In Summer 2004, TO had an exchange featuring straight stitch applique. Twelve blocks were exchanged. They were so nice that some folks wanted more, for a bigger quilt. A second applique exchange, called a "Flash Exchange" because of its very short deadline, was arranged, and is, at this time, underway. Here are the specifications for the Flash Exchange:
Block: 9 1/2"
Background: I started out saying unbleached muslin, beige or very pale yellow,
but when I spread these blocks out, it is apparent that there is more variety
than I was thinking, so go with what you think is good.
Applique: your choice... However, if you participated in the
previous exchange (just completed) do not use the same applique pattern. Do
something different. Note: Instructions for iron on/straight stitch applique
can be found in The Quilt Shop on the web site at:
http://www.treadleon.net/quiltshop/applique/applique.html
Number of blocks: 12 ( with sashing and borders, that's enough
for a good throw quilt)
Signing: name, location and machine
Due Date: Here's where the "flash" comes in. Blocks
to postmarked no later than Nov. 26. And that's for US entries. If you're
out of the country you'll have to mail even earlier... sorry about that....
Coordinator: Captain Dick. Send blocks to me at: 10527 12th
Ave. NW., Seattle, WA 98177 Follow the usual mailing instructions for exchanges,
i.e. inside plastic bags and with a Tyvek or equivalent SASE mailer included...
stamps only, no postage meter strips.
Plan your work and mailing... I don't want to wait a long
time for straggle squishies... I plan to turn this one around real fast. Those
who remember the Blue & White exchange, that allowed three days for US
mailing and then got turned around in 8 hours, will understand that I'm serious.
Also, once I have all my blocks, I plan to make them into
a quilt using the "sash the blocks" method I taught at the MN TOGA,
and I will do this as an instruction page, so anyone not familiar with assembling
will benefit as well.
If I'm forgetting anything critical, let me know and I'll fix it.
A comment re sorting: I haven't done one of these in a long time. I'll do my best to avoid duplications, but there are no guarantees... I'm not sure I can remember how to sort when there are more participants than the required number of blocks. I do recommend that you make an extra block for yourself. I won't send you one of your own, unless the numbers make it easier to sort that way. The only thing I will guarantee is that you will get a bunch of new blocks. (Bunch: scientific measurement equal to a few x several, or, in metric, the square of a sampling.)
Here are pictures of the blocks from the first exchange, for inspiration:
Here are the same blocks in a closer view:
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Nov. 1... Whew! What a response this has prompted! That will
teach me to open my big mouth! I had thought to maybe pull off a small, quick
exchange and deal with a dozen or so squishies if I was lucky... Ha! We are
now up to 28 participants, with several contemplating two sets of blocks.
Really, I'm glad there is so much enthusiasm, and all I can say is that I
will do my best.
It's obvious that no one will get examples of all of the blocks, so there
is, from that standpoint, a lot less pressure as far as more than one person
having the same theme on their blocks, so don't sweat that one.
I truly am not sure how the sorting will work out, as far as an odd number
of participants vs. the number of blocks, but I will do my best to avoid duplicates.
I have been doing a lot of thinking, and the more I have thought about it,
the more appeal the idea of putting together a really big Treadle On quilt
having all, or as many as possible, of the blocks in the exchange, has to
me. The idea kind of reminds me of our Sunbonnet Sue quilt, which was our
first ever applique project (it wasn't an exchange). I hope to make two batches
of blocks myself, which would get me examples of most of the blocks. However,
I'm not sure I can handle that in the time frame (This lady I live with keeps
coming up with other stuff for me to do.) So... If you are participating and
1. feel like it and 2. want to be sure to have a block in whatever I finally
do, you could consider doing 13 blocks instead of twelve, the extra block
being for the Coordinator, and I will see what I end up with for a special
project. If I end up with extra blocks, I can batch them for the TOGA raffle
or something. Just a thought.
So, here is where we stand now:
Captain Dick - cameo and possibly a dreml block
Peggy Weichel
Katie in Davis, CA
Windy Cindy
Sue Militello - black cat
Di in TN - dove
Eleanor Beck - Sunbonnet Sam ?
Judy Zaspel
Dorothy in OZ
Michele Haynes in CT - September Apple
Sunbonnet Sue in NE - Sunbonnet Sue block
Sybil in Houston
Justina in WV
Catjones in TN
Skye Weber
Linda Anderson
Vivienne
Barb Lamont in WA
Nancy in Western MD
Joan in NB
Linda Anderson in IL
Kathleen Kelly in WI
Stephanie Davis
Ruth Paz
Andria in Camas WA
Larry Zimmerman
Connie Wood
Martha Wilham
Captain Dick