Anyone that has a block that smells like smoke can feel free to pm me and I will get the smell out and use these blocks in a quilt for some good cause. Blocks do not ever need to trashed. I can understand that you may be very sensitive but please feel free to pass the block on to one of us who can do something with it. We will say thank you

A solution of water and white vinegar solves the problem nicely. Air dry out on the clothes line.

i'm an ex-smoker, too. but you said, bellaboo, there is no way you would accept that block. well, throwing it away doesn't tell the person who made it anything. so send it back. i rec'd some fabric from a new friend who smokes. i just washed it, voila! no smell, and i am very attuned to the smell of smoke. just because you're angry someone sent you a smelly block is no reason to destroy someone's work. they made the block to share a love for quilting, not to offend you. grow up and deal with it like an adult. if you can't/won't use it, pass it on to someone who can and will.

I saw on Simply Quilts with Alex one time that if the block is too small just make a small border around it to bring it to the proper size. I tried this and its looks fine. I have passed this on to my quilters. If the block is too big I have taken it apart and sewed it so it came out the proper size. In a group quilt we all made blocks for I am sure the lady who made it would be looking for her block. Never would I of hurt her feelings by leaveing out her block. I hope these tips may help your delimina. Helen

I consider myself an 'advanced beginner' - and - when putting the blocks together for the first time, it didn't even occur to me to check the sizes of the blocks - until I was trying to put them together and a couple of them weren't fitting together.

All the swaps I join it is stated fabric to be from a smoke free home. Why enable the rule breakers?

Well said, I agree with Tartan.

I just re-read part of the rules -

"5. When an activity includes swapping fabrics, they should be washed, dried and ironed and cut as precisely as your skills allow. Oranizers should not require they be starched or otherwise treated unless it's essential to success in the type of project involved. Those of us who don't normally prewash should make exceptions when joining in group activities. It's a courtesy to others who may have allergies or other health needs requiring smoke and animal free environments/supplies."

Guess I interpreted it as - one should wash the fabrics -

oops - I've participated in swaps and I have cats. Sorry if this caused a problem for anyone.

It seems like many of you are willing 'to do what it takes' to make a block work as far as redoing.

It does make an exchange a lot more fun when everyone follows the guidelines and all the blocks play more or nicely together. Then one can get right to putting them together.

(I have learned something from almost every block I've received, though.)

Be Kind
 

I would repair, fix and use it, if not in the quilt, maybe in a one block wall hanging.
But I would pm them also and kindly give them suggestions on how to do a better outcome on their blocks. We all had to learn and lets face it, it take practice to get better, but if no one tells us we have to get better we would keep on going the way we quilt and never ever become better.
But always in a kind way.

Robert