How do you stay connected when a group of quilting friends move away? You organize a coast-to-coast and across-the-border block exchange!
In a block exchange, you make a specific number of blocks and swap them with other participants. They can be organized for many reasons and can achieve a variety of results. Often, they build comradery and a special connection to the quilters participating. They can also increase collaboration, community, inspiration, new perspectives, skill building, and creative growth. This one is no different, just stretched across a greater distance.
“From the moment we met 20 years ago, Patricia Scott and I became fast and lifelong friends. Though it was a sad day when she moved from northern Virginia back to Canada in 2010, we knew our friendship would not only endure the 2,500-mile distance, but it would flourish. And it has,” said Susan Fernandez of North Carolina.
In 2018, Patricia (from Alberta) and Susan (then living in Virginia) organized a small group block exchange. From My House to Yours included 16 quilters from the US and Canada. The house block that Patricia drafted from a magazine article was a huge hit. “It was so much fun. We knew we would coordinate another one,” Susan said. And as participants finished their quilts and others saw them, more quilters were interested in being included in “the next exchange.”
A Forest of Friends is the second coast-to-coast, international exchange. It was inspired by a design from Anne of Springleaf Studios. During an April 2024 visit to North Carolina, while their husbands were navigating the roads for a day trip, Susan and Patricia collaborated in the back seat of the car on the exchange encore.
“We learned a few things from the first exchange that we could improve upon this time around,” Patricia said.
“Top priority was a simple yet dynamic block design with easy-to-follow instructions, and something that we, as the organizers, loved,” Susan added. “We chose to require contrast fabrics that read as solids for the trees, and Kaffe Fassett/Philip Jacob fabrics for the background. But we didn’t limit or identify specific colors, which allowed for artistic creativity. The result will be a fabulous combination of gorgeous colors and prints.”
To get started, they sent out a Call to Participate email, which included a picture, a basic description, the commitment timeline, and two size options. It also identified the block dimensions and fabric requirements.
The exchange grew to 24 quilters. “Planning an exchange of this size made me appreciate the process pattern designers go through to write clear, concise instructions. Although our Tree block did not require Patricia’s amazing computer design skills like the House block did, we proofed and revised the block and exchanged instructions several times,” Susan explained.
The next communication identified the participants, provided detailed instructions, and included a summary: 24 participants, 11 from the US and 13 from Canada; two co-organizers (one in North Carolina and one in Alberta); a total of 120 blocks each; kickoff June 2024; and blocks returned to participants in September 2025.
New to this second exchange, Patricia created a Facebook group for participants to post progress pictures and share tips and stories. Another improvement was a series of community Zoom calls throughout the year with a specific kickoff for everyone to meet or get reacquainted, and to address questions—ensuring everyone got off to a great start.
During January’s Zoom call, progress ran the gambit amongst the participants. Three participants had completed all their blocks, three had their fabric washed and ironed, and the rest were somewhere in between. Bonnie Ruetenik and Libby Fritsche, both of Virginia, met to work on their blocks together. Bonnie’s progress inspired Libby to cut out all her fabrics, and she is now halfway done. Kathy Logan de Chavez, Alberta, shared her tip of using a flannel-backed vinyl tablecloth to transfer four block sets from her cutting table to her sewing station without confusion.
Every Zoom call is more fun than the last, as participants get to know each other better. Lynn Douglas said, “I enjoy the Zoom calls to put faces to names and to see the amazing variety of fabrics that are out there. I live in rural Alberta, so I don’t get to many fabric shops. Seeing the fabrics and the combinations used in the different tree blocks was very inspiring.” Also, during the January zoom call, the group learned there are two mother-daughter teams participating. Mom, Bonnie Buhler of Alberta, shared, “I’ve known Patricia since high school.” Daughter, Kourtney Simms of Nova Scotia, received the first quilt Patricia ever made. The second mother-daughter team is Patricia and her mom, Marion Scott of Alberta.
While there were many oohs and aahs as people showed their completed blocks during the call, the 16 zoom participants unanimously agreed that the calls encouraged everyone to stay on track. It also revealed areas of confusion, which led to additional clarifying emails from the organizers.
Participants shared some of the things they liked best about this exchange:
Lynn shared an experience: “I always do a pre-wash with hot water before washing very vibrant, intense batiks. The deep purples bled quite badly, and I should have worn gloves. My hands and nails absorbed the excess stain, and I had a purple tint manicure. So, a word of warning: wear gloves when pre-washing those suspicious colors!”
Gay also shared her tips to ensure success:
Participants also shared tips for anyone organizing their own exchange:
“This exchange has brought people together that wouldn’t have met under any other circumstance. I’m thrilled that we have been able to do that,” Patricia said. Will they plan another international exchange? Susan emphatically said, “Yes, of course!” Libby echoed the feelings of many: “It’s so much fun to meet so many lovely people. That is what quilting is all about.”
Diane L. Murtha is an award-winning quilter, fiber artist, author, and international lecturer and instructor. Quilting for over 30 years, she gravitated to art quilts and discovered she loves challenges. Her quilts and articles are included in books, 30 + magazines, and multiple juried exhibits and international shows. Diane published her first book, Artful Insights in Fiber: Quilted Bits of Wit & Wisdom in March 2023. She currently resides in Iowa. Learn more at www.dianeLmurtha.com, or follow her on Instagram @dianelmurtha.
