**THIS IS OUR SECOND COMBO SWAP, SO PLEASE READ THE GUIDELINES CAREFULLY BEFORE COMMITTING TO THE SWAP(S) OR CUTTING! IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE ASK!
YOU MUST SIGN UP FOR THE SWAP BY FEBRUARY 15, 2013 IN ORDER TO PLAY. SWAPS ARE DUE TO ME NO LATER THAN MARCH 30, 2013 TO SWAP OUT.
**THIS SWAP IS FOR WASHED FABRIC ONLY**
THE NUMBER OF SWAPPERS SIGNED UP WILL DETERMINE THE AMOUNT OF SETS YOU CAN SEND IN. For example, if we only have eight swappers signed up at the deadline, you can only send in eight sets. Some exceptions may occur and will be determined at the swap deadline.
Please PM me which swap theme(s) you will participate in, your HGTV board name, real name, address, phone and email address. I will forward you the same. All information sent to me is confidential and will not be shared.
IF YOU SIGN UP FOR THE SWAP, PLEASE SWAP! IF YOU CANNOT DO IT AND KNOW WELL IN ADVANCE, PLEASE LET ME KNOW.
I know life sometimes throws you curve balls, but it has happened that people get excited and want to play, only to wait two months later when the swap is due in a day or so to say they didn't have time. By that time you should have already been ready to mail the package. That leaves me hanging to replace your swap with my stash (or running to buy more fabric to swap!) and totally unfair IF you know you cannot make the deadline to begin with. I give you ample notice so you have plenty of time to make an informed decision. Be honest with me up front, or a repeat offender might not be able to play in the future The success of this swap depends on your ability follow through your commitment to our group of players. Thank you for your understanding!
By all of us being honest and accountable, I'm sure we will have a great 2013 swapping year! I really do enjoy hostessing and want to continue to enjoy it, so by coming up front with any issues is not really a complaint, but a way to correct it so my frustration level (and blood pressure!) stays at an even keel. Probably the MOST important thing I can say about a successful swap is the high level of communication between all parties. Without that, we are setting ourselves up for failure.
Please be sure that the prints you submit are small scale so that when you cut the swaps the patterns are not lost due to size. *NO SOLIDS, HOMESPUN, GLITTER, FLANNEL, THIN FABRICS, CHILDREN'S OR NOVELTY PRINTS* Wash and iron all 100% cotton good quality fabrics - please send good quality - they do not have to be quilt shop fabrics. Please do not send in any plastic-feeling, flimsy fabrics or THIN fabrics. They do not meet the guidelines? They will be returned.
NEW NOTE: I’m allergic to dogs and cats, perfumes and scents, so please do what you can to control the problem. My nose and lungs thank you (not only do I have sinus issues, but my throat closes up—and I like to breathe!
Some packages come in with so much pet hair that they look like they need to be brushed! For health reasons, I cannot handle them and they will be returned untouched at YOUR expense. My health depends on it and I thank you in advance for your understanding.
POSTAGE or POSTAGE money must be included in your package. Be sure to add a stamp or two to your stamped envelopes if not going priority mail flat rate boxes. They also seem to weigh more returning than coming in! If you are a frequent swapper, you can also send in $20 or so and I can keep it on “account” and deduct your postage from it. This was worked nicely with some swappers in the past and that way you don’t have to worry about sending in money each time. Once the swap is complete, I will PM you your postage balance on account for your records.^^
If you wish to include a self-addressed mailer for the return trip back to you, remember NO metered postage or ACP postage on the return mailer. Stamps only. Our post office will not allow more than a 13 oz. pre-stamped mailer in any mailboxes nor can mail carriers accept them (since 9/11 our East coast mail guidelines have been modified). While your local p.o. may say it is okay to use metered or ACP postage, our p.o. will not accept anything that has been pre-dated. I’m just trying to make it as easy as possible for all concerned. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask! Also, let me know if you want a delivery confirmation.
For Priority mail packages, I have plenty of mailing envelopes and boxes here so there is no need to send a new one in. I do, however, try to recycle the boxes if possible. IF YOU ARE SENDING YOUR SWAP IN A MANILLA ENVELOPE OR PADDED MAILER, YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE TO SEND IN A RETURN ENVELOPE.
Okay, here are our swaps and the guidelines for cutting!
**THE MOST IMPORTANT RULE IS NO ODDS AND ENDS-IF THE SWAP ASKS FOR A SET OF TEN OF THE SAME FABRIC, THAT IS WHAT YOU SEND IN. NOT EIGHT OF ONE AND TWO OF ANOTHER. IT MAKES IT VERY HARD FOR ME TO LAY OUT THE SUBMISSIONS TO SWAP OUT**
**Just a “gentle” reminder**
While you can only use the same fabric ONCE in each set, you can use it again in the other swaps. For instance, you can use the same fabric for the bricks and 2 ½” strips. It is my hope that we bust your stash instead of buying more fabric.
**When cutting directional fabrics, such as checks or patterns, PLEASE open the fabric up and cut on the grain. Lining up the fabric when folded might be perfect of the top, but crooked on the bottom section. Mis-cuts will be returned! PLEASE remove all selvedges before cutting!
^^Please separate your sets by index cards, slips of paper, etc. AND put into a plastic bag. Please do NOT individually package each set to save me time when swapping. Be sure to mark your HGTV board name, real name and address, swap theme AND the number of sets enclosed on each bag.
^^Please be sure there are no BOWING/ELBOWS in your pieces if cutting from 2 ½” strips. If you are cutting your squares with scissors, please no frayed ends. Any odd angle cuts, selvedges or any other mis-cuts will be returned back to you. I’m trusting that you are inspecting your submits before mailing to me. It saves me so much time and makes the swapping quick work.
**This swap is for WASHED fabric, so pre-cut noodles/strips/jelly rolls CANNOT be used as all fabrics must be washed, dried and ironed before cutting. They will shrink and not be the required size and will be returned. Trust me when I say I found out the hard way!
Now on with the show….
After counting the poll votes and also the votes posted on the boards, PM’d and emailed to me, here are our themes for the swap. You can join one or join them all—your choice! The number of sets you can send in will be posted after the sign-up deadline. Please note we have five themes instead of the usual four as we had a tie on two of the themes and didn't want to throw one out!
**Stashbusters 3 ½” x 6 ½” bricks (10 pieces per set)
**Brights 3 ½” x 6 ½” bricks (10 pieces per set)—and yes, I mean BRIGHT
**Stashbusters 2 ½” strips x 18-20”—(10 pieces per set) Be sure to cut off your selvedges and pin holes BEFORE measuring! Following cutting instructions above about elbows and miscuts.
5” TRUE batik squares (10 pieces per set)-a TRUE batik will show the print equally on both sides—you shouldn’t be able to tell the right from the wrong side in a good batik!
5” Stashbusters squares (10 pieces per set)
Interested in swapping with us? Just PM me your contact information and what swaps you would like to join.
Swappers:
2 ½” x 18-20” Stashbusters noodles (10 pieces per set) (YOU CAN SEND IN A MAX OF FIVE SETS)
OK - I'm in for more bright bricks. I'd like to do 2 groups - so maybe to keep it organized sign up Miss Maggie as well I'd better pull and start washing....
Posts: 5976 | Location: Great Midwest | Registered: Oct 29, 2006
I've been looking through my stash. Please sign me up for batiks 5", Stashbuster strips and bright bricks. I may add another after checking yet another box!
Okay ladies, our sign-ups are complete and the number of maximum sets allowed for each theme are posted above. I have, however, allowed you to send in ten sets for the bright bricks as this is the most popular swap!
I have some fabric set aside for cutting . A few new brights ready for the laundry. Since I am taking all of the fabric out of my sewing room to reorganize , I will be seeing it all--piece by piece--as it goes back in.
I pulled fabrics and washed them yesterday - today I'm ironing....I really dug for a few of them - forgot I had them. If I wasn't rooting around in the wardrobes I'd have never known!! It's like I went shopping and came home with bright goodies
Cutting starts next week - a few a night.
Posts: 5976 | Location: Great Midwest | Registered: Oct 29, 2006
Did a bunch of organizing this weekend. Managed to wash several pieces I planned to use only to discover they went with several quilt tops I am sewing together for QWL.
Did manage to get two of the strings and 1 of the 5" squares cut, so I have a start... Chris
Posts: 5094 | Location: Tampa Bay | Registered: Jan 10, 2003
I pulled some brights I found hiding in my red/purple/pink fabric cabinet. All pressed--just need to get my courage up to cut them--bad memories with that rotary cutter! I do have my Klutz glove so I will use it for sure!
Well, I don't know what I said that could have triggered as a "bad word" but I did. Just wanted to let you know Miss Maggie's blocks are all cut and ready to go out once I get my group done. Whew!
Posts: 5976 | Location: Great Midwest | Registered: Oct 29, 2006
How about 10 inch squares can get 9 out of one yard of fabric. What about a. 30's swap? Not sure what size, maybe 3or 4 inch strips then can be cut down to strip sizes you need for like a string quilt. Just throwing some thoughts out there.
BRIGHT 
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I'd better pull and start washing....
This message has been edited. Last edited by: KC1930, 
