Monday, November 30, 2009

A Year Of Round Robin Quilts

During the past year, I've worked on six different round robin quilts of varied styles, colors and fabrics in addition to sending my center square off. It was a challenge to keep them secret for so long, but I did. Last week was the Dear Jane Fall Retreat in Shipshewana where the quilts were returned to their owners. Here are the finished tops from our group of seven that included three MI, one WI and three IN quilters.



This is the first quilt I received. When I saw all of those colors, I had to put on my sun glasses. These are not my usual fabrics to work with, so doing the RR gave me the opportunity to stretch my comfort zone and try new things. I added the pieced hearts for my round.



My second box revealed another bright beginning with some beautiful applique. I chose to applique flowers, stems and leaves and piece four baskets in the corners.



My third challenge was made from all solid colors that were pulled from her inspiration fabric. The third round of colored arrows is my work.



This is my sister, Connie's RR. I had fun paper piecing the four corner snowmen and adding the colored squares for my addition. This one was really tough to keep secret.



Strips and nine patches were added here. I love the colors in this quilt.



The last quilt had me stumped for some time. Finally I decided to add the stripped border from all of the colors used in the squares. This was a lot of fun, and I'm glad I did it. But next year will bring new challenges, so no RR for me.



My quilt top! I sent an appliqued apple pie block and love what I got back. The last round is embroidered with my great Aunt Emma's pie crust recipe and an apple pie recipe. I bought a backing while at the retreat; hopefully, this will be in the done pile soon.

13 comments:

floribunda said...

It's wonderful to see all of the different styles and colors in those tops -- I love doing round robins! They all came out looking terrific.

West Michigan Quilter said...

What beautiful quilts. How lucky you ladies are.

Thearica said...

I love round robins and these are all awesome!

I love that idea of embrodiering your grandmothers recipe in the border?

Thearica said...

oops..I meant Aunt Emmas recipe...I was reading 2 blogs and got my replies mixed iup. Sorry about that!

Kathy A. said...

Those are some of the most beautiful, interesting quilts I have ever seen.
Yours is wonderful and I love the idea of the pie recipe around the outside.

*karendianne. said...

Gosh, there are some amazing quilts here. I never would think to participate in a Round Robin myself but this makes it tempting. I have to admit I really like the first one as a favorite. But really its hard to have a favorite since they're all so creative and spectacular!!! Thanks for sharing.

Quilter Kathy said...

Oh my gosh...these are GORGEOUS quilts every single one! What a wonderful opportunity to participate in a group of such amazing quilters! I LOVE your apple pie quilt...what a treasure! Makes me want to do a round robin again!

Elsie Montgomery said...

Wow, you had a busy year! The compatibility of the group who did these RRs really shows. The bright colors are a stretch, but they turned out well. I'm sure that everyone was pleased!

bingo~bonnie said...

what beautiful quilts!!! A few years back I participated in a RR and you are so right - it does force you to try new things and out of your comfort zone. It was my first and last and like you - I felt that my quilt that I got back was the best one of the group ;)

Lucky you to have such a beautiful apple quilt - and so special to have your grandmother's recipe included - that must have been your sister's round ;)

Love from Texas! ~bonnie

Myra said...

Awesome Round Robin quilts! Very talented ladies took part in that there! Wonderful! 8-)

Disaster Diva Debbie said...

Those are all beautiful! You are a lucky girl to have that beautiful quilt....

Annemixon said...

I would love to get involved in a round robin. Do you have any suggestions where to start.
Anne

Ruth said...

I have been saving some round robin blocks on Pinterest because I'm participating in a RR this year - my first one. A link that I had pinned led me to your blog (which I follow on Bloglovin) and to this post from 2009 where you displayed several RRs that you participated then. I am having problems getting one RR done per month, so I am amazed that you would participate in so many! Thanks for the ideas!