Swap Guidelines

The following are important guidelines for swapping in the Quilting Arts Forum. Please email them to yourself or copy for safekeeping!

We developed them when QAF first opened (as a result of many previous years of online swapping), based on what made good swap experiences.  Remember, swapping is one of the most fun things online quilters do!  Let's all help to keep it that way!!

Before you join swaps at QAF, we will ask you to read these Guidelines. As a QAF swapper, we expect that you will review them again if necessary and further expect you to use them as your swap 'bible'.

If there is anything that isn't clear to you or something you do not understand, please ask us - before problems arise.

Below are our BASIC requirements for swap fabrics and fabric preparation, swap blocks and their construction, and the swaps themselves - what you can expect and what is expected from you. Please read each section carefully.

FABRIC:

• All fabric swapped will be PRE-WASHED 100% cotton 'quiltshop quality' fabric.
• When pre-washing and pressing fabric, do not use any scented laundry products. Some swappers
  are very sensitive to scents. You may wash fabric without any laundry products if you wish or use UN-scented products. NO scented laundry products, including detergent, soap, softener, dryer sheets, starches, etc.
• To insure accuracy, cut your fabrics with a rotary cutter, rotary cutting ruler and rotary cutting mat. Do not cut your fabrics with scissors and never tear your fabrics.
• DO remove selvages from all fabrics you are cutting into Nickels, Charms, or pieces you are cutting for blocks.
• Do NOT remove selvages from FQs or Strips.
• Please send only the fabrics that a particular swap calls for.. Any variations from the quality and fiber content stated above will be clearly stated in the swap announcements.
• Best rule of thumb: Send only what you would love to receive.

BLOCKS:

• Know the specific requirements of a stated block swap and follow them scrupulously. If you have questions, ask your swap hostess for clarification.
• Swappers will adhere strictly to the guidelines for any particular swap as set forth by the HOSTESS. If a swap calls for a particular fabric, USE that particular fabric. If you cannot, then do not join that particular swap.
• Use only the colors called for and the pattern provided.
• Remove selvages before cutting pieces for swap blocks.
• Make sure that blocks are made using PREWASHED 100% cotton 'quiltshop quality' fabric and please follow basic washing instructions as stated under the 'Fabric' heading (above).
• To insure accuracy, cut your fabrics with a rotary cutter, rotary cutting ruler and rotary cutting mat. Do not cut your fabrics with scissors and never tear your fabrics.
• All seams must measure 1/4".
• Seam intersections, where seams are supposed to meet each other, must actually meet each other exactly. If not, please un-sew and make any necessary corrections before continuing to construct your block.
• Measure each unit of your block for accuracy before continuing to sew. If it doesn't measure up, fix it or start over.
• All blocks must finish at the size required for the swap. If the block should measure 12.5 inches, this means 12.5 inches, not 12.25. If your block is off size, it is unacceptable and must stay at home with you. Please do not send it out to any other swapper.
• Before mailing out, make sure the block is square by using a 'square-up' ruler that is at least as large as the block is supposed to measure. Press and clip any remaining sewing threads.

SWAPS:

• Swappers are responsible for mailing their own swap packets to the others involved in the swap.
• Swap announcements will include specific requirements for exactly what is being swapped.
• Any and all questions about the swap must be asked and will be answered in the swap discussion.
• Deadline for signups and deadline for mailouts will be clearly stated.
• Hostess will take signups directly on the forum only, via reply to original Swap post. You must use both first and last names when signing up. Do not sign up via eMail.
• After joining a swap, please click the envelope icon located at the top right of your browser window to 'Subscribe' to the swap. This will make finding this message thread very easy. The swap will be listed on the far left column of your 'My Forums' page so you will never have to hunt for it again when it 'seems' to have disappeared.
• At the end of signups, the swap hostess will post a list of participants in that Swap's message #2. Please print out this message to use for keeping track of when swap materials are mailed out and when they are received.
• Swappers will then mail swap items to each other participant (before the mail-out deadline!), locating their information on the QAF Master Swappers List. An updated copy of this List will be mailed to each active swapper on the 5th of each month.

SWAPPERS:
Note: Swappers MUST be members of QAF and be listed on the QAF Master Swappers List.*

• Communication is essential!
• Swappers are expected to fulfill their swaps on time and stay in communication on the board, posting messages when they mail out their swap materials and when they receive swap materials from their fellow swappers.
• Please do NOT commit to a swap unless you are certain you can complete it.
• Before joining any swap, Swappers MUST be current on all prior swap commitments.

PLEASE NOTE: These Guidelines are not just suggestions of preferred swap etiquette, they are requirements for all who participate in QAF swaps. QAF swappers are expected to send out exactly what a swap calls for and to send things they would like to receive themselves.

It has been said that 'swapping is supposed to be fun'. We cannot think of a better way for swapping to be fun than to send your very best and know you will be getting the very best in return.

QAF MASTER SWAPPERS LIST:
***This is a list of everyone who swaps on QAF. You must be on this list to be included in swaps.

Send your full name, nickname, mailing address, phone number, and your functioning email address to Forum Host and QAF Listkeeper, Mary Evans (threads). You may also send your birthday (optional).

Every QAF swapper will be eMailed an up-to-date copy of this list on the 5th of each month.

Note: Members who have not visited or swapped in 6 months will be dropped from the list and will need to rejoin list when they wish to swap again.

Your Swap Coordinator is: Patricia (Shaka) Thompson (SHAKA2). If you have any questions regarding swapping at QAF please email Shaka.

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