I'm sure I was supposed to post this elsewhere, but can someone explain swaps and quilt blocks to me please? (I'm new here and to quilting and would like learn more)

Thank You
Alu

swaps are: you sign up to participate, make the required number of blocks, send them to the hostess, when all blocks are received the hostess (swaps) them and returns the same number of blocks to you which were made by the other paricipants so you get a (sampler) of blocks made by different people...
not sure what you are asking about the quilt blocks...(12 1/2 " blocks made in a certian pattern, put together to make a quilt) that's what quilt blocks are...could be any size, style, color...
hope this helps

If you read the first page of each swap, it will describe what that swap is all about.
Some are for blocks, squares (like the I spy fabrics) FQ's, bricks, strips of fabric.
Some of the swaps are really round robins. You make the center of your quilt, then everyone starts sending them to other's according to a list. The other's and you, add on a predetermined border and then send it on to the next person. When you get your's back, the top is complete.

A block is the square you sew. The swap is an exchange.

Sometimes the block in a swap is predetermined and sometimes just a part of the block is predetermined. For example, the Chicken block exchange expects a chicken (of sorts) and the Chocolate Raspberry swap expects a block (any block) in those colors.

For a swap, usually, a set of like blocks is sent to the organizer who then sorts the blocks and sends a random set back to every participant.

Some people make more than one set and they will get one block back for every one they submit.

In the doll quilt exchange, two quilters are partnered up and each makes a doll quilt for their partner.

Wow. Lots of information! lol Thank you guys! I might participate in the next swap, depending on what it is. Thank you!

I have another question...

What is the best way to go about making a quilt larger than the actual finished product.

EX: I have a pattern for a quilt that will be 56 1/2" x 56 1/2" when done. I want to make the quilt a queen size bed spread, 102" x 112" (or 102" x 114")

How would I extend the size other than adding an extra border. (Which I am already going to do, the border would be 4 inches wide.)

I am not sure about that one, since I am not good at the math aspect of quilting but I am positive that someone here can help you figure it out! Good luck and welcome :)

You can add more blocks to extend to the size you need, or you could make the blocks larger. That would require some math. What pattern are you planning?

I am going to do the stairway to cat heaven

http://web.archive.org/web/200703022...ern/index.html

I'm trying to figure out block size.

I love to give advice. You don't have to take it, though.

This pattern was designed as a wall hanging. I have it and plan to make it as a gift for my foolish cat-loving daughter....someday.

If you are a new quilter, find an easier pattern for your bed. Or even better, make a smaller quilt for the back of your couch. Get your feet wet on something you will be successful doing, something that you won't get discouraged in the middle of construction. Set yourself up for success.

If you want only one image if the stairway, you need to increase the block size. To increase the size of the cats, I would use a copy machine to increase the pattern size.

I tend to agree with Pat - use this pattern as is... and choose something different for your first large quilt.

I must admit, what you have chosen would teach you a lot of different things. There are piecing and applique included. It would be a real challenge. Do you have a local quilt shop where there might be someone to ask questions and be shown the answer (as opposed to reading an answer here)? We do love to help, but sometimes it is easier to learn by seeing...

The only fabric store near my house is Joann Fabrics and the second one being Hancock Fabrics. I could do a local search.

I am hoping to start this about march or april... I'm still working on the one kit that my mom bought me last year. I'd be done had I not injured my hands...

I'm just about done with that one though... I am also going to make a small quilt for my sisters baby and then I should be able to start this...

What I'm thinking of doing is making the top... add padding, backing... then add another back... so as to make it like a Duvet... I'll be heading off to college in the fall, so the easier it is wash the better. but that is also just an idea...

I'm hoping to get the fabric this month or next... but I'm still deciding on what I'm going to do... lol...

Thanks for the help everyone.

I love that pattern...I would just use the pattern "as is" for a kind of center panel (medallion style), then I would pick some blocks that will play nicely with that pattern. I would add blocks around the "center panel" and then borders to get it to the size that I'd like. Certainly a doable quilt for a queen. Good luck...can't wait to see what you come up with!

Thats what I was thinking of doing! lol I have it mapped out on graph paper of what I'm possibly going to do with it... but the black border in the center... then another set of blocks... then the border... which is going to be a bit bigger than the black one... but thats the plan...

great info.

You could extend the top and bottom stairs so it would make it long and wider and add the additional border.

For that matter, you could add more stairs and repeat some of the cats and the center portion would be bigger.

I didn't even think of that!!!

I figured it out!!! I am going to make the center bigger by adding more stairs and cats. First I'm going to draw it up on some graph paper to show... but I figured out the whole thing thanks to you gals giving me good advice! Thank You!!! slightly bigger than what I wanted but it's close enough...

The finished product will be:

104" x 124"

This is closer to the king size ... but that is fine with me... I love huge blankets...

Now, its a matter of getting all that I need... hmmm... hope I get one of those job things I applied for! lol XD

You Ladies have been a huge help!!! *hugs* Before I start on this I will finish a few of my projects... But I have to start this soon, so that it's ready for school! Especially since I'm sewing by hand!

:shock: By hand?????? Just kidding, I did a huge baby by hand too..a mariners compass. It is very relaxing and I wish I could do more of it now (carpal tunnel).

Anyway, glad you got it figured out, can't wait to see it all finished and pretty! It will be spectacular when you get done! BTW...good luck on the "job thing" :wink:

Yes by! lol Like I have said we have a special ed sewing machine that does what it wants... and thats usually not work... lol... but it's that Singer Pixie... which I've never tried it on a quilt since it was a crafting machine anyways... but I did attempt to use it on a dress i was making, and it wouldn't sew... I know it wasn't the fabric, cause we had done some sewing with jersey fabric on there before and it worked.

And now I know it will not work cause our one cat Kronk (Ker unk) decided to get up on the bookcase and knock over...

So mom and I are in the market for a new one... more powerful but definitely affordable! lol

I'm not even a cat person and I think that quilt is really cute!

Alu...not good news about the sewing machine/cat....well, you know. Hope you find a good one soon...have you tried the thrift shops/goodwill?