Happy New Year!
Sorry with the delay ladies. Thanks for another successful swap year. Who's ready for 2014? (kissmary can attest to the fact that I've had my block selected for six months now!
A reminder that postal rates here in the US are going up again (supposedly temporarily - HA!) and we always have international swappers. Please make sure to take your block to the post office and send from there. Here in the US everything comes with tracking now and the tracking number is printed on your receipt. Keep your receipts for proof of mailing.
I think the one thing I would like to impress upon everyone the most including myself <--- is communication. We all here know and understand how busy life can get with everything, but please let us know if anything keeps you from sending your block in a timely fashion.
1) We will verify that you have an active journal (older than six months and containing multiple posts), either here on Livejournal or on another blogging site. You may also be asked to provide a list of other communities you are active in on Livejournal.
2) If this is your first swap with us or you have not fulfilled a commitment from a prior year and you have an early birthday, we will assign you a later date (May or later) in order to verify your commitment to this swap. This can be waived if the you can provide a recommendation from a previous swap Hostess.
3) This is a year-long exchange requiring an extended commitment to the group. Please work ahead if needed and plan your time wisely, so your blocks will be mailed out on time.
4) You should have some experience quilting (quilting in general, be able to sew accurate ¼" seams, cut fabric with precision and know the difference between finished and unfinished sizes.)
5) All blocks should measure within 1/4 inch of the size requested. Measurement will be the UNFINISHED size (for example, a log cabin block unfinished size is usually 12.5. So the size should be within 1/4 inch of the 12.5 size).
6) Please read each Birthday Quilter’s special instructions carefully to ensure you use the exact colors they have specified (that includes fabric requests, if the quilter requests batiks, then use batiks) and the pattern pieces are sewn in the correct position. If the quilter requests a particular color choice, then adhere to that color choice. Remember, they are trying to make a quilt. If you use green where they have requested black, it will not work with their quilt and you have wasted both your time and theirs.
7) All fabric should be 100% cotton. Select fabric that is of a quality that you would like to receive. Please try to pre-wash fabric prior to use to ensure it is color fast and pre-shrunk. Keep in mind that some participants may have allergies to fabric preservatives.
8) When mailing, use a sturdy envelope. Check the address carefully to ensure it goes to the intended place. Place your block inside a plastic bag in case the envelope gets wet or damaged en route. It is nice to include a small card with your block, although not mandatory. With all the postage rules in effect, it is best to take your envelope to the post office to be weighed and measured and have the correct postage. It would not be fair to the Birthday Quilter to receive a parcel with Postage Due. Take ALL packages to the Post Office to be weighed if at all possible. Remember, this swap is open to International swappers as well.
9) Blocks mailed but not received: It is up to each participant whether or not they choose to use delivery confirmation. If your block is not received, you will have to make another one unless you can prove that you posted your parcel to the correct address (via delivery confirmation).
10) Blocks should be received by the Birthday Quilter by his/her birthday, or very shortly thereafter. (Within the birthday month is acceptable. So if it is a March birthday, the quilter should receive the block no later than March 30th!) If the quilter has a birthday on March 30th, try to ensure that they receive it no later than March 30th. If you cannot do this, then please contact them and ensure that they receive it within 2 - 3 weeks of their birthday.
11) There will be one post per participant where they will keep track of who they receive from, and also acknowledge receipt of each block on the community under their post. Please use LJ-cuts on your post!
12) As soon as you have received all your blocks, email the Hostesses to inform them that your birthday blocks are complete.
13) If there are still unsent blocks 1 week after the end of your birthday month, email the Hostesses to inform them who is late sending. If you have received communication from other swappers saying they will be late, please let the Hostesses know this as well.
14) Late senders will be contacted and informed that they will not be receiving their blocks from other quilters till they have met their commitment(s). Hostesses will inform other quilters of this.
15) If a particular quilter is continually late in sending his/her blocks throughout the year without communicating why they are late (we are all aware that things in life happens), then he/she may not be allowed to join the following year. If a particular quilter is extremely late in sending his/her block (more than 4 weeks) without communicating with Birthday Quilters and Hostesses, then he/she will be immediately suspended from the group and banned from joining the Birthday Block Exchange for 2 years. I know this seems harsh, but there have been too many issues in the past of blocks being late and commitments not being fulfilled.
16) If someone has an illness/accident/tragedy to themselves or someone in their family that prevents them from meeting that month’s commitment on time, they need to send an email to the Birthday Quilter AND the Hostesses to let them know what’s happening and to know they will be a little late in sending that month.
17) If the above circumstances are more severe and the quilter feels they can no longer continue, the quilter may need to consider withdrawing from the Birthday Block Exchange. He/She should contact the Hostesses ASAP to discuss the situation. If at all possible, please provide Fat Quarters to the quilters who have sent blocks to you already if you cannot make a block.
18) CONFIDENTIALITY: All information obtained in this swap on other quilters (i.e. their name/email/address) is only to be used for this swap and NOT SHARED with any one else. Therefore, do not link to the community spreadsheet anywhere. (The spreadsheet is limited to the participants only, however, to ensure confidentiality, please do not do it).
19) If you cannot provide a block, you are more than welcome to send Fat Quarters in the Birthday Quilter’s chosen colors. If for some reason you cannot provide their color choices, please email or PM them through Livejournal to see if they would be open to any other colors.
20) Please keep in mind that this swap is open to quilters of ALL skill levels. In an effort to make this an easier swap for ALL skill levels, if you would like to use a paper pieced block, you must also provide instructions for traditional piecing as well (again, make sure that you personally TEST both copies of instructions!). No applique or curved piecing.
21) Birthday Quilters: Make a test block to verify the instructions you are posting a link to. Make sure that the instructions provided are clear, concise and easy to understand.
22) Once the final list is sent out for the year, you will not be able to change anything about your block (choice, color or size). Verify exactly what you want before you submit your registration form. Take your time in choosing what you want!
Above all else, have fun, be considerate and take the time to piece well! Remember to communicate with your Birthday Quilter and the Hostesses if you run into any problems whatsoever!
If you would like to join us, please copy, paste the following and e-mail it to amandamcfaul@gmail.com and catherine_magraith@yahoo.com.au
LJ Handle:
Birthday: (Keep in mind that if you are new to our swap and do not provide references, we will assign you a later birthday to assure your commitment to this swap.)
E-mail Address:
Name:
Mailing Address:
Phone: (This will not be made public, for moderator communication only)
Block Name:
Block Size (unfinished please!):
Colors/Fabrics Requested (be specific):
Link to Block Instructions: