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A purchased package of Charm Squares |
Sure, you can go buy charm squares. There is a great selection of charm fabrics out there. You could also take a more fun approach to growing your charm collection by organizing a charm swap.
The first step is to determine the size of the charms you will swap. Most charms are cut into 5-inch squares. The size can vary, though. Select a size and stick with it.
Next, invite your quilting and sewing friends. In addition to letting them know the date and time of your charm swap, don’t forget to let them know the charm size you have predetermined. This way, everyone is on a level trading field.
If you have time to make and mail invitations to your charm swap, that would be a lot of fun and would make the swap a true occasion. Decorate some simple note cards with a quilting or sewing motif (check the rubber stamp selection at your favorite fabric store to make this task even easier), add the details, then drop in the mail.
Naturally you can do all this on your computer if you are comfortable doing that. If you want to get really elaborate, make fabric postcards to announce your upcoming charm swap.
Planning refreshments for your charm swap is simple. Keep the "square" theme going by serving small finger sandwiches cut into squares. Serve with fruit or vegetables and dip for a nice snack.
Next, start cutting your own charms. You may have a stash of precut charms, but this is also a good way to use up some left over yardage from your stash. Cut them down to the predetermined size and stack them in groups of five or ten, whichever is easier for you. Place them in a re-sealable plastic bag or simply run a straight pin through all the layers to keep them from straying from their stack.
When your friends arrive at your charm swap, you will all get a new selection of fabric at no cost to anyone. It’s like shopping for free!
In addition, you will be part of a tradition that dates back to the late 1800s. Quilters got the idea for charm quilts from a trend that was popular at the time. Kids would collect buttons and would display them on long strings. No two buttons were ever alike. Friends would exchange buttons to grow their collections, which were referred to as charm or friendship strings.
Naturally, the Victorian quilters used fabrics for their collections. They made quilts using one-of-a-kind fabrics – usually squares. This was way back before the day of I Spy quilts. Some quilters would throw in two duplicate squares so their children could make a game of finding the two that were alike!
Victorian quilters exchanged fabric squares so they could make their charm quilts, and your charm swap carries on that age old tradition. Maybe your swap friends would like to get back together to begin working on their charm quilts. Who knows, you might just start a charm guild with your swap meet!
Charm quilts are a lot of fun for quilters who like variety and enjoy the spontaneity of simple patchwork. There are some beautiful charm quilt projects out there and some gorgeous precut charm fabrics to make them.
It is hard to resist those beautiful, planned, charm fabric kits. But you can make your own charms, too, and have fun doing it. The great thing about a charm swap is that you are recycling fabric that has been in your stash. And you are sharing it with friends.
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This charm quilt has hearts surrounded by star points - in a kind of overlapping Ohio Star style. |
To learn more about charm squares, visit: Fat Quarters and Charm Squares
Happy Quilting!
Penny Halgren
Master Quilter
