Round Robin Quilt: A Row-By-Row Christmas

I know, it’s probably too late to start a Round Robin Christmas project for this year. And, most quilt guilds are not meeting right now. However, I saw this quilt on my wall this Christmas and I thought, maybe some guilds are working on their 2021 calendars and might want an idea for next year.

This quilt is a Round Robin my guild did a few years ago. Setting up a project like this is quite easy and the participants can drive the end results. Ours was structured as a row-by-row.

Starting a Round Robin

Sample Row

To start the project, the guild agreed on some basic rules. Here are a few examples. Your guild might want to change or add additional rules.

• The width of the row must be 24.5 inches unfinished. This was the standard for all participants.
• The height of the row can vary but should coordinate with the first row.
• Techniques can include pieced blocks, paper-piecing, applique — any technique the participants want to use but should always coordinate with the rows created.
• Each participant decides what to add to each of the other quilts.
• Each participant creates the first row for their own quilt. It sets the color choices and theme for that participant’s quilt. Examples:
  • A fall themed row in fall colors
  • A Black and white row
  • A rainbow row
  • A sport theme
  • A Christmas or other holiday theme
• The number of rows depends on the number of participants. We had 23 participants so there were two groups of eight and one of seven.
• Each week, or meeting, the participants rotate the rows through the group and each creates a new row to the collection.
• Each person creates a row for everyone’s quilt. In our group, I created my first row and then I created a row in the colors and themes selected by each of the other participants.
• You don’t see the rows for your own quilt until the last round is completed.

More Sample Rows

Completing the Quilt

It gets easier as it goes because as more rows are created, you get more ideas for things to do in each row for every quilt. The final reveal is very exciting. Everyone shares the results of the quilt rows the participants created for them. Everyone is responsible for finishing their own quilt. They choose the row order and layout.

I enjoyed making this quilt. I was a beginning quilter at the time and it was a great learning experience. You can easily see the rows made by some of the more experienced quilters in our group when you look at mine. I won't point out which was the first row ;-)

To finish my, I ended up taking apart the wreath row and adding a couple of blocks to make side rows. If I were making it today, I would make a few different choices. Still, it’s a wonderful annual reminder of how far my quilting skills have come since then.

So, if you’re looking for a group project, consider a Round Robin Row quilt.

Until next time,