Welcome back, Mariposa!

Love all the pics of fabric which have started showing up. Can't wait to begin!

Good morning. Another very cold one but at least we don’t have NOLA’s snow. Ours finally disappeared.

I’m having my first cup of coffee to help wake me up then it’s off to the computer to get my email work done.

Laugh for the day…tonight we’ve got to have Ernie “water fast” and collect a “specimen” in the morning to take to the vet for further analysis. So that means about 24 hours from now I’ll be chasing him around the yard, probably at O-dark-thirty, with a flashlight and a ladle to catch said “specimen”. Do you think I’ll ever look at that ladle the same way again??? Roflol.

And I’ll leave you with that…

Emails were sent. Anyone not receiving it, please check your spam folders before asking me to resend. Thank you!

Go ahead and start shipping to me at your earliest convenience. If all fabrics come in early, I will ship to you early.

Have a great day!

Yes, Janice, I got your email. And Siri added a note that reminded me to send enough money! Are you paying her for that?

Correction to set numbers!
 

Thank goodness for Cheesehead’s keen eyes. I made a mistake on the list of sets I posted. Cheesehead is making 2 sets and Hav4boys 1 set. Sheesh! Corrected list is below.

Our group is as follows:

Annaquilts - 1
Cheesehead - 2
GramE – 1
Hav4boys - 1
Janice McC – 1
LogCabin82 - 1
Lstew2212 - 2
Macybaby – 1
Mariposa - 1
Michelle-quilts - 1
NZQuilter – 1
Sewbizgirl – 1
SusieQOH - 1
Terriamn - 2
Travelinggramma - 2
WMUTeach - 1

These are the fabrics I have chose for Boom 33. The grape and bottle fabric are a "what was I thinking purchase"?! The bottle fabric is cut as an 8" coordinating fabric to go with the grapes, you may choose to use it but it's not required. The fabric line is called "Wine a little, you'll feel better".

questions for a newbie
 

I made a decision about my fabric...I think. I washed some pieces yesterday (without any scent) and was working on ironing last night. I must say, that was the first time I've kind of enjoyed the ironing process. With our below freezing temperatures all day it is still a bit chilly in the house. So once I ironed a bit, I put my hands on the fabric to warm them up. LOL

As I was working and thinking about the swap, I thought of a few questions. Granted, a couple of these are premature, but while I'm asking...

1. I'm not used to pre-washing my fabric. Does anyone have any helpful hints about how to be sure that after I iron it and fold it for cutting that I don't get it wonky or "twisted"? Not sure I'm asking this correctly, but maybe someone will know what I'm talking about.

2. When cutting the F8s, can I leave the selvedge on as long as that is not included in the required size? Or should I just take them all off?

3. When pressing the finished blocks...seams open or to the side?

4. When sending the finished blocks back, should I get larger bags so as not to fold the blocks?

Thanks and I''ll post a picture of my fabric once I make the final decisions.

Janice, as for the ladle, I would get one from the dollar store and throw it out after usage. Good luck, catching a specimen. The picture you painted in my mind, of you running around, made for a good laugh.

A good laugh, that was my goal!

Hi, Michelle. Excellent questions!!!

Not in any particular order, no, do not leave the selvages on. Please remove them. Some selvages are easily discernible and others are sneaky and aren’t as visible. It’s just easier to remove them for your swap partners so they accidentally don’t become part of the block.

Re: washing and cutting. I minimize pressing (not ironing technically) by removing the yardage from the dryer before it’s totally dry. I hang it over the ironing board or shower rod and it seems to pull less out of shape as it finishes drying. Minimizes the pressing. Ironing can create more wonkiness. I usually fold the fabric in half lengthwise then cut 18 or 19 inch strips across grain. Then I remove the selvages and subcut into 4 equal pieces, usually 10 to 11 inches. No less than 10x18.

As for pressing seams, it depends what you like to do. I prefer pressing to the side myself unless it’s too bulky. Do what you think looks and works best.

Re: ziplock style bags. First, no, go with smaller bags. Blocks are fabric and can be folded nicely, and even not so nicely, and they always press out. It’s a matter of mailing. If everyone uses large bags, I may have a horrible time getting them all in a single package, Particularly if a person is doing two sets. They’re pretty well stuffed. Go small. I like sandwich size, no zippers! Those zippers take up space badly needed for fabric.
Be sure to take all the small, individual baggies with your board name on them and put them inside a larger gallon size bag that has your board name and real name on it and your address. I will use it to ship back to you.

I think I answered everything. Keep asking questions. There are no silly questions!