The November Secret Pal swap will start any day now. Go to Home at the top of the page, then click on Member Swaps and Round/Row Robins. Look at the different swaps. I personally love the Secret Pal Swap. Our hostess is Lori and she does a wonderful job. Just read the rules and follow them. It is better to mail your package early than late. Come join us.

Another person who experienced mixed responses. My first one, a friendship block exchange (different forum) where we selected color of our choice and made a particular block, sending them to hostess who swapped them out (one from each participant & returned to us in postage-pd envelope), was wonderful. Great hostess, lots of feedback from participants as we worked on our 20 blocks and everyone came through with great blocks. Second: birthday block swap (another forum, 12 participants). I ended up shorted 5 blocks. Pin cushion swap okay but took several nudgings through hostess to get mine. I spy fabrics and other fabrics/fat quarter swaps -- positive. Another birthday block swap (still another forum) -- only 7 others in it, two poop-outs (early-in-the year birthdays who evaporated into thin air, after their birthdays of course. Mine was last in the group (midDec.). All-year Secret Angel Swap (this forum)-- excellent! Lots of nice things received and great getting to know my Angelee and at end, my SQA.

I agree with others, watch how well things are monitored by hostess and how specific the rules are (blocks defined in terms of acceptability, timing, etc.) or if for other things, how defined amounts to be spent are, etc. Myself, I prefer a one-end point swap (as opposed to all-year or ?) and prefer shorter time-frames as unexpected life-events getting in way are less likely to happen. If you go into it with idea that it might not be perfect, you'll be happier.

I did the fruit/vegetable swap. I got cookies and other kinds of foods, and my own returned to me. The fabrics didn't meet the swap requirements.

I was new this year. I was nervous joining the row robin. Some blocks I like and some I don't. But I learned a lot. As a new person to quilting, I tried my best. Even when you are trying to follow the rules, sometimes it is hard to get the blocks to come out to the exact size. People should be more lenient with their criticism of others. I enjoyed the swaps. I was in the row robin, secret pal, Funky Halloween swap, red/white/ blue, In the garden and 2 Christmas swaps. I have lots to finish. If there is a particular block you are not happy with, make a mug rug. You can always put a border on a block to make it come out to the right size.
Try a swap. You might like it. My advice is do not get in too many at one time. Then you will not feel overwhelmed. :lol:

I have participated in several. For the most part is was a great experience, & loads of fun; but I did get burned on a few of them. I just don't participate in the those again.

One swap I enjoyed a lot was the host put as many items in a one price mailing box that would fit. She mailed it to the next person who took out what they wanted and added that much more to the box and mailed to the next on the list. The host then received the box last with all new items. The rule was to replace the items you took with other quality items. Everyone posted what they kept not what they replaced it with. It was a lot of fun.

I haven't done any block swaps or round robins, but the secret pal swaps I've participated in have been disappointing and not worth the trouble. For the most part, the longer the swap endures, the more things are re-gifted, and you end up with a lot of junk you don't want or need. Hope you don't mind my honesty...

I guess I haven't done any block or round swaps because I want my quilts to be all my own work, LOL! Maybe I'm just not a natural born swapper. :lol:

Loads of fun!! Great to see how talented people are! :thumbup:

Just have fun with it!

I have participated in many swaps back on the Compuserve and AOL boards. They were all fun.
They all had some minor glitches. As others have
said, the secret is to not expect perfection. If you
(generic you, not necessarily you) are a perfectionist
or on the quilt police force (but maybe you wouldn't dare
admit it!) skip the swaps and such. Disappointment
is directly proportional to expectations. You ARE going
to get less than stellar sewing, questionable interpretation
of colors, cheap fabric, and drop-outs. You are also going to have fun and just maybe learn a little something.
NB - I would never do a round robin with complete strangers because if you lose your quilt you lose the whole thing, it's not a matter of coming up short a few blocks.
Hum...think I'll go check it out.

I enjoy swaps a lot, and some of my very favorite quilts were round robins. You do need to know that a few swappers will not come through and not everyone uses the finest fabric. I never send out anything that is not made with high quality fabric and I feel a little disappointed when I get a poly blend or very thin cheap fabric in return. I am not the best (or the worst) quilter and I love getting any and all levels of workmanship. I think you should jump in if you are willing to risk not getting every piece back, variations in quality, and variations in workmanship.

I've only participated in the swap with Luvtooquilt. It was great. I had to drop out due to time constraints. Not enough hours in the day for me. I highly recommend her swaps.

I have participated in themed block swaps and have had very positive experiences. I have loved most of the blocks I got back and appreciate all participants and the hostess. I always do my best to double check the fabrics I send to make sure they are name brand fabrics that would come from a LQS. I have an Accuquilt so the blocks will be 6 1/2" unless I have a problem lining them up on the Accuquilt and have to cut them down to 6". That is within the rules 6" to 7" usually.
I think I would like the kind of swap where you send around an envelope stuffed full, take what you want, replace, and send on. That does sound like fun.
I haven't done any swaps where I would put together a quilt or handmade item for someone else. I just don't feel confident enough yet for that.

I have participasted in boomersng snd blovk swaps. I enjoythe varied blocks I have received although I had some that were too small to fit in the quilt. I liked the challenge of making blocks with other people's fabric. I tried new blocks and found it exciting. I did however make a new block that did not make the 12 1/2 inches. I accendently wacked off too much when I squared up the block. I contacted the person through the board and asked for another fat eighthShe sent it to me and I sent back a good block and the short block. You need to be honorable. It is a great place to exchange work. I like making complicated blocks so it is not so boring. Others need to grow into that. I let the fabric and colors speak to me. You will get some blocks you can not use but you will also get some fantastic blocks. It is the nature of the world as it really is. Any experience gains you knowledge and many are willing to help you. It is a great place to learn and also to be appreciated.

OVERALL: I've had the same Block Swap experience above as fabric_fancy: swaps are only as good as the host, and the host needs to be willing to make some people who don't follow the rules, who submit substandard construction, and who miss deadlines unhappy by enforcing the rules.

SWAPS: I belong to an online block swap which has an EXCELLENT host/admin who enforces the rules ... which had made some people leave, and others cheer. She does speak to people about substandard construction privately and has on occasion returned blocks as unsuitable for exchange back to the maker. This online block swap is every other month - you participate in those swaps that interest you, and she does ask for (and use) suggestions made by participants. Instructions (with photos) and samples on Facebook for each swap are posted at least three months in advance. Each month varies in size as well as color/theme/block. Everyone submits swap blocks in groups of 5 (i.e., you send in 5, 10, 15, etc. depending on how many you want back). There have been a few Special Swaps - such as a calendar swap (which was particularly fun and very high quality work). I have a lot of fun with this group and have not been disappointed once. Again, KUDOS and a zillion roses to the host/admin of the swap!

ROUND ROBIN - ROW-By-ROW: I participated in a Row-by-Row friendship Quilt Workshop with several members of my guild - one coordinator taught the block that formed each of the six rows. All participants were divided into five teams of 5 people. EVERYONE turned in quality work, quality fabrics and we all had great fun.

ROUND ROBIN - ADD-A-BORDER: I also participated in an Add-Half-A-Border Round Robin with an out-of-state guild, which was GREAT fun after I fixed someone else's badly made block and added my border. THAT SAID, it is one of my favorite quilted wall hangings because everyone else did such wonderful work and showed a lot of creativity with the simple rules we had. The Round Robin worked this way - first, everyone made their own 12x12 (finished) starting block which was packaged with at least a fat quarter of each of the fabrics used in the starting block so that the next quilter could use those coordinating fabrics in their contgribution. Each quilter had to create two adjacent borders according to the instructions (border 1 HST, border 2 9-patch, border 3 appplique, border 4 free choice, etc.). The first block I got had me tearing my hair out - one unfinished side was 11 3/4", another 12 1/4, another 12 and another 12 3/8. It was clear to me that this person grabbed a crappy-construction orphan block, threw it into a bag and figured the rest of us would "fix" her junk. So, thinking of the other 9 people ahead of me, I threw my hands up and re-made her block (fortunately I had enough of the same cheap fabric she used in my Trial Blocks Stash) and then added my 2 adjacent borders and sent it on. I got my quilt back, with this same Crappy Construction Queen putting on the last two borders of my quilt - one whole side seam of the quilt had the seam allowance whittle down from 1/4" to NOTHING, and wouldn't you know it was a sawtooth border. Fortunately, it had a black background, so I fused a strip of black fabric to create the missing seam allowance so I could at least put the binding on; the colorful binding hid this in the end, but it still gripes me that this person ruined 9 quilts with her thoughtless crappy construction and yet received top quality workmanship in the one she took home. Despite the simple rules for each half-border, it allows for a lot of fun and creativity.

I love doing block exchanges, round/row robins, and some times secret sister exchanges. I will say that I have been much happier when it is a group where everyone knows each other pretty well and is at least at an advanced beginner level. There should be clearly defined rules such as the quality of the fabrics required, size of the blocks, theme if applicable, certain colors if required, whether or not the fabric has to be pre-washed, to name just a few. If there is a hostess who will receive everyone's blocks and then swap them out, she should be willing to address the issue of poorly made blocks or ones that don't follow the other rules. Quite often hostesses worry so much about not hurting the feelings of the people who don't follow the rules that they end up hurting the feelings of the people who do. That is really unfair and groups will end up losing participants.

As to some of you who never received back quilt tops, blocks, etc. contact the U. S. Postal General's office. Your local postmaster can give you the information on how to do this. It is illegal to keep another person's property and they can be charged with mail fraud. That would be the extreme, but it has been known to happen. Generally just a letter from the PO General will get them to at least return the item. I have heard of circumstances where the recipient passed away & her spouse was not clear what to do with several boxes that had come in the mail. Why he didn't just mark them return to sender is beyond me, but he did return everyone's tops after receiving a letter from the USPS.

First one I did was fun. Did receive some blocks I will never use. 2nd one was bad. Somebody didn't send their blocks in on time & delayed the whole process & a lot of the blocks were very inferior. A lot of people were made over this one so I don't do them anymore. Some people can sew & some think they can. Like the man says- you pay your money & take your chances.

How do round robins/row robins work? froggyintexas

I have only been quilting for a bout a year. I joined this board and have had good and bad expericences with swaps. It is what you make it. The positives far outweigh the negatives so I keep joining swaps. I would say the only real negative is when someone doesn't follow the rules and doesn't submit what they have agreed to. They are a lot of fun otherwise. Join a swap!!!

I can only answer with reference to the Row Round Robin I participated in with my quilt guild. Each of us was given a number, chose a theme and made a row. We put our completed row in a brown paper bag with any specific instructions or extra fabric from our row for others to use
for continuity. Each month (at guild meeting) we passed our bags to the next number in sequence til it came back to the owner. The only big "rule" was you couldn't show anyone the quilt-in-progress to anyone. You had to wait til the end at show and tell.
One lady did an applique cat row. Someone else did a red hat theme. Mine was a Maryland theme...crabs, sunflowers, ocean waves. Everyone got their quilt back and seemed delighted. One lady who wanted to play but didn't feel like she could commit offered to act as "design consultant" for participants who needed some help coming up with ideas. She was the only one who was allowed a preview peek.

Thanks. froggyintexas

My round robin was lots of fun. We met in a quilt shop so we had plenty of room and quite a few participants. Each round involved a new technique, so I got a chance to learn new techniques.

I have done a row robin with three good friends who also quilt. That quilt is very special to me and does bring great memories of my friendships back when I look at it. We did it over about 8 months I think and we kept a journal of our thoughts and what we decided to do etc and why so that had special meaning also and is fun to read back on. I recommend you set yourself some goal to achieve. If it is new colour ways to work with it is a good exercise for that. If you want it to be more personal then do it with people you want to remember. I like the idea of a doll quilt swap that someone mentioned. Achievable in size and easy to post. Good luck.

SheriR Thanks! I appreciate the info. I've not had courage to try a swap and you gave me lots to consider. Maybe that'll be my 2012 goal to do one swap.

I have joined a fat quarter swap. I do not have a LQS (to my knowledge) near me, After reading all 5 pages of this thread, I am beginnig to thank I should pull out because the fat Q I get will be consider cheap. Would Joann's fat Q be Ok and not consider cheap?

I don't think it's fair for you to pull out of doing something fun because you don't live by a fancy quilt store. Your post makes me sad. I've used fabric from Nice shops and JoAnn's AND OHMYGOSH (whispers) .... WalMart..... You stay in your swap!!!!! I bet it's rules don't require you to shop somewhere specific or spend a certain amount per yard. I bet it says 100% cotton. If the ladies who join the swaps only expect Moda or one of the other name brand fabrics they should only join a swap that's specific to a brand! I'm sure what you've picked is pretty. What I've read most on this board is there are no police.....

I have participated in two swaps. One being the One Block/Month Swap where I corresponded with some lovely ladies from the U.S. and other countries and was very happy with the commitment and quality of the blocks I received.

The other was a Signature block swap with 174 participants and I was very happy with the organisation and result.

In both cases the quality of fabric and level of experience varied but you are aware of this before joining as these swaps were open to "all levels" so it is your decision whether go ahead and become involved.

I do think people need to read the WHOLE THREAD AND INSTRUCTIONS before committing themselves so they are confident that they can fulfil the criteria for the swap.

Having made the decision to join, jump in with a good attitude and enjoy making some new friends and have fun.

I have only been in one siggie swap, original deadline was June - thought I'd have a fun summer project - deadline kept being extended so I finally received blocks 3 days before I had to return to school. I love the blocks I received but they are all still in the baggie.

I have seen a few other swaps I wanted to join but machine embroidered blocks were accepted and I wouldn't want any of those.

Swaps are fun but read rules and be open to change.

I think most of us buy fabric at Joanns and Walmart.. they do carry quality material, you just have to pay attention to the feel and weave. I bought some clearance fabric at a quilt shop and did not check it ( it's from a quilt shop so it has to be good? right ??)) it was very thin and you could see through it.. So just check the fabric and you will be just fine. :thumbup:

I think I would feel this way too after reading the tread but unless the swap states it needs to be a certain manufacture I would not worry about it being from Walmart or Joann's. I think what people are most concerned about is that it is 100% cotton and not thin cheese cloth and will fall apart. So just besure to finger what you are buying, no matter where you are buying it. Ofcourse if it says LQS in the swap rules you might want to contact the host and see what he/she thinks.

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.