Buddy System for quilt guild meetings

[Wanda M.]

Hi Everyone, I'm trying to come up with some new activities for my quilt guild and my SIL suggested trying something with buddies. We have several new members who need help with the basics and several very experienced members who like to teach. Can you think of an activity that all would enjoy that might work with a buddy system?

Any other new ideas for guild meetings?

Grateful for any suggestions. Nancy in BRRRR western NY

[Eileen K.]

Nancy,
What about a pizza box or shoe box swap? Or a round robin done as buddies?
eileenkny

[Eileen K.]

Eileen, I know what round robin is, but what's a shoe box or pizza box swap? Sounds interesting. Nancy

[Eileen K.]

At one of our quilt guild meetings, we had experienced members give mini workshops on whatever technique they had expertise. Several workshops were going on concurrently, each at a big round table. The guild members were divided into groups of about 10-12 to attend the mini workshops, rotating to a different table about every 15-20 minutes. So, everyone had a chance to attend every mini-workshop.

Actually, some of our workshops were not directly quilt-related (e.g., making rag rugs, fabric Christmas ornaments, etc.) However, your guild members can decide on which workshops they would like.

This was really a fun activity and worked also as a mixer to get folks to sit with different members than they usually sit with at guild meetings.

Another suggestion: We also have an annual sew-in to make charity quilts. Usually we collect charity blocks all year long, then at the sew-in we divide up into teams and make assembly line quilts. Our goal this year is to make 50 quilts.

[Eileen K.]

Shoe or pizza box swap:
People sign up for the duration of the swap. They're given boxes and told to buy a yard of several different fabrics to put in the box. The boxes are numbered 1 through whatever. Person 1 gets #2 box, person 2 gets #3 and so on. If there's a focus fabric they want used in every block, they enclose some instructions. People piece whatever block they want in the size specified by the swap leader. When each person gets their box back, they hopefully have enough blocks to piece together a sampler quilt top.
Clear as mud?? :shock:
eileenkny

[Eileen K.]

Thanks Eileen !! I have never heard of that kind of swap before. I like it! I'll bet the ladies in my guild will like it too. Nancy