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How to Organise a Row by Row or a round robin.
Firstly, what are Row x Rows and Round Robins? They are quilts, which
have more than one person working on them, by design. Usually a group of friends will get together, and decide on the rules.
What usually happens is that the owner of the quilt, or the person who starts it, begins with a block and a colour scheme.
This is then handed onto the next person in the group who adds to this block. A Round Robin means that the quilter adds a
border to the quilt as it is passed around. A Row x Row has a row added as the quilt is passed around. The number of participants
depends on how big the quilt gets.
Rules to consider.
Time frame. Each person needs time to work on the quilt top. Usually a month is good for any ones
calendar. Consider the length of time it will take for the quilt top to move around a circle of 8 friends, moving once per
month. You may want to limit the number of participants per quilt, limit the amount of time or the size of the quilt. If there
are 8 quilts moving around this circle of friends, then the time limit may need to be strictly enforced. Include things such
as good quality, pre-washed fabrics only in the guidelines.
Colour schemes.
Individuals will always prefer different colour schemes so these need to be set out plainly for all
to take note off. Often its a good idea to include a note with the quilt top as it travels around the circle. Set out on the
note, colours that are preferred, colours that are abhorred, designs, which will or will not suit the owner. These are all
things that should be nutted out before you start. After all, the owner will have to live with the finished quilt. Sometimes
it s a good idea to include some theme fabric for all the friends to use to provide some continuity in the quilt. Sometimes,
all of the fabric is included so that there is complete control over the finished colour scheme. However, you may like a more
serendipitous approach and leave the colours to your friends good taste. In these quilts, you may decide to make the same
row, or border for every ones quilt so that you end up with six quilts that are all alike, except for the colours. You may
like to leave the design concepts to each individual so that you get six completely different quilts at the end. Other concepts
to consider include how many borders to add in one go. Maybe for a lopsided or arty effect 4 borders in a round robin can
be optional. There are other ways to make a group quilt like this. You can start with an appliqué rather than a block, and
simply continue to add to the appliqué. This method works well with a theme, such as underwater scene, tree of memories, rainforest
etc. You can alternate methods for each border. Border 1 needs to have piecing. Border 2 needs to have stars and hearts. Border
3 should contain green. Again, variations are endless. Another way to work on a quilt top is to make a certain amount of surface
area in various sized blocks. Each person makes a certain amount of blocks and hands them onto the owner. That way, the finished
quilt can be put together by the owner and a Scrappier look is acquired.
Remember to set the rules, make sure everyone
agrees and understands and them have FUN!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Michelle Steel produces instructional Cd-roms and DVDs for Patchwork Interactive.
www.patchworkinteractive.com.au
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