Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Round robin!

July's meeting was great! It was wonderful to see all of the different postcards everyone made and to see the beautiful Swirly Girls Design studio!

I hope everyone is excited about our next challenge: a round robin quilt. If you've never done a round robin before, they are a great way to stretch your quilting legs. And this one is small, so it won't cost you much in fabric. Here is the way it works:

1. Everyone makes a center square. The square should be 6 inches finished, so be sure to include a 1/2 inch for seam allowances. Put the square into the envelope you received at the meeting (if you weren't there, it's fine; we'll have more at August's meeting).

2. We'll swap envelopes. You will add a border to the block you get.

3. We'll swap again. Lather, rinse, repeat until December when...

4. You get your original block back with four borders (or other additions) by new friends!

Here is a link to my personal blog -- this is everything I've posted in the category "round robin." You will see some completed quilts and some rows or blocks that I did individually. Keep in mind that some of the round robins I've been in have been row quilts, so instead of a bunch of borders, you'll see rows done by individuals and then put together. I'll be sure to bring some samples of round robins to the next meeting. If you have some samples of your own, please bring them for show and tell!

Here are some questions I thought might come up:

Q. Do I have to include fabric in my envelope?
A. Only if you want to.

Q. What if I can't come to a meeting?
A. Send it along with someone else or drop it in the mail to our PO Box. Just make sure you mail it at least a week before.

Q. What if I really don't want a certain color/style?
A. Just note it on the envelope. Try to not put too many restrictions on it, though. It's more fun when the sky is the limit. A quick "no Thimbleberries" or "I love batiks!" is fine.

Q. I'm new and don't know what to do!
A. One of the officers would be happy to meet with you and go over some ideas. Round robins are supposed to be fun, not stressful. Of course, you want to make sure you are putting your best effort into what you're making.

Any questions I didn't cover? Post a comment and I'll add it here.

Let's go!

Sunday, July 3, 2011

ATTENTION - Venue change for July


Hey RMQG buddies, I will be sending multiple emails this month, please bear, or would that be bare (tutu funny) with me, as I just want to make certain the word gets out about our change of venue for July........ We are so very fortunate to have the opportunity to meet in a conference space adjoining the Swirly Girls Studio, great thanks to Christine for making this happen at no cost to the membership - YEAH Christine!!!!!

The address is:

10825 Midlothian Turnpike, Richmond, VA 23235

and is across from Johnston-Willis Hospital, SE corner Midlothian Turnpike & Southlake Blvd., just beyond Wachovia. Pool and Spa business on the 1st floor and we'll be meeting on the 2nd floor with a tour of the Swirly Girls Studio following the meeting. If available, you might want to bring an extra folding or lawn chair as we will have some seating but you KNOW how we've been growing.............

Just yet another sign of all the wonderful opportunities to grow and become more and we'll have lots of excitement at the meeting with our postcard reveal, the announcement of our next challenge and as always, a simply faboo show and tell from YOU, our spectacular membership!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy 4th everyone, talk soon, as ever, Catherine