9-Patch Exchange Update

In early 2019, the sweet gals in my quilting group - Frankfort Girls - participated in a fun 9-patch exchange, making and exchanging 42 random, scrappy blocks each. A more complete explanation of our exchange can be found here. We held our exchange last March, and ever since then, we have been on our own with finishing our individual quilt tops.

Above is my version. I made more 9-patches, used a consistent print for setting blocks and made borders for a full-size quilt top. I did face a glitch when I ran out of background fabric, so I subbed on that bottom row, which you barely notice, unless you're looking for it.

Helen has finished and even quilted her exchange quilt!

Sharon has her top finished using various purple fabrics for setting blocks.

Jan's exchange quilt is set together with 'X' setting blocks, giving the quilt a totally different look.

On Friday when we met at Becky's, Terry showed us her finished quilt top using the exchange blocks. What a great variation! Surrounding the center panel with the 9-patches results in a beauty with major impact.

The hope when we began this exchange project was to enjoy the variety of fabrics in our blocks and use them in any way we wanted. Our individuality shines through with each finish. And we are not putting pressure on anyone to finish by a certain deadline, so when we get an inspired idea, we can take off and run with it.

Maybe you and your sewing buddies have had fun group projects like this? We have found that the fewer "rules" the better. We are currently working on a block exchange that will run this whole year. Stay tuned for an update on it - maybe by the end of the week.

Happy Quilting, Friends!