QnT 2012 Heartstrings quilt block swap #1

1-26-12 thru 2-26-12

Here we go making one of my favorite fun quilt blocks!

This is such a simple quilt block and it's definitely addictive!! So get out your scraps and leftover jelly roll strips and join us. This swap is for all levels of quilters. It doesn’t matter - you just need to be accurate.

You will be making 4 blocks each for your 2 partners (a total of 8 blocks). You will also send along 5(five) "strings" of fabric, each at least 12" long, for each of your partners' stash.

INSTRUCTIONS: We will use the foundation fabric method. This means that we use a piece of muslin or flannel as the base for our square, to stabilize the square and also to make it easier to put it together. Please use this method – do not use the paper piecing method. The blocks we are making will be 6 ½ inches, when finished. I would recommend that you make your fabric base about 7 inches, so that if there is any “shrinkage” due to sewing, there is a bit of extra room to compensate for it, and you can just trim the squares after you are done.

REMINDERS: --- It is very important to iron each strip down as you sew it.

--- The same fabric can only be used in a square 2 times.

--- The squares are supposed to be scrappy. The scrappier the better! So please don’t try to coordinate things. Just grab a strip and sew.

--- Strips should VARY IN WIDTH, BUT BE NO WIDER THAN 1-3/4 inches UNFINISHED (BEFORE being sewn down). This will allow for the squares to have about 10-14 different fabrics each.

--- Please use decent quality 100% cotton fabric.

I borrowed this swap data from my good friend beancounter17who hosted a series of these swaps last year.