Some of you asked how our family blocks worked, I will give you as much info as my memory will allow.
This first one is the first one we did as a family. My mother, myself, and three sisters. I believe we did this one in 2005
We each chose a middle, as you can see, mine is a basket.
Jeanette sent out a list of how we were to send our middles around and the instructions on how the rounds were suppose to go (either by size or style, see my memory is gone). This was so fun trying to figure out each round with the instructions and the unfinished quilt going around. My mother had a huge star in her middle. I think my sister Beverly had hearts...the rest is blank.
This one was where we each made two blocks. I bet you can't tell which one was mine. I can't remember who all joined us but I know a few nieces joined us at this time. I believe the blocks were 12 1/2 inches and if I am thinking correctly we sent the fabric we wanted??? I think in the future I need to label the blocks so I know who did what.
This one was where we sent around a grid (I still have the grid somewhere) and each person made a block or two and just pinned their block to the grid, that is why you get several sizes. I sent fabric around with mine and that was an option. I still need to finish this one. This one was done the year I went to Samoa. You were not allowed to unpin someone else's pin...only the original owner could do that. I believe that my sister Jeanette, myself and three niece's did this one.
We took about a six year break
My sister Jeanette and I were the ones who started this. This year I started it up again with much support from my sister Jeanette and my niece Beverly.
Here are some of the blocks for this years Family Blocks of the month. I forgot to take pictures of some of them (slapping my hand as we speak)
So this is how we did this one. We had eleven people want to do this, one sister was too busy.
We put everyone's name in a basket. Each month we would chose a name (my mother usually was the picker) and that month the person's who's name was picked chose a block and everyone in the family did that block in the colors the person wanted. By the end of the month we were to have it sent to that person, then the next month we would chose another. Since we have eleven people we needed one more block and so we each just made two of ours or a niece (Jennifer) would make two.
Next year my niece Beverly will be deciding on what we do and maybe by then we will have even more join us. I know my son is about to be married and his wife quilts, she will be joining us.
I have to say that these quilts are my most prized possessions. These quilts I will not give away except to a family member, when I use one I truly am wrapped up in love!!
17 comments:
Oh Barb, you are so lucky to have so many family members that quilt. I say they are special in so many ways. I love how you tossed in you son is getting married! How exciting! Is he the first?
What a talented family with amazing quilting skills. I love how you all rally together, as a family, to always encourage and support. And how fun that you share your love of quilting by doing such a family challenge/swap. What fun and absolutely inspirational for quilting and for role models of ways to bring a family together, wrapped in love through quilting. May each stitch continually bring you and future generations closer together.
SewCalGal
www.sewcalga.blogspot.com
That's such a great idea. I really wish I had a family full of people who love to sew, but I wasn't that lucky.
That is a great idea. I just don't have any other quilters in my family.
What a good idea and a great way to stay in touch. The quilts are lovely. Nola
What a wonderful idea. I love it.
SO wonderfully special . . . the results but even more so the PROCESS of creating these. Next time you are together, maybe you can pool your memories and photos and create a record that can be shared . . .
That is so awesome that you have family who quilts and ya'll do these exchanges!
This is 'sew' wonderful What a sweet loving thing for a family of sewing quilting folks to do. True treasures indeed! Big families are awesome. Sadly mine is a wee one...no one sews but me.;-)
That really looks and sounds like fun. They will be keepsakes too.
I love this kind of thing! That's the kind of "game" my cousin and I were doing with each other when she died. I'm maybe 1/3 finished quilting her last one up for her family. I'm wondering now if my sister, a couple of her girls, and another cousin of ours might be tempted into doing something like your family.
What wonderful memories and such prized possessions! I heart this post!
Beautiful!!
How nice to have so many family members who quilt!
What a wonderful idea!
I wish I could talk some family into this! Sounds like so much fun!
What fun I am only one who quilts in my family.
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