9th Annual Washington State Exchange, aka WA Swap #9



WASIQ is having a birthday, and you are invited to join the celebration! Washington State Internet Quilters was born in a swap hosted by our list mom Mel in 1998. This swap has become the annual birthday celebration for our group, so help to get us started on our ninth year together by joining us in the 9th Annual Washington State Block Swap!

So quilters! The time has come again to start brainstorming The Spirit of Washington!! Depending on where in Washington you live or feel your spirit lies, there are endless ideas for designing your quilt block. What in your heart says Washington to you? It's time to design it!

Remember to keep your commitment, work steadily through the next few months (and not procrastinate) and keep us updated on your creations!! If you know of other Washingtonians that may be interested let them know about our exchange.

This swap is being hosted by a committee. All can be reached by e-mail and will answer questions. If one of us is offline, there will be another to assist you!

Sue Bechtold
Kathy/Algebra Nannery
Carolyn Nannery
Kathy Sharman
Barbara Kay Blanchard

Please read these carefully, these are the guidelines:

  1. Machine/hand piecing OR machine/hand appliqué methods can be used. Machine embroidery is acceptable, but should be part of a pieced block or "framed," not just an embroidered design in the center of a plain block. You may use one design, or more than one design. Don't be intimidated. Ordinary blocks made with fabrics that suggest the Northwest have been very effective in past swaps. Since people save blocks from one year to the next to get enough for a quilt, we discourage the use of the same pattern two years in a row.

    Each participant is to make at least 5 blocks, with a maximum of 40. Remember, THE NUMBER OF BLOCKS YOU MAIL IN IS THE NUMBER YOU WILL GET BACK! Don't mail in YOUR block that you need for your finished quilt (i.e., make 30, mail in 29, keeping 1 for yourself.)

    Addressing in advance the question that seems to arise every year: Yes, you can do apples (insert daffodils, pine trees, cherries, or whatever). Yes, it is possible that someone else will do apples (daffodils, pine trees, cherries, or whatever) but the blocks vary enough and there are enough swappers that no one is likely to receive duplicate blocks.

    The WA Block RAQ--In some recent swaps, individual swappers either sent a set of blocks to be swapped out on behalf of someone else, or extra blocks were sent to be combined with others for a RAQ. If you would like to designate one of your blocks for a group RAQ--Random Act of Quiltiness--Mark your envelope with your number of blocks you want swapped back plus the number to go into the RAQ. (Sixteen blocks sent in plus one as a RAQ block would be marked 16+1.) The maximum number of blocks -- including RAQs -- is 40. A decision as to whom to RAQ will be made at the time of swap out.

  2. Fabric: Use good quality, 100% cotton fabrics, pre-washed. Choose any colors that will interpret what you want in your block. Embellishments are fine, as long as they are secure and washable

  3. Block size: Unfinished 9 1/2" square. Be sure to measure carefully. Remember, machine appliqué like satin stitch tends to shrink the block, so don't rim up until you are finished sewing in this method. (Don't learn this the hard way).

  4. Each block should be labeled with your name and city either with an address label or other label attached to the block, (NO STRAIGHT PINS!!!) or use a non-acid pen in the seam allowance. Separate signature blocks are no longer required.

  5. Deadlines: There is only one deadline this year the mailing deadline, but we would appreciate knowing if you are planning to join us, so please sign up by posting to the list. Put "WA Swap #9 sign up" in the subject line. You may also e-mail Carolyn or Kathy/Algebra direct to sign up. You do not have to declare how many blocks you are sending in your sign-up. We will post lists of participants and reminders on a regular basis.

    Mailing Deadline: Please mail early enough that your blocks reach Sue no later than September 25th, Monday. This date is set in stone and allows you almost six full months from posting to complete a minimum of 5 blocks. Blocks that are not there in time will not be swapped.

  6. Mailing Instructions: When you are ready to send your blocks, request Sue's address or find it on the mailing list. For the return trip home, include a self-addressed, stamped envelope (preferably Tyvek). Put the number of blocks on your mailing envelope and your return envelope. Due to postal regulations, you MUST USE STAMPS and NOT metered strips. Metered strips will not be accepted and your blocks will not be mailed back to you until the correct postage in stamps is received. You may want to consider tracking to make sure your blocks arrive, but not signature required on delivery. Problems of lost swap blocks are rare. DO NOT USE UNITED PARCEL SERVICE

We have learned through experience that straying from the rules only causes problems for the other participants. Blocks which do not arrive in time, blocks which are not the proper size, or blocks made using shoddy materials or poor workmanship will not be swapped.

Questions: Address questions to Sue, Kathy/Algebra, Carolyn, Barbara, or Kathy S. You may post them to the list if the answers may be of interest to others. Questions about mailing the blocks should be addressed to Sue. The general guidelines will be available in the files and at the website for review, but we caution you also to save this message.

HAVE FUN CREATING!!!!!