MetaFilter Quilting Bee

October 19, 2011 11:19 AM

Let's start a MetaFilter quilting bee! No previous quilting experience needed (I've only been sewing for a month, let alone quilting): just an ability to sew pieces of fabric together.

I'm working on my first quilt (really, my first bit of sewing ever), and I'd love to keep this going by collaborating with crafty mefites. Inspired by Block Party, I'd love to set up an online bee. Join me!

Here's how this might theoretically work: if we have 12 people, each month, one bee member (that month's designer) will send enough fabric for one block to all the other members with instructions indicating the kind of design the designer would like to see (traditional, modern, exact, loose, whatever). The bee members create the blocks, using their own artistic instincts where possible, and send them back to that month's designer. The designer then has a set of finished blocks and can assemble their quilt however they desire. At the end of a year, each member has a quilt, and has learned lots about quilting.

We could also set it up such that each month each member makes two blocks: one to send to the designer, and one to keep. Then, not only do you have blocks for your own designed quilt, but also for a quilt to remember the entire bee. (I think this would be super cool, especially since blocks are likely to be different sizes, and each person will undoubtedly put them together in a different way.)

If we have, say, four members instead of 12, the project could still be a year long and we'd each design three quilts instead of one.

It's a project that can fit into just about anyone's schedule, since you're only making one to two blocks per month.

I'll set up a blog where we can each log in and post about our projects.

Let's do it!

posted by ocherdraco to MetaFilter-Related at 11:19 AM (155 comments total)

I'm really jealous because I am a knitter but can never get around to figuring out how to do machine sewing and OH MY GOD ALL THE FABRIC SCRAPS but quilting is awesome so basically this is a great idea and carry on.
posted by Madamina at 11:29 AM on October 19, 2011 [7 favorites]

i would do this, oh yes i would!
posted by peachfuzz at 11:36 AM on October 19, 2011

I would be totally into this! I definitely need a project right now...
posted by Polyhymnia at 11:43 AM on October 19, 2011

Madamina, I literally bought a $60 sewing machine* and watched three youtube videos to get started on my first quilt—it took me less than half an hour to get up and running. If you've wanted to learn how to machine sew, this would be the perfect project. (That's what I'm using it for!)

*Admittedly, this machine is not the best. But I didn't want to invest in something really expensive when I wasn't sure whether I'd want to keep doing it.
posted by ocherdraco at 11:47 AM on October 19, 2011 [1 favorite]

Oh please, oh please, make a MetaQuilt! It could have a pony on it made of tiny scraps sent in by MeFites and assembled in sections by MetQuilters!
posted by The 10th Regiment of Foot at 11:54 AM on October 19, 2011 [2 favorites]

MetaQuilter! I just started my first quilt. Shhhh . . . I'm making it for my 10 year old daughter for Christmas.

Sounds like such a fun project!
posted by Sassyfras at 12:00 PM on October 19, 2011

That's great! My first is a gift, too.

Will you join us Sassyfras?
posted by ocherdraco at 12:03 PM on October 19, 2011

I am willing to try but I don't know if my piecing skills are up to other people's standards of exactness. Also I'm not that artistic so I hope people aren't expecting brilliance.
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 12:08 PM on October 19, 2011

We are expecting neither design brilliance nor piecing perfection. Just fun. And from what I've seen, Eyebrows, you can do fun. :)
posted by ocherdraco at 12:14 PM on October 19, 2011

Winners never quilt.
posted by crunchland at 12:15 PM on October 19, 2011

I thought that was weiners?
posted by The 10th Regiment of Foot at 12:16 PM on October 19, 2011

[Link to image of quilting weiner, if I could find one]
posted by ocherdraco at 12:17 PM on October 19, 2011 [1 favorite]

how about a quilted weiner?
posted by peachfuzz at 12:19 PM on October 19, 2011

Oh, yes please! I have been too shy to join in all the bees I've seen on Flickr (eek! perfect strangers!), but would be all over this.
posted by bewilderbeast at 12:24 PM on October 19, 2011

I'm a little not sure . . . for reasons that Eyebrow mentioned. My preciseness is non-existent. The corners are supposed to line up!? WTH?
posted by Sassyfras at 12:26 PM on October 19, 2011

What is your anticipated start date? Are you thinking November? Or January?

I am interested, but don't want to jump in with both feet because of my holiday schedule.

(And I'm totally in the same boat as Eyebrow and Sassyfras. Maybe we can all have quilting low-self-esteem together?)
posted by librarianamy at 12:28 PM on October 19, 2011 [1 favorite]

I would definitely be up for this. I think it would be a great opportunity to build some sewing skills. I don't think I'd want to be the first (or second) designer though. I'd like to get a few squares under my belt before I design my own quilt. I would do my best to be as precise as the designer needed!

I saw the Gee's Bend quilting exhibit last year & have really wanted to be involved in a quilt for awhile. This is exciting; please, please let it really happen!
posted by Kronur at 12:29 PM on October 19, 2011

Since it seems like most of us are going to be beginner-ish, I think we can decide from the get-go that we're not going to use designs that require a large amount of precision. If you look at the Block Party quilting bee, all their designs had lots of freedom within their guidelines so you could just put them together however you wanted while you sewed—no precise corners necessary.
posted by ocherdraco at 12:30 PM on October 19, 2011

Kronur, since I'm the one suggesting this whole shebang, I'll gladly put myself up as the designer for the first month—no worries about that!
posted by ocherdraco at 12:31 PM on October 19, 2011

Also, remember that once you've got all the blocks pieced together, you can take your quilt to a quilt finisher for the actual quilting and binding, so don't worry if you don't have those skills, or don't enjoy that part. (That's what I plan to do! I don't have those skills yet.)
posted by ocherdraco at 12:33 PM on October 19, 2011

librarianamy: "What is your anticipated start date? Are you thinking November? Or January? "

Definitely January. We'll work out our plan in November, take a month to chill and eat lots of delicious holiday food, and then start the actual bee in January.
posted by ocherdraco at 12:34 PM on October 19, 2011

I love and endorse this idea but I cannot allow myself to participate until I am actually done with my degree. It just has 'wonderful procrastination excuse' all over it. Great idea, though!
posted by Miko at 12:36 PM on October 19, 2011

I'm off to run errands now. Tawk amongst yourselves.
posted by ocherdraco at 12:37 PM on October 19, 2011

But before I go: mascot? (source)
posted by ocherdraco at 12:38 PM on October 19, 2011

Is it silly that I am already pawing through my stash looking for palette ideas or good focus fabric for this sort of project? Maybe it is a little silly.
posted by bewilderbeast at 12:39 PM on October 19, 2011 [1 favorite]

I am very interested in following this project but don't think I have the time to take it up this time around.
posted by immlass at 12:47 PM on October 19, 2011

I am into this! My sewing skills range more towards functional rather than precise, but the stuff on the block party site looks totally doable. I don't have any real quilting experience, but I do have some potential quilting mentors I can reach out to if anything gets too intense for me!
posted by Secretariat at 12:54 PM on October 19, 2011

I first read this as "quitting bee".

so I hope people aren't expecting brilliance.

You realize this is MetaFilter, right?
posted by Melismata at 12:56 PM on October 19, 2011

I am all over this!
posted by Zophi at 12:59 PM on October 19, 2011

Well, even if I don't take part, perhaps one of you might provide a new home for the two yards of Outdoorsy Type I received for Christmas. It's just not quite enough for curtains :(

It may involve a haiku contest.
posted by Madamina at 1:08 PM on October 19, 2011 [7 favorites]

Wouldn't a dirty limerick contest be more appropriate?
posted by Secretariat at 1:17 PM on October 19, 2011

Madamina, that fabric is redonkulous. Now I want a whole quilt of outdoorsy men.

Anyway, I'm in. I've made two quilts somewhat half-assedly and need to get back into sewing.
posted by artychoke at 1:25 PM on October 19, 2011

peachfuzz: "how about a quilted weiner?"

I clicked that despite being so afraid of what I might end up actually seeing. Thank God the rest of the Internet isn't as perverted as me.

And speaking of, Outdoorsy Type is even more ridiculously wonderful than I could have ever imagined.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 1:30 PM on October 19, 2011 [1 favorite]

I am so in! I have been meaning to attempt quilting and peer pressure is a great way to get me to actually do things.

I do like the idea of two quilt blocks one to send and one to keep.
posted by Duffington at 1:38 PM on October 19, 2011

Outdoorsy Type goes well with this manly fabric that I mysteriously have a yard of.
posted by Secretariat at 1:52 PM on October 19, 2011 [1 favorite]

Oh, they have a whole line. It's faaaaaabulous.

My friend gave me the fabric the year we saw a Minnesota State Fair quilt featuring these guys. It was next to the purple 90210 pajamas trimmed with green feathers and the quilted wall hanging of toilet paper rolls in various stages of use.
posted by Madamina at 2:01 PM on October 19, 2011 [1 favorite]

I'd love to do something like this, but my follow up sucks. I'll be watching how it goes!
posted by deborah at 2:18 PM on October 19, 2011 [1 favorite]

Madamina - not enough for curtains? That's crazy talk. I am totally envisioning you adding length by a solid matching cotton stripe at the bottom (or top). I have faith that you can totally make it work.

I may have to search my stash, I suspect I have some from a previous line of theirs lurking around... I used to make (equal opportunity) pin up purses... and I _have_ been meaning to destash...

Oh hell, ocherdraco, add me to the official list. Now to start pawing through my stash like bewilderbeast!
posted by librarianamy at 2:52 PM on October 19, 2011

I have a Grandma who quilts and a Mom who sews, both would totally help me with mine. I'm in!
posted by googlebombed at 2:58 PM on October 19, 2011

We won't finalize the list for a few days, so people who haven't checked MetaTalk today won't be out of luck. But as of now, this is the list we've got:

Yes:

1. peachfuzz
2. Polyhymnia
3. Eyebrows McGee
4. bewilderbeast
5. Kronur
6. Zophi
7. artychoke
8. Duffington
9. librarianamy
10. googlebombed

Maybe:
Sassyfras
Secretariat

Maybe at another time/wants to keep track of progress:
Madamina
Miko
immlass
deborah

Those of you who are in, could you please memail me your email addresses? Feel free to send your email if you want to follow along but won't be quilting—I'll add you to the email list, but you won't be included in the bee itself. (Just be sure to indicate that you're a spectator in your memail.)

I totally went to the local fabric store while I was running errands. I am PUMPED.
posted by ocherdraco at 3:03 PM on October 19, 2011

Oh, and I guess I should be #11 on the yes list.
posted by ocherdraco at 3:12 PM on October 19, 2011

Ooh, sign me up!

If I had 2 yards of Outdoorsy Type I'd totally make it into a quilt for my dear friend jph, although if I recall correctly he said he wanted a caftan when I showed him that fabric a few months ago.
posted by katemonster at 3:19 PM on October 19, 2011 [1 favorite]

I also like the two quilt block scenario. OR we could figure out some sort of quilting pyramid scheme, where ocherdraco would end up with like 500 quilts and we'd each be regional quilters with groups below us all quilting and hitting up their friends and coworkers to sew blocks ...and profit?
posted by artychoke at 3:33 PM on October 19, 2011 [4 favorites]

Oh, this sounds like SUCH fun! Please count me in. Memailing now!
posted by adiabat at 3:49 PM on October 19, 2011

And I would wear that caftan to ever MeFi meetup from now to the end of time.
posted by jph at 4:04 PM on October 19, 2011

Hey, I'm interested. Me and my singer from 1938 only do straight stitch, but I think I've done c. 7 quilts with it so far. Yay for machines of steel!
posted by nat at 4:25 PM on October 19, 2011 [1 favorite]

Just sent you a memail, ocherdraco. I'm definitely interested! Just completed my first quilt ever, now amassing fabric for another. I am kind of addicted to fabric stores, and it doesn't help living near the biggest one in the US.
posted by medeine at 4:27 PM on October 19, 2011

I would do this too! (IANAQ: I am not a quilter. But I sew, and I could learn quilting specific skillz if people don't mind imperfection.) I am in Australia, though, so if the rest of you aren't, sending fabric my way would cost you a little bit extra in postage. (It's light, though, so it shouldn't be too shocking. And I'm used to the postage costs in the other direction, so sending stuff back doesn't bother me.)
posted by lollusc at 4:51 PM on October 19, 2011

I am totally in! Memailing you now.
posted by rumposinc at 5:09 PM on October 19, 2011

I'd love to play... but are us international types welcome? Depends on whether we can flatten fabric down enough to send at letter rate, I expect.
posted by web-goddess at 5:17 PM on October 19, 2011

I would be all for international inclusions...the more quilters, the bigger the quilt. I don't think it would be that expensive to mail international. And we'll be getting a quilt back (cumulatively)!!! Completely worth it.
posted by Kronur at 5:17 PM on October 19, 2011

I might be into this. Put me down as a solid maybe and keep me informed.

In the past the way I've seen similar things done is that every body makes X quilt blocks in whatever style they want it just has to be the size we all agree on. X is the number of quilters in the group.

Then when we've all done our blocks we send one to each member of the group. After we've all received our blocks we can put them together and finish it however we want. We'd all end up with the same blocks but completely different quilts.

Doing it that way would allow people to make blocks at their own ability levels.

We could come up with a theme to keep things cohesive, or a color scheme, or something like that. Personally though, I think random could be pretty fun.
posted by TooFewShoes at 5:17 PM on October 19, 2011

I don't think it would be that expensive to mail international.

It's not too bad sending from the US; it's sending TO the US that's the pain. They've started charging the rest of the world $9 per parcel for all the security checks it has to go through (on top of the actual postage cost). So unless I could get the fabric through as a letter, sending out 12 parcels each month would cost me upwards of $100. :(

I guess just put me down as a "maybe", ocherdraco. Just need to figure out how to manage it without breaking the bank...
posted by web-goddess at 5:40 PM on October 19, 2011

web-goddess (and others in the same situation) what about choosing fabrics that are commercially available in the US? When it's your turn, tell me how much to get, I'll do the initial mailing of fabric to all the members, and then we can settle up via PayPal or something like that.

Okay, the current list:

Yes:

1. peachfuzz
2. Polyhymnia
3. Eyebrows McGee
4. bewilderbeast
5. Kronur
6. Zophi
7. artychoke
8. Duffington
9. librarianamy
10. googlebombed
11. ocherdraco
12. katemonster
13. adiabat
14. nat

Maybe:
Sassyfras
Secretariat
TooFewShoes
web-goddess

Maybe at another time/wants to keep track of progress:

Madamina
Miko
immlass
deborah

posted by ocherdraco at 5:51 PM on October 19, 2011

Or perhaps if we get enough participants elsewhere we could have a couple of simultaneous bees going? I'd love to work with the Aussies, but I'd hate for anyone to get stuck with massive postage costs for participating.
posted by katemonster at 5:52 PM on October 19, 2011

Oh! Or, if you want to get fabric in Australia, you can send all of it to me and then I'd distribute it. So you'd have one shipping fee (and therefore only one absurd additional security fee).
posted by ocherdraco at 6:01 PM on October 19, 2011

International/Australians could also design a quilt with a white background with bright accents (like the confetti quilt in the first link) and just mail the bright fabric in an envelope. Then we could all buy a bit of white for the background ourselves. There would still be all of the mailing of completed blocks to contend with.
posted by artychoke at 6:08 PM on October 19, 2011

I am SO INTERESTED in this. But I am having a baby any time in the next 6 or so weeks, so I am unsure of my ability to commit. Keep me updated, though -- I have been wanting to get into quilting for a while now, and this seems like an easy and low-pressure way to do that!
posted by devinemissk at 6:14 PM on October 19, 2011

I would loooove to participate. What a great idea!
posted by Nickel Pickle at 6:39 PM on October 19, 2011

Oh, yay! I'll be a maybe for the moment, but solidly interested!
posted by heyforfour at 7:17 PM on October 19, 2011

I would like to upgrade from "maybe" to "yes", please.
posted by Secretariat at 7:39 PM on October 19, 2011

Ooh, what fun. Me and my tank of a 1948 Singer (hi nat!) would love to participate, but I fear for my ability to follow through. Can I be a voyeuse for now?
posted by librarina at 8:10 PM on October 19, 2011

I would love to do this (never made a quilt, but I like to sew, and hooray learning new things :) ).
posted by cheesegrater at 8:26 PM on October 19, 2011

Latest list update! FYI, ★ means I have received your email, and ☽ means you are international (as relative to the US). If I don't have your email, or if I haven't marked your internationality correctly, memail me!

Yes (now with alphabetization!):

1. adiabat ★
2. artychoke ★
3. bewilderbeast ★
4. Duffington ★
5. Eyebrows McGee
6. googlebombed ★
7. katemonster ★
8. kronur ★
9. librarianamy ★
10. lollusc ★☽
11. medeine ★
12. nat
13. Nickel Pickle
14. peachfuzz ★
15. Polyhymnia
16. rumposinc ★
17. Secretariat ★
18. Zophi ★

Maybe:
Sassyfras
TooFewShoes
web-goddess ★☽

Spectators:
deborah
devinemissk

Maybe another time:
Madamina
Miko
immlass

posted by ocherdraco at 8:27 PM on October 19, 2011

oh man i am so super excited about this. I got to work on my current quilt project as soon as I got home, in the interest of making room for this one.

is it ridiculously nerdy if i make my quilt in blues, greens, and grays?
posted by peachfuzz at 8:31 PM on October 19, 2011

Ocherdraco - you forgot yourself.
posted by artychoke at 8:34 PM on October 19, 2011

Again! What is it with me and leaving myself off lists!

Well, I need to add another person anyway:

Yes (now with alphabetization!):

1. adiabat ★
2. artychoke ★
3. bewilderbeast ★
4. cheesegrater ★
5. Duffington ★
6. Eyebrows McGee
7. googlebombed ★
8. katemonster ★
9. kronur ★
10. librarianamy ★
11. lollusc ★☽
12. medeine ★
13. nat
14. Nickel Pickle
15. ocherdraco ★
16. peachfuzz ★
17. Polyhymnia
18. rumposinc ★
19. Secretariat ★
20. Zophi ★

Maybe:
Sassyfras
TooFewShoes
web-goddess ★☽

Spectators:
deborah
devinemissk

Maybe another time:
Madamina
Miko
immlass

posted by ocherdraco at 8:40 PM on October 19, 2011

Put me on the Maybe Another Time list. I've been cavorting around the edges of learning to use a sewing machine. Right now I'm not sure I have the time.
posted by middleclasstool at 8:44 PM on October 19, 2011

And librarina and heyforfour should be under Maybe.
posted by ocherdraco at 8:45 PM on October 19, 2011

If we get 24 should we do 2 12s?
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 9:05 PM on October 19, 2011

Okay, move me to the CONFIRMED then! If I can send my fabric to just one person to be distributed, then that works out great. I'm pretty sure I'd be able to fold a completed block and sneak it into a greeting card or something, as long as y'all are happy to content with a little extra ironing at the end! :)
posted by web-goddess at 9:08 PM on October 19, 2011

Yes, I think so. I think a year is about all anyone should have to commit to.
posted by ocherdraco at 9:10 PM on October 19, 2011

Show off time: I have made two actual quilts in my life. The first was just a simple checkerboard out of cut up shirts. That one's on my bed right now! The second was a Storm at Sea quilt for a friend's wedding.

Then I learned to knit, and I haven't quilted in like 8 years...
posted by web-goddess at 9:13 PM on October 19, 2011 [1 favorite]

The checkerboard one looks so comfy! And the Storm at Sea is making me a little woozy... (I guess that's the point, huh?)
posted by ocherdraco at 9:23 PM on October 19, 2011

Here's a picture of my loud quilt, modeled by a tubby baby. I will try to make ANY of the corners line up when I do blocks for others. I've never made a quilt with blocks and designs though, so this'll be fun! (The one in the picture was just squares sewn in strips, hence the not lining up problem.)
posted by artychoke at 9:32 PM on October 19, 2011 [3 favorites]

May I be a spectator? I'd love to try to parallel-piece a few blocks just to see if I still can do it. Is spectator the right category for that? (I'd love to contribute of some of my vintage stash to a meta-quilt project!)
posted by Anitanola at 9:36 PM on October 19, 2011

Anitanola - I'm in NOLA too, so I can show you the projects in person if you want as we go. Must ratchet down quilting excitement a notch and go to bed. Squee!
posted by artychoke at 9:44 PM on October 19, 2011 [2 favorites]

LOVE the tubby baby pic! So much happiness. :)

And YOU GUYS - you want to see some amazing quilting? My Mom is, like, a master. And for my wedding, she made us a Darth Vader Star Wars Revenge Quilt. I am not kidding.

Maybe that's why I haven't quilted much. That's a lot to live up to!
posted by web-goddess at 9:47 PM on October 19, 2011 [7 favorites]

web-goddess - that is AWESOME. I love that it very traditional as well as evil. In fact, I have just friend requested you on facebook so that I can add you to my Star Wars Themed Trashy Mardi Gras Dance Team. So that you may laugh at us from afar. We march on February 19.
posted by artychoke at 10:01 PM on October 19, 2011

I've never done anything like this, but I totally need a project. Is this possible to do by hand? I don't anticipate having a sewing machine anytime soon. I've just sent you an email ocherdraco, as a US maybe.

Yay!
posted by Space Kitty at 11:14 PM on October 19, 2011

I am just going to sit here and grin.
posted by TangerineGurl at 12:19 AM on October 20, 2011

Space Kitty - "Is this possible to do by hand?"

Absolutely! I learned this way -- women used to keep a little sewing basket of quilt pieces for designs they'd already worked out and would always be piecing the small shapes together by hand to make up quilt squares. This was perfect pick-up work for times they were sitting and waiting or whatever--no idle hands.
posted by Anitanola at 12:40 AM on October 20, 2011 [1 favorite]

This sounds awesome, but I can't join in. I do, however, have a small stack of squares that I need to sew together once I finish the never-ending decluttering that has been my life for the past few months. I still don't know what happens with the actual 'quilting' bit once you do the thing that uses up all your too-nice-to-bin offcuts of fabric...
posted by mippy at 4:55 AM on October 20, 2011

I have no business starting on a sewing project when I have sooo much unfinished knitting sitting around the house and sooo little time, but I want in anyway. I've been wanting to learn to quilt for ages but I've never just dug in and tried it. Having other people depending on me to send them my blocks sounds like the perfect way to move it from my 'someday' list to my 'done' list.
posted by Dojie at 5:39 AM on October 20, 2011

Oh hell, I'm in too. This is too cool to pass up. Total beginner, millions of other things I should be doing, yadda yadda yadda.
posted by somanyamys at 6:50 AM on October 20, 2011

Put me down for next time, please!
posted by cranberry_nut at 7:07 AM on October 20, 2011

Space Kitty, it is definitely possible to do by hand. So long as you can sew a (relatively) straight line, you're golden.
posted by ocherdraco at 7:23 AM on October 20, 2011

How about a CrazY Quilt? All levels of sewing ability welcome. Damn I wish I had the time.
posted by mareli at 7:31 AM on October 20, 2011

List update:

Yes:

1. adiabat ★
2. artychoke ★
3. bewilderbeast ★ ☽
4. cheesegrater ★
5. Dojie ★
6. Duffington ★
7. Eyebrows McGee ★
8. googlebombed ★
9. katemonster ★
10. kronur ★
11. librarianamy ★
12. lollusc ★ ☽
13. medeine ★
14. nat ★
15. Nickel Pickle ★
16. ocherdraco ★
17. peachfuzz ★
18. Polyhymnia
19. rumposinc ★
20. Secretariat ★
21. somanyamys ★
22. Space Kitty ★
23. Zophi ★

Maybe:
heyforfour
librarina
Sassyfras
TooFewShoes
web-goddess ★ ☽

Spectators:
Anitanola
deborah
devinemissk
Madamina ★

Maybe another time:
cranberry_nut
immlass
middleclasstool
Miko
posted by ocherdraco at 7:47 AM on October 20, 2011

just an ability to sew pieces of fabric together.

Thank you for reminding me of more simple, basic tasks I am incapable of doing.
posted by Deathalicious at 8:00 AM on October 20, 2011

Can I be on the "keep me posted" list? Would love to see the designs and finished products (not quite ready to join myself, the only sewing project I've attempted is napkins, and I've no idea how to design a whole quilt).
posted by Bebo at 9:12 AM on October 20, 2011

oooo, are we showing off quilts? This is the last one I made: cog + wheel, for a friend's baby. I've made a couple of other baby quilts, too, and some smaller quilted projects, but never a bed-size thing. I've been more and more drawn to simple quilts lately—I've had my eye on this for my first bed-size project. I'm super super excited!
posted by peachfuzz at 9:18 AM on October 20, 2011 [3 favorites]

If anybody in the San Francisco area needs fabric I'd be happy to provide some. I've avoided taking up quilting but my stash of fabric scraps overfloweth, so you're welcome to take some. MeMail me if you're interested.
posted by Quietgal at 9:21 AM on October 20, 2011

I could not find the pictures of the stuff I've done, but I'm so excited to dust off my beloved Bernina for this.
posted by Zophi at 9:26 AM on October 20, 2011

Ooh, count me in! I've been looking forward to a) participating in some sort of MeFi related swap event, b) doing more sewing now that I'm finally done with grad school, and c) making a quilt for my own damn self instead of giving them all away to my friends with adorable children. Contact information is on it's way.
posted by amelioration at 10:01 AM on October 20, 2011 [1 favorite]

BEES?
posted by entropicamericana at 10:58 AM on October 20, 2011

Ooooooh time to bust out my old sewing machine. Is there room for one more ocherdraco? If so, count me in!
posted by millions of peaches at 11:02 AM on October 20, 2011

There's definitely room. I'm going to do my best to make each be one year long and no longer, so there might be some fiddling if we're not exactly a multiple of 12, but we'll figure it out.

Latest list:

Yes:

1. adiabat ★
2. amelioration
3. artychoke ★
4. bewilderbeast ★ ☽
5. cheesegrater ★
6. Dojie ★
7. Duffington ★
8. Eyebrows McGee ★
9. googlebombed ★
10. katemonster ★
11. kronur ★
12. librarianamy ★
13. lollusc ★ ☽
14. medeine ★
15. millions of peaches
16. nat ★
17. Nickel Pickle ★
18. ocherdraco ★
19. peachfuzz ★
20. Polyhymnia
21. rumposinc ★
22. Secretariat ★
23. somanyamys ★
24. Space Kitty ★
25. Zophi ★

Maybe:
heyforfour
librarina
Sassyfras
TooFewShoes
web-goddess ★ ☽

Spectators:
Anitanola
Bebo ★
deborah
devinemissk ★
Madamina ★

Maybe another time:
cranberry_nut
immlass
middleclasstool
Miko

posted by ocherdraco at 11:14 AM on October 20, 2011

Stars and moons. Can't fool me. I know a quilting coven in the making when I see it. Eye of needle, foot of cloth, wool of bat, and SEXY OUTDOORSMEN IN REPOSE!
posted by jph at 11:58 AM on October 20, 2011 [1 favorite]

I am definitely in the maybe another time camp.
posted by immlass at 12:01 PM on October 20, 2011

Yard of cloth, jph. Foot of sewing machine.
posted by ocherdraco at 12:04 PM on October 20, 2011

I'm in the same boat as Miko, I would very much love to do this but I need to finish my mom's quilt and my degree. I do have a good bit of fabric that I could contribute if anyone needs. Just let me know colors/patterns and I'll see if I have it.

What a great idea. Go you guys.
posted by teleri025 at 12:30 PM on October 20, 2011

I confirmed up above, Margaret! Put me on it! :)
posted by web-goddess at 12:55 PM on October 20, 2011

Woot woot! (This is why I keep reposting the list—y'all keep spotting errors.)
posted by ocherdraco at 1:18 PM on October 20, 2011

I'm in! Time for those church-camp sewing lessons to get some use.
posted by VelveteenBabbitt at 1:42 PM on October 20, 2011 [1 favorite]

Still in like Flynn. My sewing abilities are not too strong but I can use a machine. I can also swear at my machine with great proficiency.
posted by Polyhymnia at 2:13 PM on October 20, 2011 [2 favorites]

Just attempted to sew my first curved seam. *$#@%@%@#$@%&$@$*#@%&*!!!!!!!!!!
posted by ocherdraco at 3:22 PM on October 20, 2011 [1 favorite]

Curved seam? But you just...oooohhhhh...It's different than from clothes, isn't it. I sew a LOT and I just realized I have no idea how to do that so it comes out flat and not, like, a hip in a skirt. Hmmm. So, we need a group in facebook or google+ or someone needs to start a blog or something so we can all be uploading pictures and cries for help and the spectators can watch. Off to look for youtube quilting videos to understand how to do a curved seam.
posted by artychoke at 4:01 PM on October 20, 2011

artychoke, I came to quilting from years of sewing/mending clothing, and always had a bit of secret befuddlement for quilters who would say to me, "Oh, wow, you make clothes? That seems so complicated, I could never do all those curved seams."

My first straight-seam quilt was pretty much a breeze, but the minute I tried to piece anything flat (even from PATTERNS, ferchrissakes!) with a curved seam, it was a complete hash. I still don't have a clue what's going on there.
posted by heyforfour at 4:08 PM on October 20, 2011

I understand it after watching this. I don't think the first 37 curves I try to sew will work, but I think I get it. I wish she'd have held the two bits together first so I could see how the pieces matched up before the sewing. Each curve has to have an extra 1/4", I suppose.
posted by artychoke at 4:23 PM on October 20, 2011

yes! and just as with garment sewing, you just have to make the seam endpoints match, not the whole seam allowances.

The weirdest thing about quilt piecing, to me, is not clipping tension out of the seam allowances. But you hardly ever need to, when you're working with just 1/4". Quilting made me start constructing my clothes with 3/8" and 1/4" seam allowances, and it's been awesome hardly ever needing to clip.
posted by peachfuzz at 5:37 PM on October 20, 2011

Heh, I made a quilt of big Dresden plates a few months ago, and chickened out when it came to setting in the circle at the centre of each flower. I ended up doing them by hand, and seeing the process in sloooow motion seriously demystified it. Circles are awesome! (Not gonna ask anyone to set in circles on my account in this bee, though.)

I learned that you can English paper piece curved pieces (why! why was this a revelation! why wouldn't you be able to!) and that was also helpful, because when you sew pieces together that way the actual finished edges of the shapes abut and you get to watch from the right side of the work.

Resounding hell yeah on smallish seam allowances for everything!
posted by bewilderbeast at 6:44 PM on October 20, 2011

I'd love to be added on as a spectator. I have too many of my own quilting projects that I'm obligated to do (WHY did I say I'd make quilts for Christmas and Mother's Day?) but I'd love to follow along and maybe try some blocks as time allows. What a great idea!
posted by christinetheslp at 7:09 PM on October 20, 2011

oh also ps! Would people be interested in trying new stuff with this project? I am starting to think that I really, REALLY want to ask for string-pieced blocks pieced on paper. Like this! I want to try the technique too, and omg look at the result.

Maybe we could have an "anything goes" group and also a straight lines/simple piecing group if people don't want to be sucked into something they would not like or not feel confident about? And I volunteer to be part of as many groups as necessary if we need to double up to make the math work.
posted by peachfuzz at 7:56 PM on October 20, 2011

Oh oh oh! I would be interested in that for sure, peachfuzz (& have also been admiring those very blocks). My try-something-new dream block assignment would have something to do with a play on hexagons--piece some sort of design that yields a hexagon five inches a side, or something. Like the neat stacks of tumbling blocks or snowflakey stars that turn up in the candied hexagons quilt.
posted by bewilderbeast at 8:09 PM on October 20, 2011

I'm game for an anything-goes group! (Even curved seams, haha!!) Also, paper piecing is THE BEST.
posted by heyforfour at 8:21 PM on October 20, 2011

Ooh, I've never done paper piecing. I'm almost a little afraid of it! But that tutorial is awesome. I'm definitely up for learning some new techniques!
posted by web-goddess at 9:03 PM on October 20, 2011

In my mind, part of the point of the whole thing is trying new things—so long as people don't mind things being a little wonky because we're all learning, I think it should work great!
posted by ocherdraco at 9:47 PM on October 20, 2011 [1 favorite]

Okay, seriously:

Hee!

This!

And this!
posted by Space Kitty at 10:48 PM on October 20, 2011 [1 favorite]

So, I'm a little disturbed by how little I understand of the curved seams / paper piecing discussion. As a total beginner to quilting and a sewing novice (as in, I can make curtains and an a-line skirt), I would definitely volunteer to be in a straight lines/simple patterns group so as not to stress about ruining something more complicated for those of you who know what you're doing.

That said, I'll go along with whatever -- just offering a view from Noviceland.
posted by somanyamys at 5:31 AM on October 21, 2011

Maybe we can split into a beginners' group and an experienced group. There are several of us who have never done any quilting and very little sewing. Doing something very basic will be enough of a challenge for our first attempts. The more experienced MetaQuilters can use curved seams, paper piecing, incorporating fresh fruit, and whatever other quilting shenanigans they want to launch into.
posted by Dojie at 6:24 AM on October 21, 2011 [4 favorites]

I need there to be an intermediate group! I really want to learn to do the hard stuff, but I'm scared I'll screw up other people's quilts. Well, I know some advanced quilters so I can go cry on their doorsteps if I'm baffled. So sign me up for the hard group? Unless the numbers work out better for me to be in the easier group.
posted by artychoke at 9:01 AM on October 21, 2011

Can I be added as a spectator? I am very very new to quilting (go log cabin!), but would like to pay attention and maybe give this a try in a later round. Yay crafty mefites!
posted by dayintoday at 9:09 AM on October 21, 2011

Speaking for myself, but no worries about "messing up" other people's quilts - we're all learning new stuff! And of course handmade wonkiness and seeing how others do things is part of the charm of exchanging.
posted by peachfuzz at 9:19 AM on October 21, 2011

ohohoh i am so tempted but I can't decide, I am a very bad sewer and have a tendency not to follow through on things. may i spectate?
posted by ghostbikes at 11:46 AM on October 21, 2011

List update! I think I'm going to finalize the list tomorrow evening, after I get home from my improv class, so if there's anyone who just looks at mefi on weekends, they'll get Saturday to see this thread. If you're a Yes, Maybe, or Spectator, please make sure to send me your email address. Once the list is finalized we'll be taking this conversation to email. (I'm thinking Google Group, unless anyone has a better option.)

Yes:

1. adiabat ★
2. amelioration ★
3. artychoke ★
4. bayliss ★
5. bewilderbeast ★ ☽
6. cheesegrater ★
7. Dojie ★
8. Duffington ★
9. Eyebrows McGee ★
10. googlebombed ★ ☽
11. katemonster ★
12. kronur ★
13. librarianamy ★
14. lollusc ★ ☽
15. medeine ★
16. millions of peaches ★
17. nat ★
18. Nickel Pickle ★
19. ocherdraco ★
20. peachfuzz ★
21. Polyhymnia ★
22. rumposinc ★
23. Secretariat ★
24. somanyamys ★
25. Space Kitty ★
26. Velveteen Babbitt ★
27. web-goddess ★ ☽
28. Zophi ★

Maybe:
heyforfour
librarina ★
obloquy ★
Sassyfras
thankyouforyourconsideration ★
TooFewShoes

Spectators:
Anitanola
Bebo ★
christinetheslp
dayintoday ★
deborah ★ ☽
devinemissk ★
ghostbikes
Madamina ★

Maybe another time:
cranberry_nut
immlass
middleclasstool
Miko

posted by ocherdraco at 11:51 AM on October 21, 2011

Can I move to the "Yes" list please? (I sent you a memail last night...)
posted by heyforfour at 12:43 PM on October 21, 2011

Sure! I'll fix that in the list. (Sorry, I made several changes yesterday and then my computer ran out of battery before I had saved. Thought I'd gotten all of them fixed, but clearly that's one I missed!)
posted by ocherdraco at 1:09 PM on October 21, 2011

I'd like to be in please - if you are ok with non-US people and also with hand-sewing.
posted by paduasoy at 2:43 PM on October 21, 2011

Okay with both! Send me a memail with your email address.
posted by ocherdraco at 4:19 PM on October 21, 2011

You're all posting such cute fabric I'm now worried you'll judge me for my fabric!
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 6:32 PM on October 21, 2011

If you are doing multiple groups, can you put all the Aussies in one group? That will save on postage costs a bit.
posted by lollusc at 12:20 AM on October 22, 2011

Oh, after looking more closely at profiles, by "all", I apparently mean "both" :)
posted by lollusc at 12:22 AM on October 22, 2011

I'm very late to the party, but would like to be added!
posted by vespabelle at 9:22 AM on October 22, 2011

Okay! Here is the final list. I still need email addresses from vespabelle, Sassyfras, TooFewShoes, Anitanola, christinetheslp, and ghostbikes. And then we'll be off and running.

Yes:

1. adiabat ★
2. amelioration ★
3. artychoke ★
4. bayliss ★
5. bewilderbeast ★ ☽
6. cheesegrater ★
7. Dojie ★
8. Duffington ★
9. Eyebrows McGee ★
10. googlebombed ★ ☽
11. heyforfour ★
12. katemonster ★
13. kronur ★
14. librarianamy ★
15. lollusc ★ ☽
16. medeine ★
17. millions of peaches ★
18. nat ★
19. Nickel Pickle ★
20. ocherdraco ★
21. paduasoy ★ ☽
22. peachfuzz ★
23. Polyhymnia ★
24. rumposinc ★
25. Secretariat ★
26. somanyamys ★
27. Space Kitty ★
28. Velveteen Babbitt ★
29. vespabelle
30. web-goddess ★ ☽
31. Zophi ★

Maybe:
librarina ★
obloquy ★
Sassyfras
thankyouforyourconsideration ★
TooFewShoes

Spectators:
Anitanola
Bebo ★
christinetheslp
dayintoday ★
deborah ★ ☽
devinemissk ★
ghostbikes
junques ★
Madamina ★

Maybe another time:
cranberry_nut
immlass
middleclasstool
Miko
posted by ocherdraco at 10:20 AM on October 23, 2011

Can you post in-thread once you've sent the email? Just in case someone's email goes astray by misadventure/spam folder, at least they'll know something's wrong.
posted by katemonster at 9:48 AM on October 25, 2011

Will do. I haven't had a chance to send it out yet, and will post here immediately when I do. Still waiting for emails from Sassyfras, TooFewShoes, Anitanola, christinetheslp, and ghostbikes.
posted by ocherdraco at 3:35 PM on October 25, 2011

Dibs!!
posted by artychoke at 9:58 PM on October 26, 2011 [1 favorite]

I've just sent out a questionnaire to all the YES folks and the MAYBEs. An email for the spectators is going out shortly.
posted by ocherdraco at 8:39 PM on October 27, 2011

(And by shortly, I mean tomorrow morning, actually, as I need to go to bed.)
posted by ocherdraco at 9:19 PM on October 27, 2011

Just as an FYI - my questionaire went into my spam folder, so make sure you check there. :)
posted by librarianamy at 4:45 AM on October 28, 2011

Mine was also in the spam filter, so yeah, make sure to check!
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 9:26 AM on October 28, 2011

And I didn't get it at all -- can you resend? (In case there was a problem with my email, the correct one is in my profile)
posted by katemonster at 10:22 AM on October 28, 2011

katemonster, there is no email in your profile.
posted by ocherdraco at 1:53 PM on October 28, 2011

Huh, when did that happen? Okay, I just memailed you my address again and will be keeping an eye on the spam folder to make sure it doesn't slip through the cracks.
posted by katemonster at 6:19 PM on October 28, 2011

Mine was in the spam filter too, by the way. Guh.
posted by nat at 8:54 PM on October 29, 2011

I've sent an email to spectators, and one to stragglers who haven't yet filled out the participant survey. If you haven't received it, check your spam folder. If you still haven't found it, memail me.

If you haven't yet filled out the survey, please do so by Wednesday, November 2. At that point, I'm going to divide up groups, and go ahead with whomever I have received responses from.
posted by ocherdraco at 12:22 AM on October 31, 2011

Just finished piecing my first quilt. Yeeha! (Folks paying attention may notice there are no curved seams; the curved seams were just for exploratory purposes, and not for this quilt.)
posted by ocherdraco at 6:50 PM on October 31, 2011 [2 favorites]

Is it too late to sign up?
posted by sconbie at 2:15 AM on November 1, 2011

I'm afraid it is (we're already oversubscribed as it is), but I'll put you on the list to notify if we decide to do this again next year. You can also be a spectator, if you like, and potentially fill-in if someone drops out.
posted by ocherdraco at 10:05 PM on November 1, 2011 [1 favorite]

Have I missed out on something or are we still waiting for the next step?
posted by Dojie at 12:22 PM on November 10, 2011

Nope, haven't missed anything--I just got the google groups set up this evening. accept those invites, people!
posted by ocherdraco at 10:10 PM on November 10, 2011

Because my brain likes organization - we're doing different Google Groups for each set of 12? Is there going to be a larger collaboration tool so that we can _all_ see what each other is doing? Because I'm certainly ok with being in the basic group, but I'd really like to see and learn from what the people in the advanced one is doing. Is it possible for those of us who aren't the main 12 "swappers" to be spectators in the other groups (if we like)?
posted by librarianamy at 4:58 AM on November 11, 2011 [1 favorite]

Sure! I'd be happy to do that. (And yes, there are two google groups--I did it that way in case the two groups decide to handle things somewhat differently.) If you want to be a spectator in the group you're not in, just let me know, and I'll add you.
posted by ocherdraco at 12:56 PM on November 11, 2011 [1 favorite]

By the way, all quilters and spectators should have received invites to the google groups by now. If you think you should have received one and haven't, email me, please.
posted by ocherdraco at 3:28 PM on November 11, 2011