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How to JOIN quilting block swaps Australia

Hello and thank you for visiting. This is a community group for all Australian quilters to join or just follow. Membership is FREE and you are partnered each month and we make each other a 12 inch quilt block based on our preferences which we swap. (12.5 inches raw edge to raw edge) The emphasis of the group is on friendship and sharing. To find out more or register to join email me on quiltingblocks@hotmail.com This purpose of this blog is to chat and showcase blocks and quilts made by members, kind of like a show and tell . Yours in stitching, Sue



Saturday, March 30, 2013

Its almost our 3rd birthday

But you get the chance to win the presents.

On April 6th 2010 Quilting block swaps Australia was born.  So first a history lesson for the newer members that don’t know.
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I was reading about quilting swaps in a magazine when I was home from work with the flu.  I googled block swaps, and quilting blocks and many other variations and found most swaps were long closed, not in Australia or at capacity. 

My search continued and I eventually found a group simply called Quilting block swaps ran by a lady in Florida USA- Sandi Jahn.  Sandi and I chatted online and I joined up, and doing so gave me an idea to start up an Australian one.  

The date that I created my blog and put up the first post was April 6th 2010, and the link to that post is HERE.

Initially it was just for Aussies, and as i got busy I had to leave the USA swap, and Sandi handed the reins over to someone else and later joined my swap as I opened it up to be international as I thought it would be fun to get to know quilters from all over the world. 

Anyhow, over the years many have come and left, but many have stayed for the entire time, you know who you are (smile). Many friendships have been formed and I have learnt so much, not just about quilting, but about blogging too.

I love running swaps and co ordinating the groups, and only wish that I did not work full time and had more hours and days to delve into my passion – stitching and quilting.

Birthdays mean celebrations and gifts, and at QBSA we are fortunate to have some gorgeous quilting suppliers that are happy to donate sponsored gifts.  For our birthday the lovely Eve from Fabric direct has donated a pretty set of blue fat quarters from Odds and Ends. 

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The set that you can win is pictured below in the blue colour way and comprises of 8 fat quarters with a charming retro feel.

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To win this set, all you need to do is tell me what you like most about QBSA. This give away is open to all past and present members of QBSA. The give away will be closed at noon on April 6th (our birthday) and the winner announced some time later that day (when I get home lol).

Hey, I just noticed we are at 193 followers, If we get to 200 followers by our birthday I will give away a second gift from my stash to a follower who is not actively a swap member. So you have nothing to lose.

21 comments:

Sooli said...

Nearly 200 followers and nearly a birthday - exciting times! I think my favourite thing about QBSA is seeing all the different blocks people choose to swap and the different ways people interpret those blocks. Thanks for running the swap Sue and happy birthday QBSA!

CathyB said...

I love getting to know the other quilters from around the world! The emails I get are such fun because each one tells me a little about her life and her quilting. But my favorite thing is that it challenges me to try blocks I have not attempted before. Love it! And you, too, Sue for the hard work you put into it.

Julianne said...

Wow! 3 years, Awesome! I have enjoyed the swaps because I get to see the talents of all the beautiful ladies all over the world and put them all together into one big quilty hug!

Anonymous said...

What I love about the swap are the lovely contacts all over the world. Some contacts are very warm and interesting. Quilting is sharing and that is what we do, thanks to you Sue.
I am always surprised to see the different fabrics some country's have.
It is a pleasure to receive my new swap partner every month!!
Thank you Sue so much and all the lovely lady's who have been my partner.
Ank.

Fiona said...

Congrats and such fun.... I enjoy learning the different blocks and of course meeting new people from all over the world....
Hugz

Unknown said...

Happy Birthday To The Group!
I have been with the group since July 2012 and I have to say that the most rewarding thing I have received is the out pouring of love from the quilters. The positive way we cheer each other on and the comments left on the blogs is just amazing.
Not only do we get to share in the world of quilting but we enjoy getting to know alittle about each quilter, thru pictures of family or even the little stories they share.
I was so concerned when the postal rates went up. Thought I was finished BUT no you found a way for me to stay and keep the cost of that postal rate down.
I have told many quilters about this group, especially in my guild. I brag on each of you that I have gotten to know.
God Bless This Group!

Unknown said...

Congratulations!! What a great group.
I am very new to the group and I have already got my runner partner and my 12 inch block swapper. I can't wait fro more!!!

Maria said...

WOW!!! Congratulations Swap Mum Sue for running such a great swap for the past three years..
And you nearly have 200 followers as well.
It is fun to mke new friends and also try different blocks....

Helen @vintageglorybox on Insta and FB said...

I love getting to know quilters from different places and spaces and love learning new blocks too.. As a busy mum I love the feeling if finishing something, even if it is not for me and being proud of learning something new. Thanks Sue for starting this group and for all your hard work behind the scenes!

Pinnylea Creations said...

Happy Birthday QBSA :) I love everything about the swap - planning the block for my partner (trying to get it just right) and then the anticipation and excitement when my husband brings the mail home ( only 2x a week) and there's a block for me! The love that goes into each of these blocks that is then sent around the world - wow.
Thank you Sue; you're amazing

Pamela said...

I love meeting fellow quilters from around the world and enjoy the challenge of making new blocks and using different colour-ways.
I also love the friendships especially from my 2 Angels who lifted my spirits by sending blocks when I was unable to swap after eye surgery.
Hugs to All
Pam S

CathyC said...

3 years! where has that time gone? :) Happy Birthday QBSA!

Unknown said...

Hi All,
Happy Birthday everyone. I have been a member for only 7 months and have really enjoyed my swaps. I love chatting to different people from all over the world and love the challenge of learning a new block with every swap. Keep up the good work, can't wait to see what's next!
Karen F

elliek said...

Well done Sue on 3 years. I love getting my block and seeing the different interpretations of what I have asked for. Love doing blocks that I have never heard of so have never done. I don't need to be in the giveaway as I have material coming out of my ears!!!

Michell said...

Yay 3 years. I enjoy QBSA as I get to experience different blocks though I do have my favorites now.

Anonymous said...

Happy birthday QBSA! I have been a memebr for almost a year and i love getting new blocks every month! Everyone is so friendly and i love the challenge of making a new block for the first time and choosing the fabrics to go with it.
Congratulations Sue, you do an awesome job xx
Janet H.

Jeneta said...

Thanks for all the time and love you have expended to make QSBA what it is. I like making blocks I haven't tried before, as well as 'meeting' other quilters whom I count amongst my friends!

HeLlouise said...

Happy Birthday ladies Hope you are all enjoying the birthday month.
Thankyou to all my fellow block swappers I have loved opening your parcels and playing with the beautiful blocks you have all made. I am really looking forward to putting them in a quilt.
Happy Birthday
Quilty Hugs
Helen

The Mayo Family said...

Happy Birthday to all!
And thank you to Sue for such a great job! I can not imagine the work monthly that goes into keeping everything straight and the dealing with all the "details & issues"! You are a wonderful coordinater! Smile...
For me I ditto all the rest on all the lovely ladies from "all" over the world, along with this...I have always shared that we are a large home-schooling family, this 'swap' has become a part of our schooling now, each month when I get my new partners info, we look up on the map where abouts this area is located and miles from us etc...then in return many of you have sent me a lil-tid-bit of info on your area, a picture, a lil-treat or something that we have all enjoyed learning! So, I am so truly blessed...and then to top it all off....yes a lovely "BLOCK"! So, I have really been enjoying meeting lovely sweet ladies from so many places and I thank each of you that I have swapped with!
Blessings to all & thank you Sue!
Lori USA

Petah said...


Really enjoying being part of the Monthly block swaps - love making different blocks each month and purchasing new fabrics to make them. Thanks to Sue for organising the monthly swaps. do wish I was better at posting a blog

Carin@Ullhärvan said...

Happy Birthday QBSA! And a big Thank You to Sue who keeps it all going!