So someone please step up and organize us. My vote is for UNWASHED fabric. Batiks already go through several rinses during the dying process.

Hi Debbie - did not know you were either - sounds good - I'll help you count and sort if you like - if we have lots to sort, no one should get duplicates. Maybe everything should be in multiples of 28 as they are so easy to make - Barb

Hi TooHappy Carolyn & PatGlenn (congratulations on your retirement, Pat!) ...this should be a fairly easy thing to accomplish. You can either order papers from LaundryBasketQuilts.com (2" finished half-square triangle size) or if you don't want to purchase an entire pack, you can purchase some from me. I ordered 3 packages after the show, but haven't received them yet. I may need to order more depending on who wants me to send them some. It sounds like a lot of members are already ordering from Edyta.

To explain it rather briefly, each participant will make their half-square triangles (sewn & pressed, but leaving them folded and with the paper still attached) and mail them to me along with a appropriately sized & stamped self-addressed envelope to return them to you. We haven't decided if we should limit the number you can send, but since the papers make increments of 28, then 28 will be the minimum. Whatever amount you send in will be the amount you'll get back. Each member will be responsible for determining their own return postage, but it shouldn't be more than what it cost you to send it to me initially. Unless, of course, you have International postage to take into consideration.

Debbie

Hi Needlewear Barb!! I didn't realize you were a TQS member also. I hoping this will run as smoothly as our guild exchange. We'll be posting guidelines as soon as they're finalized and I hope you'll participate. We are going to open it up to both batiks and prints, but if you only want to send in batiks, that's fine too.

Debbie

Count me in. I just retired from my regular job and finally have time to quilt! Edyta was so charming on the show!
Pat Glenn, Mesa, AZ

I've never tried something like this, but I think it sounds like a lot of fun. I'll wait to commit until we get details kinda figured out. Maybe a sheet (5, 10?) of triangle paper triangles sent to one person who will then have to sort it out and mail them on. A lot will depend on how many committed signups we get.
Carolyn in sunshiny but cold Eastern Oregon

I am a member of the same bee as naneewolf and also did the exchange - it was easy and the trade went smoothly - I would like to do batiks as well - there are so many people - any ideas on how to best organize this?

If anyone is anxious to get a head start, you could go ahead and start gathering, cutting and pressing your fabrics strips. Remember to have light teamed with a medium or dark. And, yes, it's perfectly fine to use batiks and prints together. According to the demo on the show, the strips are to be cut 6-1/2" x 21". If you have some lengths shorter than 21", it's fine to mix it up so you can use up some of that stash. It would be a good idea to keep the same/similar colors together so when we go to distribute them, we can try to give everyone at least one of each. But if you don't, that's OK too.

Since there are so many thoughts about washing fabrics vs. not washing, you be the judge. As long as you are using a quilt shop quality fabric, it shouldn't make a huge difference. However, since some darker batiks and prints may have tendency to run, prewashing may be the best approach. There woundn't be anything worse than having a beautiful dark red batik run onto its neighboring light partner. I've seen really intense batiks run even after they been washed...ouch!

Hopefully Edyta will have enough papers in stock to meet our demands! I sent her an email yesterday to let her know what we're doing and asked her if she wanted to join us. Her schedule may be a little too full, but she probably does have a lot of triangles already sewn just for this purpose. I'll let you know what she says.

Debbie

I would love to participate. I ordered the papers 2 days ago, so I will be ready - just waiting for details. It will be such fun to see all the contributions from around the world.
June in Maryland.

I will participate, sounds very interesting. I would encourage everyone to dig deep into your stashes - send something you bought ten years ago! Looking forward to the official posting of the rules, including what fabric to pair with the batik - maybe a neutral beige? Tell me what to do!

Nancy, I love that idea! Maybe just sticking a return address label on each one would be an easier way than writing it out? You could strike out the street info if you are uncomfortable sharing that much info.....just leave your name and city/state/country?

I love how this is turning into an international event! Since we'll be sending our HST in with the papers still attached, would it be too laborious for each of us to write the country/state where we are submitting from on the paper, so we'll be able to see just where our swapped collection comes from? Just a thought....Nancy

Hi Debbie,
Count me in.. I live in Victoria in Australia.
I have papers to make 2" HST. Just tell us how many you want. Mail from the Sates takes about 10 days to get here.
Love the Batiks
Liesje.

I would like to join too, I live in the UK . I watched the show and have ordered the 2" sq papers . Dorothy Suffolk England