You are in a birthday block swap,and requested a specific block and color preferences. A couple of the blocks are way off and stand out like a sore thumb...they want pictures of the finished top...Im thinking use the off blocks as "matching " pillows??
What would you do??? ( and its not on this forum!! LOL!)

Maybe use them on the backing?? :?:

That's one of the reasons I tend to avoid swaps - especially with people that I know I'll be interacting with an a face-to-face basis - and that I usually like.

I figure if 8 out of 10 got it right, it's the other two that for whatever reasons misunderstood or chose to ignore what was requested.

I think I'd make "matching" pillow cases to go with the quilt. They take up less storage space than pillows.

One could always say that because of their uniqueness, you didn't want to mix them in with the other blocks. :?

The very thing happened to me a few years ago. I sent backgound fabric and asked that any other fabric be any reds. I got three blocks back that had blues and yellows. When the pictures of the quilts were posted only one person posted she didn't see her block. I pm her and told her that the yellow she picked out was not my requested red and so wouldn't go with the quilt. She responded by saying I should be happy I got a block from her at all as she didn't have money to go buy red fabric. And she wanted an apology from me. I apologized. I said I'm very sorry you are poor. People like that get my mean streak showing. :?

I guess that is why I like the block exchanges here. They are not really that specific, just the general color guidelines. I have not been disapointed yet. If it was a situation like this, where the receivers got input on what colors they wanted, and I couldn't oblige I would not join. I wouldn't ask for an apology if someone didn't like my block, but I also wouldn't answer with an apology for them been poor. Just my opinion. I would just explain it didn't work in this project and invite them to watch for it in one of my next projects.

Just me, but if the rules did state a certain colour (example red) and someone sent me a different colour than what was in the official rules(example blue) I would not feel obligated to use it in my quilt. May put it in a donation sampler quilt but I would not feel like I was the bad person for not using it - follow the rules or don't participate.

I like your idea of making a pillow with them. I would not explain why, I would just do it and post the picture as your quilt and matching pillow(s) :wink:

How about using them to make a storage bag for the quilt? It would still be keeping in with the spirit of the swap, but not actually part of the quilt so being a bit different wouldn't be so bad.

I am sorry that I included you in the swap would have been another good one.

It is a risk one runs when doing a group project. I find that in general, swaps are like pot lucks. The variety of dishes is often amazing and some things really taste quite yummy - contrary to expectations. However, if someone insists on bringing pickled herring, there is no rule that says you have to eat it.

In other words: If you don't like certain blocks in YOUR quilt top - don't put them in. If you want to make a pillow - fine. If you prefer to gift them to a charitable cause - fine. Life is too short for bad blocks.

I like that- life is too short for bad blocks.

I did the black & white swap. Got some awesome blocks- some had floral, some had animals. So it set into different piles. I even had safety pins- i put that with a fat quarter I have with sewing machines on it. It will be saved for something special for me.

So, just use them for different purposes.

I wouldn't use it IMO, esp if they didn't follow the rules.

Don't use it, lay it so it looks like it's part of the quilt when you take a picture, and let them other(s) think their block was used. They're happy, you don't risk getting into an argument with them (since I think life's too short for arguments about blocks), and all's well. Minus the deceiving part ;)

pillows sounds like a great compromise. I know I had sent in a block for a group quilt and surprised when I did not see it in the finished quilt. My feelings were hurt, but I got over it. Since then, I've been a little wary about doing block swaps, unless I "know" the people well.

I LOVE this suggestion!! awesome!

LOL
This whole line of comments is exactly why I don't participate in block exchanges. The first few years I was in a guild I was in several block exchanges. There is always at least one block that just doesn't work. It is hard enough for me to make my own blocks fit together. In the beginning our guild was small and in order to have enough quilts made for our show we took turns making blocks for each other. I recieved one beautiful appliqued block that was 161/2 when all of the others were 121/2. I spent several days trying layouts that would include it. I finally made it the label on the back.
Just this past year the retreat I go on celebrated it's 10th anniversary. We were asked to make a certain signature block to exchange. Of course a few people didn't participate so I recieved an uneven number of blocks. What I ended up doing was using the square in a square method to sash the blocks in order to make them all the same size. I was able to put together a twin size quilt that will grace my bunk at this year's retreat. Once again there is a stray block on the back as a labe.

Put the blocks together on your design wall or floor and take a pic....tell them you will have to wait to put them together due to other obligations....time will fade the question:)I have had this happen to me a couple of times! I even went to a snowman party-cute idea! Everyone had to bring something w/a snowman on it such as a scarf, gloves, picture, etc....everyone swapped out. I got hand lotion for 2 years! Glad it was me and not someone else....but, the person that didn't listen or read the directions sure bellied up to the table to get their snowman:)LOL Just the way it is sometimes. One might be a bit color blind...or....what is a fuscia..might be more purple to some or pink to others...sometimes real specifics help....tag it to something like 'pumpkin orange', etc. Sometimes it just doesn't matter....Skeat

Also, doing swaps (I love that this is a buffet of casseroles-great explaination!) is really important...what can they do for us other then help us grow some blocks of certain colors,etc that we prob would not have made or bought....they force us to possible make something or challenge us to do something out of our safe boxes. When I am in a block swap, I always try to sew something challenging. Why? To force myself out of my safety zones...there is a cut off to push me along...but, to learn something new and take on a good challenge. I always get out of a swap more then what I get in return!! :0)And, I always make a couple of extras while I am at it...so, if a pugly comes...it goes to my pugly box...to hug the other ones:)Someday they will be used...somewhere...LOL Maybe that would be a good thread to start.....what do you do w/your pugly blocks...?LOL Skeat (this is not a hi-jack of topic...I think..)