Root River Retreat 2008

Exchange Block

This year’s design is based on a positive/negative alternating block scheme. Participants should make blocks in sets of two (one positive – one negative) so the design comes out evenly.

The color scheme this year is pinks and greens. Vary the shades from light to medium dark and stay away from hot pink and lime green. We want this to be a soft spring/summer garden look.

All shades of green can be used. Use all scales of prints and textures including large florals. The color of the fabrics should be predominately pink or predominately green, but may include other colors too.

I have included a photo of sixteen blocks put together so you can see the resulting pattern. Use the photo as a guide for colors and fabric textures. (Do not sew your blocks together. I liked mine so much that I intend to keep them and make a table topper! – Don’t they look nice with my antique green and pink plates?)

Block size: 9” finished (9 ½” before sewing together)

Block A consists of: A pink center square followed by a round of green strips and ending with a round of pink strips. (Block A Piecing Diagram)

Block B consists of: A green center square followed by a round of pink strips and ending with a round of green strips.   (Block B Piecing Diagram)

NOTE: It is easiest to make blocks in groups of six or more. I suggest you proceed as follows:

Pull 8-10 pinks and 8-10 greens from your stash of leftover fabrics. Lay them all out together and check for color compatibility. If one fabric stands out as not belonging, choose another to replace it.

From each of the fabrics cut a 2” wide strip (or several strips if the fabric is less than the full width). Cut the strips into the following lengths (you will need twice the 6 ½” lengths that you need of the other two sizes) keeping them sorted by size and color.

2” X 3 ½”   2” X 6 ½”   2” X 9 ½”

Cut all the strips into as many of the above sizes as possible.

Decide how many blocks you will make (I estimate you will get between 12 and 16 blocks with the fabric amounts cut above.)

Let’s say you decide to make six blocks: Go back and cut three pink 3 ½” squares and three green 3 ½” squares from whichever fabrics you choose. This will give you half pink and half green squares for your blocks. Remember, whatever number of blocks you choose, you will need half pink centers and half green centers.

The hard part is done! Sewing them is a breeze. You can chain piece them. Be careful to get the right color strip!

Check them often to make sure you have your colors correct.

See diagrams for piecing. (Hint: use colored pencils to shade the diagram pink and green to help you visually).

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