How to run a quilters row by row or a round robinWritten by Michelle Steel
How to Organise a Row by Row or a round robin. Firstly, what are Row x Rows and Round Robins? They are quilts, which have more than one person working on them, by design. Usually a group of friends will get together, and decide on rules. What usually happens is that ‘owner’ of quilt, or person who starts it, begins with a block and a colour scheme. This is then handed onto next person in group who adds to this block. A Round Robin means that quilter adds a border to quilt as it is passed around. A Row x Row has a row added as quilt is passed around. The number of participants depends on how big quilt gets. Rules to consider. Time frame. Each person needs time to work on quilt top. Usually a month is good for any one’s calendar. Consider length of time it will take for quilt top to move around a circle of 8 friends, moving once per month. You may want to limit number of participants per quilt, limit amount of time or size of quilt. If there are 8 quilts moving around this circle of friends, then time limit may need to be strictly enforced. Include things such as good quality, pre-washed fabrics only in guidelines. Colour schemes. Individuals will always prefer different colour schemes so these need to be set out plainly for all to take note off. Often it’s a good idea to include a note with quilt top as it travels around circle. Set out on note, colours that are preferred, colours that are abhorred, designs, which will or will not suit owner. These are all things that should be nutted out before you start.
| | How to run a quilt swapWritten by Michelle Steel
Lots of quilters enjoy participating in a swap. The main aim of a swap is to get more of particular object that you are swapping. Considering we are talking to quilters here, things that they like to swap include, charm squares, completed blocks or pieces of fabric. To organise a swap you’ll need participants firstly. These are easily recruited through your own quilt groups. You must have a theme to swap that entices more people to join. Keep rules simple so that people understand what they are doing. Rules for swaps include size, shape, design or colour of fabric/block to be swapped. For instance, you could organise a swap of blue and white, 6.5" nine patches. You find out how many people are interested in participating, and that’s how many blocks each person makes. One for themselves, and one for everyone else. Set a deadline for swap to be finished and that’s about it. Other things to consider are these. Is this a centralised swap or not? A centralised swap is where swap hostess collects all of items on due date, swaps them all about, and redistributes them to participants so each person has one of everything. The hostess needs to be organised and not mind spending a lot of time sorting it out. A non-centralised swap is where each individual sends/gives each other person involved in swap their own item. If you are posting, this can become costly. If there is a person who drops out and doesn’t contribute, then you don’t always get same amount back that you sent. Are you swapping blocks? Give a good description of block that everyone is making. Include instructions. Make sure that it is within every ones sewing ability. Be very clear on colours to use, if this is important. Be clear on what finished measurements of block should be. Be prepared to accept blocks that might not be sewn well, remember that there are all levels of ability out there, and we should encourage more quilters to join these activities.
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