2018 Stash Bee Sign Ups - What You Need to Know

Sign-ups for 2018 are just around the corner so here are all the details. There are some changes so please read this post carefully before you decide to sign up.

You will be able to access the sign-up form on Wednesday, November 1st.  It will be in a blog post on that day. There will also be a link at the top of the right menu on the blog.

Who Can Join?

The bee is open to new and returning members. Something that will be changing this year is that we will be reducing the number of hives to 7 to more effectively manage the number of people. That means that we can only take 70 people so sign up early. Returning members still need to sign up each year.

Please note - returning members, you MUST be in good standing with the bee. That means that all of your 2017 blocks must be mailed and received AND you cannot have been late more than twice throughout the year.

Things to Remember

This is a modern bee. That means your hive members can ask for modern blocks, modern techniques, and/or modern fabrics within the scope of the block restrictions. If you prefer more traditional blocks and more traditional fabrics (like reproduction fabrics, civil war prints, etc) then this bee is NOT for you.

Also, Stash Bee is international friendly. You should expect to have 3-4 hive members from countries other than the U.S.  ALL HIVES will have a mix of countries, there will not be a domestic-only hive this year.

New This Year - Let's Get Social!

During the sign-up process, you will be asked if you would like to be assigned to a social media hive. You will have the choice to join a hive that will communicate primarily through Instagram or Facebook.  Don't like or use those platforms? That's okay! You'll be assigned a hive that will stay right here on the blog. Stay tuned for a more in-depth post about how this will work in the next week or so.

That's all for now.
Happy Quilting!

2017 Stash Bee Sign-ups

UPDATE -- SIGN-UPS FOR STASH BEE ARE NOW CLOSED. 

The 2018 Stash Bee Sign-ups are scheduled for November 1, 2017.

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Ladies and Gentlemen, the moment you've been waiting for...

Sign ups for the 2017 round of the Stash Bee are officially OPEN.

CLICK HERE to access the sign-up form. Hives will be announced in early December. Anyone not assigned to a hive will be placed on the waiting list in the order that they signed up.

Please review our Rules and Participant Roles & Expectations before signing up. If you have additional questions you can email me (Diana) here.

Stash Bee 2017 - What's New: Rules

We are just a few weeks away from sign-ups for next year's Stash Bee and I couldn't be more excited. I've been working hard behind the scenes to get things ready and what better way than to highlight what is new. First, you'll notice a few changes to the blog. I've added a row of tabs at the top for important information. It's a lot to read in one sitting so I plan on breaking it down over the course of a few posts, highlighting any changes and other helpful information.

Stash Bee Rules:
For those of you who are current participants, you should be familiar with most of the rules, but I wanted to highlight the biggest change for next year. There will still be 9 hives but 1 hive will be dedicated as a US-Only Hive. It will be on a first-come-first-serve basis and the first 10 people to request this hive will be assigned to it. Once this hive is full, all others will be waitlisted or moved to an international hive depending upon their selections in the sign-up questionnaire. Because this hive is determined by location, quilting styles and ability will not be taken into consideration. So if quilting level (beginner vs. expert) or quilting style (more traditional vs. ultra modern) is more important to you, then this hive probably isn't for you.

Happy Quilting, 

Stash Bee FYI: Block construction, quality, and style

With sign-ups opening on October 9th, I thought it would be worthwhile to explain some of the aspects of the Stash Bee to those who have not participated previously but are interested in signing up for 2015. These posts will all be linked on our Rules and FAQ pages. If you have questions, please leave them as comments on any of this week's posts and I will do a question round-up post next week. -- Alison

What kind of blocks can I expect to make in the Stash Bee?
The short answer is anything and everything!

The current Stash Bee rules allow the Queen Bees to pick any block for their hive mates to make that fits the following parameters:

• One block can be completed in 1.5 hours


• The block does not require the purchase of specialty tools/supplies unless provided by the Queen


• The block is smaller than or equal to 16" finished

Here's a quick look at all of the Stash Bee blocks that I have made from November 2012 to August 2014.

I've made precisely pieced blocks, foundation paper pieced blocks, string blocks, applique blocks, wonky freeform blocks, and some in between.

One of the best things about the Stash Bee is the potential to learn new techniques and push yourself as a quilter. And even if the block requested by the Queen bee that month is too modern or too traditional for your tastes, it is always good to go out of your comfort zone and test the waters. You will more than likely encounter blocks that are difficult for you in the Stash Bee. I had never done machine applique before I joined the stash bee nor had I ever made anything remotely wonky (GASP!) and now I enjoy both!

Most months, the Queen Bee will have chosen a specific block in a specific color palette that she would like you to make. Other months the Queen bee may be more general with her request -- for example, she may give you a color palette and request that you make any star block of your choosing.

I'd like to also point out that the vast majority of these blocks were made entirely from my stash and scrap bin and that I have rarely felt the need to go out and purchase additional fabrics. On occasion I have, but this is not the norm for me as I have a rather large scrap stash to work from most of the time. You are not required to go out and purchase additional fabric for your blocks as this is the Stash Bee BUT you should do your absolute best to adhere to the fabric color and fabric style requests given by your Queen Bee.

One of the reasons why I encourage everyone to read and review tutorials early in the month is so that you have time to troubleshoot if necessary. Encountering a new technique does not permit you to send a poorly constructed block to a Queen Bee. Take the time to make a test block (or at least test the technique) if you have any hesitations. There are tutorials on YouTube and quilting blogs for every technique imaginable!

Remember your good sewing techniques -- making bee blocks for others is not a place for haphazard sewing, cutting, measuring, etc. Many blocks will require an accurate (or scant) 1/4" seam and/or seam matching to obtain a properly sized and properly constructed block. These are basic quilting skills that no one, even master quilters, should take for granted. I know when we are making things for ourselves we might judge things to be “close enough” but please remember to be sending your best work to your Queen Bees. This is not to say one must rip out a seam and resew it to perfection, but pinning and/or glue basting may be necessary even if it pains us to do so. Your Queen Bees will thank you and return the favor!

If you have any questions or concerns, please comment below! 


Missed some of our other Stash Bee FYI posts? Click over to the FAQ page!

Stash Bee FYI: Participant roles and expectations in the Stash Bee

With sign-ups opening on October 9th, I thought it would be worthwhile to explain some of the aspects of the Stash Bee to those who have not participated previously but are interested in signing up for 2015. These posts will all be linked on our Rules and FAQ pages. If you have questions, please leave them as comments on any of this week's posts and I will do a question round-up post next week. -- Alison


In the Stash Bee, there are different roles that we all play as participants. This post will hopefully explain what is expected of participants and explain some of what we do behind the scenes to make sure that the Stash Bee runs smoothly. Please review if you are considering signing up for the Stash Bee in 2015.


Hive Members
Everyone who is assigned a spot in the Stash Bee is a Hive Member. There are eleven (11) members assigned to each hive, each person is also assigned their month to be Queen Bee. Hive members are responsible each month to make the block of the Queen Bee's choosing and mail it on or by the last day of each month. 


If a hive member is unable to make a block for a given month and would like to request an Angel block, she/he must do so by the 7th of that month by sending an email to her Hive Mama. Angel blocks should only be requested when a person has extenuating circumstances -- not when a person just needs a break from making bee blocks or if they don't feel like making the block for a given month because they don't like it or they think it is too hard. Any hive member can volunteer to be an angel block maker for the month and everyone is welcome to make multiple blocks for Queen Bees at any time.


When your block is complete, you should post a blog post on the Stash Bee blog with a picture of your completed block. You should also let your Queen Bee for that month know when it goes in the mail -- often times, this is done in the blog post -- ie, "I dropped this in the mail today" etc. Your Queen Bee should let you know when your block has arrived.


Queen Bees
Everyone assigned to a spot in the Stash Bee will have one month where they are the Queen Bee for the month. This means that they will have picked a block, put together a test block and accompanying tutorial for a blog post that will be posted on the first day of the month that they are assigned. Queen bees are responsible for picking a block that can be made in 1.5 hours or less, is smaller than 16"finished (16.5" unfinished) square, does not require members to purchase uncommon tools/patterns, etc.


The tutorial should have pictures of the steps necessary to complete the block and address any parts of the directions that may need clarification. If a tutorial for a block that is published elsewhere is picked, you should still have pictures of the block in progress/completed and explain any steps that may be unclear in the original tutorial. The tutorial post by the Queen Bee should also have a color inspiration mosaic, designseeds type color palette, or a picture of a fabric pull in the colors you are requesting for your block.


Queen Bees should let their Hive Mates know when their blocks have arrived and keep track of whose blocks they have and have not received. Once all of the blocks have been received, Queen bees should let the Hive Mama know.


If someone is behind on their blocks for previous months, they are not allowed to take their turn as Queen Bee until they have completed all of their delinquent months' blocks.


Hive Mamas
Hive Mamas are the caretakers of each hive in the Stash Bee. There is one Hive Mama for each Hive in the Stash Bee and their month as Queen Bee is January. Hive Mamas are responsible for communicating with their hives on a regular basis (typically twice a month is sufficient) to keep everyone in the loop.


Hive Mamas are responsible for keeping track of which of their hive mates have posted blocks each month and should note if any were posted or mailed late. Angel Block requests are also sent to the Hive Mama; the Hive Mama can choose how to ask for Angel block volunteers within her own hive.


Any in-hive concerns should first be addressed to the Hive Mama who will then determine if the issue needs to be addressed with the Bee Mama. Hive Members should feel free to address their concerns to the Hive Mama regarding block quality, fabric quality, responsiveness of hive mates, promptness of hivemates, etc.


Bee Mama
The person that oversees the entire Stash Bee is the Bee Mama. For 2015, Alison (littlebunnyquilts @ gmail.com) is the Bee Mama.


The Bee Mama manages sign-ups for the Stash Bee in the fall and assigns Hive Mamas and Hive members to each hive. The Bee Mama communicates with the Hive Mamas on a regular basis to troubleshoot issues facing the bee at large. The Bee Mama helps Hive Mamas with in-hive issues when requested. The Queen Bee is also the Hive Mama for Hive #1 and fills any vacancies within the hives should they occur.




Missed some of our other Stash Bee FYI posts? Click over to the FAQ page!