The Official
TreadleOn Block Exchanges

Kelly Pakes, in PA, is the new TOBE coordinator. She helps to organize each TOBE and makes sure it doesn't conflict with other previously scheduled TOBE's.

Please check the overall TOBE plan if you are interested in participating in a TOBE.

http://www.kelsew.info/to/tobesummary.html

There, you will find a complete listing of the current block exchanges.

A Treadle On Block Exchange. It's purpose is to encourage you to use you people powered machines, therefore all TOBE blocks must be made on either a handcrank or treadle sewing machine. You make a set of blocks according to the TOBE specs, send them to the hostess, who swaps all the blocks to other onions. You get the same number of blocks back that you sent in, from lots of different people. You do not have to be on list to participate, so if you have friends who are interested, invite them to join us.

Please see the general TOBE information below...

How to Sign Your TOBE Blocks

• Select an archival, permanent, acid-free pen. Sharpie markers are NOT a good choice as they will bleed a yellow "shadow". I've had good results with Pigma, ZIG, and Micron pens. Quilt stores and scrapbooking shops/departments carry them.
  
  
• Black seems to be the best color for permanence, but isn't mandatory.
  
  
• Sign in the light sections of the block. Include your name, location, machine used, and TOBE. Example:

Damascus Annie, Prairie Farm, WI
1920s "Governor C" hand crank
Spring TOBE 2009

If you have physical problems signing, just sign your name. The rest of the blocks will have the TOBE information, and while it's fun to know the machine, it's not necessary.

To make signing easier, try one of the following suggestions:

• Iron a piece of freezer paper to the back of the signing area.
• Place a sheet of 400 or 600 grit sandpaper under your block.
• Clip the sandpaper and block to a clip board.

Either of these methods help keep the fabric from shifting under the pen.

Place your blocks in a zip lock bag with the following information written on the bag:

• Name
• E-mail Address
• Number of sets of blocks you have in the bag.

This is your "squishie".

1. Get two identical mailers from either an office supply store or use the post office's mailers and save yourself an extra stop. Take the hostess's mailing information along when you are ready to mail your squishie.
   
   
2. Address one of the mailers to yourself, include your return address. Do NOT seal this envelope!!!!
   
   
3. Have the addressed mailer and your squishie weighed together and put the correct postage in STAMPS on the mailer. This is your pre-paid, return envelope. Do NOT run it through the postage meter! Metered postage is dated and will not be valid when the hostess tries to mail your squishie back to you.
   
   International members will not be able to prepay their return envelopes. The hostesses usually accept some sort of compensation in the form of a gift in exchange for paying the return postage. When I was hostess, I was more than happy with the fabric I received from my international participants--it more than covered my expenses!
   
   
4. Address the other mailer to the hostess. Put the stamped return envelope and the squishie in this mailer and seal it.
   
   
5. Have the sealed envelope weighed and stamped.
   
   
6. Send it off.
   
   
7. When you get home, e-mail your TOBE hostess and tell her that your squishie is on its way.