Help! Need info about "Shoebox" quilts

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01-14-2016, 05:45 PM

#21

VickiM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by glorcour

I am involved in one right now. Basically there was no hard and fast theme. some put in only background fabrics and suggested a theme such as doors, shoes, portrait. Some included a variety of pattern templates , others just a piece of fabric and finished block size. In any case instructions were glued to the top of the box. As expected, there should be lots of finicky finishing since a 1/4 seam is not consistent. I completed one made while a member of a guild where I received 9 blocks that ranged from 6 to 10 inches. I added borders and filler blocks and ended up with a pretty nice quilt. There are lots of opportunities to exercise your brain with this project.

Agree with you about the finicky finishing...we all need brain excersizing!

& that's why I think theme & size of blocks will be decided at the beginning.

01-14-2016, 05:50 PM

#22

VickiM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Geri B

From the last few responses this could be a real role of the dice.........putting myself hypothetically in this arrangement....each month I receive a different box of fabric from which I am supposed to sew the block I have chosen...12 blocks/same pattern/different fabs......now being the pessimist I am I can see at the beginning...plenty of fab, but towards the end. Could be tricky, or maybe even not possible to do my block with what's in that box.

but, thinking the whole thing thru, whatever is in my box at the end.... Will either be a tablerunner or a bed quilt......hmmm, wonder if the guild I belong to would be interested.......

Oh, another thought...when beginning this is there a max of colors to be used/ put in the box initially(fab)... Say 4 colors...therefore each block could, but not necessarily have, 4 colors in it?

That's why I suggested 6 fabrics each 1/2 yd. And, yes, each block could, but not necessarily have all 6 colors in it. Hope your guild tries it, too.

01-14-2016, 05:52 PM

#23

VickiM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by sprice

I would ask that at least one other fabric be added to each block. Will make for more interesting results.

Remember, it's the owner of the shoebox's own fabrics. I suggested 6 colors to have the variety, because, yes, it makes it more interesting.

01-14-2016, 05:55 PM

#24

VickiM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by maviskw

We called ours a "Pizza Box" quilt. Pizza boxes hold your squares without wrinkling them.

I'm going to use a 13x13 scrapbook plastic box I got at JoAnn's. Also, a piece of cardboard cut about that size along with a couple clips, so the blocks can be clipped to it & no wrinkles.

01-14-2016, 05:58 PM

#25

VickiM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by fallonquilter

Wow what a fun idea. I love this kind of stuff for our small (11 person) quilt group. Thanks so much for sharing. I'll ask the girls if this is something they would like to do.

Our guild is about 25-30...we're just feeling this out ourselves. Hope yours will jump on board & try it too. I'm going to print all this out so we can all discuss everyone's suggestions here & come up with the final "rules" for ours.

01-14-2016, 06:03 PM

#26

VickiM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by eyes

This sounds like a lot of fun but because I still get a wonky block in every quilt I make no matter how much I try for perfection I would avoid the shoebox quilt so I didn't upset the quilters with more experience.

No one is perfect! We all realize that. We know everyone involved will do their best. That's just how our guild is. We have all different experiences from beginner to advanced. The "brain" will have to work overtime on some & not so much on others. One idea for you...make a 10 1/2" block & add border, then trim to the 12 1/2"...perfect block!

01-14-2016, 06:06 PM

#27

VickiM

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Thanks everyone for all the input...keep it coming! Looks like there are others maybe interested in doing it this way too.

01-15-2016, 12:34 AM

#28

Gay

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How about everyone in the group doing up zip-lock bags with small amounts of their fabric in each bag? If a block had to be appliqued, a 12 or 13" background piece would be included. And if pieced, say a few 6" fabric-of-choice squares, noting of course which would be the background. Left-overs would be returned to the box in case someone needed a bit more.

Or would you specifiy the whole group makes pieced blocks, or appliqued, or embroidered? I think a mish-mash would be great.

This is the first I've realized what a 'shoe-box' quilt was, and my mind is running rampant with ideas. Will put this idea to a cuz who has a machine/quilting shop.

01-15-2016, 04:49 AM

#29

QltrSue

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VickieM: My small group of 8 did this at Christmastime one year. We had great results. We each chose one pattern to make for everyone using their fabric. I think you are right on track with your plans: giving plenty of fabric choices and a designated background and ample amounts of fabric allow lots of freedom for the sewist. We were in weekly contact with one another and could ask for any more or a specific fabric if needed. And as you said, the extra in the kit can be used when setting the quilt together . We returned all unused fabric. Hope your group has fun, too. It was so neat to see how they were all alike, yet so different!