zz-pd

I did not have money I put my self through collage while raising three children and working full time. and yes dirt pore on top of that, I used student loans. thats beside the point. people may think that at times and they may not say it, but not because they are afraid, its because they have respect for the people aroud them. any way I just think the rude comments are unnecssary. you have a good day .

Baren*eh*ked_canadian

I was hesitant to join and swaps for a long time, just because I was so scared that the people receiving my blocks or fabric would be disappointed in my work/fabric choices.

I have done two block swaps in the past year, the black and white, and the blue and white, and I got fantastic blocks in exchange for mine. I was very happy to include blocks that were more technically difficult and ones that were more simple in my quilt, because for real, everyone has to start learning somewhere. If we drew the line at only experienced quilters joining, then guess what, I wouldn't be included either! I haven't put my blue and white quilt together yet, but I won first place in a fair last summer with my black and white swap quilt.
I'm also doing the IRR right now, which has me stressed because I don't want to ruin someone else's beautiful work. However, when I have an idea about my round, I post and ask questions and opinions and advice and people so far have been great.
I do prefer to work with unwashed fabric, but I make exceptions for the swaps, it's only fair. I don't think I have any Wal-Mart fabric, but if the quality is decent I wouldn't object to buying it. I work in a fabric store, our quilting section does not have any garbage quality fabric, so I simply cannot justify paying the quilt shop prices of 15-18$ /meter unless I'm looking for something specific and cannot find it elsewhere. I also look out for sales on good fabric, knowing I'm going to want to send some FQs along with my things, and I often send a whole meter of fabric instead of cutting it up... the FQs in my store are 4.99 each, and I can often get a whole meter for that price on fabric on sale. So far, I have NEVER gotten any complaints about the quality of fabric I use from any swappers. If you use your head when buying fabric for swaps, there shouldn't be any problems.

MissTreated

I didn't care for the swaps I've been involved in because the people participating didn't follow the rules or their skills weren't up to the project. I had to replace too many of the blocks I received and decided it would be easier and less stressful, less disappointing and maddening, if I just did my own.

Maksi

I join the siggie block swap who is an international swap now.
You can make blocks from your scraps. My fabrics are from my lqs but if anyone want to use some wallmart fabrics I don't care at all.

What I ask for is that you make your swap blocks with love. Even if your quiltwork isn't so beautiful( i'm not a good quilter also) it doesn't matter to me. The only thing I care about is that people wants to make u a block and send it for you. Every block that will fall on my doormat will give me a big smile on my face.

Taking care for each other, I think thats what swapping really means.

Shadow Dancer

Okay this is turning ugly and I can see it escalating into a flaming war! Consider this topic done and dusted!