Curious - Do you swap blocks and why?
03-08-2011, 06:22 AM
#51
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Texas
Posts: 408
I think that there are two types of people in the world, glass half full and glass half empty. Glass half empty people will look at a swap and sigh over crooked seams or "imperfections" that they "never" would have made. Those who are glass half full will oooh and ahhh over pretty fabrics and enjoy the experience.
Swaps are definitely not for everyone. I have done a doll quilt swap on another site and it was a blast. My daughter still sleeps with that little doll quilt that was sent to me every night. She loves it. I also participate in the BOM program at one of the guilds I am a member of. In that case, block and colors are shown at one meeting, folks make as many blocks as they want to/can before the next meeting. At the next meeting, you get a raffle ticket for each block you turn in. The blocks are then awarded to whoever has the winning ticket after a random drawing. That way the person gets enough for a quilt and the rest of us get a chance to practice a block and a chance to possibly win one month.
I brought some fabric to my retreat and friends each made a signature block (10 minute block to keep them from having to take too much time away from their own projects) and I'm in the process of making it into a quilt :)
I think the smoke thing doesn't seem like a big deal to smokers but it is a huge deal to those who don't smoke. I don't have any allergies, I used to smoke in High School and College. However, the smell of smoke on fibers is just nasty and makes me cringe. I would be extremely unhappy if I got smelly blocks in a non-smoking swap. I know the smokers picture fussy people opening the envelope and sniffing the blocks to find the smell, but when fabric or yarn or other fibers come from a smoking house into a non-smoking house, you can smell it on the packaging before you even open it sometimes.
Swaps are definitely not for everyone. I have done a doll quilt swap on another site and it was a blast. My daughter still sleeps with that little doll quilt that was sent to me every night. She loves it. I also participate in the BOM program at one of the guilds I am a member of. In that case, block and colors are shown at one meeting, folks make as many blocks as they want to/can before the next meeting. At the next meeting, you get a raffle ticket for each block you turn in. The blocks are then awarded to whoever has the winning ticket after a random drawing. That way the person gets enough for a quilt and the rest of us get a chance to practice a block and a chance to possibly win one month.
I brought some fabric to my retreat and friends each made a signature block (10 minute block to keep them from having to take too much time away from their own projects) and I'm in the process of making it into a quilt :)
I think the smoke thing doesn't seem like a big deal to smokers but it is a huge deal to those who don't smoke. I don't have any allergies, I used to smoke in High School and College. However, the smell of smoke on fibers is just nasty and makes me cringe. I would be extremely unhappy if I got smelly blocks in a non-smoking swap. I know the smokers picture fussy people opening the envelope and sniffing the blocks to find the smell, but when fabric or yarn or other fibers come from a smoking house into a non-smoking house, you can smell it on the packaging before you even open it sometimes.
03-08-2011, 06:33 AM
#53
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: rural Maryland
Posts: 1,564
Hi, I never get envolved in any kind of swap. I belong to two guilds that each have a BOM. It has been years since I even thought doing one of them. In my experience I always end up with blocks that are not the same size. There is always at least one block that is not the right colors or sometimes even pattern. Since piecing is not my strong suit I rarely piece on purpose. To have to try and cope with someone else's mistakes is to stressing.
03-08-2011, 06:42 AM
#54
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Horseheads, NY 14845
Posts: 4,025
Originally Posted by debbieumphress
I have joined many swaps on the QB and I guess I am missing something. I do the swaps, get mine there on time, and when mine come back to me, I don't smell them or check for hair or look for anything negative, I am thrilled to get them and I finsihed them with whatever blocks I have. I really like it when they sign their blocks or put a label so I can put it. The reason I am on the board is to meet people and this is one way I do it. I hope more positive responses make it on here too. I even have special emrboidered labels made for each swap for centers. I am in several again and will continue to join them and pray nothing like what is being said, happens to me. I do appreciate everyone's opinions though. Whether in our groups we see in person or groups on the board, there will alsways be the one that didn't come thru, but life happens. As for colors and patterns having to be the same, I would want them to be similar or we wouldn't have a matching set to make a wonderful quilt. For thsoe who chose not to swap, I am so glad you have the things you like to do on your own and can still enjoy your love of quilting. Fot those who continue to do swaps whether here or wherever, I hope we can withstand those "few" and make the best of it. JMHO And thanks to those quilters who sponsor the swaps, you go above and beyond and have to deal with so many personalities. Thank you.
03-08-2011, 06:54 AM
#55
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: East Texas
Posts: 3,021
I did a few swaps with a theme. The first on was sorta ok will have to resew some of the blocks to use but the second one I did the blocks were awful. I would be ashamed to think I sent out the crap I received. Some of it was pretty bad & to boot they weren't sent out on time. It wasn't the lady in charges fault. One of the swappers held it up for everybody. The last one I did was for a single item. I did something really nice for my pal but what I received was truly sad. So I don't swap any more for all these reasons.
03-08-2011, 07:14 AM
#56
Power Poster
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 18,726
Luckily this board allows people to participate either way...you can swap, or you don't have to! I have done several swaps and Round Robins- both participated and hosted. I tend to rebel against lots of rules myself, therefore the swaps that I host don't have too many rules. They are open to all skill levels...so anyone signing up needs to be aware that they might recieve blocks back from beginners. The "pet/smoking" issue is a dilemna....I quit smoking several years ago and the smell isn't all that pleasant. I find that airing them for a few days takes care of it though...mostly. I have pets too...so all my quilts have that "hairy patina".
I see both sides, but truly when I participate in a swap, its more for the "social" aspect, the blocks are a bonus.
I see both sides, but truly when I participate in a swap, its more for the "social" aspect, the blocks are a bonus.
03-08-2011, 07:52 AM
#57
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Missouri
Posts: 959
I do not swap blocks.
The first time I did a block swap (on a different board)
I was extremely disappointed.
Several blocks were smaller than the size they were suppose to be. Several didn't follow the color placement the block called for. Which was really important in this block for the overall look of the finished quilt. And I had a couple blocks the fabric was thinner than a tissue and would not have held up to washing.
Out of 14 blocks I could use only 6 blocks.
Because of the disappointment decided then and there never to do another swap. :cry:
The first time I did a block swap (on a different board)
I was extremely disappointed.
Several blocks were smaller than the size they were suppose to be. Several didn't follow the color placement the block called for. Which was really important in this block for the overall look of the finished quilt. And I had a couple blocks the fabric was thinner than a tissue and would not have held up to washing.
Out of 14 blocks I could use only 6 blocks.
Because of the disappointment decided then and there never to do another swap. :cry:
03-08-2011, 08:13 AM
#58
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Boonville, Missouri
Posts: 186
I have participated in a lot of block swaps, round & row robins, etc over the yrs. One thing I have learned is to choose a fairly simple block when it is my turn to have the others make blocks for me, such as in a birthday block exchange. You will be more apt to get back blocks that you are happy with than if you expect everyone to make a complicated/time consuming block. Also, I must admit that I'm fussy who I exchange blocks with. I'm sorry if this offends anyone, but I don't believe it is right to send out very poorly made blocks made with the cheapest fabric they can find. Believe me, this is not always done by beginners either as I have received some gorgeous blocks from people who have not been quilting more than just a few months as well as some horrible ones made by people who have been quilting for yrs. I too prefer not to receive blocks that reek of smoke or are covered w/pet hair. I think it is just plain good manners not to send stuff like that. Right now I'm not joining in on block swaps because I'm grounded from starting anything new until I get more of my older projects done, but I will join in some time in the future. And yes, it is difficult being both the grounder & the groundee! The 2 sides to my personality fight with each other over this all the time! LOL
03-08-2011, 09:14 AM
#60
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Vista, CA
Posts: 1,515
Originally Posted by Stitchnripper
Originally Posted by Annaquilts
I can related to all the points you mentioned plus the cost of shipping is getting to me.
Originally Posted by dsb38327
I am happy for those who do enjoy the swaps. I enjoy seeing all the wonderful blocks and quilts. I am not tempted to participate. I believe the first reason is my insecurity of offering/providing something that would live up to the receivers expectations. The second reason is because I like to choose my fabric, decide on the pattern and make my quilt. I think I would feel like it was not my quilt.
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