What makes a good medallion/round robin center?
#1
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,684
What makes a good medallion/round robin center?
Im thinking of joining a round robin, where you send in a center block and other people add 6 borders around it. What makes a good center for this type of quality. I usually like my borders to be of different sizes like 2, 4, 6 and 8 How do you like all borders being only 6? Any suggestions on color constraints?
any other suggestions you have for this type of quilt swap?
thanks
MJ
any other suggestions you have for this type of quilt swap?
thanks
MJ
#2
I don't like the idea of all borders being composed of 6" blocks, but some of them could consist of a combination of different borders that add up to 6" (e.g. a 1", followed by a 4", followed by another 1" border). The center could be a pretty panel, a fancy block (such as carpenter's wheel or lone star) or some nice applique.
#3
MJ, I don't quilt, but do enjoy looking at the pictures of quilts and blocks. I think you will find that while the rounds may be a certain size, it is sometimes hard to tell where one ends and the next one begins. Since a lot of the Round Robin swaps cover many pages, it can be kind of overwhelming to go through some of the prior ones. In the last one Carriem put them in her albums https://www.quiltingboard.com/member...04-albums.html I also found some other pictures of prior partially completed round robins pictures at
Round Robin 2012/2013 pictures
Round Robin 2012/2013 pictures
Round Robin 2012/2013 pictures
Round Robin 2012/2013 pictures
I'm sure there are many others that give some ideas of the variety of centers and borders. I've seen some of your BOOM blocks and enjoy seeing them.
Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.
Round Robin 2012/2013 pictures
Round Robin 2012/2013 pictures
Round Robin 2012/2013 pictures
Round Robin 2012/2013 pictures
I'm sure there are many others that give some ideas of the variety of centers and borders. I've seen some of your BOOM blocks and enjoy seeing them.
Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.
#4
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Utah
Posts: 2,093
I've done a couple round robins or row robin swaps and we have included fabric that we would like them to use. That way, we know the fabrics will match. They can add fabric if they want to, but your included fabrics may help them with choosing the other fabrics and designs to add.
They're fun to do! Good Luck!
They're fun to do! Good Luck!
#5
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Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 41,538
I like the center block to be a long rectangle so that the quilts final shape usually comes out rectangular rather then square. If you want to do a huge RR, then a square would be good for a Queen or king size bed. Maybe you want a wall hanging size? Start with a miniature center.
#6
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,684
Thanks this is very helpful. a lot to think about.
Special thanks to Ourworkbench for pulling together the list of applicable posts. Im glad you enjoyed the boom blocks. Mine usually win the game one of these things is not like the other in the boom gallery
Special thanks to Ourworkbench for pulling together the list of applicable posts. Im glad you enjoyed the boom blocks. Mine usually win the game one of these things is not like the other in the boom gallery
Last edited by mjpEncinitas; 08-30-2021 at 07:06 AM.
#7
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Florida
Posts: 5,966
One of my sewing groups just finished a row quilt that was a round robin. The most successful ones (in my opinion) had a multi colored focus fabric in each block. I would suggest if you go with a focus fabric. Decide on an amount for each person. Whether it's a third of a yard or half a yard per person and cut the fabric. Staple to each piece that it's one piece per person. It's amazing how fast fabric disappears when several people work on a project. I requested a red, white, and blue for a Veteran's quilt. Even included a small USA flag just so I was clear about colors. Didn't work. Everyone has a different idea of what works.
#8
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Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Northern Michigan
Posts: 12,861
Here are two different round Robin quilts of mine. Ive participated in many round robins. Quite often I just choose one of my
( orphan blocks- blocks Ive made as a trial block, learning a new technique, or just extra I havent done anything with) for my center,
( orphan blocks- blocks Ive made as a trial block, learning a new technique, or just extra I havent done anything with) for my center,
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2020
Posts: 706
I found Harriet Hargrave’s book Master Quiltmaking Academy : Vol 5 very helpful in creating a Medallion quilt. She covers the history of the style, modern examples, suggestions for centers and help with the math involved in planning each border.
#10
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: South Central Indiana
Posts: 1,931
Choosing a center block with a clear or strong color palette will give your "rounders" a better idea of what colors to use in their round. But I generally think that participating in a round robin is likely more of an unknown outcome than doing a mystery quilt! LOL