Deb watkins

I am in two swaps now, the Choco/Rasp and the One block a month, and hosting the SunBonnet Sue calendar swap. I have been very pleased with what I have been 'swapped' with. I love to see what others come up with, as it does give me ideas for other blocks that I would not have thought of. Everyone has different skill levels, but we ALL started out the same. Encouragement is abundant here, which is so important to those who are just being bit by the quilting bug!

Margie

I joined the Christmas row robin last year....loved it! It was hard for me to make myself join it because I am not much of a quilter(very simple things so far). BUT it made me stretch and learn more...I hope everyone was happy with my rows...I loved what everyone else did to my quilt.

I joined the spring swap last year and got some pretty fat quarters.

I joined the Christmas angel swap and got the MOST wonderful box of fabric and items for paper piecing....still enjoy looking at it and want to get to have a special day to "use" it.

Now I am in the February doll quilt swap and am agonizing over what to do. I finally picked a pattern and fabric today and hope to get started on it. I am worried my partner will like it....I will do my best. I think the swaps are great and want to do more....but I often feel inadquate because there are such beautiful quilters on here. However, that is how you learn by DOING...so I am trying to "DO" lol.

I guess I have been lucky so far with the swaps and maybe would feel different if someone didnt reciprocate...but if you dont try how will you ever know?

Margie

tigger5464

I have only been in one so far and an ongoing one now. I don't joing because of insecurities about my work. :( I sometimes don't feel that my best will be good enough. (I want my blocks and work to look like I really cared enough to everyone who looks at it.) Another reason that I don't join many is financial.

Diamonds

I don't join them because I am very strange about what goes with what... I do not like a "busy" block.. I use one fabric in each quilt with a print and the rest are solid colors..

To be honest it is the reason I have never made a scrappy quilt.. I love the look of them but it would make me insane to put one together....LOL

Lisa_wanna_b_quilter

I've only done one completed swap and am now in the Farm Swap. The things I got from the fall colors swap were all nice. From what I've seen posted on the Farm Swap, there will be some great blocks coming out of it, too.

I can see how color can be an issue. One person's interpretation of pink and cream is another person's raspberry and white. If a perfect color is important, that can be hard to get.

Mostly, I do the swaps for the fun of being part of the group. We've had so much fun talking back and forth on the Farm Swap thread! At this point, I wouldn't regret sending my blocks in even if I didn't get anything in return. 36 blocks is a small price to pay for the fun and friendship I've had with those ladies.

Margie

I agree with you! It is the friendship and fun that goes on during these swaps that makes it not really the product. I feel as though I am "getting to know" new friends on here. That part is invaluable!

Margie

farscapegal

Two reasons I don't:

1)I like picking out my own fabric.

2)Animals. I am extremely allergic to cats. Too many people have cats in their houses.

Sybil

Pzazz

Prior to this board, I took part in a swap on another board....and was very disappointed. I came up with my own design, and used fabrics leftover from my lingerie making days, lots of embellishments, etc. The member that had organized the swap gave be a dressing down ...ON the website!!! for making a seasonal quilt. There had been no restrictions placed on this swap other than size. And then my partner didn't come thru', so I didn't get anything in return. After sending an email to the organizer to say how disappointing the swap had been, I did get a return swap, with a small pack of FQ's with an apology. Still...the whole episode left a bad taste in my mouth.

This board has been a whole different ballgame. I have joined in a few and been very pleased with how specific the requirements have been, and with what has arrived in my mailbox. If I had more time, I would gladly join more on here. Hmmm how much longer to retirement? ;)

Patti

mrs theo

I join swaps on this board! Shadow Dancer has organized a Secret Santa Swap twice since I've been on the board and a Valentine swap once. These were fabric swaps and she's so organized that you could make requests (batiks, 30's repros, etc.) I'm still a newbie, so I don't make requests, I like to see all of the different fabric. I don't do swaps that involve my work because I don't feel experienced enough yet to do block or row swaps. This board is great!!

beachlady

A swap I was in last year turned out to be a bust and the organizer was just awful. Made up the rules as she went along and then didn't follow them herself and did not do what she was suppose to. Made me shy away from them altogether.