I agree...and I believe that on this board, swaps are required to be open to all levels of sewing and cannot limit you as to where you shop. If people feel strongly about what fabric they receive, then they probably should not join swaps.

Amen! One of my quilts that won judges' choice was made with muslin from JoAnn's and sashing from WalMart. And one of the quilts that gave me fits from beginning to end was made with high dollar squares I ordered online from a fancysmancy quilt shop. Those squares were every shape but square! And I am shocked by the way some quilt store fabric feels these days. I could get just as good on the $3 table at WalMart. froggyintexas

i am surprised at the people who think they know good fabric and really don't. i have found quiltshop quality fabric at walmart, and crummy fabric at lqs. if you don't know the difference, don't knock it! learn about fabric, thread, weaves, etc. i don't mind buying fabric anyehere i find what i'm looking for. personally, i like a broadcloth solids, or calico print. i love the smoothness of shirting and poplin. i do not like a thick cotton just this side of canvas. i don't want my quilt to weigh 40 lbs. if the quilt is going to a child (including babies) i like a little polyester in the blend for it to last. i have several quilts made by my dgm and they are of every fabric she could get during the war, and pieces were pieced. when did we become such snobs. this pushes my hot buttons! i use good quality fabric, and on this board, in swaps, i use 100% cotton, with one exception. i pm'd the recipient and explained my mistake and she assured me it was fine. i was much more careful to do burn tests after that.
i have been in one boomerang--loved it, even tho' some did not return blocks or f8's, and some were of odd sizes, etc. still had enough blocks to make 2 quilts. and had a great time with good people and lots of eye candy! i have swapped doll quilts 3 times, and have loved the experience and feel very special feelings for my partners. and i am in my second Quilting in the new year swap, and again, wonderful partners! i'm new to quilting, but not new to sewing. frankly, if i'd read this thread before i would have been scared to try any of them!! if you are going to try your best, you have nothing to apologize for. if you aren't going to be happy no matter what, keep to yourself. disappointments happen even with the best of intentions. it's how YOU deal with it that says the most about YOU. (generic you). it has been great fun, great people, and great rewards. i hope you will try some swaps. see what you like and the kind of expectations are reasonable.

I do agree with so many of the other threads. Out of the 6 swaps I participated in, only 1 was a disappointment, instead of appliquing a Santa Claus,(according to the rules) quite a few members made a regular block using Santa fabric.

However, the Row Robin I joined was a huge success, in fabric used, skill in sewing/color coordination/accuracy and promptness in sticking to the mailing schedule. Currently I'm part of a "Round the Rows" group. There are 8 of us and we know each other pretty well and trust each other even more. We take a photo each time we add a row or a round and post the photo on the QB. Check out the "Round the Rows" thread and see what a talented, successful and courteous group can accomplish. Belles

I've had good luck and enjoyed a number of block swaps, only a very few blocks were unusable. Did 2 round robins, 1 was fun and successful - but the second bogged down and 2 of 6 in the group never finished their parts. We had to really work to reclaim our tops and finish. Doubt I'll ever do a round robin again :roll:

I did check. as my mother-in law would say "my, my, my", what talent and creativity. The pink block from Pliarona really touched my heart. Thanks to ALL the positive responds, I am going to jump in and take any lemons and make lemonade. love you all.

Two things Ive learned from quilting with a group.
your blocks have to be accurately sized or will not work with the others blocks.
Round Robins require math skills to fit the rows onto the quilt and have them the right size. Not like following a pattern that does that for you.

I've only been in 3 swaps, and really enjoyed the task, and the results - they really didn't pose any major problems if the quilter didn't hit the exact size -
* Noodle Swap - all were 2.5" as expected - loved the
variety of fabrics
* Halloween Block Swap - can't go wrong with all the variety of designs everyone dreamed up
* Painted and Printed block swap - trying different
techniques was the goal here, and everyone did
a great job. I'm sure I'll find a use for each
and every block, but most likely not in the
project.
Hosts of these swaps did a fine job as well, can't say I'd want to do it! :) ( I hope everyone that received my contribution felt the same way)

I love the secret pal swap each month and it's so much fun.

I did a doll quilt swaps this year I was pleasently supriced,when I recieved this beautiful little quilt. I had never done this before, I had fun making it, but mine was not any where like the one I recieved, I need a lot more practice.Thank goodness my friend was very graceuses. I will try again in the future.