formerly "the cozy quilt
patch"
~Please
follow these simple guidelines for Swapping or Hosting at SMS~
Please give time for
photo examples to load
Absolutely no negative chat
allowed. Contact a Forum Moderator if you have an issue, problem
or statement to make.
1. You
must
be a member of
SMS
to exchange or host swaps. The reason for this is because hostesses
will keep you notified of the swaps progress as well as answer any
questions that may arise. SNS has a lot of swappers and this is the
best tool for communication. Any changes, notifications about the
swap(s) you're in will ALL be posted here. It's best to do
this in one central place. You can also stay on top of my newest
swaps; they fill up pretty fast.
After the swap is
over you can unsubscribe or go on No Email if you'd like to. If you
don't like a bunch of emails going to the email address you use, you can
create another one using Yahoo! or Hotmail. This is mandatory,
so please abide by this or else you may be dropped from SMS. ( We sure
don't want to do that :o)
2.
Fabrics: Only use 100% Cotton fabrics that have been pre-washed and
ironed. ALWAYS!!!!!!
NEVER use
paint, beads, buttons or any other embellishments on ANY blocks
unless specified.
3. Hostess
should really look close at blocks sent in. We want the SMS to be known
for good, quality swaps. If you see something sent in that you yourself
wouldn't want, don't swap it. It's very hard to return swaps
knowing all the work involved and money spent of fabs, but when you have
gals that'll rip and rip seams to get it right it's just not fair for
them to receive back less quality blocks. We want return swappers
and good outcomes. Swappers, always use good quality materials! If you
can see through it DON'T use it. Pick fabrics with a high thread
count. Never send in blocks made with all solids unless otherwise
stated. ONLY send in what you would want back. Rip and rip some more
if that's what it takes.
PLEASE follow each swaps
guidelines and each hostesses mailing instructions closely!
***If you use
solids for background or filler pieces, use ONLY use Kona, Belissimo or
Primatex brands NO others are accepted.
***Terms I often use: COC = Cream on cream WOW = White on white
4. Appliqué blocks:
must have the edges turned under and
sewn with the blanket stitch, needle turn method or invisible machine
appliqué (make sure ALL edges are adhered and no threads showing).
You can use E. Burns appliqué method, just make sure the turned under
parts do not show and that you've removed the excess from the back to
reduce bulk. Satin stitching is okay as long as your hostess approves
it and proper technique is maintained (i.e. use stabilizer, no
puckers, nice, non bulky stitching etc.) No fusible appliqué and
stitching unless specified
by the hostess herself. When fusing is allowed, only a nice machined
blanket stitch is to be used NO ZIGZAG.
Paper Pieced
Blocks: must have all
stitches locked (see photo below) and paper removed before mailing.
Please study to
photos to see what IS and IS NOT accepted:
(click on photos
to enlarge)
|
Appliqué |
this is neatly done, but zig zag, only machine blanket when
allowed. |
remove stabilizer always when satin stitching. |
 
Never send like this |
This is blanket Stitching. It is okay to use as long as the
hostess approves it. |
Invisible Machine Appliqué is accepted. All edges are turned
under and secured then sewn by machine using invisible thread
using a blind hem stitch.
NO zig zag. |
Needle-turn Appliqué:
No stitches show at all and all edges are turned under. |
|
Paper- Pieced |
always start 1/4"
before and end 1/4" after the line you are sewing. This "locks"
your stitches. |
Always cut 1/4" from sewing line, don't leave this much extra. |
Here, the fabric was missed by the stitching which left a hole
in the block. Always check for this. |
sew 1/8" to give your block support, THEN remove the paper |
Always Remove paper. |
|
|
Patchwork Pieced |
notice that there is 1/4" from the top of the point to the edge
of the block |
 |
I will return ANY blocks like this. |
Simply beautiful! This quilter has beautiful workmanship. |
Notice the bulky center. Proper ironing would've prevented this |
This was caused from not having the correct size cut square. Do
not do this... there's just too much bulk Use nice, neat
workmanship! |
All blocks be submitted MUST be
ready to sew into our quilts.
This will include use
neutral/matching threads, neatly ironed for packaging, folded if 9" or
above in size, removing any paper/interfacing, squaring up blocks, and
removing any loose threads.
Smokers:
SPRAY WITH FEBREZE or insert fabric sheet THEN PACKAGE.
|
cut all loose threads |
NEVER use dark thread like this |
Use a neutral or matching
thread! |
cut these tips off. "dog ears" |
Your blocks should be ready to use, so ALWAYS square up and neatly
iron before packaging. DO NOT sent in like this pic. |
Pressing is the key to a nice block also. If you press in all one
direction, you'll get the best results |
Please fold all block/fabric squares that are 9" AND Above and
place all corners together. I cannot tell you how much this helps
us swap out! (thanks) |
Adjust your sewing machines
STITCHES
Appliqué: be consistent
with blanket stitches.
This is not acceptable |
This is. |
Paper-Piecing:
Use around a 1 to a 1.5 stitch
Patchwork:
Use around a 2 to a 2.5 size stitch |
How to Correctly
Label your Blocks
NEVER put sticker on FRONT
of blocks or fabrics.
We don't want residue on our blocks/fabric. |
NEVER baste like this. It puts holes in the blocks |
Never use pins/needles or stables to adhere your labels. This is
for safety reasons. I've stuck myself one too many times. |
Only baste with a LARGE, easy to remove, stitch that comes in NO
MORE THAN 1/8" from blocks edge. I prefer also that you baste
from the back of the block, not the front. This way, when I scan
your blocks, the label will not be in the photo. |
You can also label like this with a Permanent Fabric Marker on the
back of a seam. |
Or, you can place a small sticker, lightly on the back of the
block in a corner |
5. Make sure
your blocks are the CORRECT size and that the points ALL line up. Make
your you allow 1/4" all around your blocks. And no "FAR-OUT" block
patterns unless specified. These are those outside of traditional or
contemporary patterns. We will not accept any very simple blocks like
3, 4 or 9 Patch, snowball etc unless otherwise specified. Challenge
yourself to new patterns. You will grow more through this learning
experience.
6. Do not
send blocks that don't meet these most important requirements please....
only send what you'd like to get back. Hostesses has the right to
return any swaps that are not suitable for swapping. Hostesses will
return ANY blocks that do not meet the following:
The RED line depicts a
finished block. In other words.. everything inside the red dotted line
will be seen in your final quilt.
A: The PERFECT point
You've allowed 1/4 from tip of point to edge of block.
B: Your point was already
off the block.
C: Your point is to the
edge and will get "clipped" once sewn into a quilt.
D: Your matching points are
way off and/or the block pattern is not correct.
7 If you are
a beginner, let your hostess know so she can put you in a great swap
just for you. We want you involved TOO! We all had to begin somewhere.
8. There is
really no excuse for late blocks. The hostesses always give MONTHS to
sew your swaps. If you wait until the last minute to sew and then
something major comes up... you are STILL responsible for your swaps.
Sorry about being so blunt, but this is only fair to those who get them
in on time. We don't want to have to wait any longer than we have too.
If swappers join and then have no communication with hostess and never
send in a swap, they'll be asked to leave the forum. If hostess do
not follow through they too will be asked to leave.
9. Also, as a
courtesy, please don't post other swaps from other forums here. No
details, no deadlines, no updates.
10. These are
really simple rules to follow. Now, with all that said, lets have some
fun together and get to know one another better.. that's what SMS swaps
are all about!
