Round Robins

Hi Debra in Idaho, Get a cup of coffee this is going to be long! I have a book called "Frienship Quilts of the '90s and Beyond - Round Robin Quilts by Pat Maixner Magaret & Donna Ingram Slusser" it's second hand so out of print I think but you could source it as I did on the internet. It has a few options for RR and lots of good advice but here's some pointers from me. We learned how to do (or should I say how not to do) a RR the hard way with our first one. You have to be organised and you have to lay down some ground rules. Here are some pointers to give you an idea of how to go about it. You can though decide your own rules: Firstly you have to all agree you want to do a RR Decide on the type of RR... ie all blocks, strips, or medallion (our first one) there are more and there are books and articles in magazines which will give you ideas. . Everyone decides on their own theme for 'their' final quilt. You can either provide all your own fabrics or put in a main fabric and then others use fabric out of their stash (or as in our case we ended up having to buy most of it ;)) This gets placed in a cardboard box with the first round which you make. Then a good idea to figure out who is going to pass to who. We didn't do this for our first and got in a right pickle towards the end. If you sit in a circle to decide this it makes it easier. When making up your initial box with first block, etc. it's a good idea to add some guidlines as to what you like and don't like regards to colours etc. (another mishap with our first)(I could write a book here) Also one of the rules should be, and I know this sounds bossy, but when you work on someone elses box you should do your very best work!! AND don't leave it to the last minute to do. Give yourself a time frame ie swaps once a month. And if you're a person who leaves things to the last minute make sure you give yourself a false deadline that is sometime before the swap date. Decide if you want to keep the boxes secret or reveal each stage. Best if secret but conferring with others whose box it isn't has to be allowed 'cos sometimes you need a second opinion. I could go on, and on, and on but I think by now you'll be getting the gist. So finally, I have to admit, that all though at times the RRs are frustrating, and scary (when you're working on someone else's box) in the end it is always worth it and masicistically enjoyable and you end up with the most unusual quilts that are most definitely ONE OF A KIND. And when you get to the date when you all open up your box to reveal the final work others have done for you (if blocks or strips you'll get to put these together yourself) it's like Christmas with all the ooos and arrrrs. Anyway I think I've said enough for this morning. I hope you do decide to have a go as it's worth it... Good Luck Elly