I keep meaning to tell you about the blockfest I’m a part of which has been organised by Kate over at Tall Tales From Chiconia and Sue From The Magpies Nest and involves twelve people from all over the World. It’s called Foot²Freestyle because each block will have a finished size of 12 inches or a foot, get it?. Every month, one of the twelve participants is ‘the one’ and the other eleven participants make three blocks and send them to ‘the one’ so there will be eleven parcels to open, each holding three patchwork blocks in colours asked for at the beginning of the swap. I do love a parcel – it’s my turn in October. Then, the recipient will make three blocks of her own, making 36 big blocks with which to make a 72 inch square quilt or whatever else you would like to do with twelve patchwork blocks (no rude suggestions please).
The first month, June, belonged to Esther from the Netherlands and her colour choices were backgrounds of white/light grey/cream and main colours of mustard, jadeite/minty blueish greens, coral.
Many of the participants are habitual block swappers if their blogs are anything to go by. I am not – this is my first and I was only tempted because it is being organised by Kate who has just won first prize and a best in show rosette for her beautiful hexagon quilt called ‘Worldwide Friends’ made, in part, using fabric sent to her from her readers and adorned on the back with some Haiku poetry some of which was also contributed by some of her readers. I’m afraid, in the company of such talent, I have kept my blocks simple and concentrated on the colours and getting the finished size correct. I don’t want to disappoint too much with wonky edges and non-matching points – although I’m sure everybody will be very polite about things, it is forcing me to be much more careful and accurate than I would be if I was just making for myself. Which is a good thing, right?
Esther has now received her blocks so I can show you what I sent her.
A Daisy with a touch of French in the centre.
A Bug Jar
and, my favourite, an Anvil
They are not perfect by any means but I’ve kept well to her colour choices and hope she’ll be able to use them in the quilt or even for a coordinating cushion.
Next month is Annett’s turn from Germany and her colour scheme is a white background with orange, turquoise and green.
Easy with the postage so far but there are participants from farther afield – Australia and the U.S. for instance but the three blocks fit in a nice small package and will go letter post so not too bad.
Any suggestions for 12 inch blocks that are interesting but not too difficult (i.e. not too many points!!) would be welcome.
Tialys 
#1 by katechiconi on June 29, 2015 - 11:08
Do some nice 9-patch blocks, or a log cabin – both easy but effective. Or you could try a coin stack, which is all straight lines. Nip over to my Pinterest Quilt board and see if there’s anything you like – there’s plenty of choice.
#2 by tialys on June 30, 2015 - 08:20
Went over to Pinterest and, as often happens, I was there for ages!! Got a few ideas though.
#3 by katechiconi on June 30, 2015 - 10:01
It’s deeply addictive, isn’t it? I pin all sorts of stuff, whether or not I want to make it, mostly because I just love the way it looks!
#4 by katechiconi on June 29, 2015 - 11:08
Oh, and thank you very much for the links!
#5 by tialys on June 30, 2015 - 08:21
You are very welcome 🙂
#6 by http://vivinfrance.wordpress.com on June 29, 2015 - 11:21
Nice bugs!
#7 by tialys on June 30, 2015 - 08:21
Why, thank you!
#8 by quiltsandchemo on June 29, 2015 - 15:36
I love your blocks, and the colors are great! I’m ‘the one’ who has to wait until the end, but it is SO much fun seeing what others have done that it will be well worth the wait. Nice going.
#9 by tialys on June 30, 2015 - 08:23
Thank you. I’m a little ahead with making mine but not by much. I’m trying to make at least one a week so they don’t build up and make me feel pressured as this is supposed to be fun after all.
#10 by knettycraft on June 29, 2015 - 16:08
I am new to blockswaps too – it is my first 🙂 And I know what you described: when I’m sewing for myself I often just eyeball it and have now to be very accurate. … so beside the fun watching out for pattern and playing with colours I wouldn’t have chosen I hope to improve my accuracy skills. Looking forward to July!
#11 by tialys on June 30, 2015 - 08:25
Well, if it helps improve our skills – plus we get a lovely quilt at the end of it – it’s all good!
#12 by Jan Marriott on June 29, 2015 - 23:14
Always good to try something new. ( says she )
#13 by tialys on June 30, 2015 - 08:25
It helps keep the wheels turning.
#14 by Emmely on June 30, 2015 - 18:36
This is also my first block swap! And I’m not really a seasoned quilter either. One of my strategies is to piece improvisationally until I have something that is larger than 12.5” and then trim it down to the correct size. This does make for less traditional blocks though, as you’ll see once I post mine. Another option is to use foundation paper piecing, that makes it easier to get matching points.
#15 by tialys on July 1, 2015 - 08:46
I’ve just had a look at your ‘less traditional’ blocks Emmely and I think they are gorgeous.
#16 by Emmely on July 1, 2015 - 21:05
Thank you 🙂
#17 by Magpie Sue on June 30, 2015 - 19:50
I think your blocks are delightful. I’m afraid I’m rather stuck in a traditional block rut. Seeing what others have made is helping me to think about expanding my horizons!
#18 by tialys on July 1, 2015 - 08:54
That’s what’s so interesting about the swap I think. Your blocks are lovely and there’s nothing wrong with traditional. I’m playing it a bit safe, although I might get a bit more adventurous as we go on. I really like Emmely’s blocks – she’s gone a bit ‘maverick’ and they are so pretty and different.