Betty,
That block is just beautiful!
I'm confused about a round robin. Does every one have a center sent around to end up with a quilt? Or does only one person end up with a top?
Rebecca P

They work different depending on the rules. The last one that Dorian did, everyone had a block. It wasn't a quilt, just a block, but it can be done in many different ways.

Vicky

Everyone ends up with a top! You make your center and everyone add to it.

Betty

oh, thanks for the info.
Rebecca

Regarding row quilt swaps - I'm going to rant - MEOW! I had a bad experience with this.

I was in a Row Quilt Swap several years ago through the California quilt guild I was in for a while. In my mind this row swap was a DISASTER - for me, at least. There were 8 people in our group, all experienced quilters, and they were listed from 1 to 8. We were to make the first row, specify the length of the rows, and state our theme and color/fabric preferences for the quilt, and therefore for the next rows. Then the row was sent to the next person in the group (1 to 2, 2 to 3, ... 8 to 1) and they would then make a row, include it in the package and send it to the next person. Unlike the Round Robin quilt, where each person ADDS their row to the center piece, the rows in this swap were left separate for the "owner" to assemble when all 8 rows were done.

Well, I spent a LOT of time on each person's row and was very proud of every row I sent off. What I got in return was VERY disappointing. 3 of the 8 people did nice rows to coordinate with my theme - one did machine embroidery blocks, another did paper piecing, and another did regular piecing and machine applique. The other 4 rows, however, were just squares of fabric sewn together to make the row - sometimes fabric that fit the theme and some of the fabric that very LOOSELY fit the theme if you stretched your imagination.

Needless to say, the rows are still in a bag. Some were not the correct length - some were 12" too long and some were 8" too short. 4 rows were just squares of fabric and hardly fit the theme. I have no ideas on how to save this quilt, unless I alternate the good rows with the bad to just "Git-r-done". I may split up the good rows and make a smaller lap quilt with sashing in between the rows.

Moral of this story? If you do join a row or round robin swap, make sure you have rules in place to cover the quality of what you make and get in return.

Ok, I've ranted enough. WHEW!

Very valid points, Linda. You must have been very disappointed. May I suggest you post pictures and perhaps if we all put our heads together we can help you find a satisfying soultion.

If I were going to participate in a round robin, this is what I would want addressed in the guidelines:
1. Each person to list the theme/color palette for their top- sunflowers, nautical, teddy bears, Christmas, etc. This would allow folks to begin pulling from their stash.
2. Each person to list the technique that she will be using. It would be nice if the names of those who piece could be alternated in the final list with those who applique.
3. Each swapper would begin by making the center block of her quilt in a pre-specified size. It would be a block of her choosing, in her theme, in her technique. So it could be an applique medallion, a pieced medallion or an oversized pieced block.
4. The width of each round to be pre-specified so everyone ends up with a top roughly the same size. Each swapper attaches the 'round' she made to the previous round before sending it on.
5. Including the background fabric for the quilt would get expensive in a hurry, but it would be nice to include a yard or yard-and-a-half of fabric to be included in each round. The remainder being pulled the person's stash. Any leftover fabric stays with the last person on the last round.

That's my two cents worth.

Oh Linda, that is just awful! If I were you I would take the good rows and add a few more to it. Then you would have one really nice row quilt that you could be proud of. I understand though, to have something so wrong and not even want to look at it, much less finish it. So just use the good stuff and throw out the rest. Eventually, you will be happy with it again. Our minds tend to do that in life anyway. We keep the good memories longer than the bad ones.

Hi all,
just an idea,---How about a no-mail round robin?
Pick a size block--(ex. 6-in block-pieced, applique or 6-in fabric.)No-mail round robin is that you don't have to mail it but there is one person who designs each step until whatever size you want.And, you, the individual make each step in whatever fabric you choose.Kind of like a mystery at the same time.No one is late and there is no cost of mailing to each person. And it won't get lost.
Trina

Meg - Let me see if I can get some good pics of the rows to post.

Jenell - That's what I have been thinking of doing - use the good rows and pitch the rest. Six of the eight were experienced quilters - two of those just sewing blocks together did long-arm quilting for people, one using computer-aided software - very nice stuff. I was truly disappointed. Kinda turned me against row quilt swaps. LOL!

That's an interesting idea, Trina - a virtual swap. LOL!

I've been in a Applique Theme Swap for the last year. We are in the last phases of it. Same group just started a Round Robin and there are I believe 8 of us.

In the Theme Swap we each chose our theme and posted what we wanted and didn't want. Example some didn't want fusible used since it would be hand quilted. The we furnished 12 background blocks cut to the size we wanted... 6.5" to 12.5"! We made the first block and sent it to the person on the list assigned to us. It's been a great one.

We're getting ready to begin another one same rules! We did one block per month and it's pretty much has been on schedule. We had a realistic Tiger block that really stumped a lot of us.

We also have a Round Robin that just started, we did our centers using colors we wanted to carry throughout the quilt. Each round is mapped out like from the center the first additioned will be to put the block on point...using 45 Degree angles...ie triangles! lol Third Round if I remember correctly is to turn it back from point in the direction that it will remain.

It's my first Round Robin but I think it'll be fun.

Betty