Block Swap Scheduled for June

Guild members are invited to participate in a block exchange. Bring your completed blocks to the June meeting for the exchange. Specific directions for the exchange are given below.

Block – Swap
Square in a square in a square blocks made with fall colors and cream will be traded in June. A block swap will allow you to create a project that uses many different fabrics for a unique look. To participate in this block swap, please carefully read the following instructions.

Using the directions given below, make as many blocks as you would like to trade. If you want to have four blocks to make a table runner, make four. If you would like a large quilt, make two dozen or so blocks. You will take home the same number of blocks as you bring. This pattern choice may be used as is, cut into triangles or squares and made into the design of your choice.

Our color palette will be fall colors with cream. Please use fabric for the fall colors that are medium or dark in value. Use only fabric that will appear as a solid from a distance. This means no large scale prints or batiks with a large range of colors. Fall colors include browns, oranges, gold, deep greens and reds, etc. For the cream, do not use white and be sure you do not reach into your tan or gold stash. Cream means cream! Fabric must be 100% cotton and quilt shop quality. You may use all the same fabric or a variety as long as you stay in the guidelines. If you have a large scale print or other fabric you would like to use but it does not suit our guidelines, maybe you can use it in your quilt as lattice and cornerstones or as a border fabric. Please do not introduce other colors into the trading blocks (example- do not use a brown fabric that has blue flowers)If you find you are not willing or able to stay within the guidelines, please wait to participate in a block swap that suits your taste.

Block instructions-
Blocks should be cream, fall color, cream OR fall color, cream, fall color. Please make the same number of blocks in each combination (example - two and two or six and six). Use exact ¼” seams, press towards dark.

For one block –
Center color- cream (second block fall color)
Cut a 4 ½” square for the center
First border- fall color (second block cream)
Cut 2 – 4 ½” by 2 ½” pieces, sew onto opposite sides of the square
Cut 2 – 8 ½” by 2 ½” pieces, sew onto block to make it square
Last border- cream (second block fall color)
Cut 2 - 8 ½” by 2 ½” pieces, sew onto opposite sides of block
Cut 2 - 12 ½” by 2 ½” pieces, sew onto block to make it square

For four blocks (tip – always cut longer pieces first)
1st color – cut 1 strip 4 ½” inches by 20”, cut into 4 - 4 ½” squares
2nd color- cut 3 strips, 2 ½” by width of fabric, cut into 8 – 8 ½” by 2 ½” strips and
8 - 4 ½” by 2 ½” strips
3rd color – cut 5 strips 2 ½” by width of fabric, cut into 8 strips 12 ½” by 2 ½” and
8 strips 8 ½” by 2 ½”

Sew together as directed, pressing all seams to dark. Block will be 12 ½” square.