By: Linda Lenard Signature Blk Exchange We have 12 eager crafters chomping at the bit to get started, so..... The SIGNATURE BLOCK EXCHANGE is officially started. This is an excerpt from the message that inspired me to organize this Signature Block Exchange.... Theresa Merkling - FABRIC BLOCK: 4 1/2" muslin square on which you've either written with permanent marker or embroidered/ cross-stitched, whatever your name and city/state/ providence/country. I've seen various signature quilts made, some blocks with elaborate script and poems, some with stitched floral remembrances, and some with just names and places. Your creativity is the limit. It's not a requirement, just a request. . . I'd be willing to send a similar square in return to you if you request it. In thanks for inspiring this idea, I've suggested that everyone involved in our Signature Block Exchange, send Theresa a 4 1/2" Signature square (if you haven't already). If you'd like her to send you a similar square back, be sure to let her know. -------------------------------------- To each person listed below, you will send them a Signature block of their choice. (Their choice is indicated to the right of their name.) The only time schedule I'm putting on this exchange is that we'll be wrapping it up by the end of summer, or when all the blocks are received, whichever happens first. To those that have indicated an interest in joining the exchange and you don't find your name below, it's because I hadn't heard from you which block you wanted to receive. It's not too late to jump in if you still want to play. Please double check your address and let me know if any corrections need to be made. Be sure to check out the Helpful Hints that follow the block pattern. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask. SIGNATURE BLOCK EXCHANGE ========================= Connie Exner - FABRIC SQUARE: 4 1/2", any color, any pattern Doris Wills - SQUARE IN A SQUARE BLOCK - 10 1/2" See pattern instructions at the end of this list. Non-sewers can mail out the cut fabric pieces, but be sure to 'sign' the 7 1/2" muslin center square. Eileen Johansen - SQUARE IN A SQUARE BLOCK - 10 1/2" See pattern instructions at the end of this list. Non-sewers can mail ou the cut fabric pieces, but be sure to 'sign' the 7 1/2" muslin center square. This one sounds good to me - prefer smaller prints or solids but not terribly fussy about it. Holly Sullivan - SURPRISE ME BLOCK: Nothing larger than 12 1/2" For non-sewers, a fat quarter of any cotton fabric (hopefully some wild print but I'll take what I get) :) (a "Fat Quarter" is 18"x 22"...) Jo Ann Smith - SURPRISE ME BLOCK Linda Lenard - SURPRISE ME BLOCK: Nothing larger than 10 1/2" Embellish it if you like in any way... (cross-stitch, fabric painting, charms, applique, or by just adding a phrase with your name & address) For non-sewers a square of fabric measuring anywhere from 5" to 10", in unbleached muslin or any pastel color is more than welcome. Don't forget to 'sign' it. Pat Knox - SURPRISE ME BLOCK: Finished dimensions 12" plus seam allowance (12 1/2" when ready for mailing) Sandy Shuff - FABRIC BLOCK: 4 1/2" muslin square Shelley Rodgers - FABRIC BLOCK: 4 1/2" muslins square Tammy Lawson - SQUARE IN A SQUARE BLOCK - 10 1/2" See pattern instructions at the end of this list. Non-sewers can mail out the cut fabric pieces, but be sure to 'sign' the 7 1/2" muslin center square. Vickie Claar - SQUARE IN A SQUARE BLOCK - 10 1/2" See pattern instructions at the end of this list. Non-sewers can mail out the cut fabric pieces, but be sure to 'sign' the 7 1/2" muslin center square. I would prefer that the names be embroidered on muslin (if you don't sew, the fabric pen would be suitable). I really like rose colors, mauve & dark green, but any color would make me happy. Vicki Oldfather - FABRIC BLOCK: 4 1/2" muslin square ---------------------------- Choice 2. SQUARE IN A SQUARE Block Pattern ________________ | /\ | | / \ | The diagram doesn't look quite square, | / \ | so just pretend that it is. :) |/ \| All measurments include 1/4 inch seam |\ /| allowances unless noted otherwise. When | \ / | ready for mailing, this block will measure | \ / | 10 1/2". |______\/______| 1. Prewash and iron all fabrics. Press all seams as you go. 2. Cut one 7 1/2" square of unbleached muslin or similar fabric. This will be the fabric that you do your 'signaturing' on. 3. Cut two 6" squares of a print fabric. Cut each of these two squares in half diagonally. 4. Sew the diagonal edge of each cut square to a side of the muslin square. The points of the cut squares will overlap. These will be hidden when the blocks are sewn together in a quilt. ----------------------------- HELPFUL HINTS ------------- Please use only cotton and cotton-blend fabrics. Prewash and iron all fabrics. Press all seams towards the darker fabric whenever possible. WRITING ON FABRIC Materials: Pigma pen Muslin or light colored fabric Freezer paper On the non-waxed (dull) side of the freezer paper, draw parallel lines with a pen. Iron the freezer paper, shiny side to the wrong side of your muslin or other fabric. The freezer paper provides stability for you while you write, draw, or paint. Write your name (address, etc) on the label using the parallel lines as a guide. Be sure to stay within the 1/4" seam allowance. If you want to add a special little design, you can use tiny embroidery transfers and cover the transfer ink with the Pigma pen. (Pigma pens come in different colors if you want to add color.) Be sure to keep your signature/design within the 1/4" seam allowance. Staying at least a 1/2" away from the raw edges of the fabric would be a safe rule to follow. Carefully pull the freezer paper off the fabric. You might want to practice on regular paper until you decide how you want to put your 'signature' on your piece of fabric. CROSS-STITCH For those that may want to cross-stitch on muslin, try waste-canvas if you don't want to do it free-hand. FAT QUARTERS This is basically a quarter yard of cotton fabric that measures 18"x22" instead of the usual 9 1/2" x 44/45". Quilt shops usually have these rolled up like tiny remnants and displayed in baskets. Some fabric shops have them folded and stacked on a shelf. It allows for larger quilt block pieces to be cut from a piece of fabric without having to buy a wider piece of fabric from a bolt and having a lot of waste left over. POSTAGE FROM THE USA TO CANADA U.S. postage to Canada for 1oz is 40 cents. Four 8" Square-in-a-Square pieced blocks and a long envelope weigh just under an ounce. I took a few practice blocks to work and weighed them to be sure. POSTAGE FROM CANADA TO THE USA Perhaps one of our northern neighbors could help me with this one. :) --------------------------------------------