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County Line Quilters
 (based in Framingham, MA)
 Revised:  Saturday, November 26, 2005

 

Box Exchanges & Round Robins - Historical list of past events

 Box Exchange 2005 Summer - Halloween Blocks to a Grid
Goal was for a fun, fast and easy exchange over the summer that would end about 2 weeks before Halloween. Owner made a starter block of any size they wanted. Then players made a total of 4 more Halloween themed blocks that could be incorporated into a 30" x 44" wall quilt built on a 2" grid system. Gridded interfacing was included in each package to help players visualize block sizing and potential positioning though no blocks were to be sewn together. The owner was to do all final block arrangement and assembly of blocks into quilt top. It was expected that final owners would need to make or add extra "filler" blocks or strips to complete the top. For all blocks made, any side had to be divisible by 2" with no block side SMALLER than 4" and no block side LARGER than 12". For all blocks, any construction method or pattern can be used. The only real restriction was that the block must work in the 2" grid system. Players handed pkgs to same person after each round and were responsible for getting the pkg to that next player on time. Only 100% cotton fabrics allowed as well as printed Halloween "cheater" fabric and fussy cutting. No raised or on top embellishment was allowed. Besides original owner block, rounds as follows: Bat Block, Witch or Witch related, Pumpkin or Cat block, Choice of Ghost, Goblin, Monster, Haunted House, Halloween candy, Moon, Trick or Treat.

Box Exchange 2004/2005 - Borders added to a Starter Rectangle
Owner provides a starter in the shape of a recognizable rectangle. No one side can be any smaller than 7". No one side can be any larger than 18" and it it must be recognizable as a rectangle. For example, 7” x  8” meets minimum size requirement as does 17” x 18” but neither is immediately recognizable rectangle and so neither is ok as starter block. (Hint: If a total stranger doesn’t say it’s a rectangle, then you should take another crack at your initial starter block.)  The style, construction method, and colors of the initial rectangle block are completely up to the owner. Participants add a complete border to each prior round according to the rules for the rounds noted below. Nothing can be cut off, cut apart, added onto or removed from prior rounds of work. Participants should add approx ½ yd total (or 2 fat quarters) of fabric into each box when they pass it on. Borders added to starter rectangle according to the following rounds: 1 = Squares and/or Triangles, 2 = Dimensional Applique (folded fabric, trapunto, ruching, etc), 3 = Curves & Circles (curved piecing or use of curves or use of circles), 4 = Diamonds (any way you can manage it), 5 = Anything Goes, whatever you think the quilt needs at this point.

Box Exchange 2004/2005 - Embellishment Techniques
Owner creates an already constructed background made of no less than 5 different fabric strips or bands. Background can be no less than 20" wide and 30" long and no more than 25" wide and 35" long. Besides providing the starter background, the owner has no further input into direction, theme, colors, design or layout to work done by participants at each round. Each round allows for a mix of techniques; participants do each round but not necessarily each of the technique options allowed for the round. Schedule allows for about 1 month per round. Though not required, participants are encouraged to make 2 identical backgrounds. One to go into the exchange rounds and one to keep and work on as rounds progress. This will provide an interesting comparison of how the quilt evolves under a single artist versus under multiple artists. Nothing can be cut off, cut apart or removed from prior rounds but there may be work that goes across some prior round work. Final border round can be no border at all or up to 3" wide on all or some sides. Participants are free to confer or not with other participants during rounds. This is not an anonymous exchange. Round of work after constructed background is handed in are as follows: 1 = Paint/Stamp/Stencil (Flat Marking), also allowed Crayons/Markers/Puffy Paint, 2 = Bobbin Applique/Threadplay/Cording/Yarns (Raised Threads), 3 = Beads/Buttons/Glitter/Foiling (Shimmer & Shine), 4 = Ribbonwork/Embroidery/Lace (Raised Embellishments), 5 = Framing/Border/Outer Edge.
 
  Box Exchange 2002/2003 - Row by Row
Owner provides first starter row which sets the official maximum width for all rows following. Height of following rows is up to participants. Same number of blocks in each row is not necessary, just overall width of row must conform to starter row from owner. Owner notes the expected theme for the overall quilt and any preferred color choices for added rows. Participants can add rows above and below no matter what round they are working on. Rounds added to original row as follows: 1 =  Traditional piecing , 2 = Appliqué by hand, machine or raw edged, 3 =  Paper piecing, 4 = Anything Goes (whatever the quilt seems to need at this point.)
 
  Box Exchange 2001/2002 - Log Cabin
 
  Box Exchange 1998/99 - Borders added to a Starter Block
Owner provided a starter block no larger than 18".  The style, construction method, and colors of the initial rectangle block were completely up to the owner and owner could indicate to participants theme and colors desired (and NOT desired) on added borders. 1 month was given for each round to be worked on. Participants added a complete border to each prior round according to the rules for the rounds noted below. Participants added approx ½ yd total (or 2 fat quarters) of fabric into each box when they passed it on. Borders added to owner's block according to the following rounds: 1 = Squares or rectangles, 2 = Triangles, 3 = Appliqué, 4 = Curved piecing, 5 = Anything Goes, whatever the participant thought the quilt needed as a final border.
 
  BOM 1996/97: Technique Training Blocks
Free form piecing, Paper Piecing, Mirror Magic for Paper Piecing, Crazy Quilt, Basket of Dimensional Flowers.  Members who want to participate paid $28 per person and were given the same set of 5 fabrics to use in all blocks made during the year. In addition, each month, participants were given 2 new fabrics to add into the mix of the existing set of fabrics. Mini-workshops to cover certain techniques for some blocks given during the year and open to all guild members, not just those involved in the Challenge.