Poll For Our 25th Hexie Swap

Time to select the themes for our 25^th hexie swap!

Email me your top THREE choices to 2013hexagonswap@gmail.com. The poll will stay up until October 7, 2016; the official sign ups begin immediately and ends on October 28, 2016.The swap is due in my hand no later than January 14, 2017. That gives you plenty of time to make your hexies between your holiday events!

Guidelines would be the same as the previous swaps, but always feel free to contact me if you have any questions on fabrics. You can check out the blog at http://hexagonswap.blogspot.com/ for past swap guidelines (Look on the right side of the blog for "Favorite Links" for more information on how to make hexies, packaging and suitable fabrics for each theme). We are looking for small prints to make the most of our hexie quilts and projects.

The terrific gals at Paper Pieces have been kind enough to extend their 20% discount for all merchandise purchased (shipping not included in the discount). Visit their website at http://www.paperpieces.com/

Vote for: (running total of votes will be listed to the right of the theme on the hexie blog):

***TWO NEW WRITE-IN THEMES***

*Americana (off-white, barn red and confederate blue)

*Browns  

*Stashbusters prints (like in the past 24 swaps)

*Lt. Neutrals

*Dark Neutrals

*TRUE 1930's repros-no children’s novelties

*TRUE 1930’s repros-only children’s novelties

*TRUE Civil War repros

*Batiks (must prewash your fabrics for this theme, please)

*TOT (tone on tone)

*TRUE black and white prints

*Spring colors (pastel colors)

*Summer colors (bright colors of summer flowers)

*Fall colors (deep reds, maroon, dark oranges, golds, browns, etc.)

*Winter colors (white and blues)

*TRUE red, white and blue prints

*BRIGHT prints

*Small floral prints

*Children's novelty prints

*Novelty prints-not children’s

*Solids

*Neutrals (black, cream or white)

*TRUE red and white prints

*TRUE blue and white prints

*Shades of blue

*Shades of pink

*Shades of green

*Shades of purple

*Small print polka dots

*Christmas prints

More FUN With Our Upcoming 25th Swap!

Okay, as if 25 prizes weren't enough FUN, we are also having games where you have the opportunity to win MORE prizes!

And, in order to get more new swappers, if you get one of your quilting/hexie buddies to sign up for this swap, you will get a prize. The best part of this is that you can share on the postage to and from the swap.

The next post will be about the 25th swap poll and we need your votes! You can also write in a theme if you wish. Stand by for more information!

More Information On The Upcoming 25th Swap!

Yes, very soon we will be having our 25th swap. I'm SO excited that I want to celebrate with 25 days of gifts. Here is how it works:

You must be signed up for the swap and complete the swap in order for you to receive your prize(s). That's right--you can win up to 25 times! How fun is that???

You will be given a number once you sign up and I will have a random number generator pick a number and the one that is yours is the winner. It's that simple!

The prizes will be sent back with your swap or depending on the prize, a separate mailing. All in all, it will be fun to check the blog each day to see if you are a winner and what you won. While some of the gifts will be small, there will be several larger gifts sprinkled in among them just to add to the suspense!

If you do not complete your swap and you are a winner of a prize(s), the gifts will be drawn again among those who did complete the swap.

So, if you haven't swapped with us for awhile, don't miss the opportunity to join in this special swap. Remember, you only need to send in a minimum of 36 sets of a theme to play! You can do those in your sleep, lol! ;)


I will be posting the poll to select the themes within the next few weeks and if you have any suggestions on a new theme, please email me at 2013hexagonswap@gmail.com

The deadline for this swap will be in January of 2017, so you will have plenty of time to enjoy your holiday season and family before it is due in my hands.

Hope you can join us!

Suitable TRUE Red and White Prints

Red and white--that's it--NO other color--no cream, off white, ecru or any additional colors other than red and white. If you question your white, put a sample of your fabric on a sheet of computer paper to confirm the shade doesn't contain yellow tones.

Here are some photos with 1" hexies so you can see the nice tight prints with little open background:

Themes for 24th Hexie Swap!

Time to sign up for our 24^th swap! 

Sign up by emailing me your name, address, phone, email address and themes to 2013hexagonswap@gmail.com  

Signs up end September 16, 2016

  SWAP IN DUE IN MY HANDS NO LATER THAN OCTOBER 22, 2016

Our three themes are:

*Stashbusters (see guidelines below)

*Fall Shades (see guidelines below)

*TRUE Red and White Prints (see guidelines below)

<<36 SET MINIMUM-99 SET MAXIMUM PER THEME>>

In collaboration with the great ladies at Paper Pieces (see their contact information at the end of this post), we will offer you the opportunity to join our 24th swap with other quilters and save 20% not only on your precut shapes of English paper pieces, but for all other merchandise on their website! Please note this discount doesn’t include the shipping charges. They offer an extensive collection of hexagon books to spark your interest and I especially recommend “Piecing It All Together” and “English Paper Piecing”. 

The Paperpieces.com code number will be emailed to you once you officially sign up at 2013hexagonswap@gmail.com with your full real name, address and phone number and the swap(s) themes you be joining in. Paper Pieces will do their best to get your shipment out ASAP so you will have plenty of time to work on your sets! I will do my best not to send you back any duplicates.

Below you will find what seems like a copy of “War and Peace”, but I run my swaps with open communication so there are no surprises and complete consistency from all swappers. Follow the guidelines? Great! Don’t follow the guidelines? Your swap will be returned. I need to be fair to all swappers who play. And I know what you are thinking and yes, I am a type-A personality! 

We will be swapping 1”hexagons (Paper Pieces item # HEX100). Please note that these measure 1” on each side. Each “set” will be of six of the same fabric with the papers left inside. This will allow you to make the outside edges of a flower and use your own center fabric to bring consistency to your finished project. Please do not use any glue to hold down the paper piece on the fabric. You will be sewing through the paper and be sure to check the blog for the details. See the tutorial on how to make hexies for this swap on the blog under favorites.

Check out the right side of the hexie blog for photos of suitable fabrics for the above themes. Remember, you can only send in a maximum of ten sets (60 hexies) of the same print. And no, you cannot duplicate or use the same fabric for another theme (such a sending in a TRUE Red and White Print and also including it into the Stashbusters theme).

**Remember, NO large prints or novelty prints. We are getting many of these sent in and I just have to return them back to you**

Here are our three themes: 

>Stashbusters: Use the guidelines below for selecting fabrics and check out the blog: http://hexagonswap.blogspot.com/2012/12/basics-for-hexagon-swap.html 

>Fall/Autumn Prints: Think fall! Colors like those of fallen leaves, deep red, maroons, eggplant, deep golds and oranges, browns, dark greens. No bright colors and NO Thanksgiving or Halloween prints. Check out the blog for suitable colors:http://hexagonswap.blogspot.com/2013/08/suitable-fabrics-for-autumn-swap.html

 

>TRUE Red and White Prints:  Please read carefully—this is for only red and white prints—no off white, ecru or cream. No other colors in the print. Just TRUE Red and White allowed. White is subjective, so put your fabric on a piece of computer paper to confirm the shade. All those do not meet the standards will be returned. See the link below for suitable prints and color: https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4361850906940105772#editor/target=post;postID=3441859304969936863;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=0;src=postname

 

*PLEASE READ THE GUIDELINES CAREFULLY BEFORE COMMITTING TO THE SWAP OR CUTTING YOUR FABRICS. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE ASK!* As always, if you send in hexies using fabrics not allowed in the swap, they will be returned.
*Use only 100% cotton washed fabric.

*NO solids (unless noted in swap guidelines), homespun, glitter, batiks, novelty prints—this includes holiday prints (unless noted in swap guidelines) and children prints, flannels, thin or plastic-feeling fabrics. Please do not send in any WOW (white on white), COC (cream on cream), etc. They really don’t make a colorful flower. Just remember we want each flower to stand out—and not become a wallflower in your finished project!

*NO large prints—be sure your fabrics selected are to the 1” hexagon scale! Leave your open background and large prints for other projects—use smaller prints that fill in your hexie! If you have a question on a fabric, please do not hesitate to contact me at 2013hexagonswap@gmail.com PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, ALSO PLACE A 1” HEXAGON PAPER ON THE QUESTIONABLE PRINT SO I CAN SEE THE SCALE.
 
*Be sure when cutting directional fabrics they do not end up looking off-bias or wonky once the hexagon flowers is put together.

*Be sure to REMOVE your selvedges (and pin marks) BEFORE cutting your fabrics. Check fabric for flaws, such as runs or stains. Since the sets will be stacked and tacked by a thread, I will not be able to double check your work. Remember the golden rule of swapping—do not send anything in that you wouldn’t want to receive in return. 

*PLEASE SHIP IN PLENTY OF TIME AS ANY LATE PACKAGES WILL BE RETURNED BACK TO YOU UNSWAPPED AT YOUR EXPENSE!* I will be sending out a “gentle reminder” notice two weeks before the swap is due. THIS WILL BE strictly INFORCED! If shipping parcel post, plan on two week shipping time. For international shipments, please plan on at least three weeks to arrive in time to swap out.

While I advocate using Paperpieces papers (#HEX100), you can also take lightweight card stock and cut your own. You cannot use regular computer paper or cardboard for this swap as they are subsequently too light and too heavy ensure a sharp point when turning corners and will be returned! If you do use your own inserts, be sure they are consistent while cutting. I will be doing a spot check to be sure they are not too small or too large and that once you sew down the corners they are not pulling up the tips. Check out the blog for a tutorial as to how we would like the hexies made. Please do not use any glue or adhesive to hold down the hexie paper to the fabric. Please use a straight stitch, not a whip stitch for easy paper removal. 

Your swap guidelines on how to make of the hexagons will be posted on the blog. Please DRY press your hexagons when finished. Be careful NOT to use steam if using printed inserts as the dyes may come off on the fabrics! Yes, we will be sewing through the paper, but as you see in the tutorial, it will be easy to remove the papers for reuse once you sew your hexagons together and remove the basting stitch. 

As mentioned before, each set will be six-1” finished hexagons of the SAME print with a knotted basting stitched (PLEASE USE THE SMALLEST NEEDLE POSSIBLE TO AVOID HOLES!) down the middle and back up to the top to hold each set together (with papers left inside each piece). You can only send in 10 sets of the SAME print! (Total of 60 hexagons of the SAME print) to ensure a nice variety of prints. I found cutting 2 ½”strips of fabric and sub cutting them into 2 ½” squares work PERFECT for this project. 

NOTE: I know life sometimes throws you curve balls, but it has happened that people get excited and want to play, only to wait two months later when the swap is due in a day or so to say they didn't have time. By that time you should have already been ready to mail the package. That leaves me hanging to replace your swap with my stash and totally unfair IF you know you cannot make the deadline to begin with. I give you ample notice so you have plenty of time to make an informed decision. Also, another player may liked to play in your place. Be honest with me up front, or a repeat offender might not be able to play in the future. The success of this swap depends on your ability follow through your commitment to our group of players. Thank you for your understanding!

By all of us being honest and accountable, I'm sure we will have a great 2016 swapping year! I really do enjoy hostessing and want to continue to enjoy it, so by coming up front with any issues is not really a complaint, but a way to correct it so my frustration level (and blood pressure!) stays at an even keel. Probably the MOST important thing I can say about a successful swap is the high level of communication between all parties. Without that, we are setting ourselves up for failure. Be prepared for me to contact you several times during the swap for an update on your progress and invite pictures of your hexies to share with other swappers!

**I’m allergic to pet dander and scents, so please do what you can to control the fur. Some packages come in with so much pet hair that they look like they need to be brushed! For health reasons, I cannot handle them and they will be returned untouched at YOUR expense. My health depends on it and I thank you in advance for your understanding. 

PACKING YOUR SHIPMENT-We found that using dollar store sandwich Ziploc-style bags package nine sets nicely and make it easier to swap out. If you “burp” the air out of the baggies before you seal them they pretty much stay in place during shipping. Also, please ID each baggie with your name and state so that the other swappers can know where their hexies come from! Some swappers like to use those address labels they get in the mail. You can put all your separated themes in a larger Ziploc-style bag with your COF board name (if you have one!), real name and address, phone number and number of sets in the main bag AND a separate piece of paper with your mailing address in case the package is damaged in shipment so the post office can still return it to you. 

>>Please see packaging guidelines on the blog post>> http://hexagonswap.blogspot.com/2013/08/packaging-your-swaps.html

POSTAGE or POSTAGE money must be included in your package. Be sure to add a stamp or two to your stamped envelopes if not going priority mail flat rate boxes. They also seem to weigh more returning than coming in! If you are a frequent swapper, you can also send in $20 or so and I can keep it on “account” and deduct your postage from it. This was worked nicely with some swappers in the past and that way you don’t have to worry about sending in money each time. Once the swap is complete, I will PM you your postage balance on account for your records. If you wish your extra postage money returned, I can certainly do that also (minus the stamp money for return postage).

If you wish to include a self-addressed mailer for the return trip back to you, remember NO metered postage or ACP postage on the return mailer. Stamps only. Our post office will not allow more than a 13 oz. pre-stamped mailer in any mailboxes nor can mail carriers accept them (since 9/11 our East coast mail guidelines have been modified). While your local p.o. may say it is okay to use metered or ACP postage, our p.o. will NOT accept anything that has been pre-dated. I’m just trying to make it as easy as possible for all concerned. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask! 

For Priority mail packages, I have plenty of mailing envelopes and boxes here so there is no need to send a new one. I do, however, try to recycle the boxes if possible. IF YOU ARE SENDING YOUR SWAP IN A MANILLA ENVELOPE OR PADDED MAILER, YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE TO SEND IN A RETURN ENVELOPE. Remember, I am not responsible for the packages once they are mailed back to you.

>>NOTE: Some of your local post offices allow you to pack a flat rate envelope or legal size envelope to the bulging point, but mine won’t accept them as they are intended for FLAT items only. So, if you can get away with it on your end-fine-just be aware they may not be returned the same way.

Paper Pieces:
http://www.paperpieces.com/
(Use the search box to find the HEX100)
Email: paperpieces@paperpieces.com
Call toll free in the US: 1-800-337-1537

Hexagon Swap blog:
http://hexagonswap.blogspot.com/