Answers to the“easy” FAQs:
Who will lead this group? I will.
Will we have group leaders who will be responsible for each group? No, not this time around. Although I find this to be a possible solution to a very large sign-up group, how can I delegate a job I haven’t done yet? Each day I find there’s more I needto do and think about and I cannot possibly shift that responsibility when even I don’t fully understand the scope of the job myself; it would be irresponsible. Therefore, Boom 11 will be run entirely by me. On the admin side, the buck stops here.
You mean that all our eggs will be in one basket? Yup, this time around they will be. I understand that some may be uncomfortable with this scenario so I’ll understand if anyone who’s already signed up wishes to withdraw.
What happens if you kick the bucket or otherwise becomes incapacitated? Both my sister and my husband have instructions to gather each group’s F8s, blocks, envelopes, basically whatever I have from each of you, into one package per group. The package will also contain a back-up disk or flash drive with that group’s Xcel spreadsheet that I will update frequently. They will then mail each group’s package (at my expense) to the group’s “Alternate Host”.
What’s an alternate host? That’s the person I’ll assign (with their permission of course) in each group who has agreed to act as a replacement for me, should I need one, to complete your swap. If no such person can be found within a group, I’ll look outside the group but within the swap.
Who are the alternate hosts? Can I volunteer? The alternate hosts haven’t been selected yet but I’m looking for candidates right now. I would prefer someone with Boom Swap experience. If you are interested, send me an email at
[email protected].
May I join the swap if I have outstanding obligations from previous Booms? No. However, if you deliver your blocks before sign-ups close, I will admit you unless there is a clear pattern of tardiness on your part. I will determine what is and is not a “clear pattern”.
What happens if I’m not entirely forthright and I sign up still owing blocks elsewhere? If I find out, I will remove you from the group immediately regardless, REGARDLESS, of where we are in Boom 11. When I post names for groups, I can practically guarantee that if you owe blocks to someone, I’ll be notified. If I have your F8s, I will return them to you. If the F8’s are in the hands of the group members, I will send an email to stop work on them and return them to me at the end of the swap with their other completed blocks. Your fabric will then be returned to you in whatever shape it is in.
Are side swaps permitted? Side swaps are NOT part of Boom 11 however I know plenty have been arranged in the Boom forums in the past. Please wait until after this Boom is established and running before advertising for side swaps. As I have no control or responsibility for them, I prefer that they be handled entirely outside of this forum once your original contact has been made.
What is the time frame of the swap? The slow group will run for 4 months and the fast group for 2 months.
Does the clock start running when F8s are sent to you or when they are received by us? Originally, I planned to make it from the time F8s are sent however, I’m rethinking that now as I’ve had a number of comments about the upcoming holidays and mail delays (even Priority can be delayed). I will take opinions by email from those who have already signed up. Put “TIMELINE” in your email to me at
[email protected]. I welcome all of your comments but I will make the final decision.
Is communication necessary or can I just make my blocks and do my thing on my own? Yes, communication with the group and with me is necessary. I want everyone to post at least once a week just to let your fellow group members know you’re out there! You can post everyday if you’d like but please don’t just fade off into the sunset for 4months and then mail your blocks in. You’d miss out on a lot of the enjoyment of the quilting chat and simply being part of a group. If you plan to be out of touch for a while, simply let me know so I won’t worry we lost you!
May I post pix online or must they be kept secret until the end? It’s your swap and we’ve all had enough changes that I’m not deciding this one. I suggest you all do what you want to do!
How do I prepare my fabric for mailing? All fabric should be selvage-free, prewashed, dried, pressed, and cut into Fat Eighths, which are 18” x 11” inch pieces (not 9” x 22”). There should be one per group member. Wrap each individual F8 in a plastic wrap like Saran or place it into its own plastic baggie. Put all of your F8s into a package and mail them with Priority shipping to me at the address I will provide upon the start of the group. (I would not recommend putting the F8s in plain envelopes before placing in your package unless your outside package is completely waterproof. Flat rate Priority Envelopes are not waterproof.)
What if I have special requirements for my F8? If you have special instructions, please attach a label to the outside of EVERY F8with brief instructions. Remember to limit your instructions to color choices. Please allow each member to be creative when it comes to what block they’d like to make for you.
What if I am in two groups? If you are in multiple groups, please package each group’s separately wrapped or bagged F8’s in 2 different bags inside your mailing envelope, being sure to mark which fabric is for which group. If you have the same fabric for both groups, this step won’t be necessary. You may also send each group’s F8s in two separate packages but both must be Priority.
May I mail my F8s and completed blocks separately to members instead of mailing to you? No.
Even if I do so with tracking? No. This round will run exactly the same for everyone, no
exceptions.
May I mail my F8s or blocks to you without tracking? No.
May I use a tracking method other than USPS Priority shipping? No. USPS Priority provides point-to-point tracking; some other suggested methods are only delivery certifications, providing proof of delivery, not proof of mailing. Since my post office assures me that Priority is the only point-to-point tracking method, I’ll have to accept their word on this for now. If you want to participate, Priority shipping with tracking is required.
Do I have to provide you with the Priority tracking number? Yes, the same day you ship both your F8s and your completed blocks later on.
Will you provide Priority shipping info to me? Yes, I will provide you with a tracking number within 24 hours after I send your group’s F8s and return your blocks to you.
What happens if a group member is late mailing their F8s to you? They will be dropped from the group.
What if tracking proves the package has been shipped before the shipping deadline? I will hold off shipping the rest of the group’s F8s for a reasonable period of time. (I will determine the length of a“reasonable” time.) If the package appears lost, I will ship the remaining group’s F8s to them and hope the missing package eventually turns up. If it does,I will contact the member and see how they would like it handled.
Will you pay to mail the previously missing F8s to the group members? No. Mailing costs are the responsibility of each member. I will return the package to its owner at their expense if no other workable solution is devised.
NOW see next post, Part 2