Hey everyone. SO, this is not a typical post of mine, BUT I have recently just joined an online quilting bee and it is so much fun that I apparently just can't get enough. Hahahaha. So, I've decided to start another Quilting Bee of my own. (And any suggested names for the group would be welcome!). I know most of my readers are probably not interested in this kind of thing, BUT I know for certain that some of you are the crafty/sew-y/quilt-y type and this might be right up your alley as well. For anyone interested, here is how it will work (and I am basically copying and pasting these instructions from the girl who organized the bee I currently am in):
"The Quilting Bee will be a group of 12 quilters. Each month will be dedicated to one member; during that month, 11 other quilters will work on her block, make it fabulous, and send it back. At the end of a year, each Bee member will have 11 blocks (plus her own) and the motivation to finish piecing her quilt!
The purpose of this Quilting Bee is to have fun, and be creative. Life is crazy and busy; this Quilting Bee is not. Your commitment is one block a month and sending out a fat quarter to each member before it is “your” month. If you’d like to document via Flikr, or your blog, fabulous! We’d love to see the progress!
Once 12 people have agreed to participate, I will organize names, addresses, months, etc. Hopefully we’ll have everything ready to go for an April (or May) start date!
:: what do I do when it’s “my month”? ::
• figure out what main fabric you’d like us to work with and buy 3 yards (cut in 12 FQs—11 for the other members, one for you). If you’d like to send us each a different FQ to work with (or any other combination of fabrics), that’s fun, too!
• send a fat quarter of your choice to each Bee member (and any instructions). If your month is April, for example, make sure you send the FQ to reach everybody by April 1st. That way we’ll all have the full month to work on your fabulous block.
• you are responsible for sending one FQ only—each Bee member will stash bust to complete your block. (PS I will be emailing an informal questionnaire that should accompany your FQ—so we will know if you perhaps abhor mustard yellow (or any other colors and/or patterns) and would not be pleased if we pulled that color from the FQ you send.)
• email to let us know your FQs are on their way!
:: what do I do when it’s not “my month” ::
• email the Bee member whose month it is so she knows you received her fabric.
• plumb the depths of your creativity—and your fabric stash—to complete the block and send it back by the end of the month. Life sometimes gets nuts, so please alert us early if you won’t be able to return your block at the end of the month—hopefully this won’t happen.
• if you want to document your progress and/or the completed block, go for it! If you want it to be a surprise, you might not want to Blog these photos until after the Bee member has received the block you created for her.
:: misc. ::
• it will help protect the FQ (and the completed block) if you put them in a plastic baggie prior to placing in the envelope. Rain, snow, sleet, hail, and other disasters, you know.
• quilting bee blocks has provided some other tips for mailing: http://www.flickr.com/groups/quiltingbeeblocks/discuss/72157621924214728/
That’s it! Let’s have some quilty fun!
*Don’t fret if you’re not a master quilter. Starting with one block is a great way to practice and improve your confidence. If you want to build a practice block out of scrap fabric before cutting into the "official" FQ fabric, that is perfectly fine. Plus, you have a community of quilters at your disposal in our Quilting Bee and all around the internet. Take a peek at this inspiring Oh, Fransson! post--look, some of the most lovely quilt blocks are just squares and 1/4" seams!"
I would just like to add that you can search on Flickr for "quilting bees" or "quilting bee blocks" and find all SORTS of creativity to get ideas from. Please leave a comment below to express your interest in joining this Quilting Bee. There is still room for 8 or 9 more members!
Come on! It will BEE so fun, I promise. Hahahahaha.
14 comments:
Count me in- I'm totally in with two feet. Hehehehe
Ps I got your package in mail today with pearces bday present! Thank you! We'll open it Saturday at the partay!
Hey Jessica, sounds really fun. I don't know if I've ever commented on your blog before, but I do read. It's fun to hear your adventures. So, if you'll have me in your quilting bee I think it would be fun!
emily -- two feet in, huh? hahaha. what's that even supposed to mean? and wow. that was really fast that you got the package -- i only just mailed it on saturday afternoon!
alisha -- awesome! i'm glad you want to do it, too. will you email me (or message me on facebook) your address? i'll put you on the list. :)
AAAAAHHH I so want to do this. But, with baby boy #4 coming in June I don't think I could swing it through the summer months. And who wants a flaky participant? Can we start another one a year from now??? :)
melissa -- i know what you mean! i'm thinking perhaps i'm a bit crazy with my baby due in august! oh well, i think i sub-consciously thrive on chaos. :) i will for sure try to start another one up in a year.
Sorry, but count my two feet out! Too busy. But I'm in for a catchy little name: "Bee there and Bee square"...get it?? huh? huh? do ya get it?
ok, i'm in! i have to admit that i've never quilted before, but i sew so i should be able to figure it out, right? one of my new year's resolutions was to quilt so this should take care of that one. i'm excited!!
kristen -- yay! this will be fun. if you can sew then you can totally piece together a block. and there are so many tutorials (and even youtube videos) that you can find online if you need even more help. do we have your current address? i know we didn't send out christmas cards this year, so i'm not sure if we still have it. will you send it to me just in case?
very impressive. how can i keep up with you? i don't think i can pull it together to be a reliable member.
quilting barefoot and pregnant, sounds sexy.
I would love to join, but I'm in Germany until the middle of May. When are you starting?
I just remembered that you sent me an email about this and I haven't responded! Sorry about that! My sewing maching is on the rocks right now. I would love to when I can get it repaired or buy a new one. Keep me in the loop!
Hi! I'm Elise Hope's cousin, and I am really interested in doing this. My sister Trish is going to do it to. I just e-mailed Elise and she is going to let you know. We are both super excited!
Just a post for e-mail follow ups :)
Hey Jessica--I know we've already emailed but just wanted to leave a comment and say I'm excited! Little nervous and overwhelmed but mostly excited. ;)
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