Thinking about joining a quilt or craft-related swap?  Do it!!!  I just finished up the Alison Glass Mini Quilt Swap on Instagram (IG) hosted by @ReapWhatIveSewn.  #alisonglassminiquiltswap #agteamspectrum

It was a great experience, not only because I got to play with beautiful fabric by Alison Glass…or the amazing quilt I received…but for making new “friends” with a bunch of quilters I might not have followed if it weren’t for being in this swap.
The main requirement for this swap was to use primarily fabric designed by Alison Glass (AG) (per the swap’s namesake) and to make a miniature quilt that was 13-24″ squared.  I was dying to get all of the 2015 Sunprint fabrics, and this swap made it easier to pull the retail trigger 😉 The intense colors in AG’s fabrics are just pure eye candy.  I love using them in rainbows and they pop against Andover black chambray (one of my stash staples) so beautifully!

 

My Quilt

The partner I was paired with unfortunately, was not very active on IG…and by not active, I mean practically non-existent.  She posted one picture of when she received her fabric for the swap and that was that.  I know life happens and not everyone checks or posts to their accounts daily or weekly. Completely understood!  But when you sign up for a swap that’s strictly on the IG platform, you wish your partner did participate a little more.  It’s makes the experience a little easier and it’s more fun with the participation 🙂  The only information that I had was the completed registration questionaire. This gave me (1) my partner likes red, yellow, green, orange and (2) she likes modern quilts.  That’s it….what was I going to do???

Luckily, I had the Astrodelic Quilt design fresh in my head from checking out free patterns on Art Gallery’s website.  The palette my partner named was a challenge.  I wanted to make sure I balanced out the red and green so nothing looked “Christmas-y” and that the yellows and oranges would all complement each other.  It was nice to have all of Sunprint 2015 on hand to play around with color!

Kona white is always a safe choice as the background.  With the bright colors selected, I didn’t want anything else to compete with this “Fireball.”  Carolyn Friedlander’s Architextures Crosshatch in Shadow finished as the binding…Again, chosen to not draw away from the design.  As for the quilting, I try to leave mine pretty fuss-free…straight-line is my go-to and I followed the 45* angles created from the piecing.  This mini finished at 20″x 20″…a bit on the larger side, but easier on the quilt math 😉

 

Extras

Although not required, it’s always nice to send some extra “love” with your mini.  Since I was getting no indication of likes/dislikes or any personal info off IG, I kept my gifts pretty generic.  The rainbow mug and scissor pouch are from Michael’s.  I included a wooden spool of thread from my vintage collection and a fun little tape measurer.  I ordered Ex Libris directly from AG’s shop, so I got a few stickers (!!!) with my order and included one here.  The pin cushion was a special little gift I made using scraps of Sunprint with Jeli Quilt’s Goosed Up pattern.  Sewing notions are always a good inclusion so I added a few zippers to match the mini as well.  Many swappers include food/candy, but it was scorching hot around the US, so I didn’t want anything to spoil or melt…hence no yummy goodness from me.

 

Mini Received

So off my package went (yes, it was on time!) and the waiting game began.  It’s fun to watch the other swappers on IG receive their packages and you can slowly mark off who was not your partner.  Luckily, I did not have to wait very long.  My parcel arrived just a few days after I sent mine off.

And….it was this gorgeousness!!!  Go ahead…take it all in…..yesssssss………mmmhmmm…..

Kitty of the Night Quilter made me this amazing hexagon shaped quilt from Robert Kaufman’s Prismatic Medallion FREE pattern.  I know only because I have downloaded it for my personal Quilting Queue.  But maybe I don’t have to try to make it anymore?!?  The fabric selection was just on-point!  I LOVE IT!!!

And there’s more!  Remember the Hour Basket from my Sewing Room Organization post?  Here it is with the mini stuck inside.  There was also some small and large washi tape.  I can’t wait to use the measuring tape one on packaging later on down the line!  Kitty also included tea and candy that I love…and how did she know?  She posted questions out to our swap group asking about what we would like in our packages and I just responded…so glad I did!  It’s nice to get a surprise, but also nice to get something you know you will eat or use.  Lesson learned – answer questions from your fellow swap-mates!

 

From sign-up to shipping, the swap was about 5 months.  So if you are thinking of joining a swap, this is an ample amount of time for a mini.  I got my design and quilt top pieced early on…probably within the first two months.  I liked getting it done early just in case something pops up on the personal front (which you know always happens.)  I owed it to my partner to be on time, since I wanted the same for myself.  Good sewing karma pays off…in gorgeous mini’s!!!

Have you participated in any craft or sewing swaps?  I’d love to hear your (positive) experiences.

 

Hugs and Stitches,

Cristy

 

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