Have you ever wanted to join a quilting bee? Now’s your chance! If you don’t know what a quilting bee is, well, let me quickly help you with that.
***SIGN UPS ARE CLOSED FOR THIS YEAR***
A quilting bee is a group of 12 quilters who take turns to be Queen Bee every month. As Queen Bee, you get to choose a quilting block and the colours/fabric placement for everyone else to make for you during your month as Queen. You sew a sampler block ahead of time, and use that block to demonstrate what you’re after so that your bee mates can use it as a reference point for helping them choose fabrics and sewing it up. And then everyone else will sew you a block as per your directions, and you get to sit back and wait for them to arrive. Happy mail!
Since 2015, I’ve organised quilting bees, bringing quilters together from around the world. For this particular quilting bee, you choose one of the 25 blocks available from The Bee Hive series for the rest of your Swarm (because that’s the collective noun for bees!) to make for you. What makes these blocks so special, is that each of the 25 blocks will create interesting secondary designs when placed together! Which makes for some really unique quilt tops being made from the same patterns! Check out #thebeehivequilts on Instagram to see such a variety of blocks and tops.
Here’s my sampler quilt of all 25 blocks:
And for me personally, these are the blocks I’ve had my Swarm make for me last year and this year… and now I need to sew them into a top. I chose the Treasure Hunt block in navy, teal, mustard and pops of coral.
The blocks include a mixture of techniques – pieced and foundation paper pieced, curves and squares. And it’s always a fun surprise each month finding out what colours the Queen Bee would like! So yes, you may need to learn a new skill, or buy a bit more fabric because people keep asking for black and white prints (this was me this year! I had just one black and white print). But it’s such a fantastic way to step outside your comfort zone every now and then, and you get to meet new people!
Now, sign ups. It’s a little earlier this year than usual, as I’m being called up for jury duty next month and am trying to work ahead as much as possible just in case. But otherwise, it’s the same as last year. Sign ups will be open until October 31st 2018 (AEDST – Melbourne time). I will then randomly allocate the sign ups into swarms, and send out group emails to each Swarm by the following Monday. There is also a $5AUD fee to cover my time in organising it all, and to deter flakers (those who get their blocks and then drop off the face of the planet and don’t make blocks for anyone else – boooo). I’m happy to report that it definitely seems to have worked this time around.
NOTE: Some of you are already in a Swarm that will be continuing next year. Do not fill this out again! These forms are only for those who want or need to be in a new Swarm for 2019. If you don’t know whether your Swarm is continuing or not, work that out with your group.
Step 1. Be aware of Quilting Bee Etiquette – vital for the successful and smooth operation of a Swarm! Read this post for all those important details.
Step 2. There are two different forms, one for those in the USA, and one for everyone else. Be sure you get the right form, please! Also note – no email address, no Swarm! There were a few people each year who filled out the wrong email address, so be sure to double check your email address.
Step 3. Pay $5AUD via PayPal here – all sign ups must be paid for by November 3rd to be allocated to a Swarm.
***SIGN UPS ARE CLOSED FOR THIS YEAR***
Who’s excited to make some new friends and quilts next year?!
Shadow says
Why does the US have a separate form? Is the iron not open to engage internationally?
Additionally, I’d like to join, but I’m a fairly novice sewer drums I’ve never paper pieced or sewn a curve. Is it possible to be assigned to a swarm of other novice sewers & quilters who might be at my skill level?
Alyce says
Most people prefer to not regularly be paying international postage, and therefore I try to assign everyone to domestic bees – there’s a lot of juggling as it is, so it’s keeping it streamlined for everyone 🙂 Ditto for skill levels.
I certainly had never sewn curves until my bee kept choosing the curved block, haha! But now? Curves are a cinch! It’s a fabulous skill builder, and just be upfront with your Swarm about it.
Laura says
What about Canadians?
Alyce says
Canadians go under international 🙂
Jeannette says
How do I know what fabric to use,basic skill quilter and how do I obtain the patterns Jeannette
Alyce says
Each month’s queen will provide the fabric colours/styles they would like used in their blocks. For example, they may like a white and black print for the background, and then tone-on-tone pink and yellows for the prints. Skill level isn’t a problem – just be upfront with your group about where you’re at in regards to curves and foundation paper piecing (the more technical blocks in the list). And the patterns to choose from are from The Bee Hive blocks here.
jacqui mcgilvray says
Hi Alyce
I have just submitted an international form for the Bee Hive, with a little trepidation. I dont seem to be able to follow the link to send you $5. Can you send be a payment request please.
Alyce says
Easy done, just did so to the email address you used for commenting 🙂
Deborah Kanter says
Hello.
I am unable to make the paypal link work. It just says 0.00 AUD and won’t let me change the amount. Is anyone else having this problem? Suggestions? Thank you.
Deborah Kanter says
Hi, again. I also just submitted my registration form and hope you can direct me to a way to make the paypal link function from this end. Thanks again.
Alyce says
You simply have to just start typing the numbers 5-0-0 and it will update the numbers 🙂
Chris Cole says
Hello. I submitted my US registration form yesterday, but have no record it was submitted. Can you confirm it was received?
Alyce says
Yep, you’re all signed up! Thanks!
Leah says
I’ve wanted to participate in a bee for the longest time! I am so excited! 😀
Alyce says
Woohoo!
Maree says
Hi there. I am very keen – however I can’t access my Paypal account and I don’t think I can set up another one using the same bank account. Is there any way I can make payment other than via Paypal?
Ciao
Heather says
I signed up yesterday, but couldn’t get paypal to work. Am I registered? Is there another way to pay? I have a friend in Melbourne… Can I have her mail you a fiver?? (kidding)
Heat says
Pay pal seems to have gone through. It wanted another $5 for currency exchange. I wish YOU got the whole 10!
Alyce says
Hehe, that’s sweet, thank you! I didn’t realise PayPal made you pay for the currency exchange?! I haven’t had that before, beyond just having to pay more because of the exchange rate, and I purchase overseas a bit!