March/April 9 Patch Block Swap-- Sign Has Closed
 

Join us for a 9 Patch Block Swap, a very fun way to use up your scraps! The finished blocks will be 6.5” and will be made of two different fabrics only. Please look at the examples at the end.

Sign ups are open until March 20. Blocks to me no later than April 30 and will be returned to you the first week of May. If they all come in early, we swap early!

This swap is open to International swappers, too… providing they send the additional postage for return shipment. Please research how much return shipping you will need (from Mississippi, USA) and include it.

We are swapping sets of 10 blocks per bag, up to 8 bags. You will need quart size bags (not sandwich) to accommodate the size of the blocks. I suggest making the maximum number of bags to get the most out of postage costs, but it’s up to you to decide how many you want to send. Please put your board name on each bag. Before mailing, put all your bags into a big gallon bag with your name and address clearly onthe bag, along with your board name. Then ship in either a tyvek or padded flat rate envelope. No paper envelopes, please, as they don’t hold up. Be sure to include your return postage! It’s $7.25 now for the padded flat rate envelopes I will use for U.S. shipping.

Bags can contain 10 identical blocks, or a mixture. The only restriction is that you must not send more than 10 identical blocks, and please keep like blocks in the same bag. (To make it easier on me!)

Please use good fabric… like you would hope to receive. 100% cotton, only. No thin fabrics. If you have to starch it to make it acceptable, don’t use it for this swap. Prewashed or not really doesn’t matter in pieces this size, so just use what you have.

We are making two-fabric blocks, checkerboard style… 5 of one fabric and 4 of another in each block. Use your scraps up! If you have 2.5” wide strips already cut, use them! Or 2.5” squares, as long as you have 4 of one fabric and 5 of another for each block. If you can cut long strips 2.5” wide, strip piecing is actually the fastest way to make a lot of blocks. Here is a link to a tutorial on this method:

https://www.connectingthreads.com/tutorials/Nine_Patch_Lesson_2_Speed_Strip_Quilting_for_a_Bab y_quilt__D3.html

Choose two prints that look great together!

Lets keep kiddie prints and holiday prints to a minimum, so that the quilts can be for anyone. A few kiddie and holiday are ok, mixed in with the other fabrics. Just not much. Also, this swap is not for solid white, cream, WOW or COC. Let’s use color! Prints with white or cream backgrounds are fine.

:sew:Your finished blocks must measure 6.5”.<3 In a follow-up post I will tell you how to insure they do.

As always, regular Quilting Board swap rules apply: https://www.quiltingboard.com/member...-a-t20154.html

Sign up by pm’ing me your intent and please give me your full real name and address, and your phone number too (for emergencies only).

Let’s have a good time! Please post in the thread often and check in regularly to see what is going on in your swap! Post blocks that you make, to encourage others to join the fun.

Below are some example blocks that I have started making:

[ATTACH=CONFIG]590188[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH=CONFIG]590189[/ATTACH]

White background prints= OK. Solid white-type fabrics= Not OK.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]590190[/ATTACH]

You can also refer back to this blog post on Crazy Mom Quilts to see examples like we would like for this swap:
http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/2...ilt-along.html

Many of you are pros at making perfect 9 patches, but for those who struggle, I have some tips. Blocks must be 6.5" square to be eligible for this swap (so they fit with everyone else's... :thumbup:), and not just because I am mean. :D So how do we get that?

Start by squaring off a straight cut across your fabric or scrap. When you cut your 2.5" strips or squares, pay attention that your ruler line is on the fabric, not the mat. Then get your true 2.5" cut.

I have found that I have to sew a scant quarter inch seam. If I sew a full 1/4, my blocks come out too small. Every time. I have a scant quarter foot on my Juki that I use, but if you machine does not, you need to experiment and find a line on your machine bed, or place a piece of tape where that scant quarter line is. Then follow it!

After sewing, I press to the dark, and my little checkerboard 9-patch will have beautifully nesting seams. I also check to see that the center block or strip is measuring exactly 2", as it should.

When cross cutting strip sets, again square off a straight line perpendicular to the long edges and measure from there, with the ruler line again on the fabric and not the mat.

Once I sew my three rows with the seams all beautifully nested, it's then easy to "spin" those intersections to reduce the bulk.
Here is what that looks like:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]590194[/ATTACH]
There are online tutes about how to spin seams, if you need them.

Lastly, take your 6.5" ruler and place it on your pressed block and sliver trim the edges. If something doesn't quite reach the 6.5" edge, you may have to pick open a couple of little seams and alter them slightly. You wouldn't believe how often I do this, so I can send the right size block.

Remember, 6.5"... not 6.25" or 6.75" or 6.5"x 6.25". :thumbup:

Sounds interesting. I'll give it some thought. Oh, in the second post, the attachment doesn't seem to be working. It says it's invalid.

Oh, it shows up for me. Thank you. Here goes again...

Spun seams at intersections.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]590197[/ATTACH]

BTW, I didn't mean to imply that you have to spin your seams. It's just a great bulk reducer, if you do.... https://cdn.quiltingboard.com/images...es/redface.png

Just sent you a PM!

Oh, fun! Spinning seams :D I got really good at that when we had to make 50nine patches in the BH mystery quilt.

Your example blocks are showing some fun prints! It's nice to see what other people have in their stash!

Whew! I'm glad it's not required to spin seams because I don't usually do that. I'll send you a pm-- I'd like to join this swap. I'm sure the international sewers understand that they should send USD for return postage. I hope we get some in this swap, as their fabric prints might be different than USA ones!

There are so many uses for a 6" (finished) block, for example the center of a star, and so many patterns look great with 9-patches! Won't it be exciting to see how each of us uses our blocks? :-)

I'm planning on sewing my blocks together without sashing, the way they look in my photos. The link to the blog shows them sewn with a white sashing... very pretty too. And you can do them with sashing on two adjoining sides and make a "Dancing 9 Patch", like this:
http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2013/...tern-time.html
(Ours would be even cuter because they are little checkerboards, not random)

This way is called "Ric Rac Nines":
http://lisaskreativseite.blogspot.co.../1035-x-2.html

There's also "Nine Patch and Snowball". I'm sure we'll think of others. Save your leftover short strips for an awesome piano key border.

I am thinking of making alternating snowball blocks for mine. Hopefully I can get a good twin size quilt out of it. I've already made my first set. :)

That's a good idea! I haven't made a snowball alternating block yet. I think I'm going with a star block though. :-)

Feel free to post some of your blocks as you make them.... Here are 20 that I made today. They went together really fast with the strip method.

Wonder who is going to end up with these?...:o

[ATTACH=CONFIG]590244[/ATTACH]

I so love this and I am in! What a wonderful idea!

I can't wait! Sending you a PM!

Welcome, GracefulAnn... don't forget to send me a pm with your info. :o

This sounds tempting considering I have so many leftover 2.5" strips from jelly rolls and binding. Not to mention sashings and the lot. Let me see if I will have time. I have to finish up a bird swap I am in first and then my judging paperwork. The due date is after tax date.

I don't usually participate in block swaps, but this one intrigues me. Sewbizgirl, how are you going to divide them up? If a bag contains all the same color blocks, will you be mixing them up before swapping them out? Sorry if that's a dumb question... I will watch this time since I am moving, but might get on board for a future swap.

Yes, you will get back your own 8 bags, but containing a mixture of blocks from other swappers. *Not* swapping bag for bag in this swap.

Hopefully more people will see this and join this group. I have already rounded up lots of scrap fabrics to take along to my Quilt Retreat next week, so I can work on this project. I think swaps are a lot of fun.

Sewbiz, quick question- will this be a one time only swap or can it carry over to other months? Asking because I'd like a larger quilt for some great nieces and a great nephew.

For now it is a one-timer but I would be totally open to repeating it in a few months if there was enough interest. 80 is a good achievable number for one swap, plus we are limited in how much we can pack into a padded flat rate bag. But we can do this again, down the road. It’s kind of addicting making the 9 patches, once you get going.

Libster, you wouldn't have to use the setting that was in the link. It can just be an example of what to do. I think 80 6" blocks is plenty with which to make a quilt or two!!

#10 post. Gorgeous fabrics! Great combination of prints. It looks like 7 of those blocks and 4 of the others-- it seems like I'll be bound to get at least one of them. lolol

I like the size of these!
You could do a monthly swap with "black and white", "cream and green" and so on.

Libster and Sewbiz--could we sign up for two sets of 8 bags each --where we would actaully make the 160 Nine patches for two sets of 8 bags and we could do that now in this swap to get more 9 patches that we want? I did this once in a swap for 2 12" candy squares. I had set #1 and set #2 for that swap so I received double back.

Wow, that would be a lot of 9-patches, aborning!

Ambitious! You could do the two sets but you would need to send me shipping for two padded flat rate envelopes, because I’m pretty sure that’s what it would take to get them back to you. You would still need to agree not to send more than 10 of any identical blocks. You can pm me to discuss this further. :o

aborning, what a great idea! You could just pretend you are two different people signing up! Double the fun! lol

Good morning swappers! I thought I'd update us with a list of those who have signed up for this swap, so far.

NZQuilter
Aborning
Aborning II (possibly?)
Givio
obrienwv
MrsTheo
IreneC
Terriamn
Cheesehead
Sewbizgirl

A couple others have expressed interest to join, but have not yet pm'd me their info. Have I left anyone out? I hope we get a few more players so we don't get any repeats or our own blocks back.

Have a great day! :o

I'm working on my third set today. Its so relaxing to sew something simple and pretty. I'll try to post a picture later today.

It's early days yet, so I'm sure we will have more swappers soon.

Thanks for the update -hope a few more join to give us a better selection. Keep us all posted.

Ok, Libster is now on board with us! That makes either 10 or 11... depending if Aborning is sending one pkg of 80 or two. I think we will have enough that no one gets their own back, so be sure to make extras to keep for yourself.

NZQuilter
Aborning
Aborning II (possibly?)
Givio
obrienwv
MrsTheo
IreneC
Terriamn
Cheesehead
Sewbizgirl
Libster

Oh, great news on the sign-up list! Welcome, everyone!
How about another picture in the next 24 hours? We want to seeee piiiictuuurreeess! :-)

I was just suggesting that maybe people could sign up for two sets if they want more blocks. I am only in for one set. 80 blocks will be plenty for me to make right now! We can always make more of our own if we want more than 80 blocks to make a bigger quilt or to make enough blocks for two smaller quilts. I have my scrap fabrics all rounded up and ready to go along to my Quilt Retreat on Sunday.

Ok, thanks for clarifying that, Aborning. I wasn't sure....

80 blocks might sound like a lot to make, but really, you'll be surprised how fast they accumulate. I made nearly 50 in the first two days!

And... we have two more signups! Welcome to the swap, GracefulAnn and Evie.

NZQuilter
Aborning
Givio
obrienwv
MrsTheo
IreneC
Terriamn
Cheesehead
Sewbizgirl
Libster
GracefulAnn
Evie

Wow, 12 swappers already. We are going to have a ball.

I was wondering, I didn't see sign up and mail dates. Did I miss it?

The sign-up time is still open. :-) Just send Sewbizgirl a private message.

No, still plenty of time! All dates and instructions are in the first post. Lots to read... :p

Hope to be hearing from you.

I'm pulling fabrics, but don't officially sign me up just yet. Things are crazy around here with all the work we're doing to get the house ready to put on the market (whew!!), and I want to be sure I can get the blocks done in time. :)

Edited to ask: What about batiks?

Edited again: I think I see a batik fabric in one of the example photos. I guess that means batiks are okay? :) (I'm planning to use regular fabrics too.)

One more question. :) Should we put our board name on each block, too? Or just the bags?

Moonrise, yes, use your batiks! Not necessary to label each block with your board name. That would be a job! Just on the bags is ok.

Hope you get to trade some 9Ps. Remember, you don't have to do the full amount.

Welcome to another swapper who has joined us: kwyltaholic!

NZQuilter
Aborning
Givio
obrienwv
MrsTheo
IreneC
Terriamn
Cheesehead
Sewbizgirl
Libster
GracefulAnn
Evie
kwyltaholic

Hi Sewbiz, this swap sounds fun. I'd love to sign up. Do we have to commit to a number of bags when signing up? Can I sign up for 5 or 6 bags and send 8 if I get 8 done? I'd love to shoot for the full 8 bags.