8 1/2" by 40 1/2", this gets sent to the next person on our individual list (something I will put together)
We use our own stash but the theme of our friend to make the row.
This way monthly postage would only be for a single row of the quilt, and the entire quilt would be assembled by ourselves.
It would look something like this:
My theme would be dragonflies and each month that my name was on Someone's list they would make a border with dragonflies as the theme. And send it to me.
My list would look like this:
Month 1. Lotti - nature animals
Month 2. Rosemary - oriental
Month 3. Lois - appliqué, please no oranges.
Etc, etc.
I think this would be fun and would keep costs down.

As you may have noticed in the theme idea, it can be technique or a focus word. Much like the Chinese Whispers. Each person could post a picture of what they received and as we finish adding the rows what they look like. Lots of eye candy at that point.

Before I start the other thread I want to know also WHEN everyone wants this to start by, or not beforehand!!
Please let me know,
Thanks
Luann

So...I'd love to do this !....I would like to suggest that we use six or seven- 6 inch finished blocks...so as to have more "exchange" as
larger blocks won't allow many rows without get too long and unbalanced. Of course...that depends on how many want to play !!
My quilt was 47' x 52 " , no sashing. Lap size or sofa...
I think after the holidays gives all a chance too get geared up finished up etc !! :P

[idaho]

I think the row or block size will need to be determined once we have an idea of how many are interested in participating.
With that being said,

What approximate size would everyone like these to finish out to?
I can do some design work in EQ and we could have different sized blocks that would fit together when they are all complete. That might make it even more interesting,,, just a thought.

Luann

[idaho]

That sounds good, Luann...variety of sizes might be fun....I'd like to keep the size on the smaller side...as I can't display a big
quilt ..no big "hanging" place (60' sq. is about as big as I can go) and really don't have need for another bed quilt...we only have 1 !! :blink:
I will wait and see how you develop it !