Oh my! Well, I am so pleased that soooo many want to do this. I have really decided to change something though and need ALL of your help!

This started out that I got two pieces through the mail..then I am supposed to find six people .. well, the hard part of this is finding six people. You all would be my six..BUT..you all would need another six and so on and so on...HEY ..I do not want to do that to you. Because..a person does not know if everyone is really interested and will participate. However, we know all on this thread are..sooo...

I have instead thought that since we have such a nice sized group..and we all want to do this..we should just do a board event. Figure how big a square yall want..how many...take the number of participants into that and mail squares to everyone who wants to be in on this. Making sure that we tell what state we are from..

What do you all think? I am so very excited about this project. You can also figure if you want cotton pieces, flannel, or whatever.

This, in my mind, in now a homesteadin event..I need and would very much appreciate you all diving in here!

Hoping you are all having a wonderful day!!

-- Sher in se Iowa (riverdobbers@webtv.net), February 20, 2002

Answers

Hi again Sher, I think it's a great idea! I went back through your original thread and counted 10 (I think) who want to participtate. I agree, though we may each know 6 others off the forum who we would like to share this with, having everyone actually follow through is sometimes the problem in a project like this and that's where you end up with the people at the end only getting a few or not any. Should we wait a few more days and see if anyone else is interested before going ahead? I'd vote for the fabric to be the cotton/poly(rayon) blend, as that seems to be what a lot of people have for fabric scraps or whatever the majority chooses. Yes, on identifying where you're sending the fabric from. And, would we be sending two squares to each person or one? Don't forget to tell me if I should wash it first. Let me know if you need any help. I agree, it's now a homesteadin event, 21st century style! Could we follow up in a certain time period to see what everyone's made?

-- rose marie wild (wintersongfarm@yahoo.com), February 20, 2002.

Hi Sher,

Good point, I do not know of six other people who would be interested. I don't have a big preference on the fabric. My usual style is used garage sale clothes so you know how high my standard is! :) Just let me know what I need to do and count me in.

Stace

-- Stacey (stacey@lakesideinternet.com), February 20, 2002.

Count me in, just let me know what I need to do.

-- Sherry (tlnifty@ecenet.com), February 20, 2002.

Hi I was just reading about your fabric swap..... I have participated in several soap swaps on the soap boards I frequent...Anyway It works like this.... say you have 15 people do the swap... and each is to send two squares for each person in the swap so they would send 14 as they wont get one of their own back... Ok what you do is send all the fabric to the "hostess" and she then repackages and sends it out to the other participants.. that saves alot on shipping as you are sending only one parcel and receiveing only one parcel..Another part of it that can be great fun is to have each person send a bio page for everyone its fun to read about others passions and lives.. and for the shippping you pay to ship the box then send a money order in the box for the same amount so that the hostess has the money to send your return box back to you..... Just a thought and I would love to participate.. in this..... I am in Oregon

-- Trina (trina@ccountry.net), February 20, 2002.

Need more details. I have done quilting swaps before and we mailed our squares to the hostess and she remailed them. However we mailed in envelopes and included a self addressed stamped envelope with the same postage as we mailed. Never a problem.

-- Billie in CO (bbsowell@earthlink.net), February 20, 2002.

Hi! Like Trina, I am a quilter and live in Oregon. I am just touching my toe in the water here as I use only 100% cotton fabrics and wouldn't be able to utilize any other kinds. I am intriqued though and will be watching this thread to see how you guys do. Good luck and have fun! LQ

-- Little Quacker (carouselxing@juno.com), February 20, 2002.

I guess I was thinking about soap swaps when I talked about boxes above lol they are usually 5 or 6 lbs.. but its always fun to receive the packages ...

-- Trina (trina@ccountry.net), February 20, 2002.

Hi everybody..after giving it some thought..here is what I have come up with. Please jump in..on this I say majority rules..okay?

Everyone send me their snailmail please.

I will make a list and send it to everyone.

You can choose to sign your name, state, etc. on the pieces.

Two pieces of cotton/cotton blend to each name on the list.

We will each be responsible for mailing our pieces to each person on the list.

I am game..I am also open for a better way..

How about if we put Friday night as the last day? I could get the lists made and send them out on Mon.

What do ya think? If its okay...let the snailmail addys begin!!!

-- Sher in se Iowa (riverdobbers@webtv.net), February 20, 2002.

OK, I guess I am slow today but I'm still confused as to how this swap will work. What size square? 2 to each person I get, but how many on the list as you mentioned finding 6 more people. Haven't seen the sun in a few days so the clouds must be draining my brain. Can you explain again, please?!!!

-- Billie in CO (bbsowell@earthlink.net), February 20, 2002.

I would like to participate in this also. I have lots of material that was suppose to make something but I forget what. I've tried quilting and it took me seven years to make one quilt! However there is a group of Native American ladies that make quilts near me so I can have them make it.

-- Sheila Smith (nannie@intrstar.net), February 20, 2002.

Oh my Billie!! I am so sorry. I am in a bit of a brain fog myself here lately. I will try to explain better. I will mail everyone a list of everyone on this site who wants to participate. It will have their name and address on it. To each person .. you would send two squares. I am thinking six inch squares...is that gonna work for everyone? It really does not matter to me.

This is gonna bypass trying to find six people to do this. Cause sometimes..well it does not work out. For this event..everyone that wants to participate will be on the list. Virtually (and ideally) no one should be shorted. I have not got a final count on how many people yet...I will post it Sat. as Friday night will be the dead line. Some would like the squares signed with name and state..

This really would make a unique piece. We are (fingers crossed here..) finishing our house and will be moving into it in March. I can just picture a quilt on the one wall with my new friends on it!! I for one am not very artistic, nor do I have much of an imagination (unless you count my suppers when I should have gone to the store three days prior!!). But if I were such a talented person and wanted to make a special square or two..hey I say anything goes!

Sure hope I get some feedback on this soon...hope this is right..if its not..no big deal to change parts of it!

-- Sher in se Iowa (riverdobbers@webtv.net), February 20, 2002.

Count me in too. I'm just not sure what to do so please explain it a little better. Thanks. - Sheryl

-- Sheryl in NJ (all295@aol.com), February 20, 2002.

Hay Ya'll, Im still in..I cant wait..This will be sooo much fun, but I would like for you all to sign your names and date,and state you from on mine if ya'll would.And I will do the same on ya'lls if you wont me to.I have named my quilt all ready...Gonna take pics, every step of the way,and maybe learn how to post the picks,just use a permanent marker,and remember about the 1/4 seam allowance..oh and I would like to share with ya'll my latest,Im making a quilt from old neck ties, from the men in my family..It is a nice AND FUNNY way to remember the men in our family. If you all would like to see a little about me go here to http://community.webshots.com/user/ameliakd1 Cant wate to here from all of you...Amelia Kay Drennan

-- Amelia Kay Drennan (bluegrassgirl@charter.net), February 20, 2002.

I'm in too!!! It'll be so nice to get something besides bills in the mail. You should clearly state the size, prewashed or not and maybe specify on the list who would like their's signed. Also 2 different fabrics-right?

Maybe if all goes well we could do theme swaps down the road- Christmas, halloween or an interesting one would be ugly fabrics.

I'll get my address to you and I would like mine signed.

-- Terri in WV (mrs_swift_26547@yahoo.com), February 20, 2002.

Just went looking over the net at different swaps. They are very specific in what type of fabric-100% quilt shop quility fabric, no wally world or Joann Fabrics calico wall fabrics(I think they have some pretty ones but that's IMHO) must be prewashed etc...so probably should be pretty specific in what we're trading here just in case we get someone persnickerty. I myself would just like to have the fun of trading with people I feel like I know and can't wait to get little surprise packages in the mail! I already have an idea of just sewing the squares together as-is and knotting it for a nice little cozy quilt to curl up under on those dreary days.

Just thinking-10 or 12 people isn't going to give us too many squares- how many times would anyone be willing to do this??

-- Terri in WV (mrs_swift_26547@yahoo.com), February 21, 2002.

Hi all, Gee, did not know this was going to be so tricky. Okay, cotton fabric, prewashed, six inche squares? I still do not have an exact count of course. But it has been brought up that ten to twelve people at two squares is not going to be big enough. Well, either we need more people, more squares per person (say six) or we need to work around the precious squares we get from each other and fill in. What do you all think? I really want all of your input!!

Two people have brought up a swap that has a hostess and everyone sends squares to her and she distributes them. I will be up front and say I have never done that before. And although I do not care how this is done...if we do it that way, I will have to ask Nan or someone to take it over, as I do not have the time and/or know how to do that. I just came up with the list for each person because I knew all were responsible enough to get theirs out. I, however am not responsible enough to get everyones stuff, sort it, and mail it!! Also a couple of gals had talked about handpainting some special squares (I am sooo jealous of their talent!!) and if that occurs..I would not want to be responsible for not getting the right square to the right person.

Lets see...I just know I am forgetting some things..I do thank you all for your emails and responses here.

I really just wanted squares from yall since you are all so unique in your own ways. And since you are from all over the place!! I did not care if it was 6 or 8 inch squares..cotton or flannel..Walmart or specialty store..I just wanted it to be from each of you lovely people. BUT..I do not want to do poorly here. I have x amount of time with the house getting close and my fibro/cf. I know my limits. And I want this to stay fun for me. Soooo, I realize that what I set about to do was very basic, like someone said it would cost you more to do it my way than the hostess way...I by no means want to cause anyone to have to spend their hard earned money here. So it would be no big deal for me to have Nan or Terri or someone do this...I just cannot wait!!

PLEASE...weigh in on this..okay? Thank you muchly!!

-- Sher in Iowa (riverdobbers@webtv.net), February 21, 2002.

Howdy all! I would be glad to do the swapping. Sher did such a great job of getting it all together. All that is left is the fun part. If Teri really wanted to do it, I am not going to be the least bit hurt. I just think that this is the most fun idea! Thanks for having that epiphany....or whatever the big word is for a great idea! heehee! Anyway....whatcha think all? Do you want to send the two envelopes to me? That way we can have only 2 envelopes to put postage on. Of course one is to put the SASE in with your squares and the other is the SASE. Then I could sort and mail them all back. I think it would be sooo neat if you all were to sign all of your squares. I personally would love to have all of your signatures and states. How many squares do you think you want to do? I guess that we better find out who all wants to do this. And.....Teri, do you want to take over before I get so bossy here? heehee! Sorry, it is the after effects of having 2 teenaged boys I'm afraid. I will wait and see what ya'll want me to do and stop being soooo bossy. God Bless!

-- Nan (davidl41@ipa.net), February 21, 2002.

Nan, sounds like Sher doesn't mind if you play hostess and do the swapping and it sounds like a good plan to me. Anyone who volunteers to put together things like this gets a lot of credit from me. Someone please second this and let's set the cut off time and get a final list of directions out for all of us. I'm going to look at my fabric scraps right now!

-- rose marie wild (wintersongfarm@yahoo.com), February 21, 2002.

Hey everybody, What ever ya'll wanna do is ok with me..I think I can swing 6 squares to each of ya'll, maybe that way we would be able to fill in the gaps., but for sure you would get plenty from me..and each of you would get the same kind and size. OH and BTW, I prewash and press all my cloth before I cut into squares..I will send my squares in a zipper lock bag for each one of you.Now all we need to do is figger out, Is there a Host, Or are we gonna do it ourself for each lady.?........Im ready ya'll..Amelia Kay Drennan

-- Amelia Kay Drennan (bluegrassgirl@charter.net), February 21, 2002.

Ohhhh, I just can't stand it anymore.......Howdy again! What about this? You can send them to me or Teri if she would rather do this.

1. After we decide on the number of girls doing this...then cut out 6, 6" squares for each one. These can be the same material or different types. Depending on what you have of course. But make sure that you have 6 for each participant. Let's make it cotton so that the quilt will all wash the same and wear well. 2. Prewash your fabric and iron it before you cut out the squares. 3. Put all of the squares in one, gallon-sized, ziplock baggie and place that baggie into an envelope with appropriate postage. 4. Put another identical envelope into the other one with the squares that has your own address on it and the exact same amount of postage.(maybe a teeny extra in case some of you have heavier cottons) 5. Send them to me and I will sort them out with 6 from each one of you to each one of you....etc...and put them back in the ziplock baggie that you send your own squares in. 6. Then I will mail them back to you in your SASE that you mailed with the squares. 7. Ooops....sign your squares and add your state to your squares....I will let you all decide whether to do that to all 6 or just one of the six. Whatever we decide to do it all needs to be the same or it will look funny with one of each of some and several of each of others....heehee! Let me know. 8. Let's decide on a due date. I say give everyone until March 7th to get them to me....That means that you will need to mail them to me before the 3rd to make sure because my mail is sloooooow. Then on the 8th I sort and send them off back to you. Whatcha think? Is this ok or did I miss something....I am sure that I did miss something somewhere. OoOOOOOHHHHHHH If you want to do this do you think that you could e-mail me with your name and a note so that I could count you all up and let you know what the total squares should be for each of you. Could you do that by tomorrow? Now, If I have been toooo take charge please let me know. I am kind of a hyper active type. Can't help myself sometimes! :~)! I will gladly take advice or additions! Let's try to get this worked out pretty quick. I have a dozen people to feed over the weekend and I would dearly love to have this all straight before they get here. They will be long gone by the 7th. Barring all snow storms etc... But my friend and her family that are going to be here can help me if that comes to that because she loves to sew too. Take care all! Don't worry about me having too much to do with the company coming....As I said before...I am kinda hyper and this is fine with me if it is fine with you. I would just like to know the final number by Friday. Yes? No? :~)! Oh...feel free to kick me out of the bossing business too. I would still love to do it even if someone else wants to be the hostess.

-- Nan (davidl41@ipa.net), February 21, 2002.

Ohhhh BUROTHER! One big paragraph again. Sorry all. If you have any questions or comments please e-mail me or put it on here for us all to decide. Soooo sorry about that mess to read. Hope that you can make heads or tails of it!!!!

-- Nan (davidl41@ipa.net), February 21, 2002.

You have an ok from me on all of the above, and just one more question: how do I make sure they're 100% cotton? I think I can tell, but the 80/20 cotton blend stuff looks really close to the 100%. I'd really like the squares without marker names and states on them if possible. Mostly because I know I don't have a permanent marker! Nothing personal ladies, I'm just not sure what I'll be making with them yet and six inches seems a little small to be writing on. I'd like the beauty of the fabric to show. That's my vote, but of course I'll go with the majority. At least I can try to find something to mark one with if that's what's decided.

-- rose marie wild (wintersongfarm@yahoo.com), February 21, 2002.

Well, 80/20 would be fine. I can't imagine that it would make that big of a difference being that close. I can usually tell by wadding it up and seeing how it reacts. Also if you have polyester in the material and light a match to a tiny bit of it, it will melt a little instead of burn right off the bat. At least that is what I was told by my Home ec. teacher Mom. I have never tried it personally. Don't burn the house down on my account...heehee! If you think it is cotton, it is probably cotton. and about the marker....There are fabric markers, permanent markers, sharpies and then there are markers! I vote on a fine point or sharp sharpie or fabric marker. That would look ok. Just a little signature and your state wouldn't be that bad......but I think it is neat to have all of your signatures. It is all up to you. I can do it either way. We just did one like this for a friend of mine's daughter's wedding(shew lots of 's). We embroidered our name and favorite verse. It would take forever to do that with all of these though. I vote on a nice fine point fabric marker. They are very cheap at Walmart. I think that you can get a permanent one for around a dollar. Do you all want to sign them or not? I am fine either way although I kinda like that idea. They make sharpies with two ends. One end is very very fine and the other is the regular tip. The very very fine end is great for writing names on fabric. I made my friend a family tree and that is what I used on it.

-- Nan (davidl41@ipa.net), February 21, 2002.

Oh...if we do decide to mark our squares...do you want to do one or all? If we did one we could put the signed ones around the edges and the plain ones inside. Or we could do them sporadically through the quilt? Whatcha think? Signed or not? One or all?

-- Nan (davidl41@ipa.net), February 21, 2002.

Can I be number 7? I thought you were going to exchange quilt blocks, and I can't have many done that quickly. I have terrible hand writing, so I would be fine with nothing on the fabric also. Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh TX (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), February 21, 2002.

Hello Nan, I would like at least one signed from each lady if ya'll could, and if someone dont wont a signed block, I'll send a few unsigned, as spares, just so we make sure noone is left out,but I sure would like to have (one) of my blocks signed by each lady,if you dont have a purmanent pin, just use a reg ball piont,and I can trace over it, with a purmament marker.I just think it would be nice to have everybodys signature that gave a block for this very special quilt.Hope it wont be to much trouble...got my squares all ready to go..How bout ya'll?? ya'll ready for the fun??? Im on pin's an needles..can hardly control myself...lol..A.K.Drennan

-- Amelia Kay Drennan (bluegrassgirl@charter.net), February 21, 2002.

Vicki, we are just doing fabric squares that are 6". We are doing 6, 6" squares for each person participating. You don't have to piece anything together until you get them all back at the end of the exchange. And as for whether we want to sign them or not...we all need to agree or it will be wacky trying to sort all of that out. So whatcha say we each sign one out of each six squares. I will tell you when I get everyone's e-mails telling me they want to for sure do it. Then I will tell you how many of the signed and how many of the unsigned. IF you really wanted a quilt without the signatures you could just save the one each from everyone and make a few throw pillows or a wall hanging and then make a plain unsigned quilt with the remainder. That will work won't it and then everyone will be happy! So far I have gotten one e-mail.******************* Even if you have written your intentions on the posts could you please E-MAIL ME saying you will for sure do it so that I will have an exact count of all participants. ********* Just click on my e-mail address and say something like count me in or something. :~)!

-- Nan (davidl41@ipa.net), February 21, 2002.

Just a thought about the signatures that some want and some don't. How about if everyone includes an extra square with your name and state on it. That way the original six squares are intact but you still have a square with a signature. That square could be a solid color (maybe your favorite color) or a light print or a solid with a design on it. Just a thought.

-- Billie in CO (bbsowell@earthlink.net), February 21, 2002.

Billie, they are talking about sending 6 squares for each participant from each participant. That means that if there are 10 participants, you will need to send in 54(60 less the 6 that would have been for you.)) 6"squares. We wanted enough to do a whole quilt. The squares can be solids, prints or whatever. It doesn't matter cept that it be cotton. Each person will get 5 plain ones and 1 signed one from each participant. I hope that is more clear. IT is very hard to put it into writing and get everyone to understand what is going on. If 10 people were to do the swap you would receive back 54 squares. 44 would be unsigned and 10 would be signed. One signed block from each participant to use in the quilts border or for a matching pillow or wallhanging or mixed in the quilt. If more participate you will of course need more blocks and get more blocks. We are just talking about plain ole blocks. No piece work, only cutting out the 6"blocks. You will piece them all together after I return them to you from the others.

-- Nan (davidl41@ipa.net), February 21, 2002.

Man! I feel like I stirred something up here and I didn't mean to! I have never participated in a swap of any kind and am looking forward to this one. I just thought I'd look at what some of the other swaps were like and wanted to point those few things out in case someone was used to being in those and would be disapointed if this one wasn't exactly the same. Sorry!

Sher did mention that she'd like to do a flannel swap sometime and if everyone likes this one maybe that could be our next one.

-- Terri in WV (mrs_swift_26547@yahoo.com), February 21, 2002.

I am still a little unsure of myself here. I hope that I haven't gone and jumped the gun on anyone! I am really looking forward to getting to know all of ya'll. I think that if this one is a success that we can do these periodically and have a blast! SHER! YOu had a great idea! We are going to try to help you get that new home all furnished with a new quilt with squares from all of your new friends! DON'T FORGET TO E-MAIL ME WITH YOUR NAME AND THE WORD QUILT OR SOMETHING SO THAT I CAN GET A COMPLETE COUNT TO YOU AND SO THAT WE CAN GET STARTED. THANKS YA'LL AND GOD BLESS! GOOD NIGHT EVERYONE! Talk to you tomorrow!

-- Nan (davidl41@ipa.net), February 21, 2002.

I emailed Nan! Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh TX (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), February 22, 2002.

Nan, Was thinking maybe you should post another time so all the ladies will know some things have changed. I have not seen Sheila, NC, Joanie, Ohio, Teresa, MO, Sherry, Mn, Stace, Ia or Jackie, Or post recently. They all sent emails thinking they were doing it the other way. Sooo, I do not want anyone left out and hope maybe they will see this if it is reposted and then they will contact you. Thanks to you all..Sher

-- Sher (riverdobbers@webtv.net), February 22, 2002.

Great minds and all.....Oh...if anyone e-mailed you personally could you forward them on to me! That would help...and I was thinking the same thing about putting another post up on top so that they could all see it.

-- Nan (davidl41@ipa.net), February 22, 2002.

Hi All. I sent my snail mail address and am in on this. I am going through my fabric today and prewashing 100% cotton fabric and cutting the 6 inch sq. I can't wait. I plan on making a countryside friendship quilt out of them what ever size it turns out and adding my own borders. What fun this is going to be when they start showning up in the mail!!

-- Teresa (c3anch@socket.net), February 22, 2002.

We are doing great everybody! We have at least 14 so far and if Teresa wants to join us that will be 15. Please if you haven't done it already get your name e-mailed to me so that we can get the final count! If you have already done that THANKS! Looking forward to it. Take care all. Nan

-- Nan (davidl41@ipa.net), February 22, 2002.