I love to read about the origin of phrases as sometimes they are quite humorous and interesting to see how the ‘old’ phrase has been translated into current usage. Here is what I found when I check online for the word origin of ‘round robin”.

“ A round robin is a type of sports tournament where all the players play one another in succession. This sense comes from an older, nautical jargon term referring to a document signed by mutineers. In a round robin document, the mutineers would sign their names in a circle, so the authorities could not identify the first to sign, who presumably would be the ring leaders. Some sources suggest that this usage of round robin comes from the French rond ruban, or round ribbon, that was tied around these petitions--but little evidence exists to support this guess. The sports usage seems to be taken from this naval one. No players are ranked in the tournament, they all play as equals. “1

A round robin quilt to me is where all quilters participate in succession to build on someone’s main theme or center block for a quilt where the quilters can remain anonymous or they can sign their work. One person creates the main or center block or quilt theme. It is then sent around to other participants to also complete another block that matches the theme or otherwise they add another whole or partial border or sewn pieces to a center block. The quilt goes ‘round’ to those who want to participate until the quilt or blocks are completed by each participant.

Quilt Dreamer’s Bag Ladies are now working with 2 types of round robin quilts. One set of round robin ‘bags’ create a quilt for kids while the other round robin is for Quilts of Valor (QOV). Each bag should be marked with ‘kids’ or ‘QOV’. These projects are optional but lots of fun and get your creative juices flowing. And it can also relieve you of some of your fabric stash.

At each meeting, if you have finished a ‘round’, bring the bag to the meeting and put it in the pile with the other round robin bags. During the meeting, those who brought in a round robin bag, have 1st selection of another bag (or bags…..one for each one they brought back). If there are round robin bags left over, anyone else at the meeting can pickup bag (or 2 or 3) to bring back at the next meeting or whenever they get the round completed (hopefully in no more than 2 or 3 months).

For the kid’s round robin, add borders to make a kid’s quilt that will fit a 40”to 42” backing fabric. If you finish a quilt in your round, add another center block to the bag to keep the quilt going ‘round’. If you are working on a QOV quilt, add blocks and/or borders to build the quilt to a lap size (approx 50” x 60” or larger if preferred). Take a picture of yourself while creating your ‘round’ which will be included in the booklet that will accompany the QOV quilt. Also be sure to sign the label and any thoughts you’d like to share with the recipient. Instructions should be included in the QOV round robin bags. If you have any questions be sure to ask, and if you haven’t tried it yet, pick-up a round robin bag at the next meeting. I’m sure you will find it fun and very rewarding.

Happy Quilting! Carol J

1 Information from Dave Wilton, Friday, April 20, 2007, www.wordorigins.org