As I have been adjusting to the position of hosting the Secret Pal Swap I have been doing some homework by looking at other swaps. In order to eliminate any potential problems other swaps have added some other questions. These include;
Do you have any allergies (smoke, cats,dogs etc)
Do you have any allergens ( you smoke, have cats, dogs etc)
It has been suggested that we add Would you like to receive old sewing magazines. What is your favorite beverage. I am open to any and all suggestions. It is nearing the sign up for the Sept swap and I feel we need to revamp the questions to the benefit of all involved. Please post any ideas you may have and I will be reading this daily.

I agree that those could be included, Lori :)

Maybe patterns? If they like doing redwork, or blue work or just embroidery. I have a few of Aunt Martha's iron on patterns. I don't want to send them along if they won't be used. But I don't do embroidery that much to keep them.

Lori, when I had my SP I was wondering what type of quilting she did: long-arm, machine, hand, or free motion. This helps in buying the right thread to use and also templates for hand quilting. Also if the person has pet(s) and what are they: dog, cat, etc., and list their favorite treats. I'll try and think of others....oh......last question can be, "The ONE thing I want the most is___________."

I would love to receive old "Applique" magazines. That is a great question to add, also old and unwanted "Applique" books.
Knowing what the SP likes to quilt best would be a great help.
You are doing such an awesome job with managing this SP swap. It is such a joy to participate.

"You are doing such an awesome job with managing this SP swap. It is such a joy to participate."


I agree!

Not sure why you need to know about a beverage. Maybe ask about sharing a recipe. I think we should stick a little closer to the quilting.

Probably for the same reason favorite candy is already in use....flavored teas can be sent as well as coffee. Don't know if coffee come in small packs tho.

I also believe that the more questions we have and also the more detail we give the easier it is to shop for. I know one of my Secret Pal's said they made Christmas ornaments as another hobby ... well I wasn't sure if they made them out of beads, sequins, ... also when they say they also like to read ... what category do you like to read? Fiction, Non-fiction, Mystery, True crime.

I guess for the one answering the questions should give more information ... elaborate a little more.

But there is nothing wrong with adding more questions either.

I also agree with the question on what type of quilting do you do ... and also the kind of beverages ...

I like the idea of asking what type of dog or cat or pet they have-I have found such cute stuff for my sister who has Daschounds- also, a wish list for quilting stuff-type of magazines, notions, fabrics, patterns, thread, etc.

You are all coming up with such GREAT ideas keep them coming!

It would be nice to know about children or grandchildren and boy or girl and age.. Lots of kid friendly things out there

Lori, the question of do you have allergies is already part of the template as well as what type of quilting means (i.e. fmq, embroidery). with my last few sp swap partners i have found that they may not completely fill out all of the inquiries on the template so it may leave you wondering what to get them or they may just not know how to answer all of the inquiries. i try to keep in mind that swappers are all at different levels in their skills and abilities so i try to keep my packages close to general use and personalize if given enough information.

what i do believe may be helpful is to include an inquiry (if not already there) as to what other type crafts do they participate in. one of my swap partners was not really a sewer/quilter but i didnt know what other type crafts she participated in to perhaps get specific things for her so i stuck to more general stuff in her package.

if the template is too specific it can create a lot of empty spaces because some will read it and think it doesnt apply to them and not complete the lines. the beverage inquiry may be good to add. i have received drink packets in various swaps i have participated in as small "tokens". knowing if it should be coffee or tea would be great if the sender would like to include that.

in the end i think it will just be sampling (aka trial & error) that will help to hone the template for the sp swap. more experienced quilters will want more specific information and the less skilled will have fewer answers to supply no matter how many inquiries are listed. i do read my swap partner's profile to glean any additional information about them & it is helpful when there.

you are doing a great job and it shows that you are thinking about how to do a better job by putting this question out there and asking those who participate in this swap to provide feedback. kudos to you. remember finding the right mix may require some tweaks here and there so hopefully you will make changes when necessary and be open to feedback when needed.

Would it be helpful to know how long our partner has been quilting or what level quilter they are? Someone else suggested type of quilting, appliqué, paper piecing,etc. and that may be enough.

Hi Lori, How about asking if they would accept "Gently Used Items" such as mags, books, templates ect. This would help keep it witin budget, and recycle unused items. I wouldn't want to send anything used to someone who would only want new, which is ok too..

The one thing I want most is______________.
What a great question.

And I like the used magazine question.

You ladies are really coming up with some great ideas. The one I have was used last year but helps.Do you celebrate halloween and christmas.It's getting closer everyday.I wish everyone would add a little about what they are working on and what is happening in their lifes. Such as I am getting into paper piecing and Have a new great grandchild on the way this month. Or maybe you got a new pet or sewing machine. Just a couple of lines helps. Add if you lie humorous gifts.Wow I was just goin to leave a couple lines.lol. Mary

Also, some people like to make those beverage sleeves.

Mary, that is great. I know that I celebrate Christmas, but don't care for Halloween. I do wonder about those who might celebrate Channukah or other religious holidays. Or those who aren't religious at all.

I would also like to know if the person has a religious preference. I'm not exactly sure how to word it. I would hate to put something in a package that would offend someone (i.e. a religious note card or little devotional).

I have read and re read all suggestions but can't find the person who suggested a WISH LIST. That's a great idea because I belong to another board where we do have a place to list things we WISH for. We can either put it in the revision of the SP swap as a question or if admin is willing, set something up in a thread where we can add our name and our wishes (as well as edit it) and make it so all we have to do is type in the person's board name so we can pull up their WISH LIST.

Great idea gz because I have it in mine already that I do not want religious items.

Although I've not yet participated in a SP exchange, I'd like to; will have to watch for sign ups. Assume that will be in exchange/swap section?

I think the question around holidays celebrated or recognized is a good one. Oh, heck, I think all of the suggestions thus far are good. I also agree with Mary (lawsonmugs) that it is nice to include a little of what is happening in one's life.

I think this is a GREAT idea-not just for swaps, but for anyone who wants to PIF or just help someone out that doesn't have the funds to purchase what they want. Maybe just to secretely send a squishy to brighten their day.

Great question....or you could also add the fabric color I'm looking for is _______________


The reason I say this is that I sometimes am looking for certain colored fabric for a project but it may not be my favorite color so I might not have that color on hand but the quilt needs it.

And tea wallets which can also be used for other things...

Can you give me a general idea when the post would be listed so I can be sure to watch for it?

I thought all of these would be covered under the section that says, "TELL your SP as much about you and what you like as you can!" Perhaps, a person just needs to write what they are really looking for and then we all need to actually READ that part when we get the details/name of whom we send to that month!

I love this idea...I wish for a Day Stretcher..any length/color is fine, and some Spare time...in any amount! :lol:

[quote=Havplenty]Lori, the question of do you have allergies is already part of the template as well as what type of quilting means (i.e. fmq, embroidery).

You k now I read this everytime and it has never dawned on me to list 'smoking'. I don't consider it a allergy per'se but the smell of smoke I get in some SS packages from smokers is hard on me when I first open the package up and 'smell' the smoke. I have even had to sit my package items outside on the patio for a few days to get rid of the smell.

**So maybe a more specific ? regarding the smoking would be helpful??
**I also like the idea of maybe a ? regarding coffee/tea and what kind. These would be about the only 'kinds' of drinks we could send in the mail. :)
**I also like the ideas about magazines,
** BUT as mentioned above all this could be put in the 'more about you' part at the end.

I would not want to make things harder for Lori or cause others to think .'there is too much to fill out'. Ya know?

Lori you are doing an AWesomE job at this. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!! :D :-D :wink:

Here's a thought from sik1010
"I thought about some quicker alternatives for our international friends. I thought if we knew of a local fabric/quilt store, we could order a gift card. I mean if they had a local place where they shopped. Instead of the usual $10.00, I would be willing to buy one that included what shipping would cost me" She pm'd and asked my thoughts, i think it is a great idea :). I hope that she doesn't mind me putting her suggestion forward.

I really like this one too!

If there are some who have a sensitivity to smoke or animals does that mean Lori would have to sort thru names and only match up smokers with smokers and non-smokers with non-smokers? That might be asking alot of her

lori...you are the best hostess!! always trying to make life easier for us swappers!!! i would like to point out that (and i know i do it sometimes) that it may be hard for a person to say "i would like this, or that" coz they may feel greedy....i want it to be very easy and fun for my sp to get my package ready....so i just say "whatever you pick is fine" come to realize that this attitude makes it much harder for my sp to get my package ready!! i think if we all just really get specific and write a lot about us, and the things we need, want, wish for, etc, it makes it easier.....and after all that is said, i like the idea of more specific questions, like reading, what kind of books, old mags, what level of sewer are you etc.....all good things to make it easier for everyone...!! gina

I want to make this the best that it can be. I can not absolutely guarentee it will be perfect but will do my best to make it as good as I can get to a perfectly taylor made gift to you. But you have to help by answering the questions fully. This will be trial and error to begin with. Please bear with me.

I agree, this should not be made any harder than it is right now, for Lori's sake.

All the ideas are great-- I love the wish list--also we as swappers need to remember to update our info not just copy and paste!!

I think list "pets" is a good idea.

What about quilting tools, favorite colors, favorite fabric designers, kids/grandkids colors. Hope I haven't repeated anyone's suggestions. gift certificates maybe. I am not sure how elaborate the swap gets. tea/coffee mugs, placemats, table runners or toppers.

What about quilting tools, favorite colors, favorite fabric designers, kids/grandkids colors. Hope I haven't repeated anyone's suggestions. gift certificates maybe. I am not sure how elaborate the swap gets. tea/coffee mugs, placemats, table runners or toppers. notions

Me, too! If you get one, Jacqui, can we share?