What do you do?
 

If/When someone donates or exchanges a quilt block that 'isn't playing nicely' with the other blocks -

it's too small, or too large, the colors are wrong, the seams are coming apart, etc. -

What do you do?

I mend the seams, resize the blocks, and set it all together with my favorite color; and it becomes a beautiful memory quilt.

I would do the same. Maybe the person who made it really doesn't quilt....but at least they tried, and I would make it work into the quilt.

I would check the seams, press any folds and resize the block. I would make it part of the finsihed project. Someone took the time and made you a block, and you should be honored that the block was made for you. Now if I have an extra block when I am done, the special blcok would become part of my quilt back with my label. I would still feel blessed by having the block.

I will take it apart and re make it adding a border around if I need it bigger. I try to use all of the given blocks except if the block smells of tobacco I toss it. If the person asks about where is her block on the quilt I tell her the truth. It smelled of tobacco smoke. No excuse to be giving a quilt block that is saturated with odor.

Couldn't you just wash it - soak it in whatever would take out the smell?

(Just seems odd to me that if you are willing to take a block apart and redo it - that you would toss it instead of washing it)

I'd probably mend it and if it really didn't play well color wise, incorporate it in the backing.

You can look for solutions in "Setting Solutions"
http://www.amazon.com/Setting-Soluti...5633451&sr=8-1

Hopefully there would be other such blocks such that I had too many to use. Then I could pass them on.

If you really wanted to use it you could always repair it and maybe put it on the back.

ali

I got a bunch of smal, wonky 9 patches. Cut them into triangles and used scraps to piece them into half square triangles, then put them together to make pinwheels. Turned out very cute.

Not everything always works out. You don't have to use what you received. Save it for another small item like a tote, gift bag, wall hanging. There is an old saying about the dream of something being better than the acquiring of that something. It is usually true. Don't be disapointed, just find the place where it will work.

Just think if the person that received your block had the same problem and on and on and on through out a complete exchange. Ha. Being a quilter, I understand about color, design and size. I would never expect someone to use a block I made if it didn't fit their plan.
peace

Our guild recently made a sampler with specific instructions to use the provided "inspiration" fabric along with a provided "background" fabric and added pieces from their own stash in a specific color. All but 2 blocks arrive as described; however, one arrived with dimensions at least 1 inche larger all around and the other had NO 'inspiration" fabric at all. I resized the first to fit and just lived with the second. Both quilters were gracious enough to play along to meet our goal for a fundraiser, so we just made them work. The finished piece is wonderful. Sometimes you just gotta "make it work". That's what we're all about anyway!!!

I was going to suggest Sharyn Craig's book "Setting Solutions", but I see that PaperPrincess has beat me to it! The book is currently out of print, but you can find copies on eBay and Amazon. I also like her book "Great Sets" that is still in print.

Devil's advocate here. Yes, we are all quilters. I've been in block exchanges in the past with specific colors to be used and received blocks where they weren't which means the block wouldn't fit with the rest. Yes, I appreciate my friends and fellow quilters, but hey? why can't we play the game within the rules/requests?

Some Blocks just become pillows. They may not fit into the color scheme or Just not what I was looking for my quilt but I love pillows and all blocks are worthy.
Now, what I really hate is over-sized blocks. Short ones, you can add a border but over-sized... You have to cut and some times that means cutting corners off of trangles or squares become rectangles.

i was in a boom and rec'd a pm telling me my block didn't play well with the other blocks. the recipient wanted to know if she could re-do my block using colors that played nicely with the others. i said sure, it was now her block, whatever. but i don't know why, when i used her fabric , it didn't work. stuff happens. once it was out in the mail, it wasn't mine.

I have a huge pile of orphan blocks and would add it to them. Sometimes I use orphans on the backs of quilts, and other times I make placemats, potholders, etc. out of them.

I have added a border to make it large enough, trimmed them down to fit, used them in the backing and thrown them away (only one from a block lotto at my LQS). Last year when I made 12 quilts for soldiers using donated blocks from all over, some folk's didn't know what a 12.5" block was, but I used every single donated block in the quilts - sometimes the front and sometimes the back. Those quilts turned out awesome!!! I like having extra blocks and material from the front incorporated into the backing...makes the backing more interesting!

I use it in a scrappy quilt.

The person knows the block stinks and gives it anyway with the Oh well, you can wash it out if it bothers you. No way I'd endorse that behavior by accepting it. The blocks that can be resewn are usually made by beginners and not intended to be ''oh well" blocks but the best they can do.

I only had one block so far that was beyond sloppy and unusable.
My new favorite way to deal with off-sized blocks: I cut them into a circle and inset them into a background square using Cheryl Phillips' Circle a Round template. It is the easiest way I found to sew circles.

In my experience smokers RARELY realize how much they and their stuff reeks of cigarette smell. In fact the smoking itself basically atrophes the sense of smell. It is only when they quit that they realize how much they, their clothes, etc reeked when they come into contact with other smokers once they are smoke free. I truly do not believe they "know" thier block is offensive smelling to a non-smoker.

Throw it away! LOL!

I don't think generally people give you things to be mean or unkindl. Maybe it is the very best they are able to do. I 'd resized, fix if necessary or add too or clean. I join swaps with no expectation. And for the fun of it. And, I've never been disappointed. I joined 3 block swaps here on the board this year and, I will use every block proudly. I love them all.

But, my living arraingements have changed a few months ago. And I dearly love the family I live with. With one exception. They smoke and I don't.(Personally, I HATE it.) So, now, going forward, I will only join swaps that I can wash, dry package and mail to make sure there is no smell. This is the best I can do so that I can still participate but not subject anyone to the smell of smoke.

Life is not perfect and sometimes compromises must be made.

I'm sorry you felt that someone did something just to be mean or unkind. :( (I personally have never felt that on the board.)

I personally will be watching this thread for constructive criticism or suggestions on how to handle this awkward situation kindly.

I tweak it, sometime I even re stich it!

I do hope you at least ask that smokers not join the block swap, otherwise if your just going to toss them you have waisted their time. Thats just wrong!!!!

You can toss them all my way, I'll take them and make a quilt and wash it and someone will love it.

What I was going to say.

I don't smoke - have enough respiratory issues without exacerbating them - but I do think some smokers are truly oblivious to others sensibilities (addicted????)

I don't like campfires or bonfires, either.

Some members have said that they won't buy or trade with smokers or pet owners. I've also noticed some members state that they are smokers - so that others can be aware and decide whether they want to play or not.

I think there are several threads that tell/suggest how to get smoke odors out.

I agree with BellaBoo. I have asthma and am very allergic to tobacco smoke. I can't work with blocks that smell like tobacco smoke. I would toss them. The blocks that just aren't quite right can be redone or used in a scrappy quilt.

I'm a non-smoker but have received many things from friends, who smoke. I find soap and water works wonders.

Anyone that has a block that smells like smoke can feel free to pm me and I will get the smell out and use these blocks in a quilt for some good cause. Blocks do not ever need to trashed. I can understand that you may be very sensitive but please feel free to pass the block on to one of us who can do something with it. We will say thank you

A solution of water and white vinegar solves the problem nicely. Air dry out on the clothes line.

i'm an ex-smoker, too. but you said, bellaboo, there is no way you would accept that block. well, throwing it away doesn't tell the person who made it anything. so send it back. i rec'd some fabric from a new friend who smokes. i just washed it, voila! no smell, and i am very attuned to the smell of smoke. just because you're angry someone sent you a smelly block is no reason to destroy someone's work. they made the block to share a love for quilting, not to offend you. grow up and deal with it like an adult. if you can't/won't use it, pass it on to someone who can and will.

I saw on Simply Quilts with Alex one time that if the block is too small just make a small border around it to bring it to the proper size. I tried this and its looks fine. I have passed this on to my quilters. If the block is too big I have taken it apart and sewed it so it came out the proper size. In a group quilt we all made blocks for I am sure the lady who made it would be looking for her block. Never would I of hurt her feelings by leaveing out her block. I hope these tips may help your delimina. Helen

I consider myself an 'advanced beginner' - and - when putting the blocks together for the first time, it didn't even occur to me to check the sizes of the blocks - until I was trying to put them together and a couple of them weren't fitting together.

All the swaps I join it is stated fabric to be from a smoke free home. Why enable the rule breakers?

Well said, I agree with Tartan.

I just re-read part of the rules -

"5. When an activity includes swapping fabrics, they should be washed, dried and ironed and cut as precisely as your skills allow. Oranizers should not require they be starched or otherwise treated unless it's essential to success in the type of project involved. Those of us who don't normally prewash should make exceptions when joining in group activities. It's a courtesy to others who may have allergies or other health needs requiring smoke and animal free environments/supplies."

Guess I interpreted it as - one should wash the fabrics -

oops - I've participated in swaps and I have cats. Sorry if this caused a problem for anyone.

It seems like many of you are willing 'to do what it takes' to make a block work as far as redoing.

It does make an exchange a lot more fun when everyone follows the guidelines and all the blocks play more or nicely together. Then one can get right to putting them together.

(I have learned something from almost every block I've received, though.)

Be Kind
 

I would repair, fix and use it, if not in the quilt, maybe in a one block wall hanging.
But I would pm them also and kindly give them suggestions on how to do a better outcome on their blocks. We all had to learn and lets face it, it take practice to get better, but if no one tells us we have to get better we would keep on going the way we quilt and never ever become better.
But always in a kind way.

Robert