World Wide Quilting Page
Question of the Week
Question for the week of August 7, 2000:
Our question this week comes from J Slotwinsk
As a baby shower gift I would like to have guests each make a square for a quilt that I will assemble in advance for the mother-to-be - How do you go about asking people to make a square? Any other advice?
Sue Iverson :
It may be less intimidating for the participants to sign or add their artistry to a quilt already in process, like a ,memory quilt they just have to sign or decorate. There are so many designs available and everyone has fun. My friend and I just put a top together for her daughters wedding, we draped it over a table fopr all the guest to dign at both the wedding and reception. The bride cried. I don't think I have done something so satisfying in a long time. Sue
Molly :
If you know the guests all sew, choose a simple block design and create a master pattern that can be photocopied to distribute with the invitations as well as fabric and color suggestions. Beware of photocopiers distorting your pattern, however, and include a description of the measurements to be safe. If the guests don't sew, I'd use one of the fine suggestions from others here regarding using a plain square of fabric that you provide and letting them either sign it or decorate it as they see fit.
Eleanor :
I did this for a 50th wedding anniversary but I made all the squares and sent them to
be signed. If everybody sews, just send them directions and a stamped self-addressed envelope.
If some don't dew they can decotae a plain square with paints or embrodiery.
Louise :
I did this as a retirement gift for a co-worker. I made split rail blocks with a light color in the middle. The people could sign the light center strip and write a short message. This worked well--everyone was thrilled to see their signature in the finished quilt. NOTE: I needed extra blocks because some people messed up when doing their signature/message. It would be good to provide some scrap fabric and a marker so they can practice. Good luck.
Jules :
We did this for each of the new moms at my husband's work when we were in the military...unfortunately I did not get pregnant until after we left and never got one of those fantastic quilts!
We did it as follows: The new mom-to-be was asked the colors of the nursery. Then, the hostess cut 12 1/2" squares of appropriate fabric and enclosed it in the invitation along with a xeroxed sheet explaining the plan
and giving a suspense date for return. Then it was up to the ladies. I always cross-stitched my block. Other ladies pieced, drew, stencilled, embroidered or appliqued. Then the hostess added the sashing,
tied it, and bound it. We all took turns being the hostess. Boy were those beautiful quilts! Good luck!
Jaye Lapachet :
I did it at the shower as an activity and
had all the fabric, fabric crayons, fabric
pens and everything there. It alleviated the
need to do any other games and the mother
to be enjoyed participating as well. I
assembled it later.
Anna :
Tell them to make the square -- give specifications: color, size, etc. when you send out invitations for the baby shower. Ask them to send the squares back by a certain date so you will have enough time to put the quilt together before the event.
lynda laroche :
You could enclose a note with yhe invite,but remember not everyone can make a bloc, Perhaps just signinh a square at the shower would work, You could then just put strips, log cabinish around rgat in pastel colots. Good Luck.
Gerri :
I've done two such quilts, one was queen size and one was baby sized. In both cases the blocks and fabric pens were made available for people to use (one was a church group, the other was high school students) with the caution to leave a margin for stitching! Those involved were encouraged to write a personal message in addition to signing their names. I had over 60 blocks for one quilt and put it together with complimentary blocks and borders. For the other one I had over 90 blocks and used a narrow sashing and cornerstones to put it together. This type of quilt becomes even more precious as the years go by!
Diane Allmon :
What about making the blocks yourself, and letting people sign their names to them? My sister did this at her high-school graduation party, and it was a great success. You could use a fairly simple block, and supply the water-proof markers at the party. Once the signing is done, it is only a matter of putting it all together. I have been invited to showers where guests were asked in advance to complete a block, and it seemed that most people missed the deadline given to them. Using this idea wouldn't put too much pressure on those that do not know how to sew...
Maureen :
I did something similar for my daughters wedding, but instead of having others that don't know that much about sewing to make the blocks, I asked her how many families were invited and made that many blocks. It was a two color friendship block. I backed all the blocks with freezer wrap to keep them intact and to make writing on them easier. I brought them to the wedding reception with fabric pens and a few of my sisters help me go around to the tables and had each family sign the blocks and write what ever they wanted for a message to the bride and groom. I brought the blocks home and put together. They were really surprised when I gave it to them and they spent time together reading all the blocks in the quilt and will cherish it for years to come.
World Wide Quilting Page * Question of the Week