Quilt block swap, anyone?

Is anyone interested in doing a block swap? If you are not familiar with the concept, let me explain. We have a sign-up online to either a certain date or until we have a certain number of people sign up (usually limited to 12). Then we have a date by which the blocks must be finished--usually at least a couple of months. Then everyone who has signed up will make 1 block for each person, all the same pattern, so that each person in the swap ends up making 12 identical blocks and trading them around so that they end up with 12 different blocks (1 of your own and 11 from the other swappers.) Then, everyone sends in 11 blocks to me (the moderator), keeping one of your own, with a self-addressed, stamped envelope and I will swap the blocks and mail everyone's package back to them with their new blocks. I'll figure out what postage will be later, probably about $3 per 12 blocks inside the US. If you're rearin' to go, be sure you pick ONLY 100% cotton quilt quality fabrics and machine stitch the blocks for durability and consistency. Blocks can be paper-pieced if desired, but be certain to remove the paper before mailing and everyone should give each block a good pressing before mailing as well. Blocks should be 12 1/2" by 12 1/2" so that after sewing together with 1/4" seam allowance, we will have 12" blocked quilts. I'd like to do this to make a commemorative quilt of our weight loss journeys so be thinking about a block pattern that speaks of your wls journey in some way and we'll attach notes to the blocks to let everyone know why we chose that pattern along with our name, user name and city,state. If anyone is interested, please email me AND sign up online here so that everyone can see who else is signed up. If we have tons of people respond, we might be able to do 2 swaps--I'd be willing to make 24 blocks (2 different sets of 12) and end up with a larger quilt so that option is available is we have a lot more than 12 sign up. I see this forum is not very active, so I'll be posting a msg in the main forum letting people know this is here in the quilting forum as well. Hope there is some interest! Blessings, Teresa

BTW--I'm setting up a sing-up deadline of Jan. 31st with a mailing deadline of March 31st. If you sign up soon, you'll have a full 2 1/2 months to make your blocks and we'll be finished before tax season begins, too! Yeah!

It sounds like fun. I am not sure about the time limit.... Let me think about it.......

This sounds like fun. I definitely would like to be a part of it. I'm so glad you thought of it. Linda

Linda, I have you down. Surgerygirl, let me know if a 3 month deadline would make a difference. I wouldn't mind moving the mailing deadline from March 31st to April 31st and those who have tax issues could just finish their blocks before it hits (or after if you can sew fast ) I hope you join us--it's going to be great fun! Blessings, Teresa

The deadline of March 31st is not a problem. My surgery was last year. However, if anyone else prefers a later deadline that will be fine with me too. Thanks, Linda

I love to quilt and would like to be in the quilt block swap!! I bought myself a Little Gracie II quilter for Christmas. Now I just need to get a quilt finished so I can put it on there and quilt myself. I have always sent my quilts away to be machine quilted....doing it myself now could prove to be very interesting to start out with. I am scheduled for WLS on February 20th. I'm very anxious and yet a bit nervous too. I didn't realize there was a quilting forum on here. Wonderful idea! Terri

Oh, I want to play too! I'm having my surgery on Tuesday and don't want to commit to a date. Definately the next one! What a dilema... wsl or quilting... quilting or wls. It's a hard choice. Mary P

Hi Teresa, I am not prepared at this time. I need to purchase a sewing machine after I move in April. I hope to get in on the next one. PS. Thank you for inviting me over. Soulflower* \/

Terri, I have you down, so we are three so far. Mary and Soulflower, let me know if you change your mind. It's going to be lots of fun! But I can see how getting to the sewing machine might be a bit difficult immediately post op! LOL! I'm keeping your names for the next block swap--maybe a fall swap