blocks, swaps, charms and other things and there instructions

[AudreyB]

I have looked at many of these swaps, charms etc. I have to say I don't have a clue as to what you are all talking about. I think this is the reason why there are not more people joining in. I look at the rules but a lot of them don't explain what they are. Coule you all give us in the rules what page of what book or where ever else we can find instructions. Maybe it is just me and it won't be the first or the last time I was the only one in the dark.

Thank you,
Audrey

[CoyoteQuilts]

Charms: these are square pieces of fabric. The size of the square, fabric type and number to send is determined by the host. Each host will start a topic for his/her month of hosting the charm swap. Right now sign up is for Holiday, November, December and 2008 (for January). Each has their own topic box. In the 2008 topic is a list of months with hostess, size and fabric types listed so that you can determine if you want to participate.
What we do is determine the number of squares to send, number of participants and how to send them. Usually we have 30 participants that send a total of 60 squares--2 to a sandwich baggie or ziploc. You can use all of the same fabric if you want, you can use 2 different fabrics, or 60 different fabrics as long as the fabric is the type the hostess wants. 2008 January swap is any type of fabric that is 100% cotton--you can send flowers, batiks, solids, tone on tone, etc. Holiday swap is Valentine which is either valentine material or red/pink material. Another swap is 1800 fabrics-any color/print within the 1800 fabrics.
You get the same number of pieces of fabric in return that you sent to the host.

Audrey, I hope this helps with the charm swaps.

The only other swap I have joined is the fall block swap and we picked our own blocks and used fall colors. These blocks needed to be 12.5 inches unfinished and not squared up prior to sending. We needed to send 20 & we'll get 20 back.

If you PM a host of a swap that you may be interested they will send you a PM with their rules.

Sharon V.

[AudreyB]

Thanks! That is at least a start to understanding this. I have other people pm me and told me that they don't join in because they don't understand all of this as well. I am just hoping the host of these will just understand there are a lot of new people here and don't join because they just don't understand the rules.
But a huge thank you for your input!

Audrey

[Oasis]

Hi Audrey, I didn't know what "Charms" were either. I thought they were possibly exchanging them for their bracelets. LOL Then I saw a post where someone else (I didn't need to ) asked what they were.

I'm finding them quite useful in some of the other swaps. The Block Lotto swap we are having right now are using some colors that I don't ususally have (brown) so I went to my little charms stash from the last swap and was able to find a few of the color I needed to make the 3 1/2 inch squares. Also LynnS posted a discussion in the fabric section about how to make quilts out of old jeans. I'm planning to use the 5 in Charms for the inset for this pattern. Then of course you can make a quilt from them.

I'm finding if you are not sure of what you need to do for a swap, just pm the host or anyone and get the friendly support that is so nice from this forum. I'm new to these swwaps also so if you see my name in one, just pm me and we'll figure it out together. ;~)

Take Care,
Linda/Oasis

If you like blue and yellow, sign up for Maryq's 2007 charms swap. I just found the prettiest blue and yellow fabrics this morning. This one will be nice because you can make a specific quilt with all the same colors.

[LynnS]

The swaps are a fun way to "meet" everyone, and a neat way to get some variety in your stash! My stash is pitifully small. I have completed 1 swap so far. I got back the nicest fabrics in patterns and colors that look fantastic together, and some that I think are just so pretty, but I may not have bought on my own. Which is probably why my stash was becoming boring. I gravitate toward the same type of thing all the time. It's nice to have a fresh variety to pick from.

I am eagerly awaiting the blue flannels that should come fairly soon! I may use them in my jeans quilt. Or I may divide them up, buy some other color flannel and mix them, making two quilts.

I was so happy about how the first swap turned out that I'm hosting the Valentine's swap. PM me if you want to join in or if you have questions. We need more people over there!

The swaps are very easy, so don't be intimidated. Have fun selecting fabric to swap and you'll really enjoy seeing all of the beautiful fabric you get in return!

Edit: PS: I was very tempted by the fall block swap. I love fall. Maybe when I get a little more time (and have more confidence in my pieceing) I'll join in.

[teacupdelights]

With all of the SWAPS we have a hostess & she lets you know what rules she wants to go by.

CHARMS: The topic with 2008 started as a January swap of 5" charms
'Charms' are new on the market that the fabric mfgs put out, but you can cut your own. They can be 5" or 8" squares. There are several patterns on the market right now that cater to charms

JELLY ROLLS - jelly rolls are 2 1/2' strips, width of fabric that are 1 or 2 strips of the same fabric collection and usually have 40 strips in a bundle. There are patterns for using jelly rolls also.

FAT QUARTERS (FQ) - 18" x 22" quarter yards of fabric. Readily available at JoAnns, LQS, etc. Check them out. Sold singly or in bundles and sometimes go on sale as cheap as $1 per FQ. (More useful than 1/4 yard of fabric 9" x 44")

LQS - Your local quilt store (LQS) will show jelly rolls and charms to you-these are not in regular fabric stores like jo-anns or hancocks as far as I know. Also you can look on line at the QS & see them.

What you do is sign up for the swaps you want to join - charms, jelly rolls, FQ (fat quarters), etc and send the required items to the hostess by the designated date. She then sorts and repackages and sends back to us.

FAT QUARTERS (FQ) - 18" x 22" quarter yards of fabric. Readily available at JoAnns, LQS, etc. Check them out. Sold singly or in bundles and sometimes go on sale as cheap as $1 per FQ. (More useful than 1/4 yard of fabric 9" x 44")

We need to send the return postage to her so all that she (or he) invests is their time. We put our items in a small plastic bag with our forum name & real name & any other info about ourselves we want to share, then put them in a large ziploc with hostess address on it. This is in case our box or bag gets ripped & they can send it on. Try to put the postage and your address on the return box or bag so it cuts down on the hostesses time.

Some of the members add a little something into the box for the hostess, but this is not required.

BLOCK OF THE MONTH (BOM) -no sending on, just work with others & get ideas for problems on the blocks)

ROUND ROBBINS - someone starts a block & sends it to others who add a border-usually it is sent to 2 or 3 people.

This information was gleaned from several postings and a couple of emails since I (recently) came to this forum.

I think it would be good to have these definitions and explanations permanently posted at the beginning of this "Swaps,Round Robins,BOM" topic site *** (HINT, HINT to the magical all-powerful wizards who guide these forums) ***

Lastly, I have found that members are a treasure-trove of information, friendly, welcoming, encouraging and helpful to all who inquire.

[teacupdelights]

With all of the SWAPS we have a hostess & she lets you know what rules she wants to go by.

CHARMS: The topic with 2008 started as a January swap of 5" charms
'Charms' are new on the market that the fabric mfgs put out, but you can cut your own. They can be 5" or 8" squares. There are several patterns on the market right now that cater to charms

JELLY ROLLS - jelly rolls are 2 1/2' strips, width of fabric that are 1 or 2 strips of the same fabric collection and usually have 40 strips in a bundle. There are patterns for using jelly rolls also.

FAT QUARTERS (FQ) - 18" x 22" quarter yards of fabric. Readily available at JoAnns, LQS, etc. Check them out. Sold singly or in bundles and sometimes go on sale as cheap as $1 per FQ. (More useful than 1/4 yard of fabric 9" x 44")

LQS - Your local quilt store (LQS) will show jelly rolls and charms to you-these are not in regular fabric stores like jo-anns or hancocks as far as I know. Also you can look on line at the QS & see them.

What you do is sign up for the swaps you want to join - charms, jelly rolls, FQ (fat quarters), etc and send the required items to the hostess by the designated date. She then sorts and repackages and sends back to us.

We need to send the return postage to her so all that she (or he) invests is their time. We put our items in a small plastic bag with our forum name & real name & any other info about ourselves we want to share, then put them in a large ziploc with hostess address on it. This is in case our box or bag gets ripped & they can send it on. Try to put the postage and your address on the return box or bag so it cuts down on the hostesses time.

Some of the members add a little something into the box for the hostess, but this is not required.

BLOCK OF THE MONTH (BOM) -no sending on, just work with others & get ideas for problems on the blocks)

ROUND ROBBINS - someone starts a block & sends it to others who add a border-usually it is sent to 2 or 3 people.

This information was gleaned from several postings and a couple of emails since I (recently) came to this forum.

I think it would be good to have these definitions and explanations permanently posted at the beginning of this "Swaps,Round Robins,BOM" topic site *** (HINT, HINT to the magical all-powerful wizards who guide these forums) ***

Lastly, I have found that members are a treasure-trove of information, friendly, welcoming, encouraging and helpful to all who inquire.

[teacupdelights]

oops - don't know how I managed to send that twice...sorry

[AudreyB]

I want to thank all of you that have helped me understand some of the rules. But I think you are missing my point. When someone posts a swap, block etc. Could we please have all the instructions with the start up of the "whatever" it is at that time. I have had several people pm me and tell me they were either too shy to ask, embarrassed that they didn't know what was being discussed or felt plain dumb. I honestly don't believe anyone in this forum means anyone to feel this way. I am just the "big mouth" and trying to speak up for them that won't.
OK I am off my soap box and want to thank all of you for listening and helping out in this matter. Also please understand this means no disrespect to anyone at all, under any circumstances!

Audrey

[Leetec]

Audrey, I agree that it would be good to have this information on the topic heading. It would also be good to update the heading (using the edit feature) with a list of who is signed up for each swap/exchange. The deadlines for sign-up and sending blocks, etc, would also be a great thing.
GB...
Lee