Our quilt group has done several Round Robins throughout the years. I've really enjoyed participating in them and seeing what happens when six quilters all have a go at my quilt. My two favorite RR quilts happen to both be winter themed. One is the Christmas one I showed you the other day.
This was actually the first RR I ever participated in and I was thrilled with the outcome. I started out with the little 12 inch sawtooth star in the center, and then it grew bigger and bigger as others added borders. I love the little paper pieced cardinals. Aren't they just the cutest? I get alot of people asking me where the cardinals pattern came from. It's in this book:
The other RR I just love is a snowflake themed quilt.
I started with a 24" paper pieced center. And the snowflakes just kept on going. This quilt is backed in a pale blue Moda snowflake flannel and is so warm and cozy. We bundle up in it on the couch while watching TV.
This winter, I am participating in another round of Round Robining with three friends who come to Skagway in the summers, but live elsewhere in the winters. We just began this month, so not much to share yet, but I'll be sure to keep you updated as we go along. This is the center that I am starting with. Do you think I have a thing for red? Between this and the Red and White Snowball Challenge, I'm well on my way to a charming collection of Christmas quilts. It will fun to see what I get back in the Spring.
The first one that I am starting with belongs to Janie. She has an embroidery machine and makes some beautiful things! This is her center.
I have yet to decide what to do with it. She has so many soft colors in her piece. It will be fun to pull them out and do something special around it. I'm open to advice and ideas, should anyone want to share.
Gosh, where do I begin? First of all, those paper pieced cardinals are so perfect, I thought they had been fussy cut out of whole cloth!
The blue and white snowflake themed RR quilt turned out smashing. Your red and white center is very cool too. It will be such fun to see what your friends do with it. Do you have to wait until everyone is finished with their section before you can see it?
Finally, the embroidered center you have to start with for your friend is amazing. I agree with you totally, pull those wheat and blue and grey colors. Do you have a book called The Border Book? It has some great ideas for pieced borders and one of them might be just the thing for the first round--you want to frame that center piece and not take too much away from it I think.
Posted by: Nicole | 12/17/2009 at 07:19 AM
I look at the embroidery block and think soft colored pinwheels as movement for sky? I visualize it but unsure I can write what I am seeing...
Posted by: Mary Flynn | 12/17/2009 at 11:57 AM
Naturally I LOVE your center block, what could be more perfect than that!
The embroidery on the Janie's block is wonderful, I'm sorry I have no suggestions, you certainly don't want to take away from that block being the focal point. You have the hardest job, being first up and setting the tone for the whole quilt. I'm going to have to give this some thought!
Posted by: Thelma | 12/17/2009 at 01:40 PM
I guess just do something simple that will accent the block but not detract from it.
Checkerboard? zigzags? square in a square? raindrops? slanting rays of sunshine? orange peel? lover's knot?...............
Posted by: Robin Booth | 12/17/2009 at 02:53 PM
Oh my...I wouldn't even dare suggest what to do with the beautiful embroidered piece, but I'm certain it will be wonderful when you add your border to it after see the others. Wonderful, every one of them. Thanks for sharing them. By the way, I'm going to have to make something pretty quick with the snowmen fabric I won in your giveaway, otherwise I fear it will be lost to me forever...my sister in law keeps trying to sneak out with it, LOL. She thinks I ought to re-gift it to her but I think NOT!!!
Posted by: Nancy | 12/17/2009 at 06:58 PM