Owl blocks with a Twist
 

I love owls and need to make an owl quilt so why not with friends? So this leads me to an Owl block swap.

Blocks are to be made in sets of 6, If you want one of your own blocks please make an extra for yourself for I will be swapping out all your blocks.

You may make up to 6 (six) sets of 6 blocks each for a total of 36 blocks, which can give you enough blocks for a nice sized quilt. No duplicate sets without prior permission, and sets must be same design, but fabrics may vary.

Block sizes allowed will be anything from 3 1/2 inches unfinished (3” finished) to 15 1/2 inches unfinished(15” finished) and with any combination in between that’s measured in 3 inch increments. *** Please note that if you choose to send in a 3 1/2 inch x 3 1/2 inch block set, you MUST send in 12 blocks to makeup one set and may only send in one set of those to keep things fair to others sending in larger blocks. These will be exchanged 2 for 1. This give you a lot of flexibility in choosing your blocks… As long as you stick to the 3 inch increment rule and don’t go larger than 15 1/2 inches or smaller than 3 1/2 inches, you’re good!

All skill levels are invited to participate. We do require that you use good 100% sturdy cotton fabrics & appropriate threads that will withstand repeated washing.

Now for the twist : you can send in 3 sets of six fabric squares total. This can be plain fabric with owls on them. It has to have owls On it. Size is to be no bigger than 6 1/2 inches. So either 3 1/2 or 6 1/2. 3 1/2 will be swapped with other 3 1/2 to keep it fair as well as the 6 1/2 inch squares. These will only be swapped out for other fabric squares and not with the original blocks. The catch to be qualified for the twist is you have to do at least one set of the original blocks.

Blocks will be owl themed with all the things that come with an owl. Please keep your backgrounds NEUTRAL. In other words, please do NOT make busy backgrounds…let’s keep these neutral so it’s easier to put the blocks together. Day or night neutral fabrics for backgrounds are also good.

All block styles and methods are encouraged! Machine embroidery, hand embroidery, traditional pieced, paper pieced and both machine and hand appliqué (if you choose to do appliqué, you MUST sew your appliqué down by some method that looks appropriate and please do NOT use monofilament thread to do this). A variety of methods and colors will make for a fun sampler style finished quilt! I also ask that whatever method you choose to make, please do your best work and make something that you would want to have,so use colors and themes that you are proud to send in and will be happy to get back?

Make sure all blocks are labeled with your user name and real name if you wish, and that they have no holes or tears or have too small of seam allowances that would make them unfit to swap, and that they are the size they are supposed to be, in other words, 6 1/2 inch means 6 1/2 inch, not 6 3/8 inches, etc. please make labels that wont come off.

Signups will be opened until Mar. 13th 2013, and blocks must be in my possession by March 27, 2013 Blocks received after that date will be returned to you unswapped. I will swap them out and get them back in the mail to you As soon as possible. usually the next week they are all gone out for shipping.Please pm me to sign up and give me an idea of the number of block sets you will be making and sending in. As well as how many twist you want to sign up for.

Postage details. Please include a self addressed label along with stamps or money to cover return postage to you. If you want delivery confirmation, please-include that as well. I will be mailing these back in padded priority mailers and the cost is 5.95 for those. Postage has gone up.

Let’s have fun,and of course you have to follow all the basic rules, found here.
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-20154-1.htm

I know this is a lot of information, but it will help us to have a really smooth swap! I look forward to seeing what you come up with and please, post your blocks and ideas as you’re making them! We all love to get inspiration and motivation from each other. Happy sewing everyone.

I to love owls so I will be starting some of these and when I finish them I will sign up for the swap

well I d/l a few (7) owl embroidery designs so I guess mine will be pieced blocks with embroidered centers, will start on them tomorrow

Put me down for 6 sets, please... I love owls.

Awesome we are off to a good start.

Welcome Short an Sweet and tracibug. Can't wait to see what you have made. I'm so excited.

ok count me in for 2 sets

Count me in for six sets. Just pm'd you.

Welcome lovngrandma and snownannie . We are going to have so much fun.

Lets post pictures when ever we get the blocks finish so we can inspire each other.

Thanks owlvamp! I am in for 6 sets. I have collected so many patterns it is time to use some.

Welcome Annaquilts glad to have you here.

Sure wish I had time to do this one...I love owls...but I am overloaded, so I will just check in periodically and "salivate" over all the great squares I know will be made...Y'all have fun!!!
Kif

Sounds great. Looking forward to seeing them!

kiffie2413 you have basically 2 months before they are due to be in my hands. Maybe you'll find time to clear up some things on your plate to come join in on the fun.

I have to do this! My grown-up daughter has been asking me for some fun owls in a quilt, but she says they have to be fun owls, not owls that are real!

Welcome goldendog55. We are happy to have you and let me know how many sets you want to do.

Also let me know if you want to do any of the twist swap.

Wow off to a good start.
Just remember to let me know how many sets you are doing and also if you are doing any in the twist.

you have to check out Fatcatpatterns new Block of the Month... OWLS!!
http://www.fatcatpatterns.com/BoMs.html

Thank you for letting me know. I went and down loaded the one I can.

The owl pattern is so cute. Can't wait for pictures to start arriving here.

Did anyone make any blocks yet? Please post if you do. I would love to see them and I think so would others.

Yep yep I would love to see them.

prototype
 

Hi everyone,
I'm in for 2 sets of blocks and 2 twists. I made this block for a baby quilt I'm working on, I'm wondering if for this swap there should only be background without any border? Also, as to neutral backgrounds only, does that mean neutral colors, white beige grey black navy, or does it mean neutral pattern, such as tone on tone or a mottle?

What a cute owl block. I like it with the little border and all and would love to get one just like it. I will post owl blocks I received in the monthly quilting bee block swap.

These are 12 1/2 in. blocks I received. I thought i would post so people could see how different owl blocks look together applique, pieced and embrodery. The only one that I think has a busier back ground is the one pieced block in the left bottom corner but the fabric is stinking cute. In all blocks the owls stand out clearly. I might use some of these owl patterns.

So dhanke just let your little owl fly right over to this flock. He will fit right in.:D

Wow I love it and the borders are just fine. Don't change a thing send it right on over.
I have the same owl fabric mentioned in the left corner above. I was going to put a border around six of them to use as a set.
What are you doing with the flower part use in another quilt?

owlvamp, that block was made by some one else for me and I plan to leave it just like it is with the flowers. I will probabaly mix some of the blocks from the monthly quilting bee swap with blocks from this swap and make 2 different quilts.

I think your plans to use it as a center in a block would be a great idea. It is very cute!

I love the owls in that block. And was thinking of using the flower blocks maybe to make a pillow or small lap quilt. But that's for another project for another day. I need to find some scraps and start making some owls. I deem of owls and more owls. LOL

I hear you Sandra, I also dream of owls but need to finnish some other commitments first and then straighten my studio so I can actually work on them.

quote-Now for the twist : you can send in 3 sets of six fabric squares total. This can be plain fabric with owls on them. It has to have owls On it. Size is to be no bigger than 6 1/2 inches. So either 3 1/2 or 6 1/2. 3 1/2 will be swapped with other 3 1/2 to keep it fair as well as the 6 1/2 inch squares. These will only be swapped out for other fabric squares and not with the original blocks. The catch to be qualified for the twist is you have to do at least one set of the original blocks. -quote

Is anyone else having a hard time finding owl fabric? I really want to swap 61/2 in. fabric squares. Today after grocery shopping I found one owl fabric. Two more to go.

I hope people are fussy cutting and making sure there is a complete owl within the finnished size of each fabric square. Nothing as anticlimatic as getting only feet and or rear ends.

Joanns has lots of owls, Hancock and Beverly's both have a reasonable selection and Hobby Lobby also has a few. In case any of those are near you. :)

I am blessed to live in owl rich territory... I believe I have around 30 different owl fabrics now and keep buying! Lol

traci I am jealous, 30 different fabrics. there is a Joanns in another town but the LQS are either gone or do not have it, civil war only type.Hancock left yrs ago. Loved that place and I have never heard of a Hobby Lobby here. off to Joanns soon I hope.

Take a look at Hancocks or Joanns, I could probably pick some up for you and save you some shipping...

I'm almost home bound due to my illnesses and all I do is order online. JoAnn's and Hancocks are both online, and many more that are less expensive than the LQS.

True golden dog but right now I am not ordering much and I just wanted enough to do the swap. Often one can find better deals online too. Let me see what I can find at Joanns.

Go to fabricdepot.com. They let you buy fabrics by the 1/8 yard, with no minimum. Their fabrics are always 25% off the listed price, and sometimes, more.

Yes the 3 1/2 inch blocks will be swapped with 3 1/2 inch blocks. That way it is fair as well as the 6. 1/2 blocks for 6 1/2. I have some owl fabric for my daughter loves owls and I have been collecting as I go and decided to do the swap. But 30 different fabrics. WOW I would love to see them all.

I'll see what I can do about pics :-)

I belong to stash bee December was my month I did owls I will lay them out and post a picture of the blocks I got I also digitized eyes and a beek if anyone wants the design let me know I can do any format for you. It came out cute.

Crafty, I would love the design, the format I use is PES but I have software that can convert if needed

Can't wait to see your blocks.

another owl block
 

Hi all,
I just made this owl block for another quiltalong, My Favorite Block, @ www.persimondreams.com. Coincidentally, I had just made this block as a potholder during the superbowl, now my potholder has a little sister!