"Ugly" Fabric Swap/Challenge
 

Hello Fellow Quilters,

I know we all have that "ugly" fabric in our quilting stash. We keep moving it from shelf to shelf never understanding why or how we got the fabric. I figured we could all challenge each other to come up with a quilt top with someone's "ugly" fabric. This will be both a fabric swap with a challenge with the swap. Lets get a few rules out of the way first off.
This swap/challenge is open to all experience levels. Please check the ugly fabric before sending to ensure that it is 100% pre-washed cotton fabric. You will need to send to me at least 1/3 yard to a half yard of your ugly fabric. Please include return priority postage of $5.30. Please remember that if you do not send enough return postage I will hold them until you send the difference. If postage becomes a problem please send me a PM and I am sure we can work something out. Do not send envelopes as I use padded priority envelopes which are provided free by the USPS. Checks, money orders or concealed cash (at your own risk) will be accepted for your postage/shipping costs. Deadline to sign up for this swap/challenge is March 23rd and the fabric must be received to me by April 6th. I will have it back in the mail to you by April 14th. If you get your fabric and you decide that your to busy or that you like the fabric and just want to add it to your stash then you are more than welcome too. You would just be participating in the swap part. The challenge part is just something fun to challenge our creative minds. Reminders and swap rules can be found here - http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-20154-1.htm

Ok ... so the challenge guidelines are as follows:

Finished size should be at least 40" x 40"

The 1/3 yard of ugly fabric has to be used on the front of the quilt. You can't just cut a tiny piece and say that is your ugly fabric.

You can add up to 6 more fabrics to your quilt.

You can piece, applique, embroider - anything you want to on your quilt

There is no absolute requirement for you to show us your project. We do hope you will, though. Please try to have a picture of your project posted by July 22, 2012. A photo of just the top will be fine if you haven't had time by then to finish it.

This is an opportunity for us to think outside of the box. This should be a fun challenge and I can't wait to see what others come up with. I will take a picture of all the ugly fabric but if you could take a picture of your ugly fabric and post it with your finished quilt top that would be awesome. Once you sign up I will PM you my address and you can feel free to send me your fabric as soon as you get my address. This should make it easier on you so that you don't forget to send out your fabric. I am so excited about this challenge. Feel free to PM me with any questions.

I'm not sure I understand.

Would I would choose one 1/3-1/2 yard piece of "ugly" fabric from my stash, and send it to you ... then you'd send me back one 1/3-1/2 yard piece of someone else's "ugly" fabric?

Or would I choose several 1/3-1/2 yard pieces from my stash ... say 5 pieces (for example) ... send them in, and then receive 5 different pieces back?

Thanks! It sounds like an interesting swap. :)

Good question Moonrise. You would look in your stash and find what you think is "ugly" fabric. Send it to me then when I get everyone's fabric I will send you back a someone else's "ugly" fabric. Then you make a quilt top with that ugly fabric using up to six other fabrics but you must use the 1/3 yd of the ugly fabric you get back. I hope that clarify's it for you. If not I can answer any other questions you have. This will be so much fun. Thanks for looking.

Okay, thanks! I'll look in my stash and see if I can find anything. :) I know I've bought fabric that was pretty at the time, but came back later and wondered "What was I thinking???" LOL! :D

Oh my goodness I think we all have or we have been given some fabric. I think it was the other quilters way of saying "this is hideous so I am passing it on to someone else". Send me a PM if you decide you want to join in on the festivities.

Sign me up. I'm in.

This sounds like fun! I'll go see if the piece I'm thinking of is big enough...it may just be a FQ.

So far we have four members joining us. I have done one of these before and they are soooo fun and make you think outside the box.

Oh goody! I've been thinking about 3 of the ugliest fabrics in my stash for about a week now. Wanted to show them and get others to show their uglies, without the thread becoming a venue for selling, so this sounds like a good challenge.

Separate thought though- I can ship 2 yards of fabric for about $2.70. I wouldn't want to pay $5.30 to have someone else ship a small fraction of that fabric amount. Couldn't you ship regular mail? A one third yard can go into a 6"x 9" envelope. That factor alone may prevent some from joining.

Ok.This really sounds like fun! Only 1 ugly fabric. I can do that for sure!! Count me in!

Yes two ugly fat quarters would work. Thanks for joining.

Jennie, I have never shipped fabric and honestly I haven't shipped anything myself in years. I was just going by what the website of USPS was saying. If you have shipped for that before then just send that. I hope people will join us and thanks for joining in with us.

ohhhh scrappy ugly! ;-) Nice

moonrise
mom-6
heyjami


Will you three like to join us?

I'm in. Hopefully I can find something ugly in my stash to send you.

I'm in on this one....I may regret it! I may have a hard time deciding which ugly fabric to send...I have more then my share! (There's a reason they gave it away...just no reason why I took it!). Will PM my info. Thanks for doing this.

I'll let you know ASAP. I haven't had a chance to look through my stash yet.

ok no problem

This sounds so fun, but I'm wondering about the cost of postage too - seams like to be cost effective, one would need to know how much would fit in the cheapest envelope. I've never checked it out. As soon as I get in my Jeep $$$ starts draining out of my pockets like crazy these days!!!! :( $ 3.59 per gal here in Roch. MN today...

I saw that the flat rate envelopes the post office gives you were 5.30. How are you guys getting 2yds of fabric for 2.70? If you guys can share that with me then I am all for the cheaper rate. I know here in WA we are paying $4.05 for gas so any little bit of money we all can save would be nice. I just don't use the post office much until now. Thanks for all the help my fellow quilters

I thought I signed up for this swap, but do not see my name on your list. Count me in.

What list...I don't see a list.

I hadn't posted a list I was just asking a couple people if they were gonna join us. Here is the list though. If you find yourself missing please drop me a line.

mmonohon
cjr
mom-6
atpegsquiltstudio
BarbaraSue
MdmSew'n'Sew
JenniePenny
Cattyqwltr
playswithcolor
missgigglewings

Okay, I finally had a chance to go through my stash. A few months ago, I got a "special" piece of fabric in a random remnant box that I just KNOW someone would "love" to receive! Ha ha! :D (Did Moda actually make this? Usually their fabric is pretty. This fabric ... not so much. But it says Moda all over the selvage! ;))

I'll PM my info shortly, and will get this "lovely" fabric washed and ready to mail either this evening or tomorrow. :)

We can ship first class, which is just one class below priority. In my experience, it really only takes ONE extra day to get to its destination versus using Priority.
My suggestion is this:
Everybody pick up a 3 pack of 6"x9" manilla envelopes (found at drug stores, office supply stores, grocery stores.) Put 2 regular stamps on one envelope, then fold this envelope in half, and put it, along with your 1/3 yard ugly fabric, into the second envelope and mail to our host. This may cost just over $1- check with your post office. The price difference is due to the envelope inside. Keep the third envelope for a future use. I have a scale and also mail out little packages twice a week, so I know that 1/3 yard will be fine with just two stamps on a 6"x9" envelope.

Thanks! I will wash my ugly fabric tonight and send to our host soon.

I am all for anyone who wants to do this. It also saves me time also. I will try to reinforce the "seams" in the envelope with some tape too just so that it arrives to you all safely.

Thanks for all the shipping help,
Melinda

I would love to see pictures of these "ugly" fabrics! here are 2 I'm considering for this swap. Anybody want to vote on which one I send?

Mustard and white. I have over 2/3 yard. It's a vintage Peter Pan fabric.
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This is rust and is a little bigger than a fat 1/3.

I would vote for the rust one.

Oh Foxflower, yes the rust one is slightly uglier than the mustard.

What a coincidence! The fabric I ALMOST chose was nearly identical to the rust one! :D I sent something else since I didn't have quite enough of it, but it's funny how they almost match! :)

:D Moonrise, maybe I should send that piece to you so you have two that go together, LOL! Actually, the mustard and rust go together quite well, but with nothing else...I tried it to see if I could maybe make a nice fall walling hanging or something. I don't like those colors, so that's probably why they don't go with anything else in my stash but each other! So, two votes for the rust. Actually, I think it would make a nice barn (suggestion for anybody who might get it if I send it) I originally had over 2 yards of the mustard and have managed to give way most of it to gals who like mustard color fabric. I've also used it to make rice bags and then covered it with pretty fabric. Why waste nice plain muslin when I could use that up! No other pictures folks?

I would like to join, I have some really ugly fabric, my sister goes to yard sales and sends me fabric when ever she sees it! Most of the time it is pretty nice, but sometimes I have to wonder "what was she thinking?"

Now if someone had a swap for ugly polyester!!! LOL, why do I keep it? My husband can't use it for rags and even the cats won't sleep on it!

~

Marybeth, you definitely need to through the polyester away....or donate it to someone else. It's taking up space that could be occupied by cotton and wool! Just think of it as fat and yourself as the cosmetic surgeon.....liposuction here we come......vroooooommmmmm.

LOL, I think you have a good point!

Here's my ugly fabric. this is only a peek. The ugliest portion isn't even visible in this photo.

Weathervanes! I think that's kinda cool. One woman's ugly is another woman's cool!

It contains an ox weathervane too!

My Ugly fabric, going in the mail in the morning

I like the weathervanes, at least the part we can see! Marybeth, those trees are actually ugly!! Good choice, now I'm going to go see if I have an ugly enough piece and I'll join with you all!