Block of the Month
Block
6

OK Ladies, here it is.
The last block of our six block series. When I started working on the block of the month, I contacted members from guilds all across the country. I am so excited about this block, as it has come to us courtesy of a wonderful quilter who is a member of the Kaw Valley Quilters.

This guild celebrated their 30th anniversary in 2007! Judy Masur, our block designer, gave me the suggestion to use this block, as she knew from checking out our website, that our theme was "The Bonds of Friendship". She tells the story that this block was used in times past in quilts that were given to family members or friends, some moving west, never to see "home or family" again.

It was meant to show love and care from the giver to the receiver. It is that time of year when we all are thinking of what to get for that special person in your life. I do hope you will take some time this season to tell that special friend just what they mean to you.
Please take the time to not only get your free block pattern designed to size just for us, but to browse this wonderful lady's website as well.
http://www.myquiltfabric.com/gallery.html

Final Rules: You have been given 6 different blocks with only specifications to continue with your main color theme throughout your quilt. This last block must also have some of your main color in it. Remember, you can finish your quilt with as many blocks as you like, but all must be from the 6 blocks in the series.

You are the designer, and you may finish your quilt with sashing around your blocks, put your blocks on point, or with as many borders as you wish! This is meant to be "your friendship quilt"! All quilts must be complete, with quilting, binding, a hanging sleeve and a label. Please cover your name for the judging, and fill out the following form to be turned in with your quilt.

Please bring your quilt, along with the form, to the Annual Meeting in March. The time and place for this meeting should be provided to you by your Chapter President. Winning entries will be announced at the close of the meeting. You must be present to win. Only one entry per member. Please do not leave the annual meeting without picking up your quilt.

Important Note: In order to prepare for this contest, it is important for me to know how many entries there will be. Please email me at mwcolgin@verizon.net if you will be entering a quilt into the contest.

I truly hope you have enjoyed the making of this quilt! Happy 30th Anniversary to RQG. May "The Bonds of Friendship" be what keeps you going for another 30 years!

 

Block of the Month
Block 5


We are now at the next to the last block of our 6 block quilt, and it is the busiest time of the year! You have been busy quilting your hearts out, shopping, cooking, cleaning, decorating, and running here and there for just the perfect gift for all of the loved ones in your life. My prayer for you this season, is that you will get as much joy from the giving as you did from the making! For the busiest time of the year, there can be no better block that this one!!! It is called Hither and Yon, and can be found at the following link:

http://mccallsquilting.com/qb/pattern_1107/

Only one stipulation: you must use your main color somewhere in this block!

Have a wonderful Christmas, and a Happy New Year, and see you back at the end of December for the last block and final instructions for your quilt!

 

Block 4: Our Chapter
November Block of the Month

Attention ladies!!!!! If you are not having fun yet, you should be. Get your creative juices flowing and get started on your RQG Block of the Month Quilt!!!

This month, we are going to focus on “our” chapter!!! That’s right! You will create your block according to the name of your chapter. You do have choices in regards to this block, such as choosing a block that has the same name as your chapter (example: a 12” finish crazy quilt block for Crazy Quilters or a block that has the name Friendship Circle) or you could use the block that represents your chapter (the one most will use for their name tags, these are pictured here on the web!).

You could also get really creative and do an appliqué landscape for Country School or James River.
The sky is the limit here, with your only restriction being that your block must have at least one small piece of fabric that is consistent throughout your quilt, and that the block be 12 ½ inches unfinished.

Remember that you have the option to make more than one block of each of the block of the month blocks, and as long as they are consistent with the rules, they could be different. Example: Block 2 was hearts!!! You could have a pieced heart and an appliqué heart, as well as more than one that is just alike. Your quilt should be a size that you would use!!

So go for king size, if that is your choice!!!! Remember, all of this is in the fun and joy of quilting, and those prize awards are just an added bonus for the fun you have!!!!

Get Quilting Ladies!!!!

Block 3: October, 07
Quilt Theme: The Bonds of Friendship

Quilters come from all walks of life, and will usually surround themselves with friends who share their same interests, or whose lives closely mirror theirs. As life changes for each of us, so does that circle of friends. This month’s block will be a little bit of a challenge, as you will need to decide which of the following blocks best fits you and your circle of friends. All of these blocks are listed free at www.quilterscache.com  and may be downloaded.

Old Maid’s Puzzle
Mother’s Dream
Lover’s Lane
Housewife
Aunt Vinah’s Favorite
Aunt Rachel’s Star
Brother Bear/Sister Sun
Grandmother’s Favorite

Note: All of the above blocks finish to the appropriate 12” finished size. Have fun looking thru these, and remember, that no matter what place in life we are now, our lives have been shaped and molded by the love we surround ourselves with. Every step we take toward a new walk in life should be brighter and better. Happy Quilting!

Block 2: September, 07
Quilt Theme “The Bonds of Friendship”


Quilters have the biggest hearts of any people I have ever met. They care about each other, work together to accomplish great things, laugh together, cry together, and share a genuine bond. They are daughters, mothers, grandmothers, etc. with a love of family and home in the real sense of the word!

For this reason, I have chosen a heart design for block 2 of this quilt.

Block 2 must be a finished 12” block (12 ½ inch unfinished) and must involve a heart or hearts. It may be pieced, appliquéd, or even use fabric with hearts in it. Some part of your block MUST incorporate the dominate color you chose for your quilt!

Happy Quilting! Mary Colgin, Web Liaison


RQG Block of the Month
Block 1: August, 07


The first block of this quilt should be a Friendship Star or a variation of the Friendship Star Pattern. All blocks should measure 12 inches finished (12 ½ inches unfinished).

This block should have a dominate color that will be carried throughout your quilt project. Please note that if you do not have a pattern for the Friendship Star block, that there are multiple free patterns for this and variations of this on the internet.

Some of my favorite sources are:
www.quilterscache.com
www.google.com
www.yahoo.com 

Type “friendship star pattern” into the search feature.

I do hope you will choose to participate, and join the fun!


Information and Rules

With this being our first block of the month web-based project, I want to make it as user friendly as possible, plus offer everyone a chance to do some really unique things that will make their quilt just a little different from everyone else.

There will be 6 blocks presented over the next 6 months, with the opportunity to finish your quilt prior to the RQG Annual Meeting. Members will have an opportunity to enter their quilt into a “Viewer’s Choice” contest, with prizes awarded to the top three choices.

If your chapter has a member who does not have web access, and would like to participate, PLEASE print a copy for them.

Happy Quilting,
Mary Colgin: Web Liaison

Rules:

  • The Theme for our first quilt will be “The Bonds of Friendship”

  • All blocks should be a finished 12 inch square

  • Quilt may use a multiple of blocks, but all must be from the block of the month selection

  • This gives the quilter who does not want a wall quilt, the opportunity to make it larger

  • Guidelines for finishing your quilt will be given with Block 6 instructions

  • I challenge chapters to help me with this endeavor, and send block suggestions that you would like to see incorporated into this quilt!