Stay At Home Round Robin
Today is the start of the Stay At Home Round Robin, hosted by Quilting Gail. Gail graciously asked 6 of us to join her and co-lead this fun sew along, and I am delighted to be a part of it. Okay, a little nervous too – this is my first ever Round Robin quilt!
What is a Round Robin? Normally, you would choose a center square, then send it on to someone else, who would add a border, then he/she would send it to someone else and so on. Eventually the quilt would come back to you as a completed quilt top.
The Stay At Home Round Robin is the same concept, but there is no sending the quilt to someone else. The whole kit and kaboodle stays with you. Each week, we’ll give you a border design to add to your quilt. You get to choose from your own fabrics and decide how you will use that border. You can add it to all four sides, or just two, or you can border the corners and call it good. It’s your quilt and your design.
Each week there will be a different host, who will show you that week’s border. That host will also have a link up in her post so you can show your progress. You’ll see the schedule at the end of this post. The rest of us co-hosting will show you what our borders look like. So you will be able to see our versions and that might help you plan yours. None of us co-leading this sew along have seen each other’s projects, so I’m as excited as you to see what my blogmates are creating! Gail, our host this week, will explain all this much better, so you’ll want to check her post today (link below).
Today our center blocks take the stage, so let me show you the three blocks in contention for mine, what I considered as I looked at them and which one I chose.
Option 1
A friend gave me this little panel awhile ago, noting that I could feel free to “cut it up”. I can’t bear to do that, so my intention was to use this for my center block. I forgot to measure it, but I believe it’s about 11 inches across. As I thought about it, here’s what I considered:
- I’ll need to make the panel square – what would that look like?
- That’s a busy design – how will I keep the borders and the design from being a busy mess?
- What colors would I use in my borders that would highlight this panel? Do. have enough fabrics in those colors in my stash?
What stopped me from choosing this panel? Since this is my first Round Robin, I didn’t want to have to complicate it too much. The octagon shape of the panel, as well as the design and colors, gave me pause.
Option 2
This is an orphan block, the result of a test block I did awhile ago for Sherry (Powered by Quilting). It measures 12.5 inches, a nice size for a center medallion. I love this block and the color combination. Things I considered:
- Do I really want to use this as a center block, or should I save it for a pillow (my original plan)?
- Those colors are pretty limiting – will I be able to use enough variety for all the borders?
In the end, this one will still wait to become a pillow. I didn’t feel I had enough variety in fabrics to make this one work, and I really would like this block to stand alone.
And the winner is. . .
I’m a bit surprised that I ended up choosing this block. Here’s what I considered:
- The block is not square. For my first Round Robin, I’m not sure a rectangular block will be easy to work with.
- Red, white (cream) and blue – Hmm – limits colors a bit.
- Not my usual fabrics either – more traditional/primitive than bright.
Initially this little flag was going to be a mini quilt all on its own. It didn’t even come to mind for this sew along, but when I saw it, I thought it should at least be a contender.
In the end, I chose it simply because (1) I don’t like it that much, so I won’t feel too badly if I really mess this up, and (2) I have quite a bit of Civil War and reproduction fabrics that I’d like to use up and create some drawer space.
That little star? It’s wool, fused to the background and embellished with big stitches. The rest of the block is quilting cotton.
Choose Your Center Block
Now it’s your turn – time to choose your center block. For more inspiration, check out the rest of my fellow bloggers who are showing their center block choices. Today’s host is Quilting Gail. She is the originator of this fun sew along, and you can find all the details and more information as well as see her center block by clicking on this link.
Here is the schedule for the Stay at Home Round Robin, along with links to the other blogs. So hop over today and see their center blocks too. Maybe you’ll find just the right inspiration! (Just hover over their blog names and click):
- January 11: Center Block: Gail @ Quilting Gail
- January 18: 1st Round: Chris @ Chrisknitssews
- January 25: 2nd Round: Emily @ The Darling Dogwood
- February 1: 3rd Round: Anja @ Anja Quilts
- February 8: 4th Round: Roseanne & Sue @ Home Sewn by Us
- February 15: 5th Round: Wendy @ Pieceful Thoughts of My Quilting Life
- February 22: 6th Round: Susan @ Quilt Fabrication
- February 28: 7th Round Gail @ Quilting Gail
Happy Round Robin-ing, all! Please leave a comment and let me know if you’re joining in! I’d love to know!
Wendy
Moody Blues
30 Comments
Melody
The flag was my favorite one! 😊 I love the primitive look and I can’t wait to see the Civil War prints you add for the borders.
Stitchin at Home
I like the block you choose and it will be fun watching you work on it.
Patricia Clancy
I would love to join in! I may be just reading along and slavering each moment. Outside work world is pulling hard now. For certain, I’m cheering all on.
Each Monday will you be putting theses links out there?
Beth @ Cooking Up Quilts
What a fun idea! I’m looking forward to seeing all the fun quilts! You crack me up “I don’t like it that much so won’t feel badly if I mess it up”. Made me laugh out loud. But seriously, the flag block is a great choice for your center block. I’m off to check out the other bloggers. Love this!
rl2b2017
Hi Wendy! I just LOVE hearing your thought process on the contender blocks and how you picked the one you did. And you don’t like it that much . . . so you don’t care if you mess it up?!! HAHA! I highly doubt you’re going to mess it up. This is only sewing after all. I like this block the best and I cannot wait to see what Round One brings next week. {{Hugs}} ~smile~ Roseanne
Juliann
Looks like a good choice for your center block. I have been reading all the host blogs this morning and need to find a center block so I can join the fun
Riceford Streams
This will be fun to see your progress!
Sue Hoover
Thanks for walking us through your thought process. I’m wondering too what to use for my center block. Good considerations and thank you for sharing. Love your patriotic block!
Nancy Bekedam
Interesting! I would’ve guessed you’d choose the bird block. But all three would make great RR quilts!
Vicki in MN
Indeed these are not your typical colors, but it will give you a patriotic quilt in the end 😁. If you get stuck making additional rounds remember you can use spacers to get them to the size you need.
txquiltgal
You are hilarious – I laughed out loud at “I don’t like it that much”! I enjoyed your choosing process very much.
I’m getting my post ready and looking forward to a fun stay at home party. 😀
Diann@ Little Penguin Quilts
Great post, Wendy! I liked seeing the blocks you considered for your center medallion and your ideas about them. The block you chose will make an interesting quilt, and does look perfect for using up some Civil War prints. I’m planning to join in – just waiting for my package from Bernie’s shop to arrive. It’s been stuck in Denver (50 miles away!) since Dec 31! I put in a complaint and actually got a phone call from a real person at our post office here who is actually investigating and thinks he found my package. Hope it comes this week!
Rochelle Summers
I like the way you looked at the blocks, both together and individually. Your analysis of the pros and cons of each block is helpful if one is considering using a leftover block or test block from something else. It certainly helps to think ahead about the fabric available especially since I need to quit shopping and use what I have!! Looking forward to next week.
Cocoa Quilts
Nice blocks Wendy! Love your pick and anxious to see how the comes together.
Carol Andrews
So hard to make a choice from such a pretty trio. I love your thought process as you made your choice. You all have made me think I needed to start another project so I’m in! 😉
Julie Holleran
I think your flag block choice is super–can’t wait to see what you come up with….what fun ;))) hugs, Julierose
Kathleen McCormick
I would never have guessed the flag would be your choice. So much fun to see what everyone is doing.
quiltinggail
A rectangle for your centre block – that should look pretty neat! And, although you “don’t like it much” it will likely look fantastic when the quilt is finished!
Happy Quilting! 🙂
Susan
Very good reasons for your final choice. The first one could easily be brought to square (or rectangle) with sashing. The strips don’t have to be equal.
Patricia Evans
This looks like a lot of fun, but I’m just too far behind on too many things to start and keep up with this. I’ll watch from afar and cheer everyone on.
Brenda @ Songbird Designs
I enjoyed hearing your thought process on deciding your block! And, I love that little flag! Why not, since you have all the fabrics you want to use up in finishing it! Great choice!
Chrisknits
You can’t go wrong with RWB!!
Quilting is in my Blood
It will be fun to see what you do with block as your center, and that’s great to clear some drawer space using up some other fabrics.
Mari
Interesting choice! You can always add in a few spots of gold or yellow to jazz things up if you want to, too. Looking forward to what you do with it. The octagon, though. . .beauty! I hope you find something fun to do with it.
marissthequilter
Oooh, this looks like it is going to fun, and useful too. Must say I was tempted to join in, but have just begun a big project and can’t let myself be distracted.
Looking forward to seeing how your quilt progresses. I think you have made a good choice for the central block. Enjoyed reading your rationale for choosing it. Thanks for sharing your thought processes
thedarlingdogwood
I really enjoy seeing your thought process and knowing your pros and cons for each block. I think the glad will make a great center and I look forward to seeing the rest of your steps. Knowing you have enough fabric to match is a great consideration.
Anja @ Anja Quilts
Good luck. You can make it work.
Sandra Walkerh
Oh I liked reading about why you went with the one you chose! I would’ve gone with the star but I have mad love for all things starry. Watching where you all go next!
Needle and Foot
I am with Beth. That reasoning made me chuckle. However, I think you will end up with a beautiful and patriotic quilt. It will be fun to watch this come together Wendy.
Kathy Swallows
It’s always interesting to get glimpses of how others make their design choices. I really wanted to play along, but my goal is to get the UFO list down, so I’m being good. I’ll enjoy seeing how everyone builds their quilts.