Hi!

Thought it would be fun to have an international square swap -- that is, fabric representing different countries/cultures around the world. Great conversation starter for the kids, and gets them thinking about how others live.

Squares need to be 100% cotton, pre-washed, ironed, and cut in 6.5" squares. Ship date is October 20. Be sure an include SASE for return of your squares.

Each space is for a total of 30 squares, either 15 squares of 2 fabrics, or 30 squares of one (for those of you who already bought fabric).

If you need some inspiration, check these out:
ethnic fabrics (http://www.craftconn.com/Main.asp?Task=Custom&Step=Fabric+Category&CategoryId=22&CategoryDiscountId=1)
Egypt fabrics (http://www.craftconn.com/Main.asp?Task=Custom&Step=Fabric+Category&CategoryId=59&CategoryDiscountId=1)
Australian fabrics (http://www.craftconn.com/Main.asp?Task=Custom&Step=Fabric+Category&CategoryId=73&CategoryDiscountId=1)
Native American fabrics (http://www.craftconn.com/Main.asp?Task=Custom&Step=Fabric+Category&CategoryId=386&CategoryDiscountId=1)
Oriental fabrics (http://www.craftconn.com/Main.asp?Task=Custom&Step=Fabric+Category&CategoryId=20&CategoryDiscountId=1)
African fabrics (http://www.craftconn.com/Main.asp?Task=Custom&Step=Fabric+Category&CategoryId=2&CategoryDiscountId=1)

1. Lori Eustis - Russian Nesting Dolls - bright toss - RECEIVED
2. Hastings - kanjis
3. Mamanaturale - RECEIVED
4.Maegansmama - RECEIVED
5 Maidenmyhome
6.empathic~heart - RECEIVED
7.empathic~heart - RECEIVED
8.Lori_Eustis - african women - RECEIVED
9.hastings
10.hastings
11.hastings
12.hastings
13.rocketscientist - RECEIVED
14.rocketscientist - RECEIVED
15.silverfairy2 - RECEIVED
16.domni - RECEIVED
17.heythereheather
18.heythereheather
19.rocketscientist - RECEIVED
20.rocketscientist - RECEIVED
21.rocketscientist - RECEIVED
22.empathic~heart - RECEIVED
23.elfmama - RECEIVED
24.elfmama - RECEIVED
25.mamanaturale - RECEIVED
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.

Hmm, this one's a toughy, not much in my stash that will work lol. Can I have 1 spot please? I have a really cool fabric with kanjis that I think will work.

And thanks for the link. I'm drooling over the hex symbols. I may have to pick some up when I can buy fabric again.

how many squares per slot? i'd like one, maybe two.

haking <holding a kid at keyboard> ;)

i'm in for one spot, maybe more depending on my stash and amount of squares :D

2 please for me.

something celtic, and something egyptian :)

i'm in for one, maybe more

how many squares per slot? i'd like one, maybe two.

I was assuming 1 square per slot (with 30 participants), but we'll have to wait and see what the final count is....

Lori

One spot please!!!!!!!!!! This is going to be a challenge!!!!

Oh, my - guess I'll have to join this one too! ;)
1 spot for now - more if I get inspired.

I was assuming 1 square per slot (with 30 participants), but we'll have to wait and see what the final count is....

Lori

Okay, I was confused because you only had 10 slots listed at first. I'd like three total.

I will do Southwestern Pueblo, Japanese Hachi Pots and Paris Fashion.

I'm confused lol (doesn't take much ;) :lol: )

If I sign up for 1 spot, how many squares do I send in?

I'm confused lol (doesn't take much ;) :lol: )

If I sign up for 1 spot, how many squares do I send in?

If you sign up for one spot, you will have to send enough squares for each other participant. Meaning, if we have 30 people participate, you will need to send in 30 squares. You can generally get 30 squares from 1 yard of fabric, if that helps.....

Lori

4 please

If we don't have enough people to make a full quilt, how does everyone feel about sending in 15 of two different fabrics per slot? We could still squeak by with about 1/2 yd of each fabric and at least then we would have 30 different squares!

:juggle: Is this still a go? Any comments on my suggestion above?

I'm find with this -- I bought a second fabric (African women) yesterday.

Anyone else?

Lori

That sounds good if we cant get 30.
:)

that would be fine with me, but I need to know for sure before I buy my fabrics.

I would just as soon take a second spot if I need to come up with another print.

Actually, I just found a beautiful Navajo print and a few other Asian prints and some petroglphs. Can I have 4 more spots?

How many more spots are there to fill anyway?

Hastings, I added your 4 additional spots, and one for me. So we are at 20 now -- do we need 10 more, or is 20 enough for a small quilt?

Lori

I think 20 would work for me :)

please add one more spot for me.

give her one of mine.. I'll keep the egyptian one :)

I was hoping we could get to 30..... 20 isn't a very big quilt even for a lap quilt... pwetty pwetty pwease can we keep it open a bit longer?

I'm up for either way - just LMK before I place my order. :)

I'm sorry - I have to drop this one. I can't find any fabric locally, and I've got two memorial quilts and a craft show coming up.
Sorry!

Is this still happening?

Yep, it's still happening! We are looking at about 20 spaces, so you want to buy a fabric, then go ahead!

WOW !!! the 22 came up fast!!! I will try to ship mine asap.

I need to drop this please.

oh no Jodi !!!! I was looking forward to your celtic fabric :( take care.

Ok I have to different fabrics...are we sending 15 of 2 different????
I can do 30 of 2 diffent as well.
sorry,
im confused as to what was decided.
Amber
let me know please so i can get these out!!

I'm sorry - I think I need to drop this one as well. :(

???

I would like to extend this so we can recoup the squares that have now dropped. I already bought three yards of fabric for this swap! Let's link it to the sewingmamas forum to see if we can get more interest!

has anyone posted this at SM yet? i think thats a great idea. i dont' have many post there so I'd rather not do it, can someone else? also, lori can you pm me your addy so I can get mine out to you?

I really want to do this, but I've never done a quilt square swap. Anyone want to hold my hand and tell me what I'd need to do?

Heather, you will need a rotary cutter and cutting mat for the easiest way to do it. Pick out and prewash your fabric, and get minimum of one yard for 30 squares (dunno how many we'll end up with here though). I actually buy over a yard to be sure I don't screw it up and have some scraps left over. :lol: Measure out a 6.5 inch template from cardboard and use a cutting edge or something to cut straight lines like a ruler.

Then you send your squares to the host, with a SASE for your return squares.

Does that help clarify?

I didn't post at SM, I've never posted there...

Heather, you will need a rotary cutter and cutting mat for the easiest way to do it. Pick out and prewash your fabric, and get minimum of one yard for 30 squares (dunno how many we'll end up with here though). I actually buy over a yard to be sure I don't screw it up and have some scraps left over. :lol: Measure out a 6.5 inch template from cardboard and use a cutting edge or something to cut straight lines like a ruler.

Then you send your squares to the host, with a SASE for your return squares.

Does that help clarify?

I didn't post at SM, I've never posted there...

Yes, thank you! I do have a rotary cutter and a mat, (and a sewing machine, which hasn't had much love recently ;) ) OK, I'd REALLY like to do it. I'll start searching for some fabric. I don't post at SM either... but I am way excited about this idea. My kids will love it.

If this swap is being extended, would someone let me know? I'm not sure, since Lori hasn't weighed in on it. Because if it is being extended, I'd like to join. :)

I was going to ask the same, we haven't heard from Lori on it.

I know she was going out of town.......................
I have fabric for 2 spots.
This will be fun...join !!! join!!!!

Right now we only have 13 slots filled...

When is Lori going to be back? I need her address!

Can someone who is a member of SM post this thread there? :)

Hi Ladies!

So sorry I haven't gotten online too often -- I'm across country from home!

I am totally fine with extending the deadline. How much time do we need?

As it stands, if everyone sends 2 sets of 15 squares, that will give us quite a selection. Is that okay with everyone?

PM me if you need my mailnig address. Empathic~Heart, I am PMing you right after this!

Lori

If we go to two sets of fifteen, you will need to drop one of my spots. I already bought a yard of two fabrics for my two spots and I won't have a chance (or the fundage) to buy another two yards, sorry! LMK either way.

Ditto. I'm happy to send in two sets of each fabric, but I'm not going to/can't buy another three different fabrics now. I could keep two spots, not three.

so I would need to get 1/2 yard (or a little extra :) ) of 2 different fabrics. Is that right?

I have a question for those of you doing more than one spot. Do you get two sets, to make two quilts, then? Or, why would one want to do more than one spot? Thanks!

Is this still open? Jess/soycandlemommy told me about the black and white swap. I think I have some fabric I could use for this swap, but need to check first.

I would need to know the due date though....

I think I've said I want a spot, but maybe not clearly enough ;) I'd like a spot! And maybe 2 if someone can explain to me why you do 2 spots.

I would like 2 spots. The reason for more than one spot could be a) if you want to make more than one quilt, or b) you want to make a larger quilt, or c) if you just love collecting squares of lots of different sorts and have large plans that never quite pan out to actually doing something with the squares except maybe ten years from now when you're cleaning your house wondering what in heck you have all these squares for, you finally decide to whip up a few king-sized quilts for the heck of it, just to use up all the squares. :D

ps - I'm going to get the native American pots, and the African nation on blue batik, from the website that Lori linked us to. If I find more suitable fabric at Joann's this weekend, I may have to add another slot for myself, if that's OK! :)

c) if you just love collecting squares of lots of different sorts and have large plans that never quite pan out to actually doing something with the squares except maybe ten years from now when you're cleaning your house wondering what in heck you have all these squares for, you finally decide to whip up a few king-sized quilts for the heck of it, just to use up all the squares. :D

Ding ding ding! We have a winner! :lol:

and I am still a bit confused about what is being sent, but I'm currently planning on sending 30 squares of each of 2 fabrics (60 squares total), since the people who started out on this swap were first told that that's the amount they were supposed to send. I'm also linking this thread to the sewingmamas.com site, to hopefully get more people involved in the swap. :)

This sounds very cool. I'm in for one spot or two depending on how many squares per fabric/spot we send in. It seems to be going back and forth. I have two different fabrics i can use. I'll do Asian and Native American probably.

Hi Ladies!

So sorry I haven't gotten online too often -- I'm across country from home!

I am totally fine with extending the deadline. How much time do we need?

As it stands, if everyone sends 2 sets of 15 squares, that will give us quite a selection. Is that okay with everyone?

PM me if you need my mailnig address. Empathic~Heart, I am PMing you right after this!

Lori

Just wanted to pop in here and post a thought :p LOL

I wanted to point out that this could be a source of frustration for mamas who joined the square swap and have already purchased fabrics in the amount of the *original* swap outline. If they purchased a yard each of two prints and now they only *really* need half a yard of each,(30 squares from each yard down to 15 squares, which would only require half a yard) that's a whole yard of fabric total not being used, so they are out the money as well as have two half yard cuts of fabric they may not be able to use.

Of course, mama, as the hostess you are free to do what you will with your swap LOL (not saying that in a snarky way, I swear! ROFL) but, it could be discouraging for mamas who have already purchased.

I would encourage everyone to stick to the original outline of a swap, because changing it halfway through causes confusion as well as can make mamas feel left out if 'everyone' agrees, only a few don't, and they feel uncomforitable speaking up, kwim? Just a thought this morning ;)

I can't wait to see the quilts you gals come up with for this one! :D

Is this still open? Jess/soycandlemommy told me about the black and white swap. I think I have some fabric I could use for this swap, but need to check first.

I would need to know the due date though....

Molly asked me to ask you, Lori, if she could participate? She is vouched for by Jessica/soycandlemommy, and is a regular at sewingmamas.com.

Thanks!

Hey there, I'm another gal from SewingMamas. I'd love to participate if you all will have me. :) I've listed my Ebay feedback in my sig, and have feedback at SM under the same username, Domni. I'd like to do one slot if I'm accepted. Thanks ladies!

Just wanted to pop in here and post a thought :p LOL

I wanted to point out that this could be a source of frustration for mamas who joined the square swap and have already purchased fabrics in the amount of the *original* swap outline. If they purchased a yard each of two prints and now they only *really* need half a yard of each,(30 squares from each yard down to 15 squares, which would only require half a yard) that's a whole yard of fabric total not being used, so they are out the money as well as have two half yard cuts of fabric they may not be able to use.

Of course, mama, as the hostess you are free to do what you will with your swap LOL (not saying that in a snarky way, I swear! ROFL) but, it could be discouraging for mamas who have already purchased.

I would encourage everyone to stick to the original outline of a swap, because changing it halfway through causes confusion as well as can make mamas feel left out if 'everyone' agrees, only a few don't, and they feel uncomforitable speaking up, kwim? Just a thought this morning ;)

I can't wait to see the quilts you gals come up with for this one! :D

I totally agree, and it wasn't my original idea to change the format mid-way through the swap. The main concern was that getting only 13 sqaures (or some other small number) wouldn't really be enough to make much of anything. I thought this would make everyone happy having enough squares to make a small quilt. I will be using my extra fabrics for the backing so it won't be wasted.

Sorry if this is frustrating for anyone, but it's equally as frustrating to lose over half your swap members right before the due date <grin>!

Lori

Molly asked me to ask you, Lori, if she could participate? She is vouched for by Jessica/soycandlemommy, and is a regular at sewingmamas.com.

Thanks!

It's fine with me! I was waiting to hear if the due date would work for her. I will add her to my list!

Lori

Couldn't the people with 30 squares of the same fabric send those in, and each participant get 2 of that type of square?

I do agree that it's frustrating to lose a bunch of swap members right before the swap closes... I've posted at sewingmamas.com to try to encourage others to join, and make this a successful swap. :)

so what is the final say? 30 of one fabric or 15 of two?

Couldn't the people with 30 squares of the same fabric send those in, and each participant get 2 of that type of square?

I do agree that it's frustrating to lose a bunch of swap members right before the swap closes... I've posted at sewingmamas.com to try to encourage others to join, and make this a successful swap. :)

Yes, it is very frustrating, I totally agree. I think Margaret is right though...what would be wrong with those that already bought theirs to send in what they originally planned on, and then any newcomers could do what they like, sets of 15 or 30...in the end there will be 30 squares regardless, some of them may be more frequently occurring than others, but it's better than having less participate.

As for the 15 squares of two fabrics, that was actually something I suggested very early on, when we didn't have very many people signing up! Since it really didn't get discussed or clarified, I purchased my fabric according to the original plan, not expecting it to change. I agree that shifting midway is not a good plan, but it's also pretty awful to have a ton of people drop at the end too.

So I can do two slots of 2 x 15 squares or keep my original of three slots of 30 squares each (my preference).

I'm sorry that the suggestion led to so much confusion, just wanted us to have enough fabric selection to actually make a quilt!

If it's needed for everyone to have an even number, I don't mind dropping. I'm the 16th person and that may make the math off a bit? Either way I'm good. I'd like to be in but also see how it's frustrating to get things settled appropriately. :)

Am I on Lori's ignore? Or am I just missing my name? I don't see it in the list. If you don't want me to do it, just let me know. Otherwise, I do want one spot. 2 spots if we're doing 30 squares of one fabric, 1 spot if we're doing 15 squares of 2 fabrics.

Am I on Lori's ignore? Or am I just missing my name? I don't see it in the list. If you don't want me to do it, just let me know. Otherwise, I do want one spot. 2 spots if we're doing 30 squares of one fabric, 1 spot if we're doing 15 squares of 2 fabrics.

OMG, so sorry! No, you aren't on my ignore list! I thought I updated the list thoroughly, but I must have missed you. I will put you down for 2 spots of 30 squares.

Lori

Okay, here is my final decision:

You need to send a total of 30 fabrics, in keeping with the theme (All NAtions). It can be 30 squares from the same fabric, 15 squares of 2 fabrics, or 30 different squares. Either way, each person will send 30 squares and receive 30 squares in return. There may be a few duplicates (for those who sent 30 of one fabric), but this is unavoidable with a smaller group size.

So any of you who gave up spaces or dropped this spot b/c of the 2 fabric idea, please feel free to re-join!

Lori

ok, so I would like 2 spots total then, thanks!

Thank you Lori, I'd like my 3 original spots. :)

Lori, thank you again! and could you put me down for 3 more slots, for a total of 5? Here's a picture of the 3 I got today (and I've got the other two coming in the mail) - I hope they're not duplicates... there's some japanese boxes, african heads on batik (which I think looks darker than the picture shows), and huts in a tropical area (palm trees).
http://www.amitymama.com/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=60421&stc=1&d=1160857104

Okay, here is my final decision:

You need to send a total of 30 fabrics, in keeping with the theme (All NAtions). It can be 30 squares from the same fabric, 15 squares of 2 fabrics, or 30 different squares. Either way, each person will send 30 squares and receive 30 squares in return. There may be a few duplicates (for those who sent 30 of one fabric), but this is unavoidable with a smaller group size.

So any of you who gave up spaces or dropped this spot b/c of the 2 fabric idea, please feel free to re-join!

Lori
Lori, I think that's a perfect solution! Personally, I really like the idea of, in future swaps, of doing 1/2 yard cuts...even if you get 30 people signing ups, that's A LOT Of different prints :D

I'm glad everyone's back to a happy place on this swap because it's going to be super gorgeous :D

I don't see my name on the list. I can do 2 spaces.

We are already over half there! Please check the OP and be sure yours have been marked as received if you have already sent yours!

Thanks!
Lori

Hi Lori, Just checking to see if my squares arrived. They should've been there by now :) Thanks! Sheri

Oh, shoot! Sorry everyone, I somehow missed the send date. OK, they'll go out today.

Oh, wait, I don't have your address, Lori. Will you or someone PM me? Thanks.

Hi Lori, Just checking to see if my squares arrived. They should've been there by now :) Thanks! Sheri

Sheri,

I got yours yesterday, and all is well!

Lori

Sorry, all. I sent mine today (I missed the mail on Saturday). I ended up sending 3 sets, because this was one of the more stressful things I"ve done recently. I was worried that I would have squares off, so I sent an extra set (3rd pattern) just in case.

I know it's supposed to be easy, but man, it was HARD for me. Whew.

ooops
Lori, I think I messed up
I had meant some buddah fabric to go to this swap. You have me as received. I sent you dragon squares, which was for the fantasy swap.
I will ship the buddah's on Monday for this one.
Can you combine shipping back to me, like send me the 2 sets(fantasy and all nations)? I'm not in a big rush, lol. I just sent paypal and if not, I'll send more.
:D
am I making sense? lol

I got my squares today and am 9 short. I had three slots.

I'm 6 squares short - I had 5 slots. Not too bad - I know it's hard to count cloth squares since they tend to stick together a bit. If these are hard to locate, Lori, don't worry - I can fill in with something locally for possibly less than it would cost to re-mail.

And thank you for putting in the 3 more squares from the mythical creatures swap!

I'm 6 squares short - I had 5 slots. Not too bad - I know it's hard to count cloth squares since they tend to stick together a bit. If these are hard to locate, Lori, don't worry - I can fill in with something locally for possibly less than it would cost to re-mail.

And thank you for putting in the 3 more squares from the mythical creatures swap!


AAARGH! I thought I was so careful! I guess sorting 1800 squares in one evening isn't a good idea <grin>!

I will send you 6 squares -- no problem! They will be repeats, but at least you'll have what you need!

Lori