"From Aunt Pitty Pat's Porch..." is a recurring column on theQuilterCommunity.com. Check back soon for volume 3 and more of Aunt Pitty Pat's how-to's on Block Exchanges....

Well, hello again! So nice of you to visit your old Aunt Pitty Pat again! Yes, come, come. Help yourself to a cup of hot tea there. It will help take the chill out of this brisk day we have today. Sit down here by me. Be comfortable.

Now, what do you have there? Ahh, what a lovely old scrappy quilt! Well, yes, it is well worn and fragile, not to be used any more, but one can still admire its beauty. Look at all the different, wonderful fabrics in it! Why, I even recognize this one! I had a dress made of this fabric when I was a very small girl! Mama even had a matching dress made for my favorite china doll! Oh, my. I had not thought of that in so many years.

Reproducing it? Why, yes, of course you can reproduce it today, yes, with that same warm character. There are many, many quality fabrics available today that are often exact copies of antique fabrics. It would be an easy task to copy this old quilt, but it would take you some time and a pretty penny to collect as many different fabrics as are in this old beauty. Not an impossibility -- Ah ha! You are wondering if exchanging blocks with other quilters would simplify that challenge! That would explain that notebook you have there then, I would guess. Well, my dear, you have come to the right person to encourage you to reproduce this old quilt as you know to do so is my favorite thing, and I did tell you when last we met that I would tell you all I know about block exchanges, the delights and dangers, the do's and do not's, did I not? And your Aunt Pitty Pat always tries to keep her word, so open that book up and take whatever notes you need. But first, freshen my cup, please? Thank you, dear.

Well, in its simplest form, a block exchange is just what it sounds like -- an exchange of blocks between quilters. But that -- the decision to have an exchange -- is sometimes the only thing "simple" about a successful exchange! One must gather willing quilters to participate, set goals -- pick a block, determine the number of blocks to be exchange, establish design guidelines, colors, size, types of fabrics -- then set a deadline, have everyone to commit to the project, and then do it. Yes, it does not sound that complicated, and with the right quilters, it is not, but get even one or two contrarians, or, please pardon the expression, "dull needles" in the group, and you can have a terrible, disappointing mess! Well, it is imperative to always remember the First Rule of Block Exchanges: One will most likely not get back all perfect blocks! One must know and accept this going into every exchange. It is just one of those harsh little facts of life that we must contend with and just work around!

What sort of mess? Oh my, blocks that do not meet the stated guidelines, such as blocks that are, for instance, too small or too large or misshapen, blocks that are poorly constructed or made of poor quality fabric. Then there are those quilters who, for whatever reason, just do not believe the guidelines are there for anything other than using up ink! They either cannot or will not follow instructions, or, poor things, need tutoring and will not ask or accept it. Then there are those who will be late for their own funerals, and those who simply do not deliver anything! Oh, there is just a plethora of things that can go wrong! It is enough to turn anyone against the practice!

Well, because block exchanges can be wonderfully delightful and fun, of course! What better way to express one's affection for another quilter than to work together on a project? Tokens of Friendship, my dear, that will endure for many more years than you or I. Testaments to friendship, family, love. Remembrances, like the patches in your old quilt here, of people, places, times long passed. To possess such a token, now would that not be worth a little risk?

Then there is the fact that one will have in one's finished quilt many more fabrics than are available in one's own collection (or stash, as it is now most commonly called) or perhaps in one's own neighborhood or region. What a delight to receive a new fabric from far away! In the old days, as you may know, it was enough to make a day joyful if one received in the post a scrap of fabric from a loved one far away. Especially for those out in the Border States or on the frontier where there were no stores, such a gift was treasured and kept safe until it could be sewn into a quilt that warmed the heart as well as the body. Ahh, quilts and friendships! They are inextricable. Forgive me, my dear, I digress. Hahaha! Never underestimate the power of a quilt to evoke a response!

One must also remember that exchanging blocks with other quilters can be a wonderful way to expand one's understanding of color and pattern and how they work together. The fabrics you choose and the way you combine them will not be the same as others. For me, one of the most dynamic characteristics of the art of quilting is how different quilts turn out even when people are using the same fabric and the same pattern! It is that human factor, my dear! And as we exchange blocks, our horizons are expanded! We see new ways of combining things and are encouraged to try those new ways in our own work. For instance, my dear friends Diana Pettersen and Arlene Heintz, who live in Arlington, Texas, and are part of a group of quilters who have been exchanging blocks for many years -- We call ourselves the 19th Century Patchwork Divas! I will tell you more about the group later, and show you some of our work. -- Diana and Arlene put together colors and patterns in ways I would never even think to combine in the same quilt, but they always work! And because I can see how well their color choices work, I have been emboldened to try different things. And do you know, I believe my quilts are the better for it! My old eyes look at fabrics differently than they used to, and it is, as that lovely Martha says, "a good thing"!

Trading blocks is just a wonderful way to reproduce those beautiful, homey, stunning quilts of old that we all want, but can't afford to buy today! But one need not limit oneself to reproducing antique quilts, though it is that with which I am currently most involved. It is an exciting way to make any sort of quilt. Several years ago, the Baltimore Buds and I exchanged Christmas blocks. It was great fun, and several of the quilts were later hung in the Maryland Capitol building, thanks to Norma Campbell, an old friend and member of that group. If you like, I will get some pictures so you can see some of them. That was an exchange with some quite interesting and challenging variations. We can discuss those as well later too.

Perhaps the best reason for exchanging blocks is the tea party one can have when everyone delivers the blocks! I will be attending one tomorrow, in fact! Remember those Album Cross blocks I was working on when last you called? Well, they are finished! Half were sent to Texas, to arrive no later than today, and the other half will be distributed at Ms. Betts house tomorrow. It will be a little like a birthday, or Christmas morning with everyone receiving surprises! And do you know the most magical thing happens when one puts all those diverse blocks together! Even that block with the garish green and bright turquoise paisley will blend in with all the other blocks to create a harmonious hymn to friendship! Ahh, humm. Yes, well, you know how excited I can get over quilts! A hymn indeed!

Well, we have pretty well covered the Dangers and Delights of Block Exchanges, so I guess if you are still interested, we should discuss the mechanics of how to set one up and get it running smoothly. We shall do that next time, as the evening is approaching and you must be on your way. Come again soon! Bring your notebook! Until then, my dear, continue to do your best work,

And I shall remain, as always,
Your Aunt Pitty Pat
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